The first day of practice at the Senior Bowl is in the books with both the National and American teams getting their turn on the field in Mobile, Ala.
* The Senior Bowl operated a little differently this season in choosing their coaching staffs. Instead of having a full NFL staff coach each team, the 16 non-playoff teams could nominate a coach to coach in the Senior Bowl in a more advanced role they currently serve in. For example, Patrick Graham and Luke Getsy are coordinators for the Raiders and Bears, respectively, but are the head coaches for the National and American teams in Mobile. Position coaches are given the chance to act as coordinators, etc.
* The first thing you notice at these Senior Bowl practices is the build of the players on the field. It is one thing to see the listed college heights and weights of these players and watch them on tape, but it is quite another seeing them in person for the first time. For the National team, Texas running back Roschon Johnson popped immediately. At 6-0 and 225 pounds, he is thick and powerfully built. He is not going to be easy to tackle in the NFL. He backed up Bijan Robinson this season, but Johnson might be a Day 2 pick in April.
* Dawand Jones is another player that stuck out immediately. The Ohio State right tackle weighed in at 6-8 and 375. He towers over everyone else on the field, and plays like someone who is the biggest guy on the field. (More on the linemen tomorrow.)
* The wide receivers stood out during the National practice. Michigan wide receiver Ronnie Bell (5-11, 192) had a drop, but he showed an all-around skillset that got him open at every level of the field, even if no elite traits were obvious. Michigan State slot receiver Jayden Hill (5-10, 191) recorded the fastest speed from the player tracking during National practice, going over 20 miles per hour. He was able to create separation fairly consistently with his combination of quickness and speed, and showed the speed to win over the top.
* BYU receiver Puka Nacua caught more passes than any other receiver during the team and 7-on-7 drills. He was able to find open areas in the short and intermediate areas of the field. He made the best catch of the early practice, as sliding grab on a back-shoulder throw near the sideline.
* Riley Moss played the best coverage of any cornerback during National practice. A former 110-meter hurdle champion, Moss showed the speed and ability to track receivers down the field and prevent passes from going over his head. He was consistently tight with the wide receivers he lined up against and logged the fastest speed among cornerbacks on the Senior Bowl player tracking software.
View the best practice photos from 2023 Senior Bowl Week in Mobile, Alabama.
National receiver Michael Wilson of Stanford (4) catches a pass over cornerback Riley Moss of Iowa (27) during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National wide receiver Grant DuBose of Charlotte (15) catches a pass as National defensive back Keidron Smith of Kentucky (16) defends during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National quarterback Jake Haener of Fresno State throws a pass during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American defensive back Tyrique Stevenson of Miami (8) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National offensive lineman Cody Mauch of North Dakota State (70) lines up for a play during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National wide receiver Grant DuBose of Charlotte (15) catches a pass as National defensive back Keidron Smith of Kentucky (16) defends during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National defensive lineman Tyler Lacy of Oklahoma State runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National running back Chase Brown of Illinois (2) carries the ball during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Seniors from NCAA colleges run through drills to increase their status for the NFL Draft during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National receiver Jayden Reed of Michigan State (1) and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon of USC (31) run through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National defenders Jartavious Martin of Illinois (1) and Daniel Scott of California (32) run drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American receiver Brayden Willis of Oklahoma catches a pass during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American defensive lineman DJ Dale of Alabama (94) and Cameron Young II of Mississippi State (93) run drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American linebacker Isaiah Land of Florida A&M runs drills practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American quarterback Clayton Tune of Houston throws a pass during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American defensive lineman DJ Dale of Alabama runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. of Cincinnati runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National linebacker Daiyan Henley of Washington State runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American lineman O'Cyrus Torrence of Florida (56) lines up for the play during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National linebacker DJ Johnson of Oregon runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American lineman O'Cyrus Torrence of Florida (56) blocks out during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National running back Evan Hull of Northwestern carries the ball during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American quarterback Tyson Bagent of Shepherd (7) throws a pass during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American defensive back Jay Ward of LSU (1) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American quarterback Clayton Tune of Houston (3) throws a pass during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American linebacker Dorian Williams of Tulane (24) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Coaches from around the NFL instruct players during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American defensive lineman Cameron Young of Mississippi State (93) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American quarterback Max Duggan of TCU (15) throws a pass during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National defensive back Kaevon Merriweather of Iowa (26) during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American linebacker Isaiah Land of Florida A&M (51) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National wide receiver Ronnie Bell of Michigan runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American defensive lineman Zacch Pickens of South Carolina (3) during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National wide receiver Grant DuBose of Charlotte (15) catches a pass as National defensive back Keidron Smith of Kentucky (16) defends during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American wide receiver Nathaniel Dell of Houston (2) catches a pass during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National holder Bryce Baringer of Michigan State (99) holds for the kick by National place kicker Chad Ryland of Maryland (38) during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National linebacker Andre Carter II of Army (34) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National linebacker Daiyan Henley of Washington State (1) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National wide receiver Tre Tucker of Cincinnati (11) catches a pass during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National linebacker DeMarvion Overshown of Texas (2) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National linebacker Andre Carter II of Army (34) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey of Notre Dame (7) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National linebacker Andre Carter II of Army (34) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National defensive lineman Thomas Incoom of Central Michigan (8) during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National