Pro Prospects to Watch in Senior Bowl Game 2008

Photo - CB/RS Leodis McKelvin - Troy University

The 59th annual Senior Bowl game on Saturday announced their 14th consecutive sellout for the All-Star classic. The week long event of practices leading up to the game has been completed and the final test remains this weekend. Here are a few of the over 100 players in attendance that impressed during the week of practices and are ready to shine in this premier All-star contest.

Frank Coyle is a scouting consultant annually for the Senior Bowl

QB Chad Henne of Michigan answered questions about his shoulder injury over his final season and had an impressive week of practice. He had the type of week a prospect needs to dispel injury concerns and showed well developed QB mechanics, a strong arm, decision making and fine preparation. He delivered the ball nicely with a quick compact release and fine velocity and accuracy. He is primed for a huge Senior Bowl game that could move him into the upper tier of passers.

QB John David Booty of Southern Cal had similar concerns as Henne and regained his status in the sees of most scouts. He had a fine week in all respects, displaying a fast set up and the ability to make the proper read consistently. He has a smooth delivery and quick release that combines with fine accuracy and timing. He has worked well with Eddie Royal, Lavelle Hawkins and Andre Caldwell.

RB Tashard Choice of Georgia Tech ran hard to run between the tackles and shows a quick burst to the outside. He is a powerful slashing type of runner who accelerates through the hole and combines both elusiveness and power. He looks to prove here he is a pro feature back and good outlet receiver to fill all the roles. He looks to split the workload with Jacob Hester and Rafael Little.

RB Justin Forsett of California displayed explosiveness and fine vision over the week to get to the 2nd level and make plays. He also caught the ball well and got into his routes easily with the ability to make plays on the perimeter. He is well rounded and completed a fine week and is ready to shine in this game that could elevate him to the second tier of running backs in this deep class.

RB Rafael Little of Kentucky ran hard and shows a burst to the outside. He is a powerful compact runner who accelerates through the hole and combines both elusiveness and power. He looks to shine here as both a feature back and outlet receiver working with teammate QB Andre’ Woodson.

WR Lavelle Hawkins of California has performed brilliantly, showing explosive quickness into his routes and fine run after the catch ability. He may have helped his cause as much as any player at the event. He has worked well with passers Chad Henne, Joe Flacco and John Booty and is ready for a huge game as the North’s #1 receiver.

WR D.J Hall of Alabama looked sharp in his routes and caught most passes over the practices. He is tough going over the middle and is difficult in matchups especially in the red zone where his athleticism and leaping ability give him a big advantage in coverage.

WR Andre Caldwell of Florida had a fine week, showing good route running and hands with the body control to make the tough catch. He worked well with passers Colt Brennan and Andre’ Woodson and could be the go to receiver on passing situations in this All-Star classic.

DE Jason Jones of Eastern Michigan was a player we rated as one of the hidden gems at this event and he did not disappoint over the week. He played several positions but performed best at end where he shows both pass rushing talent and run support skills. He has a tremendous reach that allows him to keep blockers off his body with the quickness to come off the edge and pressure the passer. He has good footwork to counter inside as a pass rusher and is primed for a fine performance on game day.

DT Sedrick Ellis of Southern Cal was one of 9 USC players in attendance and performed like a super blue chip prospect. He had a dominant performance displaying explosive power from the inside. He was exceptionally quick on the snap, showing fast hands and feet that got him into the backfield often. He has been a top 10 prospects the entire year and probably moved up even further off the week’s effort. His versatility and production as a senior were outstanding and he is ready to display his fine talent in his career finale.

DT Trevor Laws of Notre Dame had a strong week in practices. He comes off the snap quickly and moves with power and good hand use. He displayed fine leverage to get into blockers and gave a relentless effort over the practices. He wants to prove something in this game after the Irish struggled through a horrible ’07 season and gives the effort that scouts seek, combined with the power and quickness to make plays.

LB Dan Connor of Penn St. was prepared for this game displaying fine fundamentals to adjust quickly to a new system. He is quick to read and react and move easily to the ball consistently with the ability to get through traffic and to the ball to finish the play. He is like a coach on the field and looks to excel here where his instincts toughness, smarts and athleticism give him a chance to really shine in this classic contest.

LB Xavier Adibi of Virginia Tech displayed fine athleticism with good play recognition skills and the ability to keep blockers off his body. He has the burst of speed to chase down runners, drop in coverage or come off the edge as a pass rusher. His ability to make plays sideline to sideline gives him a chance to be a difference maker here combining with Dan Connor to form a strong tandem on this unit.

CB Leodis McKelvin of Troy University had a very strong week of practice. He is a top athlete with both quickness and speed that translates well to the field. He can blanket receivers in coverage with the recovery speed to make up for mistakes. He plays the ball well with the big play ability to become a fine pro. He is also a highly rated return specialist with the talent to be a difference maker every time he touches the ball.

CB Patrick Lee of Auburn had a strong senior season and a fine week of practice that has his stock rising. He combines fine size and instincts with the toughness to be a fine run support defender. He faces key matchups vs Lavelle Hawkins and Eddie Royal in the game that gives him a chance to shine in coverage.

CB Chevis Jackson of LSU shows good play recognition and ball skills in matchups with a good understanding of routes and zones. He can plant and drive which allows him to use his fine instincts to break up passes. He faces key matchups with receivers Adarius Bowman, Eddie Royal and Lavelle Hawkins.