This year’s Senior Bowl does not appear to have a projected first round quarterback for the first time in a long time. However, there is a lot of high end prospects that will be participating in the game, as well as some sleepers. This is the Gridiron Review’s Players to watch at the 2023 Senior Bowl
Tyson Bagent, QB, Sheppard
This is more out of fascination than anything. He is a Division II quarterback with a very impressive resume and quite the story. A zero star recruit with a dad who is an all-time arm wrestler (yes you read that right). In a year with underwhelming quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl, Bagent is the one we want to see the most.
Kenny McIntosh, RB, Georgia
McIntosh has a lot to like, especially from a pass catching perspective. He can run receiver routes and is a decently polished runner. He is reminiscent of James Cook out of Georgia last year, except he is further along in his running ability.
Chris Rodriguez Jr, RB, Kentucky
A 220 pound power back that can be an early down option at the next level. He feels similar to Tyler Allgeier in that he is a powerful runner, but not a big asset in the passing game.
Puka Nacua, WR, BYU
In our opinion, Nacua was a big reason for Jaren Hall’s success. He is big, he is fast, and he is tough to bring down. BYU has a negative stigma around because of… reasons, but Nacua seems to have all the intangibles to be a successful sleeper receiver for the NFL Draft.
Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
Rice has continuously improved for the last three seasons at SMU, capping it off with a great final season. He has good size and will be looking to show he can continue his improvement year to year at the NFL level.
Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State
Like Rice, Hutchinson has continued to improve in the last three seasons. He is very popular as a sleeper that could be had in the third and outperform most of the receivers in this draft. He again has the size and athleticism to be very good at the next level.
All of the Tight Ends
This is looking to be a special tight end class, and the Senior Bowl group is no different. Payne Durham, Davis Allen, and Josh Whyle all come up on sleeper tight end lists for the 2023 NFL Draft. Cameron Latu has second round potential. Luke Musgrave is in some analysts’ top fives (although we do not agree). Will Mallory and Brayden Davis have some late round appeal as well and cans tick around on a roster.
Zacch Pickens, DL, South Carolina
He was the number one defensive tackle in his class. Pickens has been underwhelming (although he did have four sacks last season) during his time at college. However, his ability is still there and could be unlocked at the next level in the right coaching system
KJ Henry, EDGE, Clemson
Another former five star recruit that has not really lived up to the potential, Henry is the forgotten man on the Clemson line. He has a ton of potential, and may have done better returning to college for one more season, but a NFL team could definitely take him in the mid-rounds and try to unlock his massive potential.
Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
Foskey is showing out at the Senior Bowl practices, to no ones’ surprise. Back to back seasons of double digit sacks, ridiculous strength, and more have Foskey as a potential first rounder. He may be the best defensive player at the Senior Bowl.
Dee Winters, LB, TCU
Winters had a strong season for the Horned Frogs with his best performance coming against the Wolverines in the Fiesta Bowl before having a quiet night against the Bulldogs. Let’s see if Winters can have a bounce back performance in the Senior Bowl.
Carlton Martial, LB, Troy
Much like Tyson Bagent, Martial has one heck of a college football story. Martial is a 5’9”, 210 lb linebacker. A preferred walk-on at Troy in 2017, he ended up redshirting. In 2018 he not only started but was voted a Freshman All-American by USA Today and FWAA. Flashforward to 2022, Martial breaks the NCAA D1 FBS record for most career tackles. He finished his career at Troy with 555, beating the previous record by 10 tackles. This is a big comparison considering he is now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but this story kind of reminds me of another 5’9” LB… Sam Mills.
Martial is on the National Team, he will be going up against the American Team which is loaded with SEC talent. If Martial can show out against what is basically an SEC All-Star Senior team, his draft stock will definitely improve.
Ronnie Hickman, S, Ohio State
Hickman to us could use some development from NFL coaches; however, we also think that he could be a mid-late round gem of the safety class. With a week of NFL coaching, I’m looking to see if Hickman was able to make any improvements in coverage.
JL Skinner, S, Boise State
Skinner is a prospect I haven’t had a chance to do a profile on yet, but am very excited to. Skinner is a HUGE safety standing at 6’4”, 220 lbs. This will be my first look at Skinner, and all I can say is if he plays football as good as his measurables are, he is going to be a scary, scary player.
DeMarcco Hellams, S, Alabama
Hellams is currently our second ranked safety at the moment(with only 5 currently scouted). I seem to be much higher on Hellams than the consensus, and although I agree that his 2022 tape wasn’t as strong as his 2021 tape, I also don’t think it’s entirely his fault. Much like Hickman, I’m excited to see if a week of NFL coaching has helped him make strides in coverage at all.
Christopher Smith II, S, Georgia
I know I’m one of very few people who have Smith as a Round 1 safety, but this kid is safety 1, and he’s legit. Playing at Georgia, Smith has already played against top competition, so playing at the Senior Bowl should be nothing new. I probably won’t be paying too much attention to Smith as I feel like I’ve already seen everything I want from him, but I do hope he has a day good enough for the consensus to believe he is a first rounder.