receiver Elijah Higgins of Stanford runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National defender Thomas Incoom of Central Michigan (8) carries the ball during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National defensive lineman Keeanu Benton of Wisconsin (95) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National running back Camerun Peoples of Appalachian State (6) carries the ball during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National defensive lineman Tyler Lacy of Oklahoma State (89) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National running back Chase Brown of Illinois carries the ball during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National linebacker Ivan Pace Jr of Cincinnati runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National quarterback Jake Haener of Fresno State throws a pass during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National quarterback Malik Cunningham of Louisville throws a pass during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National offensive lineman Cody Mauch of North Dakota State (70) runs a drill during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National defensive back Sydney Brown of Illinois runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American defensive lineman Dylan Horton (98), of TCU, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American defensive lineman Byron Young (47), of Alabama, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American tight end Luke Musgrave of Oregon State catches a pass over American defensive back Jay Ward of LSU during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American defensive back Julius Brents of Kansas State breaks up a pas intended for American wide receiver Jonathan Mingo of Mississippi during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National offensive lineman Blake Freeland of BYU (73) and National defensive lineman Lonnie Phelps Jr of Kansas (9) run drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National running back Evan Hull of Northwestern (26) carries the ball during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National offensive lineman Blake Freeland of BYU (73) and National defensive lineman Lonnie Phelps Jr of Kansas (9) run drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National defensive lineman Lonnie Phelps Jr of Kansas runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National offensive lineman Jake Andrews of Troy (77) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American wide receiver Jalen Wayne of South Alabama (8) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
NFL footballs sit on the field during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National place kicker Chad Ryland of Maryland (38) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National running back Chase Brown of Illinois (2) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National quarterback Jake Haener of Fresno State (9) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National running back Evan Hull of Northwestern (26) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National offensive lineman Cody Mauch of North Dakota State (70) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National wide receiver Jayden Reed of Michigan State (1) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National linebacker Daiyan Henley of Washington State (1) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National defensive back Jakorian Bennett of Maryland (4) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National linebacker Ivan Pace Jr of Cincinnati (11) and National running back Chase Brown of Illinois (2) run drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National defensive back Sydney Brown of Illinois runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron of Syracuse (60) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz of Minnesota (74) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American wide receiver Don'tayvion Wicks of Virginia (1) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American quarterback Clayton Tune of Houston (3) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American offensive lineman Nick Broeker of Mississippi (65) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz of Minnesota (74) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American linebacker Eku Leota of Auburn (55) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American defensive lineman Cameron Young of Mississippi State (93) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American defensive lineman Byron Young of Alabama (47) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American defensive back Darius Rush of South Carolina (28) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American tight end Luke Musgrave of Oregon State (88) catches a pass over American defensive back Jay Ward of LSU (1) during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri of Old Dominion (59) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American wide receiver Jonathan Mingo of Mississippi (18) and American defensive back Darrell Luter Jr. of South Alabama (18) run through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American defensive lineman Dylan Horton of TCU (98) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American defensive lineman Dylan Horton of TCU (98) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
* The group of quarterbacks and receivers for the American team were even more impressive than the group the National team fielded earlier in the day. The three quarterbacks - Clayton Tune, Max Duggan, and Tyson Bagent (from Division III Shepard College) - were able to spread around the ball throughout the day.
* Rashee Rice didn't make a ton of catches but was consistently separating on deep routes and in the middle of the field. The SMU receiver (6-0, 200) showed any worries about his ability to get open were a bit overblown. He had the speed to win over the top and also presented some savvy route-running ability.
* Iowa State receiver Xavier Hutchinson (6-1, 207) was able to get open with his superior route-running and feel for finding open spaces in the secondary. He did not flash the best speed over the top, but his ability to produce and be a reliable target for his quarterback was obvious.
* Tiny Houston Cougar slot receiver Nathaniel Dell (5-8, 163) showed the ability to separate and run past defenders. He also caught (and dropped) punts throughout the early practice. Dell is small but extremely quick. Virginia wide receiver Don'Tayvion Wicks also flashed some big play ability during 1-on-1's, using a double -move to catch a deep ball for a touchdown. It was also fun to watch Princeton receiver Andrei Iosivas (6-1, 211), who has the speed to get open with his track background.
* The American cornerbacks also had some good moments. South Carolina defensive back Darius Rush anticipated a route during 1-on-1's and came up with the interception. Super-sized cornerback Julius Brents (6-3, 202) of Kansas State was also very impressive in coverage. He mirrored receivers well, and even used his anticipation to grab an interception. Alabama defensive back DeMarco Hellams also grabbed an interception during practice. Finally, Georgia safety Christopher Smith II showed sticky coverage skills against the tight ends on the field.
* Georgia running back Kenny McIntosh appeared to suffer lower-body injury early in practice, but after some treatment it looked like it was just a bad cramp. He did not return to practice but he had shown some good route-running ability and explosiveness before he left the practice field. He did not return and it's unclear whether he will practice the rest of the week.
* Tulane running back Tyjae Spears (5-9, 204) picked up where he left off during the college football season, showing off his quickness, speed and explosiveness. He had a big run during team drills and caught a screen that could have went for a score. He is extremely elusive in the open field. Oklahoma running back Eric Gray (5-9, 204) also had some good moments running the ball.
