It wasn’t long ago that I wrote about Alabama A&M’s Carson Vinson, highlighting his football character and intangibles as clear indicators of future professional success. Fast forward to today, and after watching him at Senior Bowl practices, it’s evident that everything I said holds true.
In an interview with Ryan Fowler, Vinson made a bold statement: “Some people like football, some people love football… I need it, 24/7.”
This wasn’t just talk—he proved it.
Despite what I would call a jaw-dropping performance, Vinson quickly corrected the narrative, saying, “That’s my standard… that’s just a Carson Vinson day for me.” And frankly, he wasn’t wrong. Vinson owned the day. Every rep he won was a statement—chest-beating after each victory was just as much a declaration as it was a celebration.
As practice wore on, his confidence skyrocketed, culminating in a dominant win over Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart in front of the entire arena. This wasn’t some flash-in-the-pan moment; this was just another Carson Vinson day.
But let’s be clear—this wasn’t Vinson’s first win of the week. As expected, he came into Mobile with some serious measurements. Not only did he show up with the necessary added weight we’d been hoping for, but with over 35-inch arms and a frame well over 6-foot-6, Vinson is making it impossible to ignore him as we dive deeper into the pre-draft process.
So where does that leave me with Vinson’s grade? The answer is simple: higher. Coming into this week, my biggest question was how Vinson would handle Power-4 talent, rep after rep, day after day. Our limited exposures to him before this week had raised some concerns, but those doubts were wiped out on the first day of practice. Vinson has not just answered the question—he’s redefined his status. He’s gone from being a late-round project to a legitimate top-four-round selection.
What’s most telling, though, is how Vinson’s football character has translated into tangible growth even in the pre-draft process. Not only did he show up to Mobile looking the best he’s ever looked, but his ability to dominate one-on-one reps showed clear improvements in his technique and comfort—just months after his season ended. He didn’t just show up prepared; he showed up renewed.
The momentum is undeniable, and his trajectory is one to watch closely. As we get deeper into practices, and opponents have time to adjust and learn each other’s tendencies, we’ll see just how high Vinson's stock can rise.
