
MOBILE, Ala.—Two defensive linemen on the North squad caught the eye of scouts in Senior Bowl practices at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Tuesday.
UConn’s Kendall Reyes and Michigan’s Mike Martin were the stars of the morning session. Reyes, 6-4, 295, flashed pass-rush potential that included a spin move that left Wisconsin offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler grasping at air. Martin, 6-2, 304, used strength and tenacity to overpower blockers.
Reyes, pictured above chasing Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins in practice, is regarded as a first-round prospect for the 2012 NFL draft. He’s a 4-3 defensive tackle who says he can play end in a 3-4.
Martin is an undersized over-achiever that no doubt impressed scouts looking for a nose tackle to play in a 3-4 defensive scheme.
“I felt like I did great,” Martin said. “It’s an opportunity to get coached by a great staff and show scouts what I have.”
Reyes said his goal this week is to “get better every day and prove I can play with everyone and compete at this level.”
Here are observations from today’s two practices:
North
-
Cousins, 6-3, 205, displayed a strong and accurate throwing arm and showed scrambling ability in eluding Reyes on one occasion.
-
Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, 6-0, 191, struggled. His throws lacked power and often fell short of their mark.
-
Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson, 5-11, 210, fell somewhere between Cousins and Moore.
-
Nevada’s James-Michael Johnson and Boise State’s Shea McClellin are rush-backer prospects that flashed in pass-rush drills.
-
Boise State safety George Iloka, 6-3, 216, won the eye-test award in weigh-ins, and then proved that he more than just looks the part by intercepting a Cousins pass.
-
Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams is impossible to ignore at 6-8, 320, but missing seven games last season due to “Tattoogate” will likely drop his stock. He is said to be underdeveloped, but his size and light feet offer intriguing upside.
-
Boise State running back Doug Martin, 5-9, 215, is coming off a strong bowl-game performance and he did nothing on Tuesday to halt his climb up draft boards.
-
Ohio State’s Devier Posey, 6-2, 210, was the best of the wide receiver crop. He was quick getting into and out of his breaks and snatched the ball out of the air cleanly and confidently.
-
Marshall defensive lineman Vinny Curry, 6-4, 263, flashed quickness when he shot across the line of scrimmage and forced a fumble.
-
Cousins launched the prettiest pass of the day, a deep ball that dropped softly into the hands of Iowa wide receiver Marvin McNutt, 6-4, 215, who was unable to complete the reception.
South
-
Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden has likely started his climb up draft boards, based on a strong performance on Tuesday. Weeden, 6-4, 218, threw tight, crisp passes. One scout said Weeden has a stronger arm than Andrew Luck and that if Weeden were 22 instead of 28, he’d be a top 10 pick.
-
San Diego State quarterback Ryan Lindley, 6-4, 230, had a disappointing senior season, but there was nothing disappointing about his play on Tuesday. He has a strong arm and his passes were on target.
-
Georgia offensive lineman Cordy Glenn, 6-5, 348, was dominant and finished his blocks to and beyond the whistle. Wanna run the ball? Glenn’s your guy.
-
Arkansas wide receiver Joe Adams, 5-11, 190, has beep-beep speed.
-
Texas A&M’s Jeff Fuller is a big wide receiver at 6-4, 220, but he lacks speed and that means he’ll have to impress scouts as a possession receiver, which he didn’t do on Tuesday – too many drops.
-
Florida’s Chris Rainey made mouths water with his speed and big-play ability. The 5-9, 174-pound running back whipped North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins and Georgia corner Brandon Boykin to catch deep balls. Rainey will appeal to a team that has a particular role in mind for him.
-
Arizona wide receiver Juron Criner, 6-4, 215, who struggled through personal problems in his senior season, made a dazzling one-handed catch. Criner’s stock improved on the strength of Tuesday’s practice.
-
Houston’s Patrick Edwards, 5-9, 175, is a quick slot-type receiver.
-
Louisiana-Lafayette defensive back Dwight Bentley, 5-10, 180, showed he can break on the ball.
-
Texas linebacker Emmanuel Acho, 6-2, 245, is undersized but smart and instinctive. He was always in position in pass coverage.
-
Alabama pass rusher Courtney Upshaw, 6-2, 265, displayed awesome power when he thumped UAB offensive lineman Matt McCants, 6-7, 295, to the ground.
-
Baylor offensive lineman Phillip Blake, 6-3, 320, was solid in pass blocking.
-
Florida State’s Nigel Bradham, 6-3, 240, is an athletic linebacker who needs to add size to his frame.
-
Mississippi State’s Vick Ballard, 5-11, 220, is a Packers kind of running back that catches the ball with ease and runs between the tackles.
-
LSU defensive back Brandon Taylor, 6-0, 194, decided he had seen enough of Ballard, as Taylor smacked Ballard to the ground as Ballard was coasting to a stop at the end of a run.
The North will practice in the morning on Wednesday and the South, again, in the afternoon.