Senior Bowl Watch List Predictions

Well hello there, @seniorbowl. I see you've got a gift in store for us on the 21st.

Let's start chucking darts here and see what sticks with their watch list. I'll post an article after it drops to see where I got it wrong and where I got it right. For now, just enjoy the flood of names about to hit your screen.

Quarterback

Justin Herbert - Oregon

It's no guarantee that Herbert even ends up playing in the Senior Bowl, considering how he could have the QB1 race already locked and have nowhere to go but down. That said, Herbert is clearly the most impressive passer who could be getting an invite this year. If he doesn't have the top QB spot locked down or is coming off a bad season it would make a ton of sense to get in front of scouts. His physical tools alone would allow him to win over folks.

Jalen Hurts - Oklahoma

This is the wild card of the group. Jalen Hurts has now won the starting job for the Sooners, so he has accomplished step one. Even if he puts together a lackluster season he should get the invite on name alone. There is no bigger story in college football than Hurts' leaving Alabama and pursuing another opportunity to lead a team. The former national champion will need to at least demonstrate NFL caliber traits from a physical perspective, but his leadership and toughness is everything the Senior Bowl staff will want in one of their QBs.

Brian Lewerke - Michigan State

Lewerke is coming off a horrendous season, but there is no doubt about the physical ability he has. One of the better arms in the class meshes with some flashes of accuracy and decent mobility, and you've got yourself a reincarnated version of Jarrett Stidham. Lewerke's appearance in Mobile will hinge on righting the ship from a season where he was benched due to poor performance. Another injury ridden year without any growth could be a bad sign for his future prospects in the league.

Riley Neal - Vanderbilt

Bryce Perkins - Virginia

Nate Stanley - Iowa

Shea Patterson - Michigan

Khalil Tate - Arizona

Jake Bentley - South Carolina

Joe Burrow - LSU

Blake Barnett - South Florida

Kelly Bryant - Missouri

Steven Montez - Colorado

Jacob Knipp - Northern Colorado

Running Back

Zack Moss - Utah

Senior RB1? Senior RB1. Moss could've declared last year, but decided to come back to school after a leg injury that would have kept him out of the entire draft process. He'll be facing a much stronger group of runners at the top of this class. That said, he should have no problem holding his own. A blend of power and balance that will have coaches swooning, Moss should make a ton of money if (when) he gets the invite to the Senior Bowl.

Ke'Shawn Vaughn - Vanderbilt

Another one of the top backs who is almost surely getting an invite, Vaughn doesn't possess the same type of feature back ability that Moss does, but his long speed is something that every team will covet. He's one of the most explosive guys who will get on this watch list. The big question for when he gets to Mobile is whether or not he'll show improved catching ability that could lead to a bigger role on passing downs. It's a big proving ground for back.

Joshua Kelley - UCLA

A former UC Davis transfer who won the starting job for the Bruins last year, Kelley isn't the type of back that will wow with highlight moves or big runs. Where he does win is with his vision and ability to find openings that most other backs can't. It's unlikely he gets many opportunities to show it off throughout the week given the structure of the event. The way he carries himself in interviews and around teammates will likely be a bigger point of emphasis.

Sewo Olonilua - TCU

Darius Anderson - TCU

Rodney Smith - Minnesota

Scottie Phillips - Mississippi

Gerold Bright - Utah State

Reggie Corbin - Illinois

Benny LeMay - Charlotte

Artavis Pierce - Oregon State

Juwan Washington - San Diego State

Tavien Feaster - South Carolina

Patrick Taylor - Memphis

Brian Herrien - Georgia

Lamical Perine - Florida

Kennedy McKoy - West Virginia

Jordan Cronkrite - South Florida

James Robinson - Illinois State

LeVante Bellamy - Western Michigan

Darius Bradwell - Tulane

Wide Receiver

K.J. Hill - Ohio State

I have a bit of a bone to pick with the rest of the draft community when it comes to K.J. Hill. Although his high school testing numbers don't wow, he can flat out move on the field. A vertical threat with crisp routes and great hands, Hill is a better player than Parris Campbell and maybe even Terry McLaurin. I gave the senior wideout a first round summer grade. If he's going to live up to that top 32 expectation it will start with a blowout week in Mobile.

