The Senior Bowl is among the longest-running traditions relating to the NFL draft course of. Beginning in 1950, the sport was the primary likelihood for NFL groups to get a take a look at the draft prospects in a non-college soccer occasion. Prior to now, it’s helped many gamers elevate their draft inventory and get picked increased than anticipated when the season ended. Many Notre Dame gamers have competed on this occasion prior to now.
This yr is not any completely different, as a number of Preventing Irish alums are taking part on this yr’s occasion. Coming off a Nationwide Championship look, scouts and followers are very to see how these draft prospects do. Will they’ve performances to enhance their draft inventory? Or will the short turnaround from their playoff run trigger burnout? Here’s a record of Notre Dame contributors ranked by who has probably the most to show.
Riley Leonard, Quarterback
Unsurprisingly, the Notre Dame sign caller finds himself on the prime of this record. Now, is that this as a result of Riley Leonard is a extremely rated prospect? No. As of proper now, Leonard is seen as a Day 3 decide, in keeping with a number of websites. Somebody who’s going to be buried on the depth chart and can solely see the sphere in emergencies. Not somebody a group goes to speculate a high-value decide in.
Nonetheless, what places Leonard on the prime of this record is the remainder of the quarterback class. That is the weakest QB class we’ve seen because the 2022 class. Just one quarterback was taken within the first spherical. This yr solely two quarterbacks have first-round grades. After that, there’s a significant drop-off. A robust efficiency from Leonard on this sport can shoot him up draft boards.
Leonard has been praised for his athletic potential in addition to his persona and management. He’s seen as somebody who will do no matter it takes to win. The right angle you need from the chief of your franchise. The one factor he must show is his potential to throw the soccer. If he places on a robust passing efficiency, he could possibly be seen as a mission and making him extra more likely to go within the increased rounds.
Jack Kiser, Linebacker
Jack Kiser has been a staple of the Irish roster for years. He’s appeared in 70 complete video games for Notre Dame, greater than another participant in program historical past. He had been some of the constant gamers on protection over his 4 seasons as a contributor. Nonetheless, he saved his finest season for his closing one in South Bend. In his 16 video games, he leads the group in tackles with 90 in addition to in solo tackles with 55.
Nonetheless, regardless of sturdy numbers on paper, Kiser doesn’t have a lot hype within the draft course of. He’s seen as an early day-three decide. Somebody who could be a good depth piece and make influence performs. However not somebody who could be a constant starter on the NFL stage. This is because of issues surrounding his athletic potential, in addition to his being an older prospect.
But when Kiser can exhibit the play he confirmed at Notre Dame, he’ll shoot up draft boards. If he might be constant in stopping the run, plus get a few pressures and successful on the quarterback, folks will look over his athletic issues. It’s not gonna make him a first-round decide, however he may discover himself being taken within the third spherical.
RJ Oben, EDGE Rusher
RJ Oben was at one time beloved by NFL scouts. Again when he was at Duke, it appeared like he had the making of a gifted NFL participant. Nonetheless, a lackluster efficiency in his closing season as a Blue Satan harm Oben’s draft inventory. The hope was a robust season as a member of the Irish may save him. That wasn’t the case as Oben solely had 19 tackles, with ten solo. Solely two of these tackles went for a loss.
With these underwhelming numbers, Oben is seen as a late-day-three decide. Some websites have him going as early because the fifth spherical, however others see him going as late because the seventh spherical. These low numbers have brought on many scouts to say he lacks explosiveness. He additionally lacks the velocity that an NFL edge rusher must must be a stable participant.
A robust efficiency can get again a few of the hype he’s misplaced over the previous two seasons. If he’s in a position to get a few tackles for loss and win battles in opposition to offensive linemen, it may make scouts fall in love with him. It’d make folks really feel that the final two seasons have been extra of a fluke. He may be capable of turn into a good NFL participant if put into the suitable setting.
Xavier Watts, Saftey
It’s not usually we see Xavier Watts on the backside of an inventory involving Notre Dame soccer gamers. Watts was arguably a very powerful participant on the Irish roster. He led the group in interceptions with six this season. He additionally was second in move deflections in addition to tackles. Plus, he confirmed nice management potential in his position as captain this season. It’s secure to say that the Irish wouldn’t have made as deep of a run as they did with out him.
As a result of his sturdy play this previous season, in addition to what he’s performed prior to now, Watts is a extremely regarded prospect. He’s thought-about a top-five security on this class and is projected to go someday within the second spherical. Due to this, there may be nothing Watts can do to propel himself on draft boards. Perhaps he can have a robust efficiency to place him into the late first spherical however nothing he can do to raise him to the most effective gamers on this class.
The one factor to look out for is that if he struggles. If he places on a weak efficiency or has a nasty play that stands out in everybody’s minds, his inventory will fall. He’s not gonna plummet and grow to be a day-three decide. However, he may fall just a few spots.
Brian Germinaro is a sportswriter for Stomach Up Sports activities. Observe him on Twitter/X for extra sports activities protection and Stomach Up Sports activities for much more faculty soccer content material. Function picture credit score: Don Juan Moore.