There is no ice in Alabama, but Jim Nagy imported plexiglass to Mobile like he was hosting a showcase event for college hockey.
Such is reality for the executive director of the Senior Bowl amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nagy and his staff, who were set to take the game to the next level with expanded fan experiences as they moved into a new stadium, had to adjust to make the 2021 version as safe as possible for the players and NFL staff. His revised plans included retrofitting space for interviews, which are every bit as valuable to talent evaluators as what happens on the field during this week's practices and the game itself.
"We bought a lot of plexiglass for the event this year," Nagy said on the “Giants Huddle” podcast. "The guys are going to be distanced and masked and all that good stuff."
Nagy wouldn't be sitting in his chair if he didn't think the Senior Bowl had value every year, but he believes it takes on a greater significance given the current circumstances. The biggest reason is the status of the 2021 NFL Scouting Combine, which will not include any in-person activities.
"This might be all these players' only opportunity to get one-on-one face time with NFL guys that are going to be making decisions on their future, the guys that are pulling the names off the board in April, Nagy said. "The guys that are up the decision-making chain weren't out at games this fall because they couldn't go to a college game on Saturday and then re-enter their team's bubble and go to their game on Sunday. Most of those guys travel with the team and went to their team's game, so this will be the first opportunity those guys have to really lay their eyeballs on players, which is a really underrated part of the evaluation process – actually sizing up a guy in person and then sitting across from them. I think we're all getting used to Zoom calls by now, but I think there's something to be said for in-person, human interaction."
The 72nd annual Senior Bowl will be played at 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 30, at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama.
But the week of practices and interviews is when the critical action takes place as the nation's best senior collegiate football players gather to showcase their talents while being coached by NFL staffs. This year, the teams will be coached by the Panthers, who own the No. 8 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and the Dolphins, who hold Nos. 3 and 18. The Giants currently have the No. 11 pick.
POSITIONS TO WATCH
Nagy is fired up about all 130-plus prospects set to participate this year, but much like in 2020, he said the wide receiver class is a "really loaded group."
In particular, he mentioned Nico Collins (Michigan), Kadarius Toney (Florida), Tylan Wallace (Oklahoma State), and D'Wayne Eskridge, who isn't a household name out of Western Michigan but could become one.
Nagy also said the edge rush group is the best he's ever seen at the game, and the offensive linemen are "off the charts."
"Two years ago, my first year at the game [as executive director], we had five O-linemen go in the first round," Nagy said. "And just on the North Team that year, we had nine of the 10 guys who went in the first three rounds. I really feel like this year's group is as good – or if not maybe a little better – than that. That O-line group is stacked."
POTENTIAL FIRST ROUNDERS
Senior Bowl alumni dominate Day 2 of the draft, but they have a growing presence in the first round. Nagy pointed to a handful of Alabama products who could fit the bill after they recently accepted invitations coming off their national championship. The Crimson Tide list includes wide receiver and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, running back Najee Harris, quarterback Mac Jones, and offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood.
Other potential first-round picks targeted by Nagy are Cincinnati offensive lineman James Hudson III ("a name people don't know but they're going to"), Washington defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike ("best D-tackle in this draft"), and Pittsburgh edge rushers Patrick Jones II and Rashad Weaver.
"You work your way across the board and there's really a couple guys at every spot [who could go on Day 1]," Nagy said. "We went over it the other day; I think there's 12 or 13 guys that right now – and you never know, maybe there are some guys that surprise us – but I think there's 12 or 13 that realistically have a chance to get in there."
View photos of players to accept an invite to the 2021 Senior Bowl.