Tyler Johnson - Minnesota

A premium route runner in a class with few elite ones, Johnson is a fiend when it comes to crossing up defensive backs and putting them on their heels. His hands are a question mark that will need answered with another year of tape, but there is a possibility that he works his way into the top 50 with a strong showing. Expect a big time performance at the Senior Bowl when he gets chances to show off in one-on-one drills.

Bryan Edwards - South Carolina

Testing isn't likely to be Edwards' strong suite, as he shares a lot of similarities to Kelvin Harmon (6th round pick last year). The physicality and contested catch ability will be where he makes his money in the pros. Put him in a game situation and Edwards will run through a brick wall to keep a play alive. Expect a fair amount of love for the intensity he brings.

Collin Johnson - Texas

Johnson has been billed as a top 50 draft pick by some pretty respectable names in the community, but his tape does have some inconsistencies. As a big guy who has some solid hands, he should have a fair amount of love from general media. The league seems to be trending away from the taller guys who can't make sharp cuts though. His performance at the Senior Bowl and Combine will be the key to how he is viewed, and it'd be a poor choice to pass on the opportunity to compete against other seniors.

Michael Pittman Jr. - USC

Theo Howard - UCLA

John Hightower - Boise State

Juwan Johnson - Oregon

Johnathon Johnson - Missouri

Lee Morris - Oklahoma

Kalija Lipscomb - Vanderbilt

Seth Dawkins - Louisville

Van Jefferson - Florida

Devin Duvernay - Texas

Maurice Ffrench - Pittsburgh

James Proche - SMU

A.J. Taylor - Wisconsin

Tyrie Cleveland - Florida

Lawrence Cager - Georgia

Darrell Stewart Jr. - Michigan State

Austin Mack - Ohio State

Jauan Jennings - Tennessee

Antonio Gandy-Golden - Liberty

Isaiah Zuber - Mississippi State

Jalen McCleskey - Tulane

Chris Finke - Notre Dame

Aaron Fuller - Washington

Marquez Callaway - Tennessee

Binjimen Victor - Ohio State

Rico Bussey Jr - North Texas

K.J. Osborn - Miami

Dezmon Patton - Washington State

Chase Claypool - Notre Dame

Stephen Guidry - Mississippi State

Michael Bandy - San Diego

Riley Miller - Ball State

Trevon Bradford - Oregon State

Keith Gavin - Florida State

Brandon Aiyuk - Arizona State

Tight End

Jared Pinkney - Vanderbilt

Big-bodied and always willing to go make plays on the football. Technique is a work in progress for Pinkney, but the SEC pedigree and physical upside will get him a ton of buzz. Another year of growth from Pinkney and a weaker tight end class than last year will help him to elevate into a possible top 100 selection.

Brycen Hopkins - Purdue

An athletic receiving tight end who is going to impress with his fluidity and route-running, Hopkins should stand out from the rest of the pack in the tight end group that makes it to Mobile. He has the experience working in a variety of roles with the Purdue offense, but play strength is going to be an area of concern. How he performs in blocking drills could play a major role in how teams view him.

Adam Trautman - Dayton

A few years ago we saw a D2 tight end from Ohio in Adam Shaheen. He went in the second round. While Trautman likely isn't the athletic freak that Shaheen was, the FCS Ohioian should see his stock steadily rise throughout the year. He's an easy mover in space and has a good catch radius, although his overall game is still a big work in progress. Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy has stated that Trautman will be "the player that NFL draftniks will be talking about next April," so it's a good bet he's on the roster.

Mitchell Wilcox - South Florida

Harrison Bryant - Florida Atlantic

Jake Breeland - Oregon

Sean McKeon - Michigan

Cheyenne O'Grady - Arkansas

Joey Magnifico - Memphis

Charlie Taumoepeau - Portland State

Jared Rice - Fresno State

Charlie Woerner - Georgia

Dominick Wood-Anderson - Tennessee

Offensive Tackle

Lucas Niang - TCU

Niang has been manning the right side for the Horned Frogs for a couple years, although teams will likely view him as a left tackle at the next level. His combination of body control and athleticism is impressive. The technique has its fluctuations, but the tools are incredibly intriguing. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Niang enter the conversation of first round sleeper if he comes out of the draft circuit with a strong showing.

