Senior Bowl 2023: 5 Biggest Questions We Need Answered

Folks, we’ve arrived at Senior Bowl week. A slate of festivities that annually kick off the draft circuit, while it seems like it was just yesterday we were down in Mobile scouting the likes of Malik Willis, Brian Robinson, and Marcus Jones, the 2023 crop of talent looks sure to impress with players from each corner of the country. With Senior Bowl practices set to get going Tuesday morning, here are a few questions I want to see answered as pads start to crack.

Who stands out among the rest in a deep edge group?

With an overwhelmingly deep talent pool of pass-rushers, standing out amongst the crowd will be paramount for guys who hope to slide up draft boards. One-on-ones are always a common attraction during showcase events, but this year has a little bit of extra juice to it with the names and skill set to compete. 

The totem pole of second-tier QBs

We know Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis won’t be in attendance, but the names expected to compete have plenty of starter qualities as well. Jake Haener (Fresno State), Max Duggan (TCU), Jaren Hall (BYU), Tyson Bagent (Shepherd), Malik Cunningham (Louisville), and Clayton Tune (Houston) will be there. The varying skill sets of each talent will be a sight to see the entire week. Not being afraid to sling it around the yard to the talented group of pass-catchers could separate a few from the pack.

Who is IOL1?

Anyone who’s anyone within the trenches will be in Mobile. From USC’s Andrew Vorhees to Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz, while the two play different positions, we will get some clarity at the top of the IOL positional board this week. Dominating in the run game and anchoring smoothly in pass pro will be huge against a talented, powerful list of 1 and 3-techs set to compete.

Who becomes the small-school darling?

Every year there’s a mid-major or lower-level stud that blows up the event. The consensus this year will tell you it’ll be WR Andrei Iosivas from Princeton, but there’s a laundry list of talent to choose from—a tip of the cap to the Senior Bowl staff in diversifying their scouting range rather than limiting it to just Power Five schools. There’s talent everywhere, some just need more of a spotlight than others. I expect many of the lesser-known talents—for now—to thrive this week. 

Who stands out in the “intangible” department?

We’ve seen the tape on everyone in attendance, but how do they approach the uncoachable part of the game? Who’s a leader? Who takes initiative in positional drills? Who’s energy can be felt in the stands? Who takes the calisthenics portion of warmups seriously? It may sound funny, but it’s all included in scouting reports for teams in how they separate players with similar skill sets on their board. Doing the little things, including selling yourself in interviews, is a massive part of the process.