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First batch of Senior Bowl invitations are about to go out
By Steve Barnes
Published:
Time sure can fly. It seems just yesterday the 2015 football season kicked off and now we are only a week away from invitations being sent out to players to participate in the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
“We are only a week away from the formal invitations going out,” Senior Bowl executive director Phil Savage said. “What we expect is about 50 to go out in the first batch.”
The SEC dominated the preseason watch list and that group has lived up to its billing. Last week, Savage got an in-person look at the Texas A&M players.
“Mike Matthews on the offensive line is a solid prospect and that is no surprise. Just look at his family,” Savage said. “But they also have Tra Carson at running back, who has had a good year.”
The Aggies fell to Alabama last week with Savage in attendance and a Crimson Tide defender caught his eye.
“Cyrus Jones has held up pretty well this season,” Savage said. “He has also shown that he is a leader for Alabama and that is something I like.”
Other players in the conference who seem to be in line for an invitation include Kenyan Drake from Alabama, Dak Prescott of Mississippi State and Florida linebacker Antonio Morrison.
Prescott was the Senior Bowl’s senior of the week after he led his Bulldogs to a win over Louisiana Tech after falling behind 14-0 early in the game.
But there is still talent out there for Savage and his staff to find.
“Last week we were at the LSU-Florida game and saw some very good players,” Savage said. “We will see them again when they play Western Kentucky, who has a player or two we like.”
The 2016 game is set for Jan.30 at Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. But more important than the game itself is the week of practice prior to kickoff that draws scouts from every NFL team.
Steve Barnes is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football.
