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2023 Senior Bowl Game Recap
By Charlie Campbell –
@draftcampbell
Feb. 6, 2023
While the 2023 Senior Bowl did not have feature quarterback talent, the quarterback who helped himself the most was Fresno State’s Jake Haener. Haener finished his week with a quality performance in the actual game, completing 12-of-19 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. Haener threw the ball accurately and did a nice job of reading the field. While Haener does not have the skill set of a starter, he showed in Mobile that he has backup potential for the next level.
Northwestern running back Evan Hull ran well on Saturday, racking up 74 yards on 10 carries. Hull was hard charging downfield, showing enough quickness to hit the hole with a North-South style. The powerfully built Hull can push through arm tackles and finish his runs well. The 2023 NFL Draft is a quality year at running back, so Hull could fall to Day 3, but he is a nice value to be a backup or rotational back at the pro level.
Stanford’s Michael Wilson was the Senior Bowl’s leading receiver, catching four receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. In the second quarter, Wilson ran a pretty route on a double move, stopping five yards past the line, pausing, and then breaking downfield to the end zone. The defensive back had to grab and hold Wilson to keep him being wide open for a touchdown. Aside from that play, Wilson ran some impressive routes to get open for his receptions. Late in the fourth quarter, Wilson got open deep down the field and then adjusted to a pass thrown late to out leap two defenders for a 44-yard touchdown.
Wilson was injured a lot during his collegiate career, but at the Senior Bowl, he showed flashes of pro potential with size, quickness, suddenness out of the break, and good route-running. This week, helped Wilson to get mid-round consideration.
Alabama defensive tackle D.J. Dale performed well in the Senior Bowl game, notching 1.5 sacks and two tackles. Dale is strong at the point of attack and has some quickness and athleticism, but he never produced a big season in college. As a potential mid-rounder for the 2023 NFL Draft, Dale could be rotational defensive end who flashes some good play but is never consistent enough to be a starter.
During the week of Senior Bowl practice, Florida A&M outside linebacker Isaiah Land showed speed and dangerous pass-rush ability off the edge. That continued during the game on Saturday, with Land recording 1.5 sacks and two tackles. His full sack was a nice rush, using his speed to get upfield and then dipping under the block to get the quarterback.
While Lands lacks the size to be an every-down base end in a 4-3, he could be an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. If Land is drafted into a 4-3 system, he will have to transition to being a Sam – strong side – linebacker who rushes as an end in the sub package. Land could be a sleeper prospect who is a nice value as a rotational player from mid-rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Early in the fourth quarter, Virginia cornerback Anthony Johnson Jr. made a superb play to jump a route on the sideline before exploding down the sideline for a touchdown. Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham was pressured and could not get much on the pass. Johnson did a nice job of getting his head turned around to locate the floating pass. Johnson had a respectable week of practice, and his performance in the game was a nice finishing touch.
Maryland cornerback Jakorian Bennett had a solid performance in the game with four tackles and an interception. The pick was an easy play because it was horrible pass on Tyson Bagent’s part. Bagent rolled out and threw a week ball that went right to Bennett.
In speaking with some team sources, they viewed Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave as an intriguing player despite being injured for the vast majority of his senior year. Hence, I have Musgrave in the second round of my mock draft, but after his impressive week in Mobile, Musgrave could get late first-round consideration.
Musgrave showed mismatch speed in Mobile and also did well as a blocker. In the Senior Bowl game, he had an excellent block in the ground game to open a big cut back lane. Musgrave brought in two receptions for 13 yards. If he works out well, he could contend to be the first tight end taken in the 2023 NFL Draft after Utah’s Dalton Kincaid and Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer.
2023 Senior Bowl Home
2023 Senior Bowl Game Recap
2023 Senior Bowl Quarterback Analysis
2023 Senior Bowl NFL Mock Draft
2023 Senior Bowl Rumors: Friday
2023 Senior Bowl: Thursday's American Team Practice Report
2023 Senior Bowl: Thursday's National Team Practice Report
2023 Senior Bowl Rumors: Thursday
2023 Senior Bowl: Wednesday's American Team Practice Report
2023 Senior Bowl: Wednesday's National Team Practice Report
2023 Senior Bowl Rumors: Wednesday
2023 Senior Bowl: Tuesday's American Team Practice Report
2023 Senior Bowl: Tuesday's National Team Practice Report
2023 Senior Bowl Rumors: Tuesday
2023 Senior Bowl Rumors: Monday
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