The Senior Bowl is underway and a large contingent of the NFL has rained down on Mobile, Alabama for the week in what is the official/unofficial winter football convention.

South team’s roster is loaded with pass rushers and while a couple of them stood out, it was the quarterbacks and an unlikely standout that stole the spotlight in day one.

IMPRESSIVE

TE Trevon Wesco, West Virginia – The big man from Lackawanna CC had a terrific senior season at West Virginia which he parlayed into an invite to the the Senior Bowl. He showed up rocked up in the weigh ins and that really translates in his play with his blocking ability and running power after the catch. Wesco is explosive in his movements and caught the ball extremely well today. He runs so hard and gets on top of those defenders toes, powers through his break and it’s tough to get back around that wide body. He is working as an H-Back and Tight End but one thing is for certain, he’s out there grind and turning some heads.

DE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State – The man is built like an NBA small forward, he has showed out the last two seasons in the SEC but he also showed up big today with some great pass rush reps. Two specifically against Andre Dillard, who had a decent day but against Sweat things did not go as planned with a bull rush that got home and then an inside rip move that won. Nobody is saying that Sweat was dominant today but he clearly stood out as a potential impact player at the next level with that terrific profile he has.

STATUS QUO

QB Gardner Minshew, Washington State – Minshew has taken this opportunity and run with it. He really got out there and spun the ball well despite the windy conditions and misting of rain throughout the practice. Gardner Minshew is developing his drop backs and snaps from under center but there’s no denying what he does well and that’s place the ball short to intermediate, throw a catchable ball and make throws on the run. The only concern here is that Minshew may have already peaked but he’s a grinder that has certainly been able to help himself thus far.

OT Javon Patterson, Ole Miss – Patterson is just a good looking lineman from the sidelines. He’s got that long frame, thick lower half and the agility to make it out to those three techs. The Ole Miss product is pretty smooth but he also has some real power in his hands, as well as in his base. He stands up rushers and relocates them. Patterson really plays his angles well, understands play flow and where exactly to wall off defenders. He didn’t win every one on one but had a couple of solid reps against Demarcus Christmas but Christmas got into Patterson and rocked him earlier in the day. I know Patterson is a player but he is showing kind of what we thought he was.S

NFL COMES AT YOU FAST

QB Tyree Jackson, Buffalo – Tyree has that sweet build and physique. The guy is a Sequoya Tree but he is so inconsistent it is maddening. He’s got the arm strength needed, he does a great job throwing down the sidelines to his right but when he is taken off his initial read and has to change his set, he struggles mightily with placement of the ball. One of the receivers even had to yell out; “Come on man!” after one of the many overthrows on the day. It was a frustrating outing that left one to wonder what his transfer options were and whether or not he’s made a big mistake leaving a year of eligibility on the table.

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