By Paul Vozzella
NEFJ Staff
MOBILE, AL – After a day of talking on Monday, players got to show off their on-field abilities for the first time as they took to Whitney Hancock Stadium for the first practice at the Reese’s Senior Bowl on Tuesday.
It was a big day for New England players and multiple Patriots personnel members were in attendance to witness it.
Newly appointed Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was spotted on the sideline during the second practice of the day, catching up with old coworker Kevin Stefanski, head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Also spotted were Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf, recent hire Vice President of Player Personnel Ryan Cowden and Director of Player Personnel Matt Groh.
The National team – with Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, RT Ozzy Trapilo and Minnesota EDGE Jah Joyner – have the early practice slate throughout the week.
The biggest standout from the group was Ezeiruaku, who put on a display of his athletic ability in one-on-one pass rushes and in live action group run drills. If his performance keeps up, he will catch the eye of many NFL teams. Ezeiruaku is a must-watch prospect in this Saturday’s game and is already No. 28 in Daniel Jeremiah’s Top 50 prospect list.
Not as impressive, but still turning in good days were Trapilo and Joyner. Trapilo hasn’t seen live action in quite a while. After knocking off the rust early, he settled in nicely, holding down the right side of the offensive line. Joyner last played meaningful snaps on January 3 in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. He had a couple really good reps during practice, but did not stay consistent the whole way through. His flashes are promising, however, and he should be able to pick up his play as he gets acclimated to having the pads on again.
It was a quiet day for former Yale Bulldog Jackson Hawes. He did not make a big impression as a pass-catcher, but threw some solid blocks in live drills. He isn’t going to make people’s jaws drop this week, but can gain the respect of his peers and scouts as a blocker. Practice will not showcase it too much, but the film doesn’t lie and he can earn a solid stamp of approval during Saturday’s game.
Other standouts from the day include Michigan edge rusher Josiah Stewart, Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins, Oklahoma safety Billy Bowman Jr., Virginia Tech defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles, Kentucky defensive lineman Deone Walker and Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. Keep a lookout for these names throughout the week as practice continues.
On the other end of the spectrum, the quarterbacks on both teams underwhelmed. The American roster consisting of Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, Memphis’ Seth Henigan and Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard all struggled during practice, especially Milroe and Dart who are vying for early draft positioning. The National team quarterbacks group is made up of Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, Louisville’s Tyler Shough and Canadian prospect Taylor Elgersma out of Laurier University in Ontario. Elgersma may take time to adjust to playing in the States, but will have to turn his play around quickly if he wants to be sitting comfortably heading into the draft.
There was very little time focused on going at full game speed so it will be interesting to see how certain players rise and fall as intensity ramps up.
Regardless of performances any day this week, players will be under constant evaluation until they leave Mobile. At least for now, the New England guys – particularly Ezeiruaku – are making their presence known early.