Inside the Senior Bowl Week 6 scouting notebook: Eight 2024 NFL draft prospects generating buzz
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 eight seniors generating buzz among Nagy and the Senior Bowl staff coming out of Week 6 (listed alphabetically):
Iowa TE Erick All
Five of Iowa’s six completions during its 20-14 win over Purdue went to All. The five catches for the Michigan transfer went for 97 yards and a touchdown. In the Hawkeyes’ last two games, All — who has verified measurements of 6-foot-4 4/8, 256 pounds — has nine catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns. He was one of the Senior Bowl’s Stock Up players of the week.
“Not just a pass catcher,” Nagy said. “His blocking ability was key in the team averaging 5.2 yards per carry against Purdue. Used primarily as a ‘move blocker,’ motioning from wing alignment or fullback. Willingness to consistently strike targets with good aggression will help buy-in factor with NFL tight ends coaches who are usually resistant to tight ends who can’t block.
“Smooth athlete who can get down the seam. Made an impressive athletic play on a contested ball on a big 33-yard catch that set up a chip shot field goal and showed off his playmaking on a 22-yard touchdown that ended up being the deciding points in the game. The Senior Bowl was set to invite All to last year’s game before he suffered a season-ending injury late in the year. For comparative purposes to show just how much we think of All’s pro potential, we had a higher grade on him than former Michigan teammate Luke Schoonmaker, who went in the second round in April to the Dallas Cowboys.”
Georgia QB Carson Beck
Beck was 28 of 35 for a career-high 389 yards with a career-high four touchdown passes and one interception during Georgia’s 51-13 win over No. 20 Kentucky. It came after Beck, who has verified measurements of 6-foot-4 2/8, 217 pounds, was 8 of 10 for 148 yards with a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of the Bulldogs’ 27-20 victory over Auburn Sept. 30.
“Had his best overall performance of the season versus previously unbeaten Kentucky,” Nagy said. “Was the second straight week a member of our Senior Bowl scouting staff has seen Beck play live. Pure pocket passer who threw the ball on 39 of his 40 dropbacks. Made numerous ‘NFL throws’ in this game, including a beautiful 40-yard TD to ascending 2024 draft wide receiver prospect Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint in the first quarter. Fundamentally sound, especially with his feet. Someone who has done a nice job developing his mechanics.
“His ability to distribute the ball accurately in the quick game is key to letting his playmakers, like stud tight end Brock Bowers, do something with it after the catch. Even though the game was at home in Sanford Stadium, he showed good poise handling the big game environment in a matchup of two 5-0 teams. Plays with confidence and maturity that belies his experience level. Just doesn’t look like a first-year starter.
“Took what the defense gave him and looked comfortable checking the ball down, which most inexperienced QBs struggle with. Kentucky tried to heat him up with more pressure after they fell behind early and he showed good pocket feel buying enough space to get off throws and he did a nice job of going through his progressions with pressure in his face. Pro Football Focus credited him with four ‘big time throws’ against Kentucky after having only four all season in the previous five games. The Senior Bowl staff thought his ‘garbage time’ reps last year behind Stetson Bennett were better than the year before, but this was a huge prove-it season for Beck and he’s starting to look more and more like a draftable player each week. He is playing his way squarely into the mix for a Senior Bowl invite as we hit the midway point of the CFB season.”
Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper
Cooper posted 11 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble during Texas A&M’s 26-20 loss to Alabama. In the Aggies’ last three games, Cooper — who has verified measurements of 6-foot-2 3/8, 225 pounds — has 25 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks and the forced fumble.
“Cooper is on a tear right now with eight TFLs and six sacks over his last three games,” Nagy said. “One of the top combinations of length and speed in this year’s linebacker class. Biggest thing that popped on tape this week was Cooper’s closing speed, as there were numerous instances where he covered significant ground to make a play. He’s had some issues with space tackling this season but he was improved in that area as well this week. Unique off-the-ball linebacker who offers legitimate pass rush ability. Has the speed to get home as a second-level blitzer and he’s long enough to beat tackles off the edge. His ability to stay on the field all three downs will separate him from the vast majority of linebackers in this year’s draft. Also projects to be good core special teams player as a pro. Cooper’s performance against a quality opponent like Alabama will undoubtedly create buzz among NFL scouts.”
Alabama DL Justin Eboigbe
Eboigbe recorded five tackles, 1.5 sacks and an additional QB hurry in Alabama’s 26-20 win over Texas A&M. In the last two weeks against Ole Miss and A&M, Eboigbe — who has verified measurements of 6-foot-4, 286 pounds — has 11 tackles, two sacks and two additional QB hurries.
“We’ve done a lot of work on Eboigbe over the years and he’s playing the best ball of his Tide career right now,” Nagy said. “Missed most of last season with a neck injury but has come back a much improved player this year. Making the most of getting full-time starter reps. Fits classic Alabama ‘fence post’ type big body 4i/5-technique but runs better than guys Alabama has had over the past couple years, including Senior Bowl alums like Phidarian Mathis (2022 second-rounder) and Byron Young (2023 third-rounder). Spoke to a Texas A&M staffer after Saturday’s game and he was impressed by Eboigbe’s motor and range for a man his size. Has strength and length to two-gap but also has enough twitch, power and movement to develop as a pass rusher. Got blockers on their heels with power on both of his sacks last week.
