The first day of the 2017 Senior Bowl is in the books and several players stood out in practice. Here are the risers for Day 1 and seven players who made money for themselves in Mobile.
Dan Feeney/OL/Indiana: It started in morning weigh-ins when you could tell Feeney was all business. During the North’s practice, he dominated everyone he faced. Feeney showed great power, intensity and did not give up an inch to opponents. He blocked with great technique, intensity and looked every part of a top-42 pick today.
O.J. Howard/TE/Alabama: Howard was the best of a good group of South tight ends Tuesday, showing off the skills that make him a potential top-10 pick in this year’s draft. The Crimson Tide tight end started the day with a one-handed grab on an errant pass and continued his momentum throughout the day, avoiding drops and consistently catching the ball away from his frame. He did a nice job tracking and adjusting to underthrown deep balls, used his speed to get open up the seam for an easy touchdown catch and added another one-handed grab for good measure.
Carroll Phillips/DE-OLB/Illinois: Phillips spent most of his college career at defensive end but today he was asked to stand up and play outside linebacker. He didn’t miss a beat. Phillips showed his patented speed and quickness up the field rushing the passer as well as a good change of direction and lateral pursuit skills. He also did a solid job dropping off the line of scrimmage in coverage drills and covered a lot of area. Though his ball skills need work, Phillips did not embarrass himself.
Gerald Everett/TE/South Alabama: Howard was the offensive standout from a skill-player perspective, but Everett made a name for himself as well. The 6-2, 227-pound tight end displayed strong hands away from his body and was consistent throughout practice. The highlight of his day was a diving catch during 11-on-11 action, as he laid out to make the grab and contorted his body in the air to protect the ball from hitting the turf.
Forrest Lamp/OL/Western Kentucky: Lamp looked terrific at both left tackle and guard all day long. Except for a few instances, he won every snap he lined up for. Lamp did a great job using body positioning and strength to seal defenders from the action. He’s strong and tough but also football smart.
Eddie Vanderdoes/DL/UCLA: The Senior Bowl is about expectations, and Vanderdoes exceeded them in every way Tuesday. He beat blockers off the snap with his great first step, bull-rushed them off the line with surprising power and also showed terrific hand technique to keep opponents away from him. More than anything else, Vanderdoes outplayed and outhustled everyone he lined up against.
Tre’Davious White/CB/LSU: White was the most impressive player in the South secondary on Day 1 at the Senior Bowl. The 5-11, 191-pound corner displayed solid reaction time and good closing speed, making up ground quickly to break up passes or hit receivers immediately after the catch. He also showed off the hands to create interceptions like he did with the Tigers, as he picked off at least two passes in three of his four seasons in Baton Rouge.
