The Reese’s Senior Bowl is a chance for CFB seniors to gain more exposure leading up to the NFL combine and NFL draft. The teams are coached by current NFL staffs. Plus they’re going up against other draft hopefuls in a week long event in Mobile, Alabama.
Here are the five prospects who’ve stood out all week.
Brian Robinson — Alabama (RB)
Robinson was the bell cow this season for the national runner-up Crimson Tide. The brute running back rushed for (1,343 yards and 14 touchdowns), including 204 yards in a 27-6 win over Cincinnati in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl (CFP).
The rep we'll remember from day 3 at the #SeniorBowl. #CrimsonTide RB Brian Robinson Jr. in pass pro against Channing Tindall.
Duce Staley LOVED it. pic.twitter.com/sBcOjOPWvT
— Jake Schyvinck (@JakeNFLDraft) February 3, 2022
Robinson a 2017 recruit, waited five years to become the starting tailback. He’s been the best back at this week’s festivities. “BRob” showed all season that he can tote the mail, but he also displayed his value in pass protection as evidenced by his work to help keep Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young upright. This week has been no different. In a league that passes 62% of the time and runs it 38% of the time, running backs better know how to pass protect or they won’t see the Field.
Jermaine Johnson II — Florida State (Edge/OLB)
JJ began his college career at Georgia. As a redshirt junior he transferred to Independence Community College of “Last Chance U” fame. He landed with the ‘Noles for his redshirt senior season, and let’s just say he wreaked havoc in the ACC.
This season he finished with 70 tackles, 12 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two passes defended. He also chimed in with 18 tackles for loss, and his 12 sacks were sixth-best in the country. For his efforts he was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
#Lions HC Duce Staley picked Kentucky OL Darian Kinnard and Florida State EDGE Jermaine Johnson for post-practice 1-on-1. Rep 1 winner: Johnson pic.twitter.com/fWCpMkMGnd
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 1, 2022
“He put a spin move on somebody yesterday — I believe it was Darrian Kennard, the offensive tackle from Kentucky,” said one coach. “That really drew a lot of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ from the crowd and scouts and evaluators in attendance. So he has the ‘wow’ factor with his game.”
Malik Willis — Liberty (QB)
NFL teams are big on mobile QBs with strong arms. Willis fits that exact mold. He’s comparable to a less dynamic Lamar Jackson, but Willis is more polished as a thrower than LJ8 was at this stage.
Willis showed pro precision and touch on throws in miserable weather throughout the week, while the other QBs really struggled. He also flexed his elite arm-strength by having a pass travel 74 mph — the fastest at the Senior Bowl since they began tracking it in 2018. He helped his draft position, which was already pretty high to begin with.
Malik Willis hitting UCLA tight end Greg Dulcich downfield off play action at @seniorbowl practice. pic.twitter.com/9WoxUFTDIK
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) February 2, 2022
Pittsburgh Steelers fans have been publicly salivating in anticipation of Willis possibly replacing Ben Roethlisberger, who retired after Pittsburgh’s playoff exit.
Kingsley Enagbare — South Carolina (Edge)
Dominant edge rusher with great get off. Capable of bull rushing or using his whole bag of pass rush moves. King does a great job of setting up offensive lineman without losing outside leverage in the run or quick pass game.
Wasn't a measuring contest – just curious on your perspective of Enagbare..
I thought he ran around the field with his hair on fire – saw good pursuit speed and an extra gear when he needed ithttps://t.co/CnGhVfTQR1
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) February 4, 2022
The high-energy edge rusher’s play throughout the week only helped his draft position, probably elevating him into the late first or early second round. He showed his rush and run stopping prowess weekly in the SEC. Enagbare is a difference maker at the next level.
“In a sense, I always knew I was good,” Enagbare told reporters. “Pretty much just growing up, a lot of coaches did a lot of things for me that showed that I was good”
Roger McCreary — Auburn (CB)
Biggest Winners in American Practice 1 of the #SeniorBowl:
– Jermaine Johnson II, Edge (Florida St)
– Cade Mays, OL (Tennessee)
– Malik Willis, QB (Liberty)
– Roger McCreary, CB (Auburn)
– Kingsley Enagbare, Edge (S. Carolina)
– Jalen Tolbert, WR (S. Alabama)— Kyle Youmans (@Kyle_Youmans) February 1, 2022
McCreary established himself as one of the top corners in college football with 20 pass breakups, second-most in the nation. His talents were on full display this season. McCreary covered Alabama’s dynamic duo of Jameson Williams and John Metchie and had five pass breakups in that game alone.
Auburn’s Roger McCreary (@Rogerjamez) was named top CB on the American team in a vote from the WR group at practice player-of-the-week awards ceremony today at 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl. #TheDraftStartsInMobile pic.twitter.com/cf0GYIDUhp
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 4, 2022
This week at Senior Bowl practice he showed an ability to win in press man coverage and cover in space. He’s gonna play from day one with his skill set. He’ll be a ten-year starter in the NFL.
