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Inside the Senior Bowl Week 5 scouting notebook: Nine 2024 NFL draft prospects generating buzz

Matt Zenitzby:Matt Zenitz•10/03/23•

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Notre Dame defensive linemen Howard Cross III. (Photo by Chad Weaver, Blue & Gold)

Each week during the season, On3 catches up with Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy to identify 2024 NFL draft prospects whose draft stock is on the rise.

Here are nine seniors generating buzz among Nagy and the Senior Bowl staff coming out of Week 5 (listed alphabetically):

UCF WR Javon Baker

Baker, a former Alabama transfer, had three catches for 113 yards and a touchdown during UCF’s 36-35 loss to Baylor. That includes an early 65-yard touchdown catch. Baker, who has verified measurements of 6-foot-1 5/8, 199 pounds, led the Knights with 796 receiving yards last season.

“Alabama transfer who played in 21 games over two seasons for the Tide and was in same WR room as future first-round picks Jaylen Waddle, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs and DeVonta Smith,” Nagy said. “Former four star recruit out of high school. Quick and strong. Good getting off the line and creating separation at the breakpoint. Strong lower body and is a tackle-breaker after the catch. Biggest issue is inconsistent catching ability. Plagued by drops each of the past two years of tape study. Played extensively on special teams during his time at Alabama and has the tools and toughness to be legit fourth down contributor as a pro. The Senior Bowl has a solid Day 3 grade based on his talent.”

Notre Dame DL Howard Cross

Despite playing through a sinus infection, Cross posted a game-high 13 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack and two forced fumbles during Notre Dame’s 21-14 win over No. 17 Duke, including a game-sealing strip-sack. The 6-foot 7/8, 288-pound Cross, who is in his second season as a starter for the Fighting Irish, leads the team with 35 tackles. He was the Senior Bowl defensive player of the week.

“Cross’ performance against Duke was one of the most impressive interior d-line games that we’ve seen over the past couple of years, period,” Nagy said. “For an inside guy to finish with 13 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss and a couple forced fumbles, and even one of his hurries resulted in interception and that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. Just a really good athlete. Technically sound. Plays hard. Finds the football. Excellent with his hands. He’s just a really good football player. He might be undersized, but you don’t see the size show up much at the point of attack because he is so good with his hands and his feet. He’s just a really hard guy to block. It’s going to be fun watching him the rest of the year.

Kentucky RB Ray Davis

Davis ran for 280 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns during Kentucky’s 33-14 victory No. 22 Florida. The Vanderbilt transfer ranks fourth nationally with 594 rushing yards, is tied for fourth with eight rushing touchdowns and is also first in yards per carry among running backs with at least 55 carries with an average of 7.82 yards per attempt. Davis, who has verified measurements of 5-foot-8 5/8, 216 pounds, was the Senior Bowl offensive player of the week.

“I’d say what was most impressive about Ray’s performance was that he did against a Florida defense that completely shut down Tennessee the week before,” Nagy said. “The offensive line did an unbelievable job of creating seams for him at the line of scrimmage, but his ability to make people miss the second and third levels really stood out. There was a bit of a speed concern coming into the game, but but man, his stop-start acceleration and then his long speed on that 75-yard touchdown really got our attention.”

Alabama DL Justin Eboigbe 

Eboigbe tallied six tackles, a shared tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry during Alabama’s 40-17 win over Mississippi State. Egoigbe, who has verified measurements of 6-foot-4, 286 pounds, is back after being limited to four games last year because of a neck injury.

“Has been on the Senior Bowl radar for two years now,” Nagy said. “Played in first four games last season but missed the remainder of 2022 after having a neck procedure. Scheme versatile defensive lineman who can fit for both 4-3 and 3-4 teams. Looks bigger in person than we remember in the past. In the same mold as big Saban era two-gap 4i-tech defensive ends. Long and strong point of attack player who showed up consistently all night against Mississippi State. Likely Day 3 draft pick if medical stuff checks out with the neck injury.”

