Top Prospects at the 2023 Senior Bowl

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With the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl just days away, we take a look at some of the top NFL Draft prospects who will be participating.

All these prospects appear at their retrospective numbers on Owain’s first Big Board of Draft season. You can check the full board out here.

There are 10 participating prospects in his top 50. Let’s meet them.

TOP SENIOR BOWL PROSPECTS

#27 – O’CYRUS TORRENCE – IOL – Florida

The top-rated player to participate at the Senior Bowl is former Florida Gator O’Cyrus Torrence. Debuting at #27 on Owain’s first Big Board of the NFL Draft process. 

Torrence transferred to Florida from Louisiana- Lafayette following Billy Napier when he became the head coach. Torrence has excelled against SEC competition where he is a good blocker and has displayed good burst and strong technique. A guard at the next level, Torrence will be difficult to beat in Senior Bowl practices.

Seen in most 1st round mock drafts, O’Cyrus Torrence could move even further up the draft order with a dominant week in Mobile. 

#34 – ISAIAH FOSKEY – Edge – Notre Dame

Isaiah Foskey is #34 on the big board and is a big defensive end who has strength but also athleticism. With 2 consecutive 11+ sack seasons, he has been one of the more productive pass rushers in football. He will be looking to transfer that form onto the practice field at the Senior Bowl.

#35 – ANDRE CARTER II – EDGE – Army

Army’s Andre Carter II is one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Firstly, while being admired through the season there was no guarantee that Carter would be given the special dispensation needed to declare. As part of a service academy, those graduating are duty-bound to complete 2 years of active military service. Something Carter would have to abide by putting his draft profile into doubt.

Previously some prospects have (and in some cases haven’t) been able to defer this duty by completing the duty once their football career was over or by repaying the fees. An amendment to those rules caught the eye in December. Where the ability to defer the duty was rescinded, putting Carter’s football future in doubt. But, after an alteration to the bill which means because Carter was enrolled before the amendment it did not apply, Carter is well and truly an NFL Draft prospect. 

An extremely long, explosive rusher whose best football is ahead of him Carter looks like he has the makings of a top-50 pick. Carter fits in at #37 on the big board.

#37 – JOHN MICHAEL SCHMITZ – IOL – Minnesota

Like O’Cyrus Torrence, John Michael Schmitz has been one of the top interior offensive linemen in college football. A strong and sturdy center, Schmitz, is a strong physical player who shows buckets of athleticism.

At Minnesota, he has displayed intelligence to read defences and is almost exclusively a center. #37 on the big board, Schmitz also shows great power to open running lanes. While also the nastiness to finish off his blocks, mauling opponents into the ground. 

#39 – CHRIS SMITH II – S – Georgia

Simply put, Chris Smith is just a good football player. He is extremely well-rounded and while he has sat in the background surrounded by elite talent on the Georgia defence he has quietly gone about his business. 

He is a great tackler and can play the last line of defence. While he also has the click and close ability to track the ball and react. He will be a 3-down safety at the next level and should be projected as having a long, successful NFL career while going underrated. 

at #39 on the big board, If Smith can showcase his coverage skills and downhill run support at the Senior Bowl you can expect him to get some round 1 noise.

#40 – MATTHEW BERGERON – OT – Syracuse

Matthew Bergeron is a solid, durable and reliable tackle. He will be able to slot straight in at the next level and won’t have any worries. He may not offer you the huge upside as some tackles in the 2023 class. But, he has proven to be dependable and sound as a left tackle. 

currently, at #40, Bergeron can gain some ground on others in this class by outperforming them in Mobile.

#41 – DAWAND JONES – OT – Ohio St

A beast. A big, powerful, physical beast. At #41 on the big board and 6’8” and 360 Lbs, Dawand Jones commands respect. His physicality and strength are off the charts while his athleticism and movement skills are much better than his size would suggest. 

A bookend right tackle for an NFL team, Jones will be rocketing up draft boards. He will move even higher if he can show he can deal with speedier rushers at the Senior Bowl.

#47 – RASHEE RICE – WR – SMU

A breakout year as a senior for Rashee Rice, he is right up there in the conversation as one of the top receivers. The receiver class is wide open, with the 2023 receiver class widely claimed as a down year at the position. With a solid week working against some long, strong corners, at #47, he can earn himself some money. 

#48 – DARNELL WRIGHT – OT – Tennessee

Another mountain at the tackle position, Darnell Wright won’t be mistaken down in Mobile. At 6’6” and 335 lbs he more than hits the measurables and has an abundance of athletic ability for a man his size. He bursts out of his stance and has a really good anchor to maintain balance and sustain blocks. 

While he still has some technique to clean up, it will be interesting to see how he competes in 1-on-1 drills. A commanding week for the current #48 ranked prospect and he will be a player you will be hearing a lot more about.

#49 – LUKE MUSGRAVE – TE – Oregon St

Despite only playing 2 games this past season, Luke Musgrave is a player who has ascended drastically up boards in recent weeks. Rarely mention until recently, Musgrave is an extremely athletic tight end who will likely be the best tester at the position in this year’s draft process. 

At 6’6” and 235 lbs it is rumoured he will run in the 4.4s range, putting him at #49 on the big board. A reliable target who gets separation up the seams, he should perform well in Mobile. We have seen some really successful showing at the TE position in recent Senior Bowls. Can Musgrave continue his NFL Draft ascendance?

Top Prospects who had been invited but not attending

These players had been sent invites but will not be attending the Senior Bowl for a variety of reasons. All appear at the retrospective numbers on Owain’s first Big Board.

• #12 – TYREE WILSON – EDGE – TEXAS TECH
• #17 – DEVON WITHERSPOON – CB – ILLINOIS
• #21 – WILL LEVIS – QB – KENTUCKY
• #30 – SIAKI IKA – DT – BAYLOR
• #46 – DALTON KINCAID – TE – UTAH

That totals 15 of Owain’s current top 50 prospects with Senior Bowl invites.

Feature Image Credit: One Foot Down