2013 Senior Bowl Observations

The 2013 Senior Bowl is in the books and even though GMs are not gonna put too much stock into this game as oppose to putting much more stock in prospect’s “performance” the week leading up to the game, prospects can actually help or hurt their draft stock with their performance in this game.  Here’s a few observations from the game and prospects that helped or hurt their draft stock….

QB EJ Manuel was the Senior Bowl MVP with his solid performance on Saturday in leading the South to 21-16 win over the North.

– Florida State QB E.J. Manuel  finished the game leading every scoring drive for the South. He looked  really comfortable under pressure, and was extremely accurate from the pocket.  Prior to the game I noted that Manuel would need to show more in his game to silence the doubters and I believe he did that today.

– The North quarterbacks were extremely inconsistent essentially the entire game.  NC State QB Mike Glennon looked somewhat decent in the pocket and making throws but he needed to do more today to help his stock and silence the doubters and I don’t think he did that. Glennon was unable to push the North Team to the edge and grab the lead. Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib looked very inconsistent, and Zac Dysert showed a bit of poise on his last drive, a drive that ended in a TD pass to Oregon’s RB Kenjon Barner. I’d say none of these North QBs did MUCH to help their draft stock but probably didn’t hurt their stock that much either.

-Florida’s RB Mike Gillislee and Stanford’s RB Stepfan Taylor definitely showed why they are such highly regarded backs. Both of these backs found holes and utilized their speed and power to practically run through that North defensive line. They both truly looked like RBs ready to contribute in the NFL immediately with their performances today.

– Duke’s WR Connor Vernon impressed me today with his hands and motor.  He looked like a WR that is ready to be dumped in the slot on the next level and ready to produce immediately.  His awareness and YAC abilities looked very good, I could see him possibly being a first day pick for a team that can afford a luxury pick at WR on the first day.

– Purdue’s Kawann Short and BYU’s Ezekiel Ansah were both all over the field today and I don’t see how they both aren’t not just first DAY picks but first ROUND picks.  Short was playing from the DT position and the South’s offensive line had problems containing him for the most part.  Ansah is more of a raw prospect but he looked pretty polished in this game as he was all over the field and consistently in the backfield disrupting plays and getting sacks.

-North RBs  Robbie Rouse and Johnathan Franklin kept the North in the game as they were both very impressive out of the backfield and Oregon’s stud RB Kenjon Barner caught seven receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown.  These 3 RBs certainly proved they belong on the next level with their performance in this game and some team will probably get a steal with all of them in April.

Some other players that helped themselves in the Senior Bowl were;

Alabama’s TE Mike Williams

Georgia’s WR Tavarres King

Uconn’s LB Sio Moore

Rutgers LB Khaseem Greene