The 2024 Senior Bowl takes place next week with practices beginning on Tuesday. The Senior Bowl is the single most important pre-draft event throughout the process. Mobile fosters a competitive environment that allows draft hopefuls to improve their pre-draft stock through on-field and off-field opportunities.
Last year, wide receivers Tank Dell and Jayden Reed were among the standouts that put the league on notice throughout practice. Both Dell and Reed were drafted higher than originally anticipated as a result, and both made immediate impacts at the next level. Several underrated prospects are entering Senior Bowl week with the capability to achieve the same. We've identified three Senior Bowl participants who deserve more love.
JHA’QUAN JACKSON, TULANE WR/KR/PR
Tulane wide receiver and special teams ace Jha'Quan Jackson is among the most explosive players slated to participate in Mobile. You just don't know it yet. Tyjae Spears' roommate for four seasons at Tulane, Jackson picked up a thing or two from his explosive dual-threat teammate. Jackson can follow in Spears' footsteps by turning heads on the practice field.
Jackson is a dynamic player who specializes in creating something from nothing in space. In five years at Tulane, Jackson totaled 734 yards as a kick returner, and 664 yards and a touchdown as a punt returner. He'll be an instant contributor on special teams. NFL scouts and coaches have compared Jackson with Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers due to his explosive route-running abilities. General managers looking for an injection of speed and playmaking ability on offense and special teams have earmarked Jackson as a must-watch prospect in Mobile.
DEWAYNE CARTER, DUKE DT
Duke defensive tackle DeWayne Carter will be among the most mature and organized prospects at this year's Senior Bowl. NFL teams are already aware of Carter's professional demeanor and he's going to crush the sit-down interview process. Thankfully, Carter also happens to be a helluva football player, too.
Carter is an active, high-IQ, starting-caliber defensive lineman with terrific versatility. Carter can play multiple positions ranging from 0-technique to 5-technique. Carter's coaches at Duke compared him to various Pro Bowl defenders ranging from Kenny Clark to Grady Jarrett. Carter began flashing better pass-rush productivity across 2021 and 2022, combining for 10.0 sacks. Carter should carve out a nice home for himself as a 3-tech at the next level.
DARIUS ROBINSON, MISSOURI DL
Darius Robinson deserves more recognition, and I believe his pre-draft stock will begin trending in the right direction after a standout performance at the Senior Bowl. Robinson was among the best pass rushers in the SEC this season, producing a career-high 8.5 sacks. Robinson possesses the versatility necessary to rush quarterbacks from a variety of alignments.
Robinson played both inside and outside at Missouri, using leverage and power to his advantage. Robinson uses a powerful bull rush to set up counter moves like the forklift and two-hand swipe. Robinson is a hop-off-the-bus prospect with an NFL-ready size and stature. Robinson's progress will be worth monitoring throughout Mobile's much-anticipated one-versus-one practice reps.
