Senior Bowl Roundup: Day 1

The first day of practice at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama has wrapped up, and NFL scouts, coaches, and general managers will descend on the restaurants and local watering holes in Mobile to discuss what they saw on Tuesday.

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What did general managers see? Who do the coaches think had a strong performance? What is Alabama's influence in the all-star game in front of NFL decision-makers?

Alabama's Influence

The Crimson Tide only sent three players to Mobile for the all-star game, but that doesn't mean the Alabama presence has lost its luster. Former Alabama kicker Will Reichard was the talk of the special teams' units after he showed off his range with a 60-yard field goal early on day one.

Defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe and edge rusher Chris Braswell worked in the same group, which saw one-on-one battles with offensive linemen and team sessions against the entire offense.

Eboigbe showed good strength, which was a concern of some NFL scouts following his injury in 2022 that could've ended Eboigbe's football career. Does Eboigbe's adversity separate him from other draft candidates?

"I feel so because not a lot of people have faced this adversity. I had to fight for this. I had to fight to get back where I wanted to be. I didn’t know if I was ever going to play a game of football again, so I had to fight each and every day for what I wanted. That’s not to take away from anyone else, but I know in myself that I faced the adversity that not a lot of other people have faced. I feel like it’s just the chip I take each and every day with me.”

Chris Braswell also worked with the defensive line group, as an edge rusher. Braswell's length has caught the eye of NFL scouts. He's got their eye, and now, he's ready to take advantage of it by crafting his game after some of the NFL's biggest names.

Braswell had sort of a quiet day on the practice field but wasn't viewed as one of the "losers" of the day according to scouts. Many linemen knew Braswell was one of the top edge rushers in Mobile and were on top of their game during those reps. Iron sharpens iron, and scouts are looking for Braswell to elevate his game to match the level of competition that is lining up against him. NFL media is high on Braswell, with many considering him a top-50 pick.

Stock Rising

Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson was unguardable on day one, showing his burst and impressive route running during the national team practice. Wilson caught 12 touchdowns in a run-heavy Michigan offense and should look to burst onto the scene in an NFL scheme that uses receivers more than Michigan did,

Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey wowed NFL scouts on the first day in Mobile. He appeared to be the best route runner on the field. Look for him to quickly rise up draft boards, despite missing the 'elite' production that teams search for in college receivers.

Missouri running back Cody Schrader ran with purpose and his low center of gravity made it difficult for him to be brought down. Schrader will make an NFL team happy with his speed to the edge. He showed a good burst and a knack for turning upfield.

Tide 100.9 will have continued updates from the Senior Bowl and interviews with Alabama's participants later in the week. To stay up to date, follow along on Tide 100.9 and @FultonW_ on X (Formerly Twitter).