Chris Braswell shares what it means to participate in Senior Bowl

Alabama edge rusher Chris Braswell is ready to show NFL scouts what he is made of at the Senior Bowl. Braswell arrived in Mobile this week along with several others as practice kicks off on Wednesday.

Braswell used a big 2023 season to boost his draft stock and is currently projected as a late first-round or early second-round pick. His performance this weekend could be the difference between being taken on the first or second day.

The linebacker took the podium Wednesday to address the media, where he spoke on what this opportunity means for him.

“It’s definitely great,” Braswell said. “It’s a blessing to be here. Great opportunity to go out there and compete with all the best guys from all these great conferences. Just be able to go out there and compete with the best guys in the nation. It’s the best of the best.”

Braswell had his best season yet as he earned second team All-SEC honors according to the Associated Press. He finished the year with a career-high 42 tackles, eight sacks, one interception and an SEC-leading three forced fumbles.

Chris Braswell is joined at the Senior Bowl by his Alabama teammates Justin Eboigbe and Will Reichard. He weighed in at 257 pounds with a height of 6-foot-3.

The Senior Bowl, the longest continual-running all-star game, has taken place in Mobile the past 74 years. More than 900 NFL personnel, including key decision-makers from all 32 teams, and over 1,100 media members from around the country were credentialed last year. In each of the past three years, the Senior Bowl has had 100 or more players drafted and over 40 percent of the draft class, which are both record-setting figures for any all-star game.

With those kind of eyes on him, Braswell will look to impress as he is sure to join the long list of draftees who have played in the game over the years. The 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl will kick off Saturday, Feb. 3, at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile.

Chris Braswell named among Day 1 Senior Bowl standouts

Braswell got off to a good start on the first day of Senior Bowl practice. In fact, he was named among the top five standouts of Day 1 according to NFL draft expert Lance Zierlein, who wrote a glowing review of his performance.

“While he still has some things to prove as a run defender,” Zeirlien wrote, “he was extremely physical at the point of attack in run drills against offensive linemen. And (he) ran Houston’s Patrick Paul back into the pocket with a big bull rush early in the rush segment of practice. Alabama edge defenders are always well-schooled, but the aggression from Braswell really stood out.”