Calvin Throckmorton - Oregon

With the versatility and toughness to play any spot on the line, Throckmorton figures to be one of the more intriguing linemen in this senior group. His tape has flashes of Will Hernandez in it, as he puts out some brutalizing finishes on the field. The Senior Bowl staff will likely try him in a variety of positions, although he might be even better at guard than tackle. There's no one that will inspire more fear from defenders in this group.

Prince Tega Wanogho - Auburn

Wanogho's physical potential is an odd subject. By all reports he's going to run in the 4.95 range and blow up the combine with elite testing. On tape that type of athleticism isn't always on display. He has great length and a reasonable anchor, but technique is one of the biggest concerns with his game. He should be a lock to make the game, and how he performs against some of the better technicians in the nation will be a huge test.

Trey Adams - Washington

"We already invited him after he got injured last year. Adams is a very good prospect," said Nagy on Twitter. That sounds like a lock to be in right? I doubt Nagy will be rescinding the offer any time soon even if Adams fails to live to expectations this year. It's finally time for Adams to make the leap to the pros after being talked about all the way back to the 2018 draft class. A string of serious injuries has kept him out of football for the most part, but he looked solid when healthy. If he once again misses significant action due to medical problems it might be better to hang it up than to pursue the pro game though.

Jack Driscoll - Auburn

Charlie Heck - North Carolina

Drew Richmond - USC

Nathan Gilliam - Wake Forest

Brady Aiello - Oregon

Hakeem Adeniji - Kansas

Colton McKivitz - West Virginia

Zach Robertson - Arizona State

Yasir Durant - Missouri

Terence Steele - Texas Tech

Scott Frantz - Kansas State

Justin Herron - Wake Forest

Coy Cronk - Indiana

Tremayne Anchrum - Clemson

Cole Chewins - Michigan State

Marcus Norman - South Florida

Victor Johnson - Appalachian State

Darrin Paulo - Utah

Matthew Peart - Connecticut

Kamaal Seymour - Rutgers

Alex Givens - Mississippi

Offensive Guard

Logan Stenberg - Kentucky

Stenberg lacks the upper echelon athleticism that some of the other guards in this group have, but he's a mauler with a mean streak. He should earn a lot of fans as a nasty lineman who has no qualms with playing through the whistle. As of the moment he's more of a mid-round pick, but a nice run through the pre-draft process could land him in the day two range.

John Simpson - Clemson

Simpson gets a little bit too much love due to being a lineman for the national champs. He's a phone booth blocker with hands that can put any defender on their butt if they're unprepared. If you're willing to bet on average athletic tools you could be looking at a mid level starter in the league though. A good performance in Mobile could help to outweigh what should be a modest Combine showing.

Shane Lemieux - Oregon

A technically sound blocker with a ton of athleticism, it's not surprise that Lemieux has gained a fair amount of steam in the draft community. His potential is through the roof. If he lives up to expectations on the best offensive line in college football, he could be looking at a possible top 75 selection by the time April rolls around.

Ben Bredeson - Michigan

Questionable technique could be the death of Bredeson's bid for a top 100 selection, but it shouldn't be all doom and gloom for his projection to the pros. Much like Simpson and Stenberg, his game is built around putting defenders into the dirt. He's a tough guy with above average athletic traits for the position, and that alone should get him onto the Senior Bowl's roster.

Steven Gonzalez - Penn State

Sean Pollard - Clemson

Tre'Vour Wallace-Simms - Missouri

Jon Runyan - Michigan

Marquell Harrell - Auburn

Gus Lavaka - Oregon State

Parker Braun - Texas

Michael Onwenu - Michigan

Simon Stepaniak - Indiana

Tyler Mitchell - Kansas State

Tyler Higby - Michigan State

John Molchon - Boise State

Daishawn Dixon - San Diego State

William Atterbury - South Florida

Jonah Jackson - Ohio State

Elex Woodworth - North Texas

Center

Jake Hanson - Oregon

Hanson is a bit of a tale of two halves. His upper half is refined and he demonstrates great control with his hands. That includes timing with his punch, accuracy, and just general polish that not a lot of linemen show. On the other hand he doesn't show off the lateral agility that teams will want. Too often his feet get stuck in the mud and don't follow behind his hands. Taking on some quality athletes like Derrick Brown will tell a lot about how he'll translate.

