We are nearing Reese’s Senior Bowl invite season so there is no better time than now to start predicting what players will participate in this year’s game. Last year, Shane P Hallam and I each prognosticated a side of the ball and finished with a shade over 50% accuracy. Not bad considering we don’t have any inside knowledge of the scouting process of the game.
The 2023 edition of the Senior Bowl will take place on Saturday, February 4th. The premier All-Star game will once again take place at Hancock-Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
Last year, I predicted the defensive side, while Shane took the offense. This year, we are switching it up.
The game will be a little different this year as the full NFL coaching staffs will be at the Shrine Bowl. We at Draft Countdown DO NOT believe that this will alter the top draft-eligible senior talent from choosing to play at the Senior Bowl. The position numbers are pure guesses on my part as they change year to year with varying levels. I also only considered players who are in their fourth year of eligibility or above. Please note that some of these prospects will inevitably return to school in lieu of entering the 2023 NFL Draft.
2023 SENIOR BOWL: OFFENSE PREDICTIONS
QUARTERBACKS (6)
Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
Michael Penix, Washington
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA
Jarren Hall, BYU
Sam Hartman, Wake Forest
Stetson Bennett IV, Georgia
This was a hard group to pare down. I believe there are several QBs that would normally fit into a Senior Bowl roster. This may even be a year where they expand back to 8 (it has been done twice previously). In this scenario, I believe Kentucky passer Will Levis will decline an invitation. Hendon Hooker is the only one in this group that I think could be a first-round selection. I included Stetson Bennett, not because I think he should be here. Far from it. However, I have seen enough chatter on the Twitter machine to believe that he can/will get the call.
Others considered: Cam Rising, Utah; Malik Cunningham, Louisville; Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State; Aidan O’Connell, Purdue; Clayton Tune, Houston; Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina; Tyson Bagent, Shepard.
RUNNING BACKS (6)
Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Chase Brown, Illinois
Chris Rodriguez, Kentucky
Eric Gray, Oklahoma
Kenny McIntosh, Georgia
Camerun Peoples, Appalachian State
Another talented group of players. Charbonnet, Brown, Rodriguez, and McIntosh could all find their way into the Top-100 conversation. I like the potential of Peoples to be that day three back that makes an early impact.
Others considered: Christopher Brooks, BYU; Tavion Thomas, Utah; Travis Dye, Southern Cal.
FULLBACKS (2)
Hunter Luepke, North Dakota State
Monte Pottebaum, Iowa
I am generally against the idea of fullbacks in general. But Hunter Luepke is a multi-faceted offensive weapon that will be in the Senior Bowl. I included Pottebaum because you have to have an even number. Unless Luepke is considered a tight end or running back.
Others considered: NONE
WIDE RECEIVERS (18)
Zay Flowers, Boston College
Andrei Iosivas, Princeton
Rashee Rice, SMU
AT Perry, Wake Forest
Jadon Haselwood, Arkansas
Charlie Jones, Purdue
Cedric Tillman, Tennessee
Zakhari Franklin, UTSA
Dontay Demus, Maryland
Jacob Cowing, Arizona
Derius Davis, TCU
Mitchell Tinsley, Penn State
Justin Shorter, Florida
Jake Bobo, UCLA
Jonathan Mingo, Mississippi
Trey Palmer, Nebraska
Tyrone Powell, LA-Monroe
Jalen Wayne, South Alabama
There are some big-name players in this group like Flowers, Rice, and Tillman. However, there are always lesser-known players like Iosivas and Powell that can come in and drastically raise their draft profiles.
Others considered: Josh Vann, South Carolina; Jayden Reed, Michigan State; Keytaon Thompson, Virginia; Jesse Matthews, San Diego State; Jason Brownlee, Southern Miss.
TIGHT ENDS (8)
Dalton Kincaid, Utah
Sam LaPorta, Iowa
Cameron Latu, Alabama
Josh Whyle, Cincinnati
Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State
Luke Musgrave, Oregon State
Zack Kuntz, Old Dominion
Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan
There probably isn’t a first-round name in this group of potential Senior Bowl players. Dalton Kincaid may get there in time. All eight of these guys should be selected before round five is over.
Others considered: Austin Stogner, South Carolina; Will Mallory, Miami-FL; Devin Culp, Washington; Eric All, Michigan.
OFFENSIVE LINE (24)
Alex Forsyth, Oregon (C)
Trevor Reid, Louisville (OT)
Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland (OT)
Jaxson Kirkland, Washington (OT/G)
Carter Warren, Pittsburgh (OT)
Connor Galvin, Baylor (OT)
Zion Nelson, Miami-FL (OT)
Blake Freeland, BYU (OT)
O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida (G)
Andrew Voorhees, Southern Cal (G)
Nick Broeker, Mississippi (G/OT)
McClendon Curtis, Chattanooga (G)
Emil Ekiyor, Alabama (G)
Clark Barrington, BYU (G)
Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas (C)
John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota (C)
Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame (C/G)
Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan (C)
Garrett Greenfield, South Dakota State (OT)
Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse (OT/G)
Jake Andrews, Troy (C)
Darnell Wright, Tennessee (OT)
Jerome Carvin, Tennessee (G)
Position versatility is key with these players. That is always one of the best parts of Senior Bowl practice is seeing these guys cross-train at other OL spots. Outside of a few, that will be the main takeaway from all of these choices.
Others considered: None
Next Friday, Shane P Hallam will deliver his predictions for the 2023 Senior Bowl Defense.