For the first time in its history, the Reese’s Senior Bowl will be held at Whitney Hancock Stadium in Mobile, Ala.
With personnel members from all 32 NFL teams excited to evaluate players, the University of Alabama has seven prospects attending the venue. According to its website, the Senior Bowl rosters have been released for both American and National teams for Saturday’s matchup.
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Landon Dickerson will not play in the event. Despite take two snaps in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Ohio State, the Rimington Trophy winner and fan favorite will meet with teams and take part in interviews.
His name was not on either roster, as he continues to rehab from a knee injury he sustained in the SEC Championship.
Dickerson still projects as an early second-round pick. He accepted his Senior Bowl invitation in November of last year.
DeVonta Smith, like Dickerson, will also not play this week. His name is on the National roster, but a thumb injury in the CFP title game will keep him from performing. Smith will take part in team meetings and will go through interviews with the Dolphins. With it having the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, it is expected for Miami to draft Smith.
Smith ended his career as Alabama’s career leader for receptions (235), receiving yards (3,965) and touchdowns (46).
Najee Harris is also on the National team, and he will be the lone former Crimson Tide standout participating.
As the school’s record holder for career rushing yards (3,843) and rushing touchdowns (46), Harris is looking forward to show pro scouts why he deserves to be selected in the first round.
He has to share the stage with Michael Carter of North Carolina, but the California native and Unanimous First-Team All-American is set to show out. Along with Smith, this is a shot for Brian Flores of the Dolphins (head coach of National team) to look closer at Harris for its second (No. 18 overall) pick of the first round.
The quartet of Mac Jones, Alex Leatherwood, Deonte Brown and Thomas Fletcher are all on the American team.
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After having arguably the greatest season by an Alabama quarterback, Jones will have Leatherwood and Brown blocking for him at the Senior Bowl. He recorded 4,500 passing yards with 41 touchdowns in 2020 — en route to winning multiple individual awards, becoming a Heisman finalist, garnering Consensus All-American status and leading the Tide to a CFP national title.
Jones has a lot to gain in the exhibition, seeing how he wants to show scouts the ability he has to work with different options at wide receiver.
Leatherwood, the Outland Trophy winner for 2020, is eyeing a first-round draft stock.
Penei Sewell of Oregon is regarded as the top offensive tackle in the class, so Leatherwood has to be on his A game.
In terms of Brown, many draft pundits see him as a fringe second to early third-round value. He can improve his stock to be a concrete second-rounder with a quality showing. Throughout his career, Brown never allowed a sack at Alabama.
Fletcher has to share reps at long snapper with Ryan Langan of Georgia Southern, but this gives the native Texan a chance to prove his excellence over Langan within the competition.
Matt Rhule of the Carolina Panthers will enjoy more of the Tide’s talent as the American team head coach, but the Senior Bowl is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT and will air on NFL Network.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith
