The Senior Bowl traditionally hosts the first South practice every year at Fairhope Stadium and it is a great atmosphere for the players, NFL personnel, coaches, draftniks and fans alike.

The strong contingent of Alabama Crimson Tide fans on day one and players was evident early on and both coaches of the National Championship game were in attendance today, as Dabo Swinney and Nick Saban were on the sidelines to watch their senior players one last time.

IMPRESSIVE

WR Paul McRoberts, Southeastern Missouri State – I’ll freely admit that I was a Paul McRoberts supporter coming into this week but he looked great today getting open and hauling in passes consistently. He has natural separation with his length and ability to pluck the ball out of the air with his basketball background. There’s a certain ability that he has to adjust to the ball in mid air and haul in the contested pass that should have multiple teams eyeing the St Louis native in the Draft.

RB Kenyan Drake, Alabama – The guy is a fluid mover that gets in and out of his breaks extremely well and appears to accelerate effortlessly. His gifts as a pass catcher are not his only strength, as he runs through contact very well and showed twice today that he can break the edge off on cornerbacks and flashed his world class speed. The fact that he came back faster from a gnarly foot injury last season and was able to come back from a broken arm this year on top of playing extra games to win the championship and play extra time in the Senior Bowl speaks to his toughness.

FS DeAndre Houston-Carson, William & Mary – This kid is a rocked out specimen with an excellent make up for a free safety, although he appears to have the ability to play both positions with the range that he possesses and closing speed he has. He also showed up physically on his special teams edge blocking and could see some return action in this game on top of playing his fair share of regular defensive snaps.

PLAY OF THE PRACTICE

WR Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia – Mitchell had a solid day of work today but his highlight reel play (pictured above) featuring a very nifty one handed catch, where he was able to haul in a sideline grab (left handed) on an over throw by Jacoby Brissett was easily the catch of the day. Mitchell has nice feet, the big hands you like to see and enough athleticism to separate from multiple defenders but is also showing off major ball skills.