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Eight players to watch at the Reese's Senior Bowl
MarShawn Lloyd Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Eight players to watch at the Reese's Senior Bowl

The 2024 Senior Bowl begins practices on Tuesday and is loaded with talented NFL Draft prospects, split between "National" and "American" rosters.

Quarterbacks Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. are the biggest names in attendance, but they are by no means the only ones worth paying attention to this week in Mobile.

Here are eight players we're most excited to see.

AMERICAN | Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt

Everyone knows the top quarterbacks of the 2024 NFL Draft (Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels), and even second-tier guys like Nix and Penix Jr., who both are playing for the National team at the Senior Bowl.

Less is known about Pratt, who could have a big week. The Athletic's Dane Brugler wrote the former Green Wave quarterback "has the tools to be an NFL starter." He has solid mechanics, does a good job of manipulating defenses and displays a nice touch and ball placement on his throws.

NATIONAL | USC running back MarShawn Lloyd

Lloyd is a physical runner with a quick burst, which should quickly make him a favorite among NFL scouts if he isn't already. 

He makes plays even when he doesn't have the ball, such as on this Tahj Washington touchdown when he came from out of the frame and delivered a clean, solid block to spring his teammate for the score. 

AMERICAN | Florida State wide receiver Johnny Wilson

Wilson's massive 6-foot-6 frame gives him a ridiculous catch radius. 

He has a longer wingspan than Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, who had the longest wingspan among offensive skill position players in 20 years in 2021, which helped him go fourth overall to Atlanta.

NATIONAL | Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley

Corley flew under the radar with the Hilltoppers, but his physicality and ability to run after the catch would make him a fascinating addition to any offense. He seeks contact, which appears to be his secret fuel source.

Here he is, bulldozing a helpless defensive back and running 59 yards for the touchdown.

If he gets the ball in space, watch out. On the following play, Corley takes a three-yard pass on a crossing route into a 48-yard touchdown.

AMERICAN | Oklahoma offensive lineman Tyler Guyton

The 6-foot-7 right tackle only allowed two sacks in 513 pass-block situations the past two seasons, including none in 2023. Offensive tackle is one of the deepest positions in the 2024 draft, and while Penn State's Olu Fashanu and Notre Dame's Joe Alt are the headliners, Guyton could easily be No. 3 in the class.

NATIONAL | UCLA edge Laiatu Latu

The highest-profile edge-rusher at the Senior Bowl, Latu is a near-lock to be a first-round pick and could be selected in the top half of the draft. Per Pro Football Focus, he had the highest pressure win rate (26.2 percent) among edge defenders with at least 267 pass-rush opportunities in 2023.

AMERICAN | Houston Christian edge Jalyx Hunt

The Senior Bowl is a great opportunity for Hunt, who played at the FCS level in college, to showcase his skills against Division I talent. A former safety, Brugler noted in November that Hunt gained over 50 pounds as he transitioned to the defensive line, but he kept his quickness, making him a nightmare for offensive linemen... and quarterbacks.

NATIONAL | Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell

Mitchell gets to line up against Corley during practices and Wilson during Saturday's game, among others, giving him ample opportunities to prove he's one of, if not the best corner in the 2024 class. Per data from PFF, he allowed 54 receptions on 132 targets (40.9 percent) for 560 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions with 27 pass breakups over the past two seasons.  

More must-reads:

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