AP Images/Butch Dill
The Senior Bowl has officially wrapped up, and it featured some highlights from college prospects all across the country.
Trying to piece together their last little bit of game tape, players participating in the Senior Bowl were paired up with the Denver Broncos Coaching Staff (North) and the Houston Texans Coaching Staff (South). With a couple of college football's biggest names playing in the game, it drew the attention of NFL analysts far and wide.
Let's take a look at five players who stood out from the game.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma):
A lot of people were surprised Mayfield accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl, given his already impressive résumé, and many wondered how much the Heisman Trophy winner would play in the All-Star game.
Well, he didn't play much.
In the brief time he played, Mayfield completed three of his seven pass attempts for nine yards. Entering the game, the questions surrounding the Texas-native weren't about his talent, but his character and maturity. Among the NFL analysts who covered the Senior Bowl last week, the overall consensus was Mayfield left a good impression on the NFL coaching staffs, which will help his draft stock.
Quarterback Josh Allen (Wyoming):
Another player who helped his draft stock was Allen, who had a quality performance in the second half of Saturday's game. Allen finished the day with nine of 13 passes completed for 158 yards, and two touchdowns.
While operating in the pocket, the 21-year-old was poised, and patient, showing off his big arm, as well as some finesse. Allen's ability to heave the ball down field isn't in doubt, it's his accuracy and touch that are under the microscope; however, he dropped in a pretty pass just out of the defender's reach for a touchdown.
After putting up some quality numbers in the Senior Bowl, it'll be interesting to see how Allen performs at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Running Back Rashaad Penny (San Diego State):
If there was one player who delivered exactly what many expected, it was Penny.
Penny has homerun-play ability, and that was on full display Saturday. The former San Diego State Aztec had the first big play of the day, popping off a 40-yard run, and later added a 73-yard receiving touchdown. Penny did everything Saturday, rushing nine times for 64 yards, and getting in the receiving game with his massive score.
The 5'11", 220-pound running back didn't win the MVP of the game, but you could make the case he deserved it.
Quarterback Kyle Lauletta (Richmond):
With Mayfield and Allen receiving all the attention prior to kickoff Saturday, Lauletta went about his business all week, but ended up stealing the show.
The University of Richmond signal-caller took home the Most Valuable Player award, after leading the South All-Stars to a 45-16 victory. It was an efficient afternoon for Lauletta, totaling 198 yards with three touchdowns on just 12 pass attempts.
Truth be told, I had never heard of Lauletta until his performance at the Senior Bowl, but I'm sure he'll be a frequently talked about name in the coming weeks.
Wide Receiver D.J. Chark (LSU):
LSU has been known to produce some good wide receivers in the past, most recently, Odell Beckham, Jr., and Jarvis Landry. Now, I'm not grouping Chark in the same category as either of them, but his numbers at the Senior Bowl indicate he could be another good playmaker to come out of the University. Chark hauled in five receptions for 160 yards and one touchdown, leading all receivers.
The Louisiana-native is a bit undersized however, weighing in at 187 pounds, but has good length at 6'3". Last season as a Tiger, Chark totaled 40 receptions for 874 yards, and three touchdowns, which was his best season.
Chark is intriguing to me, and another player I'll have my eye on at the Combine.