Nick Harris - Washington

With an all-in style that leads to some big time wins, you'd think Harris would get some more love from the draft community. He's a lot more of a hustle player than a technician with his approach though, and it gets him into serious trouble at times. If his athletic traits check out at the Combine there is potential for a top 100 selection, although there's a lot of guess work until he puts up another season of tape.

Zach Shackelford - Texas

Modest strength gets him into trouble against powerhouse players, but he can hoof it in run blocking situations. The ability to reach hard angles and get around the field is exciting. The big question heading into 2019 will be whether or not his body can handle additional weight without losing some of his mobility.

Darryl Williams - Mississippi State

Adam Holtorf - Kansas State

Cohl Cabral - Arizona State

Matt Jones - Youngstown State

Nick Buchanan - Florida

Jordan Johnson - Central Florida

Fredrick Mauigoa - Washington State

Gage Cervenka - Clemson

Donell Stanley - South Carolina

Boss Tagaloa - UCLA

Defensive Lineman

Derrick Brown - Auburn

Brown was considered by many as a first round shoe-in if he declared for the 2019 draft, but he decided to return to school for one last ride. As a result he should be able to elevate his stock even further and punch the ticket on a top 15 selection. There is good reason to wonder whether or not he'll attend the event if he is the consensus top defensive lineman, but he should dominate against the opposition from a physical perspective. Brown's combination of strength and athleticism is truly special.

Neville Gallimore - Oklahoma

I'm not one for exaggerated athletic testing numbers in the summer, but oh boy if Gallimore matches the reported numbers... he's a top 5 lock. On the field Gallimore is still a work in progress, as his technique and consistency aren't there yet. The athleticism does pop for a guy who played at 330 pounds last year. At a freshly carved 305 pounds he should be even more impactful this season. The potential is there for a meteoric rise.

Raekwon Davis - Alabama

What Davis lacks in movement skills he makes up for in length. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the gigantic man come in with arms over the 36" thresholds. He has the wing span to eat up half of the line, and it makes getting past him near impossible in the interior gaps. Despite being on the taller side his anchor is rather reliable as well. Without much of a pass rush impact it could be a lower ceiling for his draft stock, but Davis is a freak of nature. Expect there to be a good amount of buzz for his proportions if he measures in at the Senior Bowl.

Javon Kinlaw - South Carolina

An impressive athlete with some great length to boot, Kinlaw has plenty of tools that the league will fall in love with. The biggest concern comes in regard to how hit-or-miss his style of play is. He isn't filled out like a typical defensive tackle and it prevents him from holding his ground in run defense situations. If he can get going as a pass rusher he has the ability to take over a game, the contributions just aren't there enough. A strong senior year and good showing through the draft circuit could mean a top 50 selection though.

Lorenzo Neal - Purdue

Robert Windsor - Penn State

Larrell Murchison - North Carolina State

Broderick Washington Jr. - Texas Tech

Malcolm Roach - Texas

Rashard Lawrence - LSU

David Moa - Boise State

Khalil Davis - Nebraska

Robert Landers - Ohio State

Jason Strowbridge - North Carolina

Carlos Davis - Nebraska

Roy Lopez - New Mexico State

Benito Jones - Mississippi

Mike Panasiuk - Michigan State

Raequan WIlliams - Michigan State

Ray Lima - Iowa State

Breiden Fehoko - LSU

John Penisini - Utah

Leki Fotu - Utah

McTelvin Agim - Arkansas

Julian Rochester - Georgia

Josiah Coatney - Mississippi

Marlon Davidson - Auburn

Darrion Daniels - Nebraska

Elu Aydon - Oregon State

LaCale London - Western Illinois

Edge Rusher

Darrell Taylor - Tennessee

One of the best athletes at the EDGE spot in this senior class, Taylor has the bend to be a terrifying presence for any defense. The knock on Taylor is that he lacks the pass rush plan or consistency to be a reliable weapon. There's no doubt that he is going to test like an elite athlete when he gets to Indianapolis, but he'll need a strong senior year and good showing at the Senior Bowl if he wants to reach his ceiling. That ceiling could be a first round draft pick.