Texas Tech offensive lineman Jack Anderson looks to make a block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 31-15. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Purdue defensive end Derrick Barnes (55) in action as TCU played Purdue in an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Aaron Banks (69) during the second half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Wake Forest defensive lineman Carlos Basham Jr. (9) looks to the bench during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Missouri safety Joshuah Bledsoe during an NCAA football game against SEMS on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) throws a pass in the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Alabama in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Ohio State linebacker Tuf Borland plays against Michigan State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Baylor's William Bradley-King (99) makes a tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Auburn linebacker K.J. Britt (33) lines up against Alabama State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Oklahoma cornerback Tre Brown (6) carries during an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Alabama offensive lineman Deonte Brown (65) prepares to block against Norte Dame during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Ohio State linebacker Baron Browning (5) pass rushes during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. Ohio State defeated Penn State 38-25. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
California cornerback Camryn Bynum, left, intercepts a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
North Carolina running back Michael Carter carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Michigan long snapper Camaron Cheeseman (33) celebrates a 29-yard field goal with in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. Michigan won 31-20. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jonathon Cooper (0) makes a move on the field during an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Fla. Alabama won 52-24. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Georgia offensive lineman Ben Cleveland (74) against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
South Alabama linebacker Riley Cole (4) during the first half of an NCAA football game against Georgia Southern on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020 in Statesboro, Ga. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Michigan wide receiver Nico Collins (4) runs after a catch in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Army in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
LSU defensive back Jabril Cox (19) against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
California offensive lineman Jake Curhan (71) lines up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington Statein Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Georgia Bulldogs defensive back DJ Daniel (14) moves in position against the Vanderbilt Commodores during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brett Carlsen)
Arizona State wide receiver Frank Darby (84) runs against Sacramento State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Florida defensive back Shawn Davis (6) sets up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Virginia Tech defensive back Divine Deablo (17) plays against Pittsburgh in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Alabama offensive lineman Landon Dickerson (69) sets up to hike the ball against New Mexico State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Kentucky punter Max Duffy (93) punts the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Oklahoma offensive lineman Adrian Ealy (59) during an NCAA college football game against Kansas State Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger (11) throws a pass against Colorado during the first half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg (74) plays against Pittsburgh during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Western Michigan's D'Wayne Eskridge (1) scores a touchdown against Toledo during an NCAA football game on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, in Kalamazoo, Mich. Western Michigan won 41-38. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Michigan running back Chris Evans rushes for a touchdown against Minnesota in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Minneapolis. Michigan won 49-24. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
UCLA running back Demetric Felton (10) runs to the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Southern California, Saturday, Dec 12, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
West Virginia linebacker Tony Fields II (1) intercepts a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
Northwestern linebacker Paddy Fisher (42) lines up on defense during an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Bloomington, Ind. Indiana won 34-3. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Louisville wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick runs after a catch for a touchdown against Wake Forest in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. Louisville won 62-59. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Arkansas quarterback Feleipe Franks (13) throws a pass during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Missouri safety Tyree Gillespie covers a play against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Oregon cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. (4) pulls away on an interception return for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Corvallis, Ore., Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. Oregon won 55-15. (AP Photo/Timothy J. Gonzalez)
Ta'Quon Graham (49) celebrates after his sack during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Southern Methodist tight end Kylen Granson (83) competes against Texas State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020 in San Marcos, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)
Central Florida defensive back Richie Grant covers a Stanford play during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Duke tight end Noah Gray lines up against Alabama during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Florida wide receiver Trevon Grimes (8) sets up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Robert Hainsey (72) blocks against Michigan in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Pittsburgh defensive back Damar Hamlin (3) plays against Virginia Tech in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Alabama running back Najee Harris (22) runs against Florida during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Notre Dame defensive lineman Daelin Hayes (9) plays against New Mexico in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Virginia Tech running back Khalil Herbert (21) carries the ball against Duke during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Durham, N.C. (Nell Redmond/Pool Photo via AP)
