Jan 26, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad offensive tackle Joe Haeg of North Dakota State (right) works with offensive tackle Jason Spriggs of Indiana (78) on a drill during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
MOBILE, Ala. — There are three main storylines at this year’s Senior Bowl:
1. North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz has lived up to the hype.
2. Ohio State wide receiver Braxton Miller is a special athlete.
3. The defensive line talent is feasting on the offensive lines (with a few exceptions).
And several of those “exceptions” could be seen during Thursday’s practice on the North squad as several offensive line prospects impressed.
Matching the tape, Indiana left tackle Jason Spriggs (6-foot-6, 301 pounds) was natural on his feet with above average body control in his kick-slide to cut off speed and ride rushers outside. He used his wide base and quick setup to engage quickly and get busy.
It was far from a perfect day for Spriggs, as he struggled to protect his chest and land his punches, allowing edge defenders to bull rush him and put him on his heels. However, the athleticism and body control for a man his size will be enticing for NFL teams looking for an offensive tackle to develop in the top 40 picks.
A college left tackle, Washington State’s Joe Dahl (6-4, 299) kicked inside this week and is impressing at both left and right guard. He keeps his hips low off the snap and sits in his stance with his near 33-inch arms extended to engage.
Dahl is very active with his hands and showed accurate placement to tie up rushers and control the point of attack. Coming from Washington State’s spread scheme, Dahl faced several question marks regarding his pro transition, but he is answering several of them in Mobile.
A pair of Big Ten centers also impressed on Thursday: Iowa’s Austin Blythe and Michigan State’s Jack Allen. Although they lack ideal measureables and play light at times, both were quick to reset their anchor in one-on-one drills, showing an understanding of leverage and low man wins.
Other notes from Thursday’s North practice:
–Harvard’s Cole Toner was another offensive tackle prospect who had several positive reps. Playing primarily at right tackle, he would set too high at times, allowing the rusher to dip and win the corner, but when he stayed square to his target, Toner was able to dig his cleats in and stop rushers. He is a developmental tackle who could fight for starting snaps by year two.
–Give Notre Dame defensive tackle Sheldon Day any type of space and he will find a way to get past the blocker with his quickness and active play style. He will struggle in congestion and when blockers halt his initial momentum, but in one-on-one drills during practice, Day was dominant because of his fluid lower body, fierce hands and change-of-directions skills.
–South Carolina State defensive tackle Javon Hargrave was the top prospect, in my opinion, at the East-West Shrine Game last week. And he received the call-up to the Senior Bowl on Thursday due to an injury to one of the most dominant players in Mobile this week: Louisville defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins.
–Dane Brugler is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed in partnership with The Sports Xchange and CBSSports.com.
