Senior Bowl practice notes: Getting a feel for the superlatives

A busy and important week is underway in Mobile as practices for the Senior Bowl lead up to the game Saturday.

The tallest player at the Senior Bowl this year is offensive tackle Alex Taylor out of South Carolina at 6-foot-8 1/2.

On the other end of the spectrum, the shortest player is running back Jamycal Hasty out of Baylor at 5-8.

The heaviest? Tyre Phillips, an offensive guard out of Ole Miss, showed up at 342 pounds. Lightest? Dane Jackson, a cornerback from Pitt, is 180 pounds.

Quarterback Jordan Love, a potential for rounder out of Utah State who played at 237 to 240 pounds in the 2019 season weighed in at 227.

The strongest positions in the Senior Bowl appear to be wide receiver and cornerback. LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton, a potential first round choice, dropped out.

Quarterbacks garner the most attention, of course, and the main guy to watch is Justin Herbert (6-6, 227 with 4.70 speed). The Oregon product has all the physical tools needed to excel at the pro level. Scouts are concerned with his inconsistent technique; his footwork is all over the map from play-to-play. He did well reading the field and throwing accurate passes though.

The other quarterback getting attention from scouts is Love, who has nice size and athleticism like many of the young quarterbacks in the NFL now. He can extend plays with his feet and make plays throwing on the run. Love started the week off slow but got more relaxed as Wednesday’s practice progressed.

Some scouts are comparing quarterback Jalen Hurts (6-2, 210 with 4.55 speed) to Cowboys starter Dak Prescott. The former Alabama and Oklahoma standout needs to become a more accurate passer than we have seen.

I enjoy watching the one-on-one drills between the offensive and defensive lineman. LSU center Lloyd Cushenberry held his own and held his own against probably one of the best prospects on the field, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw from South Carolina. Kinlaw is drawing praise from scouts and media.

Defensive lineman Marlon Davidson Auburn is also doing well in the one on one drills. The best blocker has been Terence Steele from Texas Tech. Offensive tackle Josh Jones, a very experienced and athletic prospect from Houston, has also blocked well.

The Saints are in need of another wide receiver so their contingent must be watching that group here closely. Two big receivers are having a good week of practice are USC’s Michael Pittman (6-4, 225) who has also lined up on special teams and Chase Claypool (6-4, 230) from Notre Dame.

Devin Duvernay (5-11, 195 with 4.48 speed) from Texas is getting some attention. Brandon Aiyuk (6-0, 210 with 4.48 speed) from Arizona State is another impressive receiver best suited in the slot; he is tough and willing to go across the middle to make the contested catch.

Cornerback is another position I spent extra time eyeing because I think the Saints can use another good young one. Dane Jackson from Pitt showed good coverage and ball skills.

Safety Kyle Dugger from Lenoir Rhyne is a small school prospect with upside. Another non-Power 5 corner, Kindle Vildor from Georgia Southern, is showing cover skills to play in the NFL.

To get information on how to acquire my Draft Day publication, email adupuy1@cox.net.