Georgia defensive lineman Malik Herring (10) against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill (8) carries during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Justin Hilliard (47) in coverage during an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Fla. Alabama won 52-24. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Oklahoma offensive lineman Creed Humphrey (56) sets up against Oklahoma during the NCAA Cotton Bowl college football game Wednesday, Dec.30, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Kentucky center Drake Jackson (52) calls out instructions to teammates during the second half of the NCAA college football game against Toledo, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Iowa offensive lineman Alaric Jackson (77) looks to make a block during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Nebraska Cornhuskers offensive lineman Brenden Jaimes (76)in the second half overtime of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Boulder, Colo. Colorado won 34-31 in overtime. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
South Dakota State wide receiver Cade Johnson during an NCAA football game against Minnesota Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton- King)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Patrick Jones II (91) plays against Virginia Tech in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Middle Tennessee offensive lineman Robert Jones (64) plays against North Texas in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws a touchdown pass during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Buffalo Bulls defensive end Malcolm Koonce (50) in action against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the first half of an NCAA football game on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in DeKalb, Ill. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Alabama offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood (70) plays against Notre Dame during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Georgia defensive back Richard LeCounte (2) drops into coverage in the second half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Boston College tight end Hunter Long (80) plays against Louisville during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Michigan fullback Ben Mason (42) signals that he's gained a first down in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Maryland in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. Michigan won 42-21. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Georgia tight end Tre' McKitty runs a pattern during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
LSU wide receiver Racey McMath plays against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. LSU won 41-7. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Louisiana-Lafayette running back Elijah Mitchell runs up field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Washington defensive back Elijah Molden in action against Oregon State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (11) passes down field against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. in College Station, Texas. A rare, four-year starting quarterback in the SEC, Mond has become the program's all-time passing leader while guiding the seventh-ranked Aggies to a 3-1 start. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Bowling Green tight end Quintin Morris (80) in action against the Kent State during an NCAA football game on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020 in Bowling Green, Ohio. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Florida State defensive back Hamsah Nasirildeen pursues a play in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Boston. (AP Photo/Bill Sikes)
Mississippi lineman Royce Newman (72) blocks against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Wake Forest quarterback Jamie Newman (12) throws a pass during the first half of the Pinstripe Bowl NCAA college football game against Michigan State Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Oklahoma defensive back Tre Norwood (13) in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Vanderbilt defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo (10) picks up a sack against Western Kentucky for a 7-yard loss in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. Vanderbilt won 31-17. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
UCLA defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa (92) stands on the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Notre Dame defensive lineman Adetokunbo Ogundeji (91) plays against Alabama during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Washington defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (95) picks up a quarterback hit during the first half of the Pac-12 Conference championship NCAA college football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Tennessee wide receiver Josh Palmer pulls down a reception during the first quarter of the teams NCAA college football game against Missouri on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Memphis place kicker Riley Patterson (36) practices kicking field goals during warmups before an NCAA Cotton Bowl college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jim Cowsert)2
Virginia's Tony Poljan scores a touchdown against Virginia Tech during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
Clemson's Cornell Powell (17) warms up before an NCAA college football game against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Dakota State tackle Dillon Radunz blocks against Central Arkansas in the second quarter an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Fargo, N.D. North Dakota State won 39-28. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Oregon State's Hamilcar Rashed Jr. (9) celebrates the team's 41-38 win over Oregon following an NCAA college football game in Corvallis, Ore., Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Georgia linebacker Monty Rice (32) warms up before an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Columbia, S.C. Georgia won 45-16. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Central Florida defensive back Aaron Robinson (31) follows a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida State's Janarius Robinson checks his defensive position against Syracuse during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 in Tallahassee Fla. Florida State won 35-17. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)
Clemson's Amari Rodgers (3) runs during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Missouri running back Larry Rountree III (34) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Tulane defensive end Cameron Sample, right, stops a Houston running back during the first half of an NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Ohio State running back Trey Sermon (8) runs with the ball during the second half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame wide receiver Ben Skowronek plays against Boston College during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith (73) blocks against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
South Carolina wide receiver Shi Smith runs against Florida after a reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith runs for a touchdown against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Virginia linebacker Charles Snowden (11) in action during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/ Andrew Shurtleff)
LSU safety JaCoby Stevens covers a play against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Oklahoma running back Rhamondre Stevenson carries the ball in the second half of the team's Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game against Florida in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Houston wide receiver Marquez Stevenson (5) runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. (Photo/Willie J. Allen Jr.)