Kenny Willekes - Michigan State

This Michigan State tank has drawn a lot of varying opinions from folks in the draft community, but his power is something that doesn't get questioned. He's a bit limited when it comes to testing the edge and trying to turn the corner on offensive tackles, but bit doesn't matter much when you consider the arsenal of skills he has beyond that. With a bull rush that can dirt unsteady linemen and some quietly refined hands, Willekes looks like he could be one of the bigger sleepers in this class. Those who fell in love with Chase Winovich last year will enjoy the hustle and reliability that Willekes brings to the table.

Jabari Zuniga - Florida

He's only listed at 255 pounds. He plays much bigger than that most of the time. Zuniga was often times overshadowed by Jachai Polite last year, even though he has a much better overall game to work with. If he continues to play up to expectations it would be a surprise to see Zuniga fall out of the top 100 picks. He's more complete than guys like Uche, Okwara, and Taylor are. The league and Senior Bowl staff should love that.

Josh Uche - Michigan

Taylor gets a ton of love for his ability to bend, but Uche might be even better at it. He spent the majority of 2018 taking reps behind Winovich and Rashan Gary. Now? He's ready to be unleashed as a starter across from Central Michigan transfer Mike Danna. Uche will need to prove he can hold up in coverage duties, something that he was asked to do much of earlier in his career, but the potential for the slender pass rusher is incredible. He could be one of the quickest risers of this class. Think along the lines of Harold Landry.

Julian Okwara - Notre Dame

Okwara's tape is a mixed bag. The majority of the draft community seems to be quite high on him, but I'm a little bit more cautiously optimistic. His athleticism has been raved about but it doesn't always show up with his play style. If Okwara harnesses that potential and converts it into success on the field he should have no problem making a splash at the Senior Bowl and locking in a top 100 selection. For now it's better to project his draft stock conservatively.

Anfernee Jennings - Alabama

Trevon Hill - Miami

Christian Rector - USC

Bradlee Anae - Utah

Alton Robinson - Syracuse

Kendall Coleman - Syracuse

Khalid Kareem - Notre Dame

Tipa Galeai - Utah State

Zack Baun - Wisconsin

Qaadir Sheppard - Mississippi

Mike Danna - Michigan

D.J. Wonnum - South Carolina

Benning Potoa'e - Washington

Joe Gaziano - Northwestern

Carter Coughlin - Minnesota

Bryce Sterk - Montana State

JaQuan Bailey - Iowa State

Jonathan Greenard - Florida

Reggie Walker - Kansas State

Alex Highsmith - Charlotte

Greg Reaves - South Florida

Linebacker

Shaquille Quarterman - Miami

Twitched up and ready to take it to offensive players, Quarterman is more of the more athletic specimens in this senior linebacker group. There are some questions about his ability to diagnose plays in a timely manner, but those could easily fade away with another year of growth. The Senior Bowl should have no problem falling in love with the 240 pounder who moves like he's 215. Assuming he doesn't completely fall apart this year it would be a stunner if he doesn't get the invite to Mobile.

Markus Bailey - Purdue

Underrated. That's the best word to describe Boilermaker linebacker Markus Bailey. Bailey doesn't flash with movement skills or power. He doesn't need to though. The blend of play recognition, proper angles to the football, and sound tackling make him a fearsome player to match up against. He's a player that will do better in a game setting than the all-star practice setting of the Senior Bowl, but there is no doubt a lot of scouts will arrive already in love with what he brings to the table. If he can confirm the eye test on average to above average athleticism there should be no problem locking himself in as a day two selection.

Daniel Bituli - Tennessee

252 pounds of big ol' dude. Bituli lacks the range to be a great cover guy, but he should be able to hold his own if the scheme works to protect him. He's a thumping tackler with a nose for the football, and his ability to take on blocks can be quite impressive. He isn't going to wow as much as the more athletic linebackers at the Senior Bowl, but he already has the eye of Nagy. It'd be a surprise to see him miss out on a Mobile invite.

