
One of the most anticipated weeks of the year on the Gulf Coast is finally here with the arrival of Senior Bowl week and the official start of the NFL Draft process!
As we always say, the draft starts in Mobile, and things are getting kicked off with three practice sessions beginning on Tuesday – which are open to the public – culminating in the game on Saturday afternoon at Hancock-Whitney Stadium.
Here are five players you need to have your eye on if you’re headed out to practice or the game this week:
Jalen Milroe: QB, Alabama
The first one doesn’t come as much of a surprise here as it’s not every day we get the quarterback of the Crimson Tide in our city. Milroe is particularly interesting though because of the varying consensus on his draft status. Showing the highest of highs and the lowest of lows throughout his career in Tuscaloosa, this week is a chance to prove he is developing as a passer and lock up his status as an early selection in April.
Cam Skattebo: RB, Arizona State
Skattebo took college football by storm this season as his Sun Devils team made one of the most unlikely runs to the postseason we’ve seen in a very long time. Pushing Texas to the brink with a sensational performance in which he ran wild, caught passes, and even threw a touchdown, Skattebo arrives to the Port City as a household name. Arguably the best running back in all of college football, Skattebo has a chance this week to show it will translate to the next level.
Harold Fannin Jr.: TE, Bowling Green
Fannin Jr. might not be a name everyone knows just yet, but it won’t be long before he’s exactly that. The tight end had a ridiculous season for the Falcons with over 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s no stranger to Mobile either with his best career performance coming in the 68 Ventures Bowl right here in the 251 just a couple of months ago. Fannin Jr. caught a staggering 17 passes for over 200 yards and a touchdown in a narrow loss against Arkansas State, look for him to dominant once again this week.
Nic Scourton: DE, Texas A&M
Scourton had an absolutely massive season for the Aggies following a transfer from Purdue to establish himself as one of the best pass rushers in the nation and a likely first round pick. A true game wrecker, Scourton will have a shot this week to even further impress NFL scouts and potentially make a push to become a top-ten pick.
Riley Leonard: QB Notre Dame
Of course Leonard was going to find his way onto this list. The Fairhope native returns home to the Gulf Coast just a week after a tough loss to Ohio State in the national title game, a game in which he took a severe beating. That didn’t stop him from making the trip to Mobile however, and now Leonard will try to prove it in front of the best of the best. Regardless, the gunslinger will continue to make his city proud and always put on a show.