Seven Interesting Senior Bowl Prospects

The Senior Bowl is once again upon us and once again we will over analyze and scrutinize prospects to the point of absurdity but there’s nothing else to do so I’ll do just that and you won’t judge me.  I have seven prospects that interest me the most.  These prospects aren’t necessarily the best at their positions yet they interest me for one reason or another.  The week leading up to the game is probably more important than the game itself when it comes to adequately evaluating a prospect but performances in the game itself shouldn’t be downplayed as E.J. Manuel played himself into the first round with his performance in last year’s game.  

Nov 23, 2013; Laramie, WY, USA; Wyoming Cowboys wide receiver Robert Herron (6) warms up before the game against the the Hawaii Warriors at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports

1.) Robert Herron, WR Wyoming

Robert Herron caught 20 touchdowns for 2,030 yards in his Wyoming career.  Heron who is one of the many measurable “challenged” WRs at the Senior Bowl comes in at 5’8 7/8″, despite being listed at 5-10 at Wyoming. He weighs in at 193 pounds.  It’s really not hard for Herron to separate himself from the pack though as the talented WR knows how to uses his 4.3-40 speed and impressive hands to gain separation and haul in passes.   There’s a position for Herron on EVERY NFL team but he has to prove that he belongs and I think he’ll do just that as he opens  more than a few eyes before the Senior Bowl is over.

2.) Jared Abbrederis WR Wisconsin

The 6’2″ 190 lb. WR from Wisconsin is mostly classified by scouts as a possession WR,  but despite his lack of elite speed, I believe Abbrederis is a legit deep threat and can easily make his way down field.   He’s a very good red zone target as well.  Abbrederis is very good at returning punts and kicks and can certainly add that value to a NFL roster if given a chance.  While Abbrederis has plenty of skills that could make him marketable as a first-rounder, there are a few things that could get in the way of him being one of the top receivers taken.   His speed for one is a knock against him but I see deceptive speed on tape and he will certainly look to display this  before the Senior Bowl is over.

Oct 26, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver Michael Campanaro (3) reacts after his touchdown catch in the second quarter against the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

3.) Michael Campanaro, WR, Wake Forest

Michael Campanaro managed to haul in a record 229 catches during his career at Wake Forrest

while finishing third in school history with 2,506 yards.

Campanaro at 5′-11″, 190 pounds, is one of the best pure slot receivers in this year’s draft class and that record he set at Wake just isn’t a number, it shows that he knows how to get open and wreak havoc on defenses.  He runs crisp routes and is very quick coming out of his breaks.  He’s the type of receiver who will present serious challenges for nickel backs in the NFL and will make most safeties who have to cover him in the slot look silly.  Like Herron and Abbrederis, he is a WR that NFL teams covet just as much as the big targets for totally different reasons.

4.) Logan Thomas, QB Virginia Tech

Logan Thomas threw for 2,907 yards, 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions…… Perhaps no player came to Mobile this week with more to prove than Thomas, who boasts a 6-foot-5 inch, 250-pound frame to go with impressive athleticism and arm strength. But inconsistency has haunted him throughout his career at Virginia Tech and he came to Mobile knowing he needed to prove he could add accuracy and consistency to go with his big arm.  Logan Thomas is probably the most interesting QB at the Senior Bowl for reasons BOTH he’d probably like and dis-like.  I would love to see Thomas focus on his accuracy and consistency and make a few plays that will allow his draft stock to come out of the basement.

5.) BYU’s Kyle Van Noy

6.) Tahj Boyd, QB Clemson

7.) Ford, DE Auburn