The 2024 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Alabama defensive tackle Justin Eboigbe plans on taking full advantage. Eboigbe recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Eboigbe also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, his pass-rush arsenal, using length and athleticism to his advantage, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Jones better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Justin Eboigbe: I was at our facility. I was ecstatic to learn that I was receiving an invite to the Senior Bowl. It’s such a prestigious pre-draft event.
JM: What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Justin Eboigbe: It represents another opportunity for me to showcase my abilities. It’s one final chance for me to wear that Alabama helmet.
JM: You deserve this. What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Justin Eboigbe: I’m especially looking to prove that I’m a versatile defensive lineman. I want to prove that everything I put on film wasn’t a fluke. Everything I have, everything I will get in the future, I earned for it. I had to work for it.
JM: Absolutely. You came back from an injury this year and had a career-best season. You persevered.
Justin Eboigbe: I was extremely focused. Every day that I was rehabbing from that injury, I missed being around my teammates. I knew that once that opportunity returned for me, I was going to maximize it and make the most of it. I worked hard every single day. I wasn’t surprised about the outcome. I knew I was going to come back and have a strong season. I put the work in. I showcased myself on the biggest stage.
JM: It’s been an incredible journey for you. How would you describe your skill set in your own words? Self-scout yourself.
Justin Eboigbe: I’m extremely versatile. I can do pretty much everything. I’m willing to accept any challenge that comes my way. I can play both inside and outside. I’m built to stop the run at any technique. I can rush the passer as well.
JM: If you had to compare yourself to a current NFL pass rusher, who would you choose and why?
Justin Eboigbe: That’s a tough question. I really like Chris Jones from the Kansas City Chiefs. I like how he moves around. He moves all over the defensive line. On any given snap, you’ll find him at the 3-technique or 5-technique. He plays everywhere. I’m also a guy that can play multiple positions while being effective at every position I’m asked to play.
JM: The tape doesn’t lie. You had a career-high 7.0 sacks this season. You were among the best interior pass rushers in the SEC. How did that pass-rushing production come together for you this season?
Justin Eboigbe: I showed a lot of consistency. I believed in my coaching staff. They put me out there on pass-rushing downs. I had a relentless mindset when rushing the passer.
JM: How would you describe your pass rush arsenal? What are some of your go-to moves and counters?
Justin Eboigbe: I love converting speed to power. I like going with a long-arm and countering back inside. If I get a quick pass set from the offensive linemen, I love a side-scissor. I’m a pass rusher that likes taking what the offensive line gives me.
JM: You’ve talked about playing different positions. Where do you see yourself predominantly playing at the next level?
Justin Eboigbe: I see myself playing inside. I’m definitely not an edge player. I’m not a 250-pound defender (laughs). I plan to stay around 290 pounds. In the system we played in at Alabama, I played 5-tech and 4i.
I could play the 2i and 3-tech as well. Anywhere I can be successful, anywhere the team needs me, that’s what I did. When it came time to play that 5-tech spot, I played it. When I had to be moved inside, I did it. I can play anywhere the staff sees fit.
JM: We saw that from you this season. What’s on Justin Eboigbe’s pre-game playlist?
Justin Eboigbe: Everything from Young Dolph (laughs).
JM: At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Justin Eboigbe?
Justin Eboigbe: At least one team is going to fall in love with me. That’s all it takes. To that team, I’m going to showcase myself to be a great player and person. I’m going to showcase my versatility, my combination of stopping the run and rushing the passer. I’m going to prove how much I improved this past season.
