Cases of Senioritis: Reese’s Senior Bowl Day Three Standouts
It’s draft season, which means it’s ECG season. After three days of practice in Mobile, Kelii and Sora break down who rose to the occasion and showed out in practice.
Wide receiver Jack Bech makes a catch during a scrimmage during day two of practice at the Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Kelii Horvath/East Coast Gridiron)
For fans, players and scouts alike, the draft starts in Mobile. That saying certainly holds true for us here at East Coast Gridiron, as it marks the beginning of draft season. It is our first chance at seeing the top players in the draft class compete with one another, testing their mettle during drills and competition. As a result, we begin to learn new things about these players that evolve our evaluations heading into draft night. Here is what we learned after Day Three in Mobile.
WR Jack Bech catches nearly every ball that goes each way. He has great body control and makes contested catches look routine. He seems to make multiple big plays each day.
RB LeQuint Allen had a lot of great reps in a pass protection drill against the linebackers. I was very impressed with his ability to stonewall bigger guys who had momentum going into contact with Allen.
QB Dillon Gabriel had an up and down day, looking very accurate in goal-line one-on-ones but struggling on a couple throws in a red zone drill.
QB Jalen Milroe had a better day today than either of his previous days, but still has lots of room to grow on throws within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage.
QB Seth Henigan was once again arguably the best quarterback on the field. His accuracy and touch on throws has been incredible and is competing with Tyler Shough for the best quarterback performance in Mobile.
DL Darius Alexander made a huge impact today in one-on-ones and live scenarios. He dominated his reps against various linemen and would have logged a sack in a red zone drill.
LB Jack Kiser remains a blanket in coverage. He sticks to his man like glue against running backs, and has great technique when breaking on the ball.
Sora - Billy Bowman | S | Oklahoma
After struggling during the first two days, Bowman bounced back in a big way with a dominant performance both in coverage and coming down in run support. Bowman is an ultra-athletic defensive back who is best used as a rangy center fielder.
Bowman was lock down in coverage, and made plays on the football, breaking up passes in one-on-ones against tights ends such as Jake Briningstool. Bowman was in the right place at the right time against the run during two minute drills, capping off an excellent all-around performance on the last day of practice.
Tight end Jackson Hawes makes a catch and turns upfield during practice at the Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Kelii Horvath/East Coast Gridiron)
Kelii - Jackson Hawes | TE | Georgia Tech
Typically viewed as a blocking tight end, Hawes came into Mobile with less than 200 yards to his name in 2024. However, Hawes made some of the best catches of the day. It started with a couple one-handed snags yesterday, but today Hawes got it done in the red zone.
With quarterback Seth Henigan under center, Hawes ran a back-shoulder fade in one-on-ones and made the contested catch in the back corner of the endzone. It was a perfect throw and amazing catch, drawing oohs and ahs from the crowd. Henigan and Hawes proceeded to reignite their connection on the same route in a red zone drill.
For a blocking tight end, Hawes certainly showed off some high-level hands. Hawes helped his draft stock a lot today and can offer something a little different than the other tight ends in this class due to his elite blocking ability.
