Senior Bowl Day 3 Recap: Deebo Samuel dominates, a fight breaks out in the trenches

MOBILE, ALA — After a day of the Senior Bowl practices not being available to the media due to inclement weather on Wednesday, the players were back on the field at Ladd-Peebles Stadium to make one last impression on scouts before they play the game on Saturday.

The action was hotly contested and even brought two of the premier players at the event to fisticuffs at one point during the North practice. Sometimes some chippiness and animosity can be good, though.

North Practice

The North team began the day, and pads began popping quickly. Again, I focused mostly on the offensive and defensive lines throughout practice.

• USC offensive tackle Chuma Edoga has really impressed me this week. I was not a fan of his entering the week, but he’s played nearly flawlessly at left tackle during one on ones and during the team dills. Edoga played right tackle for the Trojans and played somewhere around 285-290 pounds, but weighed in at 303 which is a big deal for him. I think he could end up as a tackle or at either of the interior positions in a zone specific blocking scheme.
• Maryland’s defensive lineman Byron Cowart is another player who had some question marks heading into this week. Cowart is a former #1 overall recruit who started his career at Auburn before transferring to a junior college and then finishing his career at Maryland. Cowart is 6’3” and 297 pounds, but played defensive end at Maryland. Cowart is still a player who is learning the nuances of the position, but his positional versatility is appealing.
• Kansas State’s Dalton Risner and Boston College’s Zach Allen came to blows during a team session, and then immediately lined up on each other for 1 on 1s. Both of these players are brutes and the physicality in the trenches is not only welcomed, it’s encouraged.
• Memphis offensive weapon Tony Pollard is a guy I caught some glimpses of who I really think can carve out a niche for himself. He’s playing here as a running back, but played wide receiver for the Tigers. He also has an impressive history as a kick returner as well.

South Practice

• The 49ers’ coaches finished the week’s practice with the afternoon session of practice on Thursday.
• Mississippi offensive lineman Javon Patterson had a nice showing on Thursday after a bit of a lackluster Tuesday practice. Patterson switched between guard and center during the practices, and while I don’t know if he’s ever a starter, his versatility will be valued.
• Texas A&M defensive lineman Kingsley Keke had another day similar to Tuesday, where he would look like a potential first rounder on one rep, and get stonewalled on the next few. In my opinion Keke is going to get over-drafted, but there is no doubt in my mind that at 6’3” 286, some defensive line coach will see someone he can “fix” the warts on.
• South Carolina’s Deebo Samuel has been dominant all week long, and he finished strong on Thursday. He’s been uncoverable all week, and reminds me a bit of younger Randall Cobb, with the stout build in the slot who thrive in run after the catch situations.
• Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson, a 6’7” 250 pound quarterback, has some issues, but man, he has a hose. Easily the strongest arm here in Mobile, his throws don’t always look the prettiest, but at times he makes very difficult throws look incredibly simple. His upside is tantalizing, but he’ll definitely benefit from sitting a year or two before being asked to take over.
• LSU tight end Foster Moreau has had a very nice week. Moreau was under utilized in the pass game at LSU (so is literally everyone else) but he showed some nice athleticism and is always very willing as a blocker. He was given the jersey number 18, which anyone familiar with LSU’s program knows that’s not an honor they take lightly. Moreau is someone to watch moving forward.