The Senior Bowl practices have wrapped up here in Mobile, Alabama, and for the American Team, it’s been a fun week of practice. Many players have improved their draft stock and confirmed many experts’ prior assumptions about them.
Let’s take a look and see who hurt and helped their draft stock following the final day of practice.
Stock down: Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson
Stevenson has been on this list for all three days. In Tuesday’s practice, he stood out as one of the team’s best corners. Wednesday, he had some good plays and showed good recovery, but unfortunately, he went down late with an injury. On Thursday Stevenson was sidelined with the injury that he suffered in Wednesday’s practice. When he did practice, he played well, but his stock is down due to being sidelined.
Stock up: Iowa St WR Xavier Hutchinson
Hutchinson is a receiver who has stacked up consecutive days of solid practices—nothing too spectacular but still good work. In Thursday’s one-on-ones, Hutchinson showed off his strong hands and his ability to gain separation from defenders. The corners and wide receivers have definitely been the highlights most of the week for this team, which is shaping up for a great show on Saturday.
Iowa State WR Xavier Hutchinson cooking #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/a3tGBoge9S
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) February 2, 2023
Stock up: Mississippi WR Jonathan Mingo
Mingo was a juggernaut in the one-on-one drills today against the cornerbacks, especially in the red zone. His understanding of leverage and his quick releases immediately gave him an advantage, which he capitalized on. Additionally, his ability to pluck the ball out of the air with ease is just another reason he was one of the top receivers in what was a loaded group for the American team.
Jonathan Mingo 👀 pic.twitter.com/WhweBJSt2f
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 2, 2023
Stock Up: South Carolina CB Darius Rush
Someone needs to tell this kid to stop being a bully. All week, Rush has been annoying receivers with his persistence and physicality. He’s been in the pocket of almost every receiver he’s faced, forcing contested catches, and when he’s not dominating coverages, he’s showing off his elite-level speed and recovery ability. In multiple reps in Thursday’s practice, he came away with either a pass breakup or an interception. Rush has truly been a sight to see.
South Carolina CB Darius Rush is tough to get leverage on. 🔒⬇️#RatedRookie #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE pic.twitter.com/q6glGVLEgS
— Joe Marino (@TheJoeMarino) February 2, 2023
Stock Up: Minnesota C John Michael Schmitz
With every day that’s passed this week, Schmitz has continued to impress and cement himself as one of the best linemen in the country. Schmitz’s hand placement and strength are both controlled chaos and a thing of beauty. He proved every preconceived notion that folks had about him this week in practice.
Minnesota IOL John Michael Schmitz has been clamping dudes all week!Unbelievable practice energy. Love how he’s taken ownership in the OL. He helped himself a ton in Mobile. #RatedRookie #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE pic.twitter.com/VuQ52gpek1
— Joe Marino (@TheJoeMarino) February 2, 2023
Stock up: Houston QB Clayton Tune
Finally, some competent quarterback play Most of the week, the quarterbacks struggled, but on Thursday, Tune was one who stood out in practice. while he did throw a pick in redone drills. He was throwing with precision most of the day and being really decisive with the football. A solid finish for him prior to Saturday’s game.
#UVa’s Dontayvion Wicks is putting together strong practice this afternoon. Has hauled in two TD grabs during the seven-on-seven period. Here’s the first TD catch on a pass from Houston QB Clayton Tune. pic.twitter.com/E66qtI6ufW
— Greg Madia (@GregMadia) February 2, 2023
Stock Up: Virginia WR Dontayvion Wicks
The ascension of Wicks this week has been an absolute treat to watch. On Thursday’s practice, Wicks was able to display elite body control and strong hands, and his releases were lethal. The kid definitely put together some fantastic routes and was able to haul in a couple of touchdowns. He’ll have another chance to shine on Saturday.
Great body control and finish by Don'tayvion Wicks. Credit to Smith staying sticky too pic.twitter.com/AOpJlM6bAD
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 2, 2023
Stock Up: Tulane RB Tajee Spears
Spears committed murder in today’s practice versus Pittsburgh linebacker Sirvocea Dennis in a one-on-one situation. Spears played with a level of violence and explosiveness all day. His ability to cut on a dime and not lose a step is what makes him stand out amongst the running back group. The quarterbacks have loved throwing check-downs all week, so there is a good chance Saturday he can take one to the house.
Tulane RB Tyjae Spears with a great route against Pitt LB Sirvocea Dennis. 🔥🔥 @seniorbowl #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE pic.twitter.com/jC0QmwB9Lh
— Myles Gorham (@MylesGorham85) February 2, 2023
Stock Up: Syracuse T Matthew Bergeron
I didn’t get a whole lot of time to watch the offensive line, but when I did, Bergeron stood out. He displayed violent hands in a lot of his one-on-one drills and combined that with really great footwork and power. A lot of the noise has surrounded other linemen, but Bergeron was a name that stood out on Thursday.
Great rep from Matthew Bergeron! The @CuseFootball OT dominates this set here at the Senior Bowl! pic.twitter.com/0LTnlsaB58
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) February 2, 2023
Stock stable: Auburn LB Derick Hall
Hall had a really great few days of practice this week and was a consistent force. His long arms wreak havoc on opposing offensive linemen. In Thursday’s practice, we saw more of the same. While he didn’t win every rep, he displayed violence in his rushes that made him disruptive and a tough opponent to block. Saturday will be a final opportunity to showcase these skills again.
Derick Hall sets the edge and rips his blocker away before making this impressive stop during team drills at the Senior Bowl pic.twitter.com/hPWQE3jpIA
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) February 2, 2023
