Senior Bowl Watch List Snubs | A list of 38 players overlooked

The Senior Bowl Watch List dropped this week, and there were a lot of players that were overlooked this year. With limited All-Star Games not every solid player is going to get a shot to participate in a game, but these 38 prospects are very solid and at least have been mentioned. Let’s look at 38 players have have the talent to play in a noteworthy All-Star game!

1. Marley Cook, DT, Middle Tennessee– An absolute freak with a 500 pound bench press. His feats of strength go back to high school when he excelled as a powerlifter. The Blue Raiders love their DL who’s also a team captain this season. He notched 6.5 sacks last season and looks to duplicate that success this fall.

2. Devin Haskins, CB, Holy Cross– Listed among the Top 100 Small School Prospects, Haskins has developed into a solid prospect as part of the Holy Cross which has dominated the Patriot League for the past 4 seasons. Listed at 6’3” 209 lbs, he boasts exceptional size and tests off the charts with a 41” vertical and an 11’3” broad jump. Haskins is a freak on special teams who had multiple blocked punts last season. You have to have him on your list.

3. Mason Fairchild, TE, Kansas– A well-rounded player and fundamentally sound tight-end, Fairchild was an effective receiver last season with 497 yards receiving and 6 TDs

4. Khalil Baker, S, North Carolina Central– Awarded the Inaugural Aeneas Williams Award last season for being the best HBCU DB. Baker is very instinctual with great speed. His ball skills were on display last season, hauling in 4 Ints.

5. Justin Barron, S/LB, Syracuse– Barron is a bit of a unicorn, playing a hybrid rover position with exceptional size in a 3-3-5 defense. Listed at 6’4” and 231 lbs, he’s hard to ignore. He’s come a long way from being a WR and safety in high school. At this stage, he would translate as an OLB in the pros. Best to keep an eye on someone who can contribute in so many ways.

6. Eddie Heckard, NB, BYU– A former FCS All-American at Weber State who transferred to BYU for his final season of eligibility. Heckard has the strength and experience to be a great nickelback for any team. If I told you a 190 lbs DB benches 395 lbs, would you even believe me? Probably not. So, here’s the video:

7. Chigozie Anusiem, CB, Colorado State– A solid overall athlete who’s really flying under the radar. Anusiem spent 4 seasons at Cal before having a breakout season last year. He’s a playmaker out of La Habra, CA who shows good versatility and physicality.

8. Doneiko Slaughter, CB, Tennessee– Kind of forgotten on a very talented team. Slaughter shows good versatility and technique. He has excellent hips and ball skills. He’s one to keep an eye on this season.

9. Jalon Calhoun, WR, Duke– Calhoun is an underappreciated receiver who was a consensus 3-star recruit out of Greenville, SC. He’s become a dangerous part of the Blue Devil offense with his ability to run clean routes and make plays in space. Calhoun displays good hands and quickness as well as solid strength

10. Amari Gainer, LB, North Carolina– Coming back from a leg injury, I think people forget about Gainer. He shows good versatility to play every LB position as well as dropping into coverage and being a key contributor on special teams.

11. Tre Morrison, CB, Wingate– If there is a D2 prospect that you need to keep your eye on this season, it’s Morrison. He was an All-American last season and a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award. His speed is above-average given a very successful track & field background in high school (10.8 sec in the 100m). His overall effort and motor is unmatched. He’s a smart player who understands the game well enough to mirror his man in coverage as well as be effective vs the run.

12. Byron Vaughns, EDGE, Baylor– In all fairness, we have yet to see what Vaughns can do in the Big 12, having transferred from Utah State for his final year of eligibility. This is what I know: Vaughns has an unbelievable body type, standing almost 6’5” with over an 83” wingspan and near 36” arms. That’s insane. And if that wasn’t enough, believe me when I say that his athleticism is easily better than half of those mentioned on the Senior Bowl Watch List.

13. Christian Duffie, OL, Kansas State– Duffie comes with a wrestling background which scouts love to see with their linemen. Although not possessing the ideal size at his current position, it’s likely that he would make the transition to guard in the NFL given his aggressive play style and ability to anchor.

14. Jordan Kelley, DT/NT, Oklahoma– Perhaps omitted from the Senior Bowl Watch List due to foot speed, yet I wouldn’t count Kelley out. He’s proven to be effective against the run and is also a quality pass rusher. He may not wow you with a 40 time, but he’s a brute that I wouldn’t want to mess with.

15. Jarrian Jones, CB, Florida State– Jones is a former 4-star recruit out of Magee, MS. He had a brief stop at Mississippi State to begin his career, yet has been a steady contributor for the Seminoles for the past few seasons. Jones is an effective press corner who has the speed to man up against anyone.

16. Justin Osborne, OG, SMU– A very experienced player with 31 starts in 3 years. Perhaps he was counted out because he has another year of eligibility should he chooses to take it. I wouldn’t sleep on him though. He was named Second Team-All-Conference last year and has been listed as Pre-Season First Team by many media outlets.

17. Jay Person, OLB, Chattanooga– Person was listed among the Top 100 Small School Prospects and needs to be on everyone’s radar. He was named an All-American last season as well as SoCon Defensive Player of the Year. He’s also on the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List this season. He’s one person you shouldn’t sleep on. He’s able to play SAM LB at the next level with his ability to get after the QB.

18. Austin Jones, RB, USC– Jones is a great all-around back who should be on everyone’s radar. He has good speed and vision as a runner and is also a reliable receiver.

