Welcome to the thick of the pre-draft process. With a little over a week until practices kick off in Mobile, Alabama, I’ll be providing a layered look into each positional group set to compete at the 2024 Senior Bowl.
The draft cycle’s premier showcase presents prospects with the opportunity to don their respective college helmets just one final time. Let’s get rolling with a peek into the headlining players set to compete at quarterback.
Senior Bowl 2024 QB Primer
Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Penix Jr. can solidify himself as a first-round pick in Mobile. We know the arm talent, and it was nice to have Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja’Lynn Polk on the perimeter, but working in a neutral environment in a different offensive architecture will paint a clear picture toward Penix’s floor moving forward. He surely won’t be shy in stretching the field, but taking what’s given, staying true to his mechanics, and remaining calm when chaos ensues around his feet are just a few things league evaluators will have a keen eye on.
Joe Milton III, Tennessee
Milton III looks the part at 6-foot-5 and can rip it as well as anyone in the class. However, I’m interested to see Milton’s efficiency over the middle of the field and ability to layer throws at a variety of depths with consistency. We know he can sling it 70 yards on a rope, but taking the underneath throws and quickly developing a rapport with wideouts he’s never worked with in a neutral environment will speak volumes. He’s got a ton of the traits you look for in a potential starter on Sundays. Per one AFC rep, “I’d be shocked if he [Milton] gets out of the top 100 [picks].”
Michael Pratt, Tulane
Pratt is a mature signal-caller who I’m excited to see go to work in Mobile. In the pocket, Pratt’s experience shines as a processor presnap. He’s quick to identify depth and principles of outside coverage. He has clean mechanics with a smooth delivery and easy zip, as well. Pratt can, at times, pull the string a little too much when asked to layer throws, but often drops it right into the bucket. He’s not the most elite athlete at the position, but when asked to extend plays, he has no issue doing so to move the sticks.
Carter Bradley, South Alabama
A local product that will be in his home stadium all week, Bradley is extremely comfortable in the pocket with some zip when asked to push it downfield. He won’t ‘wow’ you with arm talent or his athletic profile, but he’s an experienced passer (six years in college) with four years spent at Toledo before transferring to South Alabama.
Bo Nix, Oregon
What a week it’ll be for Nix. An underappreciated talent in the class, the rapid improvement shown by Nix from his time at Auburn to his two seasons at Oregon was sensational. He’s extremely mature, operates with a high level of efficiency, and rarely puts the football in precarious situations. He ranked first among 30 Power Five QBs (with at least 2,700 yards passing) in turnover-worthy plays with just five.
Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
The most fundamentally talented signal-caller to come out of Notre Dame in a long time, Hartman should showcase well. He’s an elite processor with excellent touch to all depths who carries a maturity to the position that teams will value. His 134 career touchdown passes (six seasons) rank third in the history of college football.
Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
If you haven’t checked out the South Carolina Gamecocks since the back end of 2022, take a few minutes and flip on Rattler’s tape. A former five-star recruit and the No. 1 ranked QB in the 2019 class, his ability to evolve under center after transferring to South Carolina from Oklahoma was a joy to study. His mechanics and pocket presence are outstanding. He can rip it both inside the tackles and on the move and showed the ability to consistently make throws with bodies swarming around his feet. He has the type of athletic confidence I love under center and I’m excited to see him compete.