Houston linebacker Grant Stuard is seen during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Washington defensive back Keith Taylor in action against Oregon State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Michigan defensive back Ambry Thomas plays against Rutgers in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Penn State defensive end Shaka Toney (18) pass rushes during an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney (1) catches a touchdown pass against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Florida quarterback Kyle Trask throws a pass during the first half of the team's Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Southern California defensive lineman Marlon Tuipulotu (93) celebrates after fumble recovery against Utah in the first half during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Houston defensive lineman Payton Turner (98) rushes during an NCAA football game against Central Florida on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020 in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Oklahoma State wide receiver Tylan Wallace (2) carries during an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
TCU linebacker Garret Wallow (30) looks on against Oklahoma State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU won 29-22. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
University of Alabama at Birmingham receiver Austin Watkins starts his route against the University of Akron during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 in Akron, Ohio. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Rashad Weaver (17) plays against Virginia Tech during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Pittsburgh. Weaver was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team defense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Georgia defensive back Mark Webb covers a kick off against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Cincinnati safety James Wiggins, right, intercepts a pass-attempt in the final moments of the Military Bowl NCAA college football game, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Rodarius Williams during an NCAA football game on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019 in Corvallis, Ore. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Florida State defensive tackle Marvin Wilson (21) fires off the line during an NCAA football game against Boise State on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Mississippi tight end Kenny Yeboah (84) plays against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
SMALL-SCHOOL PROSPECTS
The Senior Bowl is an opportunity for players from smaller conferences to prove they belong with the big boys. Nagy is high on Dillon Radunz, who started 32 consecutive games at left tackle for North Dakota State. Nagy said he has a chance to move up like current Texans tackle Tytus Howard (Alabama State) did in 2019.
"His tape is ridiculous," Nagy said of the 6-foot-6, 298-pound Radunz. "He's athletic and he's mean and he finishes people. Usually, it's like one or the other. Usually, they're athletic but they're more of a finesse player, or they're just like a mean tough guy and they're not a good enough athlete. Whereas Dillon's got both things in spades."
Sticking on the offensive line, Nagy said Spencer Brown of Northern Iowa is another name to watch.
"He's verified over 6-foot-8, which is usually a little bit of an issue from a pad level perspective, but Spencer is an unusual bender for someone that size," Nagy said. "And he's got a great background. He played eight-man football growing up in the state of Iowa. He goes to Northern Iowa as a 225-pound guy and now he's 315. I think he's going to skyrocket; I really do. I think he and Dillon will both have huge weeks."
On the other side of the ball, Nagy is high on Robert Rochell, who is "a big, long corner" from Central Arkansas. Nagy said right now he is probably graded in the third- or fourth-round range for most NFL clubs, but that could change for the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder.
"If he can come down here and cover guys like Tylan Wallace and Kadarius Toney and Nico Collins, he might get up into the second-round area. So [it's] another good group of small-school guys, and that's one of the reasons – even going back 25 years since I've been coming to the game as a scout – I love the Senior Bowl for those small-school guys."
MOVING ON UP
The Senior Bowl is a chance for NFL decision-makers to see up close how prospects can translate to the professional level. It has been especially helpful for quarterbacks as of late. As Nagy mentioned, Daniel Jones (2019 Senior Bowl MVP), Carson Wentz, Baker Mayfield, and Justin Herbert were seen as mid-Day 1 picks, at best – until they went to Mobile and became high selections.
At the same time, it doesn't just apply to the signal-callers.
"The quarterbacks really can help themselves," Nagy said. "I think the big guys can certainly, too. Those one-on-one pass rush [drills], I think if defensive linemen put together about three or four good rushes in the week, that's about all they need to do because then you've got defensive line coaches around the league, if they see it once or twice, they think they can get that out of the guy consistently. So those guys can always benefit. I really think all of them can. If you've got a corner that comes down here and locks guys up in one-on-ones or a receiver that just gets open consistently like the group last year did or Deebo Samuel did the year before, all of them can [move up draft boards]."
ABOUT JIM NAGY
Nagy entered the NFL as an intern for the Green Bay Packers during their Super Bowl-winning season in 1996. After spending one season as the West Coast Area Scout for the Washington Football Team, Nagy joined the New England Patriots as an area scout in 2002, spending seven years with the club. He was hired by Scott Pioli in Kansas City as a National Scout before spending five years as the Southeast Area Scout for the Seattle Seahawks. Nagy was a part of six Super Bowl teams and four Lombardi Trophy-winning clubs (Green Bay Packers XXXI, New England Patriots XXXVIII and XXXIX and Seattle Seahawks XLVIII) before taking over as Executive Director of the Senior Bowl in June 2018. One of Nagy's first moves was to build the game's first-ever scouting department composed of former NFL scouts and implement a formal scouting system. The 186 players drafted (80 in the first three rounds) is the best two-year draft record in the Senior Bowl's 72-year history.