‘Our staff credited Eboigbe with 2.5 sacks against the Aggies and he’s a big reason behind Alabama’s defensive resurgence the past few weeks under DC Kevin Steele. Lines up all along the front for THE Tide, from 0-tech to 5-tech and he’ll be one of the most versatile interior defensive linemen in this year’s draft. Playing himself into a position where he could continue long lineage of Alabama d-linemen in the Senior Bowl.”
USC LB Jamil Muhammad
Muhammad posted five tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and an additional QB hurry during USC’s 43-41 overtime win over Arizona. The 6-foot-1, 240-pound Georgia State transfer has 10 tackles for loss and six sacks in the Trojans’ last five games.
“The Georgia State transfer has been a huge portal find for Trojans,” Nagy said. “Had another huge game in an unexpectedly close 43-41 OT win over Arizona. Already has twice as many TFLs this year for USC (10.0) than he had all of last season for Georgia State (5.0) ands sack total is up from 1.5 a year ago to six this season. Has at least one sack in each of the past five games. He’s ‘popped’ on tape every game the Senior Bowl has looked at this fall. Interesting play history, as he played QB at Vandy and Georgia State before making the switch to defense a couple years ago. Used as a stand-up edge player in the USC defense and projects as a SAM linebacker at the next level.
“Athletic enough to drop into coverage. Twitched-up athlete and high-effort pass rusher. Most effective when he’s playing on the move and using his good closing speed. Showed good upper body strength to lockout versus much bigger tackles and there was one play where he snatched the tight end with ease. Best football is still ahead of him based on the recent move to defense. Has the tools to be a very good special teams player in the NFL. A player the Senior Bowl is excited to keep tracking his progress the rest of season.”
Kentucky DB Andru Phillips
Phillips had two tackles during Kentucky’s loss to Georgia. Phillips, who has verified measurements of 5-foot-10 5/8, 183 pounds, is in his first season as a full-time starter for the Wildcats after making four starts last year.
“Phillips was the one Kentucky prospect that our Senior Bowl scout left the game (against Georgia) with mostly positive notes on,” Nagy said. “Has the combination of length and movement skills that all NFL teams are looking for. Plays bigger than his measurables. Aligns outside in base defense but will bump inside to nickel in sub packages. Looks comfortable playing with a cushion in off-man coverage. Has good feel for routes and timing to close and finish. Made an impressive PBU against a dig route that Georgia QB Carson Beck put on the money. Smooth and efficient transition footwork and good burst to close.
“We don’t question his toughness or physicality but he’s shown up more in run support and as a tackler on tape than he did last Saturday in Athens. You don’t see Phillips’ name in a lot of draft media position rankings but we think that will change once we get into the pre-draft process.”
Ohio State DB Josh Proctor
Proctor, the Senior Bowl’s Stock Up defensive player of the week, registered seven tackles and a pick-six during a 37-17 win over Maryland. Proctor, who has verified measurements of 6-foot-1 7/8, 204 pounds, already has more tackles in four games this year (23) than he had in 11 games last season (21).
“Proctor is a guy that we liked two summers ago when we started watching him but then he was relegated to more of a backup role last year so he decided to stay in school for a sixth year,” Nagy said. “Spoke to OSU staffers this week and they feel like Proctor is playing the best football of his career. Strong safety who Ohio State likes to drop-down to play as an underneath defender. Had a pivotal pick-six squatting on a route in the slot last Saturday that changed the momentum of a game versus a previously undefeated Maryland team.
“Has the size and speed to be an immediate factor on special teams at the next level. Proctor is trending up and the Senior Bowl hopes he continues to play with the same urgency he put on tape last Saturday.”
Louisville DB Quincy Riley
Under new Louisville cornerbacks coach Steve Ellis, Riley has taken the next step in becoming a standout players on the Cardinals’ defense. After tallying 27 tackles and three interceptions last season, Riley already has 26 tackles and two interceptions this year for 6-0 Louisville. Riley, a former Middle Tennessee transfer with verified measurements of 5-foot-10 6/8, 182 pounds, has recorded interceptions in each of the Cardinals’ last two games against Notre Dame and NC State.
“The former Middle Tennessee transfer had a big interception and another PBU in last Saturday’s upset win over Notre Dame,” Nagy said. “Teams have tested Riley deep all season and he’s done a nice job of defending the deep ball, and eliminating explosive plays has been key to Louisville’s unexpected 6-0 start. Led Conference USA with five INTs in 2021. His ability to locate and play the ball is one of his top selling points. Has proven track speed as a South Carolina state champ in both the 100-meters and 200-meters. Has a personal-best time of 10.4 in the 100-meter dash, which is one of the best times among prospects for the 2024 NFL draft.
“A source that recruited him out of high school said that Riley and New York Giants’ third round pick Jalin Hyatt finished 1-2 on all the big South Carolina meets their senior year. Based on those documented track times, Riley should run mid-to-high 4.3s at the Combine. Flexible athlete who plays with good body posture in press-man and he projects as a good tight-man player at the next level. Already has three times as many PBUs this season (6) as he did all of last year (2). Speed and ball skills put him squarely in the mix for a 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl invite.”