First of all, the illustrious Kevin Field is still going to contribute to our draft coverage. In fact, he's in Mobile with us as well and will be chiming in with his spot-on Patriots-colored draft takes. But he does have a full-time job and a new addition to the family, so we're excited to announce that veteran NFL draft expert Ric Serritella (NFL Draft Bible, current Edmonton Eskimo advanced scout, former advanced scout for the NFLPA Collegiate Bow) will be giving us steady draft coverage through the big weekend.
Ric's bio: An advanced scout for the Edmonton Elks of the CFL, Serritella founded the popular NFL Draft Bible in 2002, an independent scouting service used by all 32 NFL teams. Previously, he served as advanced scout for the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl (2019-23), scouting director for the College Gridiron Showcase (2018-19) and was an intern for the New England Patriots (2001). A member of the PFWA, FWAA and NFF, Serritella is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. In 2009, he was honored with the inaugural JWU Sports Entertainment and Event Management Success Board Achievement Award. Currently, Serritella also serves a mentor at Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW) and instructs their Sports Agent Apprenticeship. He resides at the Jersey Shore with his daughter, Oceanna.
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TV: NFL Network and NFL+ Senior Bowl practices (Jan. 30-Feb. 1, beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET) and game (1 p.m. ET on Feb. 3).
Practices (times CT):
Tuesday
9:30 am – 11:30 am (NATIONAL)
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm (AMERICAN)
Wednesday
9:30 am – 11:30 am (NATIONAL)
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm (AMERICAN)
Thursday
9:30 am –11:30 am (NATIONAL)
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm (AMERICAN)
MOBILE, Ala. – The cream always rises to the top. With the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl set to get underway, the annual NFL gathering for the premier all-star game event signifies the official start of ‘Draft Season.’
More than 900 NFL personnel, including key decision-makers from all 32 teams and over 1100 media members from around the country were credentialed this year. For talent evaluators, not only is the all-star game an opportunity to meet some of the top prospects in the nation but for many, it’s also the first time they will get to see players up close against other elite talent.
One of the most organic and vital aspects of this stage of the scouting process is to observe which players are able to separate themselves from the competition. An interesting decision made by Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy has placed Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and Washington gunslinger Michael Penix on the same roster, which makes for an excellent side-by-side comparison of the two in action. Penix defeated Nix during their two in-season matchups this year, which should make for one of the more interesting storylines on the ground.
A new wrinkle added to this year’s Senior Bowl event will feature structured team interviews to ensure that all quarterbacks in attendance will meet with all teams in attendance. The roundtable format will feature two representatives each, from four NFL organizations simultaneously, for up to 40 minutes. Since quarterback is the most scrutinized position placed under the microscope, this is sure to be a welcomed tweak within the scouting community.
Several other notable first-round prospects will ascend upon Mobile this week, including UCLA pass-rush extraordinaire Laiatu Latu, incredibly athletic blind-side protector Tyler Guyton from Oklahoma, along with fast-rising Oregon State offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga, plus physical cornerback Quinyon Mitchell of Toledo and playmaking safety Kamren Kinchens of Miami.
In addition, there are a handful of prospects who are knocking on the first-round door and will attempt to solidify their draft stock this week. A few notable offensive lineman in attendance include the versatile Graham Barton of Duke, the fundamentally sound Jordan Morgan of Arizona and interior road-grader Cooper Beebe of Kansas State. Other potential risers to keep an eye on are menacing defensive tackle Byron Murphy II of Texas and aggressive Wake Forest lockdown cornerback Caelen Carson.
Those who plan to be in attendance at South Alabama for game day on Saturday, February 3rd, will be in store for a special treat, as the Senior Bowl will honor its 75th Anniversary Team.
EAST-WEST SHRINE BOWL MOVERS & SHAKERS
Before arriving in Mobile, a large NFL contingent made a pit stop in Frisco, Texas for the 99th Annual East-West Shrine Bowl, scheduled for Thursday, February 1st. While the Senior Bowl primarily showcases players projected to be chosen on the first two days of the draft, the East-West Shrine Bowl highlights a bulk of mid-to-late round selections, which can significantly help mold the foundation of roster construction.
After moving the event from Tampa to Las Vegas, East-West Shrine Bowl executive director Eric Galko stated that ‘The Star,’ would serve as the new permanent home of the longest-running all-star game, a move that was unanimously praised by all those in attendance.
Numerous players made their mark during the practice week, none more electrifying than Virginia jitterbug wideout Malik Washington who flashed exceptional burst and get-off, along with superb footwork. The Northwestern transfer racked up 1,426 receiving yards this past year for the Cavaliers, leading the FBS with 110 receptions. While Washington measured in at just 5-foot-8, 192 pounds, his lower body explosion (similar to Tank Dell), ability to separate and soft hands, make him one of the prime slot targets in the draft.
