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 that presents prospects the opportunity to don their respective college helmets just one final time, let’s get rolling with a peek into the headlining ballplayers set to compete at IDL.
Senior Bowl 2024 IDL Primer
McKinnley Jackson, Texas A&M
Explosive within the interior, I expect Jackson to turn heads next week. Athletes at his size (6’1” / 315v) shouldn’t move the way he does, and his ability to clog gaps, dominate isolated matchups, and pursue backside is excellent.
Braden Fiske, Florida State
Get to know Fiske’s name. A transfer from Western Michigan, Fiske is twitched up at 305(v) pounds and remains one of the more underrated defenders in the class. I think that changes after Mobile.
Braden Fiske can flat out MOVE at 300 pounds.
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) December 3, 2023
Hell of a rep. pic.twitter.com/MYlL4VqRRG
Tyler Davis, Clemson
Davis’ best football could remain down the line. While he’s accrued a heavy amount of snaps for Dabo Swinney’s group over the last five seasons, I’d like to see improvement in his hands and an increased ability to locate and shed down blocks.
DeWayne Carter, Duke
One of the most charismatic prospects in the class, Carter touts a heck of an athletic profile and the versatility to slide up and down the defensive line. He also does things like this (below) that you simply can’t teach.
It’s plays like this from DeWayne Carter (90) that really move the needle.
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) November 29, 2023
6’3”/305 chasing down QBs? That’ll absolutely play. Accepted @seniorbowl invite. pic.twitter.com/wCf5wlW0ho
Marcus Harris, Auburn
Seven sacks alone this fall trumped Harris’ prior four seasons combined for the Auburn Tigers (five). A physical athlete near 300 pounds, he can align at any spot along the defensive line and has a knack for finding the ball-carrier within the mud of the trenches.
Jaden Crumedy, Mississippi State
Crumedy should make some noise in one-on-ones. He’s got a nuanced approach utilizing speed within the interior, and the power to force guards and centers to think about countering a bull rush on every snap.
Jordan Jefferson, LSU
Jefferson has some burst to initially shock linemen back, but evaluators want to see him consistently churn his legs to overpower an anchor and the ability to get off blocks at 1- and 3-tech.
Keith Randolph Jr., Illinois
The running mate to Jer’Zhan Newton, the spotlight of the Senior Bowl is a well-deserved opportunity for Randolph Jr. He’s got a powerful inside stab that constantly forced help and eventually forced double teams in the Big Ten. He moves extremely well at 297(v) pounds.
T’Vondre Sweat, Texas
One of the largest athletes in the class at a verified 6-foot-4 and 346 pounds, it won’t take long to spot the first team All-American in Sweat. He’s much more than size, however, as he can move like a man of much smaller stature to consistently threaten on passing downs (53 pressures the last two seasons).
Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State
One of the premier IDL in the class, Hall Jr. explodes through gaps and is a nightmare to stymie in isolation. He can win with finesse, power, and pure athleticism within the interior. Really fun player.
Gabe Hall, Baylor
The Cincinnati and Houston tape (combined nine pressures and eight hurries) showcased Hall’s ceiling. Finding a natural median to consistently make an impact and not disappear at times will be a question league-wide evaluators will want answered to finalize his evaluation. This will be a big week for him in Mobile.
