Everything you need to know about the 2022 Senior Bowl

Ladies and gentlemen, we have finally arrived at Senior Bowl week.

As it states on the Senior Bowl's official website, "The Senior Bowl is an annual college all-star football game that is played at the conclusion of the NCAA season. The event is considered the most prominent college football all-star game in the United States and is the first stage in the NFL Draft process. The first game was played on January 7, 1950, featuring two squads made up of all-star NFL Draft prospects playing at the Gator Bowl Stadium in Florida. The following year, the game moved to Mobile, AL, where it is still played today...

"In 2021, a new era in the Senior Bowl's history began with the game moving to Hancock Whitney Stadium on the South Alabama Jaguars' campus. Throughout its history, the Senior Bowl has produced over 55 players that went on to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The game is unique among college all-star games as the teams are coached by NFL staff. Former MVPs of the game include the likes of Dan Marino, LaDainian Tomlinson, Dak Prescott and Justin Herbert."

Here is everything you need to know about the 2022 Senior Bowl:

DATE: Saturday, February 5, 2022

TIME: 1:30pm CT

WHERE: Mobile, Alabama

STADIUM: University of South Alabama, Hancock Whitney Stadium

TELEVISION: NFL Network

PRACTICE DATES: February 1-3

National Team: 11:30am - 1:30pm

American Team: 2:00pm - 4:00pm

COACHING STAFFS:

National Team: Detroit Lions (Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Deuce Staley will serve as Head Coach)

American Team: New York Jets (Tight Ends Coach Ron Middleton will serve as Head Coach)

The Senior Bowl is coming off a record-breaking year in which 106 players were selected in the 2021 NFL draft, which represents 41 percent of the entire class. Over the past three drafts (2019-2021), 88.4% of the players wound up making an active 53-man NFL roster at some point during their rookie season. Those three rosters have included the following standouts: QB Justin Herbert (Chargers), QB Mac Jones (Patriots), DS Jeremy Chinn (Panthers), WR Chase Claypool (Steelers), WR Brandon Aiyuk (49ers), QB Jalen Hurts (Eagles), DB Kyle Dugger (Patriots), RB Elijah Mitchell (49ers), RB Antonio Gibson (WFT), WR Terry McLaurin (WFT), OL Chris Lindstrom (Falcons), WR Deebo Samuel (49ers), OL Elgton Jenkins (Packers), DL Montez Sweat (WFT), RB Najee Harris (Steelers), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots), RB Michael Carter (Jets), WR Kadarius Toney (Giants), WR Devonta Smith (Eagles), OL Quinn Meinerz (Broncos), and OL Creed Humphrey (Chiefs).

Chad Reuter's prospects to watch at Senior Bowl

NFL.com's Chad Reuter recently released his prospect preview for the 2022 Senior Bowl.

Reuter chose 10 prospects who he believes will boost their draft stock in Mobile this week.

Here are a few of Reuter's prospects to keep an eye on at this week's Senior Bowl.

LB JoJo Domann, Nebraska - "A hand injury ended Domann's season in November, but barring any setbacks in his recovery, he should excel in Mobile. He handled coverage duties against running backs and slot receivers for the Huskers, utilizing his short-area quickness and showing a willingness to fight through the catch. I expect that part of his game to shine during practices, which might lead some teams to project him at safety while others will view him as a linebacker. Though Domann did not play a lot of snaps inside for the Huskers, teams valuing athleticism, instincts and physicality over size could see him as a fit for any linebacker spot in their scheme." -- Reuter

EDGE Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati - "Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell told the Move the Sticks Podcast that the Bearcats utilized Sanders in a way that "might not have been to his exact strengths," requiring him to regularly play the 4i and five-technique spots. Though he acquitted himself well in those situations, Sanders will show scouts in Mobile that he will be a better stand-up rusher at the next level, using his strong get-off after the snap to make plays. Displaying more consistent bend off the edge will also help Sanders make a jump on draft boards." -- Reuter

WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State - "Watson made three catches early in North Dakota State's FCS championship game win over Montana State using his pro-caliber 6-foot-5 frame, speed and body control to complement the team's power running scheme. He had missed the previous three playoff games with a hamstring injury and NDSU only averaged 17 pass attempts per game this season, so he stood out despite a relative lack of opportunities. I expect he will stride past defenders after the catch and track the ball over either shoulder, go over the top of smaller corners on jump balls and look smooth as a runner on jet sweeps to boost his draft stock in Mobile." -- Reuter

TE Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin - "Ferguson is being overlooked by a lot of folks right now, but I don't think that will last past the proceedings in Mobile. He might not run a 4.4 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, but neither did guys like Zach Ertz (4.76) or T.J. Hockenson (4.70). Ferguson will catch everything in sight during practices, look smooth in his routes and show tenacity as a blocker. When he wins over linebackers and safeties down the seam and in the red zone, people will start putting top-100 grades next to his name." -- Reuter

OG Cole Strange - UT-Chattanooga - "There are several offensive tackles from outside the Power Five conferences on the Senior Bowl roster, but Strange is the non-Power Five interior O-lineman to keep an eye on. He's already battled top-notch talent, aiding the Mocs' near-upset of Kentucky in September. Unlike last year's buzz-making Division III lineman, Quinn Meinerz, Strange is a taller, leaner guard prospect. He'll get leverage, though, against shorter defensive tackles and show off very good open-field mobility to earn projections as a future NFL starter." -- Reuter

Senior Bowl on social media

The excitement surrounding the Senior Bowl has increased this week with practices kicking off today.

Here is what social media is saying about the 2022 Senior Bowl.