19. Daniel Jackson, WR, Minnesota– After Autman-Bell went down with an injury last season, someone had to step up, and Jackson did just that. He displays good strength and aggressiveness at the line, fighting through press coverage and effectively blocking. He’s also a disciplined receiver with good hands.

20. Kobe Savage, S, Kansas State– A serious enigma as to the reason why Savage was not mentioned on the Senior Bowl Watch List, especially when he’s listed among the best in college football on the Bednarik Award Watch List, the Bronko Nagurski Award Watch List and the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List. Savage was a JUCO All-American in 2021 before transferring to Kansas State. Look for him to impress this fall.

21. Dequece Carter, WR, Indiana– A star receiver at Fordham and one of the favorite targets of Tim Demorat last season, Carter displays great athleticism, quality hands and the ability to stretch the field. Having a track & field background, he will also wow scouts with his leg strength and burst. He boasts a personal best of 46’ 10.25” in the triple jump from his high school days.

22 & 23. Malik Dunlap & Rayshad Williams, CB, Texas Tech– Having two 6’3” corners, the Red Raiders have something unique in their secondary. Here are two guys who can dominate at the line of scrimmage. They really make their opponents have to get creative in order to move the ball down the field.

24. Jett Johnson, LB, Mississippi State– His omission is really due to his team’s overall talent. Johnson wasn’t among the 12 Bulldogs mentioned on the Senior Bowl Watch List, yet he’s certainly worth mentioning. Named Mr. Mississippi as a senior in high school, there’s a lot to like about Johnson. He showcases good lateral quickness and is also an effective run defender.

25. Gunner Britton, OT, Auburn– If we’ve learned anything over the past couple seasons, it’s that Western Kentucky has developed a dominant air raid offense. Coming over from WKU, Britton brings experience at LT and RT. He has quick feet and good upper body strength to make an impact in the SEC this fall.

26. Frank Crum, OT, Wyoming– Crum has a lot of what NFL teams look for, great size and a powerful upper body. Having played RT for most of his career, he’s slated to be on the left side of the line this fall. That position change will answer questions to scouts about any of his deficiencies.

27. Jake Heimlicher, EDGE, UCLA– A phenom in the Ivy League at Penn who was feared by QBs. Heimlicher is looking to continue to grow as a player, transferring to UCLA to be among some of the best pass rushers in the country with twins Gabriel and Grayson Murphy. He may have to fight for some reps this season, but when he hits the field, you better keep your eyes on him.

28 & 29. Gabriel & Grayson Murphy, EDGE, UCLA– Both twins, Gabriel and Grayson Murphy are exceptional edge rushers, not the biggest at about 6’2 but certainly worth mentioning here. Grayson had more sacks last season with 5, yet it was Gabriel who was mentioned in the Rotary Lombardi Trophy Award Watch List. Both have another year of eligibility should they choose to take it. Nevertheless, UCLA should have some of the scariest pass rushers in the Pac-12 this season.

30. Zeke Correll, OC, Notre Dame– The Fighting Irish seem to have a program that breeds quality linemen. Correll is the next in line possessing good quality strength. He was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List this season.

31. Khristian Boyd, DL, Northern Iowa– Boyd is one of the Top Small School Prospects this season and somehow slipped through the cracks, not making the Senior Bowl Watch List. It seems that UNI puts out a solid NFL prospect every single season, and I believe Boyd is that guy. UNI coaches and trainers just have a way of developing linemen and understanding what they need to succeed. Boyd boasts great power and a quick first step. He takes pride in shutting down the run and maintaining gap integrity. Check out my interview with him.

32. Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College– Jones is a lanky corner with exceptional speed. He was a track star in high school, running the 100m in 10.6 seconds. Jones was a prospect many thought would come out last season before he decided to return. He’s good in zone coverage and also shows effectiveness at the line of scrimmage, mirroring his opponents and being aggressive through their routes.

33. Micah Abraham, CB, Marshall– Abraham is a speedy corner who is a ballhawk. He has top-notch instincts. He was First Team All-Sun Belt last season and should be on everyone’s radar.

34. Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame– A former high school QB who was the 2018 IndyStar Mr. Football, Kiser boasts nice athleticism and speed. He’s a good run stopper who special teams coaches will also fall in love with given the overall impact he has on the game. Notre Dame has a lot of great talent. I think the Senior Bowl brass just felt that 9 players was enough to list

35. Clark Barrington, OL, Baylor– Really one of the most shocking players who should have been on the Senior Bowl Watch List. We recently saw Blake Freeland show how BYU is able to develop quality offensive linemen. Barrington is no exception. Now at Baylor and making the switch from guard to center, the offense is going to go directly through him, having a good football IQ and a massive body to rely on.

36. Zach Williams, EDGE, Arkansas– Possesses great length at his position with a 81 ¼” wingspan. Not only does he look the part, but Williams also showcases good agility and quickness. This one was another head scratcher for me. Yet, you best bet that Jim Nagy and his crew have this guy on their radar.

37. Sheridan Jones, CB, Clemson– Most people thought Jones was going to come out last year, actually having a Shrine Bowl invite, but he decided to return for another season. I’m shocked that he didn’t make the Senior Bowl Watch List. He’s got great speed and ball skills

38. Dallas Gant, LB, Toledo– It’s a travesty that Gant wasn’t mentioned on the Senior Bowl Watch List. Not only does he boast elite size for a LB at 6’3” 230 lbs with 33 ⅛” arms, but he showcases great versatility, overall athleticism and leadership. This was a straight whiff on a former Ohio State player who dominates at his position in the MAC.