Although the NFL Draft is still three months away, preparations have already begun in earnest around the league. The unofficial kickoff to the evaluation period is the Senior Bowl, a showcase for the nation's top senior prospects with all 32 clubs in attendance. The game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala., and televised live by the NFL Network.
Senior Bowl 2016: Time, TV schedule and news
There is a boatload of talent on hand in Mobile for scouts and coaches to evaluate.
The Senior Bowl has a rich history as the premier event for seniors looking to impress NFL scouts, coaches and front office members both on and off the gridiron. The first game was held in 1950 and since then roughly 5,000 prospects have participated in the event, including nearly 40 Hall of Famers. According to the game’s website, at least 30 percent of the league in any given season is comprised of players who participated in the Senior Bowl.
It is considered the crown jewel of the college all-star game season and one of the most important weeks in the pre-draft process. There is plenty at stake for the 100-plus prospects, some of whom are trying to cement their status among the best available talents and others who are hopeful of boosting their draft stock with a strong performance against top competition.
While the actual game is important, the real work often gets done in the practices leading up to Saturday, where players are put through full-speed, fully padded sessions with NFL coaching staffs. This year the Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars were selected to lead the North and South teams, respectively. In addition, scouts spend time after practices interviewing players to gather further information about how they might fit into the culture of the organization and address any potential character concerns.
There is obviously a boatload of talent on hand in Mobile and it is no surprise that the newly crowned national champions (Alabama) and Ohio State lead the way with five players apiece. Baylor and Georgia are the second-most represented schools, boasting four players each.
Among the position groups, the quarterbacks are the big draw here this week. The North team is headlined by potential top-10 pick Carson Wentz (North Dakota State), who has tremendous upside with the NFL-style skill set that teams covet but lacks experience against top competition. For the South, Dak Prescott (Mississippi State) is the top prospect under center. He has a high football IQ and intriguing tools as a dual-threat quarterback, though he is not seen as first-round talent.
Ohio State wide receiver Braxton Miller is another impressive offensive prospect to watch. Miller made the switch from quarterback to wide receiver this season and was a star all week during Senior Bowl practice. He is obviously still raw as a route runner, but he could help his draft stock with a big game on Saturday.
On the defensive side of the ball, there are several guys to keep your eye on, including defensive end Noah Spence (Eastern Kentucky), defensive tackle Jarran Reed (Alabama) and defensive tackle Adolphus Washington (Ohio State).
How to Watch
When: 2:30 p.m. ET
Where: Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Ala.
TV: NFL Network
Online: NFL GamePass
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