On the opposite end of the spectrum was Oregon State speedster Anthony Gould who endured a rough start to the week with a couple of dropped passes. A candidate to be the fastest player in this year’s draft, Gould reportedly has been timed in the sub-4.3 range. He managed to bounce back with several impressive deep patterns, placing his blazing speed on full display. However, scouts may question whether he’s able to separate on a consistent basis at the next level.
The smoothest skill-position player of the week was UTSA wide receiver Joshua Cephus who possesses an ideal frame, explosive first step and sound route running. There’s no doubt that Cephus looks the part. However, NFL decision-makers will need to weigh the risk/reward proposition of taking the Roadrunners all-time leading receiver (3,655 yards) due to his off-field concerns. A DWI arrest this past summer in which Cephus’ blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit (.183), has led to a series of skipped probation tests since the incident.
Leading the charge inside the trenches was North Carolina defensive tackle Myles Murphy who overpowered most of his opponents during one-on-one drills due to his sheer size, brute power and non-stop motor. With 50 career starts under his belt, Murphy boasts vast experience and has played in multiple schemes. Teams in search of a three-technique who can get after the quarterback will be certain to bump him up their board after this week and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him become the highest player chosen from this year’s East-West Shrine edition.
Another standout was defensive end Xavier Thomas of Clemson. Despite coming in below the prototypical size thresholds at 6-foot-2, 244 pounds, Thomas displayed great twitch and the agility to bend around the edge. It was a solid overall showing for the former five-star recruit who never quite fulfilled his potential for the Tigers due to an array of injuries. His pedigree and pass-rush prowess would seem to make him a tantalizing Day Three prospect.
A polarizing case study will be Colorado State edge rusher Mohammad Kamara. The relentless sack-master (13 sacks in 2023) is sure to endear himself to coaches who will appreciate his quick-twitch, burst and continual pursuit. Standing in at just 6-foot-1 and only 32.5-inch arms may leave some scouts feeling a bit queasy as to whether or not he owns the necessary length required to survive at the pro level.
SHRINE BOWL STANDOUTS
Additional standout performers who elevated their draft profile in Frisco include multi-dimensional Memphis running back Blake Watson (also a Hula Bowl standout), FCS leading rusher Jaden Shirden of Monmouth, Boston College throwback mauler Christian Mahogany, who looked to be the most impressive blocker in attendance, Florida State developmental defensive tackle Fabien Lovett and feisty Northern Iowa disruptor Khristian Boyd who demonstrated tremendous knock-back strength. Evaluators surely made note of these projected late-round gems.
NAME YOU NEED TO KNOW
The biggest story to develop during the visit to Texas was the emergence of cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers. Originally a member of the Lane Dragons, a DII football program located in Jackson, Tennessee — a tragic turn of events prevented Stiggers from ever playing a single down of college football.
In 2020, his father suffered a horrific accident on Valentine’s Day, which caused his car to flip 13 times in the air — he would later pass away after battling a coma. Later that year, the COVID-19 pandemic would ultimately cancel the entire Lane College season, sending Stiggers into a deep state of depression. He would wind up quitting the team.
Low and behold, his mom would eventually stumble across an ad for the startup 7-on-7 indoor Fan Controlled Football (FCF) league. It was there, he would catch the attention of Toronto Argonauts team brass. This past season, Stiggers starred in the CFL, earning the Most Outstanding Rookie Award, while finishing second in the league with five interceptions!
The 22-year-old cover man is finally three years removed from high school graduation, making him draft-eligible. After announcing his intent to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft, Stiggers was invited to participate in the Shrine Bowl. Coming off an 18-game CFL schedule, it was no shock that he appeared to be the most pro-ready prospect in attendance. Stiggers stayed stride-for-stride on nearly all of his one-on-one reps, showcasing his physicality, athleticism and superb ball skills.
In what has truly become a remarkable journey, Stiggers, looks to be a rock-solid mid-round selection who could play boundary, or slot and is in line to make history. The Atlanta native could become the first player selected in the Common Draft Era without any college football experience since Germany product Moritz Boehringer (2016) — the only other player drafted without playing college football is Eric Swann (1991), per league records.
The dream for Stiggers, who is one of 12 siblings, is now much bigger.
*Keep it locked for our weekly NFL Draft Notebook here at Boston Sports Journal, as we count you down to the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, Michigan. For more from Ric Serritella follow @ricserritella