Joe Bachie - Michigan State

Staying in the mold of big bruising defenders who love to hit, Bachie fits the bill tremendously. He is excellent at attacking plays and shutting them down before they can reach the second level. The largest questions for Bachie to answer will come with his athletic testing, which he won't be doing until the Combine. He'll likely need to have a good performance at the Senior Bowl if he wants to leave a lasting impression on teams prior to the testing. It's going to be the key to keeping his name involved as a top 150 selection.

Khaleke Hudson - Michigan

Justin Strnad - Wake Forest

Michael Pinckney - Miami

Cameron Brown - Penn State

David Reese II - Florida

Michael Divinity Jr - LSU

Troy Dye - Oregon

Malik Harrison - Ohio State

Evan Weaver - California

Cale Garrett - Missouri

Jordan Mack - Virginia

Mykal Walker - Fresno State

Jordyn Brooks - Texas Tech

Asmar Bilal - Notre Dame

Mohamed Barry - Nebraska

T.J. Brunson - South Carolina

De'Jon Harris - Arkansas

Leo Lewis - Mississippi State

Kash Daniel - Kentucky

Dante Olson - Montana

Logan Wilson - Wyoming

Shaun Bradley - Temple

Calvin Bundage - Oklahoma State

Davion Taylor - Colorado

Kamal Martin - Minnesota

Cornerback

Levonta Taylor - Florida State

Taylor was largely considered a top 30 prospect heading into last year. However, he was beaten up on in the season opener against Virginia Tech. It only got worse from there, as Taylor battled through constant injuries that hindered his play. His athleticism could be a key to getting back into the good graces of NFL scouts. Reports from Florida State suggest that Taylor will be playing a fair amount of safety this season. It's unlikely that the league sees him staying in that role once he gets out of college though.

Bryce Hall - Virginia

There's a clip of Hall running down Travis Homer (who ran a 4.48 40-yard dash) from about 30 yards behind him on the wrong side of the field. While it's unlikely that he runs a 4.10 40-yard dash, that clip would certainly make you believe it's possible. Hall seems to be the consensus CB1 out of the senior group and has a lot of money to make at the Senior Bowl. He doesn't have any superstar wideouts in the regular season to match up with (unless you count Antonio Gandy-Golden). He'll get that chance in Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

Kristian Fulton - LSU

Initially suspended for two years due to tampering with a urine sample, Fulton had his suspension lifted after only one season. On the field is one of the most complete corners in this class, but he will have a ton of questions to answer from both the media and the league. Even if he decides not to participate in the Senior Bowl practices or game he should make an appearance for weigh-ins and take questions. It could do him a ton of favors to get out in front of teams prior to the Combine.

Jeff Gladney - TCU

One of the most athletic corners in college football, Gladney doesn't have a ton of praise as an early round selection, but the potential is there for him to reach it. Size could be a concern as he's only listed at around 185 pounds, although he could likely add weight to his frame if needed. Going up against the bigger senior wideouts like Pittman and Johnson would be a great test for the defensive back.

Trevon Diggs - Alabama

Dane Jackson - Pittsburgh

Essang Bassey - Wake Forest

John Reid - Penn State

Amari Henderson - Wake Forest

Troy Pride Jr. - Notre Dame

Lavert Hill - Michigan

DeMarkus Acy - Missouri

Parnell Motley - Oklahoma

Tino Ellis - Maryland

Damon Arnette - Ohio State

Lamar Jackson - Nebraska

Monquavion Brinson - Georgia Southern

Kindle Vildor - Georgia Southern

A.J. Green - Oklahoma State

Myles Bryant - Washington

Nevelle Clarke - Central Florida

Myles Hartfield - Mississippi

Javaris Davis - Auburn

Rashad Robinson - James Madison

Baylen Buchanan - Tennessee

Jace Whittaker - Arizona

Shaun Crawford - Notre Dame

Patrice Rene - North Carolina

Jalen Julius - Mississippi