Senior Bowl 2024: Evaluating Small College Prospects at NFL Draft All-Star Event, Including Two RB Standouts

The Senior Bowl, held in Mobile, Alabama, is the ultimate goal for many college football players looking to showcase their skills to scouts and decision-makers. This all-star game provides small-college prospects from FCS-NAIA programs with a chance to compete against top-tier talent, giving scouts a direct comparison of their abilities on a grand stage. Despite a smaller number of small-college prospects this year, due to various reasons including players moving up to FBS programs or entering the transfer portal, there were still several standouts that made their presence known during the week of practices.

One standout was running back Isaiah Davis from South Dakota State. At 6-foot, 220 pounds, Davis demonstrated his impressive vision, footwork, and burst, consistently finding the creases within the line of scrimmage and making subtle moves to gain extra yards. Known for hitting the home run, Davis is expected to showcase his skills in the actual game.

Another running back, Dylan Laube from New Hampshire, also impressed during the practices. Standing at 5-foot-9 and 210 pounds, Laube displayed his versatility as a receiver, showcasing his route-running ability and sure-handedness. With the potential to be a versatile offensive weapon, Laube garnered attention from many in attendance.

Cornerback Willie Drew from Virginia State faced the challenge of competing against high-level Power 5 athletes after making the jump from Division II. However, Drew proved himself throughout the week, showing resilience and improvement during 1-on-1 drills. Physically, he measured up well and gave scouts a glimpse of his potential upside as a professional player.

Wide receiver Ryan Flournoy from Southeast Missouri State impressed with his smooth skills throughout the practices. Standing at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, Flournoy consistently won at the line of scrimmage and showcased his ability to stack defensive backs en route to the ball. With his strong hands and tough matchup for defensive backs, Flournoy proved himself as a reliable target.

Defensive end Jalyx Hunt from Houston Christian displayed his pass-rushing prowess during his college career, finishing with notable statistics. At 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds, Hunt continued to improve throughout the week, culminating in his best day during Thursday’s 1-on-1 periods. With his athleticism, twitch, and variety of pass-rushing moves, Hunt left a lasting impression on the scouts.