(Courtesy of Jim Nagy)

Georgia RB Daijun Edwards

Edwards rushed for 76 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries during Georgia’s 27-20 victory over Auburn. Edwards, who has verified measurements of 5-foot-9 4/8, 204 pounds, has run for 260 yards and five TDs the last three weeks after missing the early part of the season with an injury. Edwards rushed for 769 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

“Has been a stabilizing force for Georgia’s offense since returning,” Nagy said. “Dependable no-nonsense back that, at very minimum, gets what is blocked. Runs with good patience and vision and grinds out tough yards. Played bigger role in Saturday’s tight one-score win over Auburn than somewhat modest production might suggest. Spoke to Georgia staffers on the field during pre-game and they can’t say enough good things about Edwards’ football makeup. Georgia brings in maybe more talented four- and five-star running backs every year and Edwards finds a way to beat them out, which speaks to his competitive nature. Biggest thing NFL scouts are concerned about is timed speed because many think he’ll be a 4.6 or 4.7 guy (in the 40-yard dash) at the Combine, which is similar to former Bulldog running back Elijah Holyfield. The Senior Bowl has a later-round draftable grade on Edwards and he has the total package to make a roster at the next level in the right situation.”

Auburn EDGE Jalen McLeod

McLeod, a transfer from Appalachian State, recorded four tackles, two quarterback hurries, a pass break-up and a fumble recovery during Auburn’s loss to Georgia. McLeod, who has verified measurements of 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, had six sacks last year for Appalachian State.

“Senior Bowl liked his junior tape from App State,” Nagy said. “Thought he was one of the best portal finds by a P5 program this offseason. Fits the profile of an old-school Steelers sawed-off 3-4 outside linebacker. Thick-muscled body type. Looks the part. Showed up more in live exposure against Georgia than what his stat line might suggest. Consistently around the ball. Has the ability to bend the edge on pass rush. Athletic and instinctive enough to be solid special teams contributor at the next level. NFL scouts we spoke with in the press box also like him as draftable level player.”

Vanderbilt WR Will Sheppard

Sheppard had five catches for 98 yards and a touchdown during a 38-21 loss to No. 23 Missouri. Sheppard, who has verified measurements of 6-foot-2 4/8, 195 pounds, is tied for third nationally with seven touchdown catches after posting 60 catches, 776 yards and nine TD catches last season.

“Good size/length prospect,” Nagy said. “Quiet game until the fourth quarter. Best thing he does is make contested plays. Strong hands to secure ball on contact. Generous catch radius. Savvy and tough working through zones. Reminded our scout of Cleveland Browns veteran Rashad Higgins.”

Washington LB Edefuan Ulofoshio

Ulofoshio recorded six tackles during a 31-24 victory over Arizona. After being limited to just 11 total games the last two seasons, the 6-foot, 238-pound Ulofoshio has 27 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a pick-six and two pass deflections through the first five games this year.

“Been on radar since the summer of 2022 when we watched his 2021 tape (and liked it),” Nagy said. “Missed the first eight games of last year due to injury and didn’t look the same when he came back for the final five games. Looked back to what he was two years ago when we saw him on Saturday night in Tucson against Arizona. Instinctive player with really good eyes and knows his way around the box. Plays downhill and finds his way to the ball. Smart zone player and has done some good things this season in man coverage versus tight ends. High effort chase player, so should be a good special teams player at the next level. Gets overshadowed on that Washington roster by some more high-profile names but Ulofoshio is one of the better off-ball linebackers in this draft class.”

Missouri WR Theo Wease

Wease, an Oklahoma transfer and former five-star recruit, caught 10 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown during Missouri’s win over Vanderbilt. Wease, who has verified measurements of 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, has 16 catches, 190 yards and a touchdown in the Tigers’ first two games against Power Five teams.

“Productive game (against Vanderbilt),” Nagy said. “Constantly open out of the slot at all levels of the field. Big target with good body control. Showed good strength breaking tackles after the catch. Made another nice in-air adjustment on a red-zone TD.”