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2026 Senior/Shrine Bowl

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Senior Bowl Report (1/28): Day 2 in Mobile

SENIOR-BOWL-ZERO

It was a bit warmer on the second day of Senior Bowl Practice with both teams in full pads after starting the week in uppers and shorts. The practices were physical and competitive with all four units having highlights and lowlights.

* After focusing on the perimeter players on Tuesday, I followed the offensive and defensive linemen on Wednesday. The National Team practiced first and held one-on-one sessions in both run blocking and pass protection. In the run blocking session, defensive linemen had to hold up against combo blocks from the offensive line. Two Iowa offensive linemen, Gennings Dunker and Beau Stephens, were a powerful combination, moving at will. Dunker held his own in pass protection at guard and tackle, despite the fact he had not played guard since 2022. He is a tough, road-grating offensive linemen with every characteristic you would think an Iowa offensive lineman would have.

* Beau Stephen had one especially rough rep during practice. Massive Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. was called up from the Shrine Bowl and used his length to bull rush Stephens right onto his back. Stephens demanded a rematch on the following rep and used Jackson's forward lean to push him onto the ground to get his payback.

* Penn State's Dani Dennis-Sutton (6'5 and 3/8 inches, 268 pounds) showed off his power setting the edge in pass rush drills later in practice. He has the tools to be a solid two-way edge in the NFL.

* Clemson's T.J. Parker has a chance to be the highest drafted player at the game, and he has been constantly winning with his length. He extends, gets a single hand in the chest of the offensive lineman, and has been able to drive them into the quarterback's lap. I'm anxious to see what counter moves to his power rush emerge as he matures as a pass rusher.

* Washington offensive lineman Carver Willis (6'4 and 5/8 inches, 305 pounds, 33 and 3/8 inch hands) did well against Parker in run drill one-on-ones, not allowing him to extend his arms and set the edge. Willis, a right tackle and left tackle at Kansas St. and Washington, played tackle and guard at practice, even though he has never taken a snap at guard in a game or practice. He told me that he plans to take snaps at center at Thursday's practice. He has not been dominant, but he has not been beaten much and is very consistent rep to rep.

* Defensive tackle Zane Durant might be the twitchiest defensive tackle in Mobile. He is undersized at 6'0 and 7/8 inches and 290 pounds, but he has an excellent first step to get into the backfield. He has also flashed violent hands and some power, which should allow him to succeed as a pass rushing three-technique. Texas Tech's Hunter Lee (6'3 and ½ inches, 320 pounds) has also had his moments as a pass rusher at defensive tackle the first two days of practice.

* Romello Height is not a power rusher like Dennis-Sutton or Parker, but he has a great burst off the line and both the speed and bend to get around the corner. In an interview with him you will find on the Giants Huddle podcast later in the week, he told me his big goal this week was to show he could set the edge, and he did that early in practice.

* In the competition period at the end of practice, the tight ends dominated the linebackers in one-on-one receiving drills, winning down the seam with D'Andre Rogers and Nate Boerkircher making difficult contested catches.

* At American practice, Missouri's Zion Young (6'5 and ¼ inches, 262 pounds, 33 and ½ inch arms) and Michigan's Derrick Moore (6'3 and ½ inches, 254 pounds, 34 and ¼ inch arms) won consistently with their power for the second straight day, sending offensive linemen either into the backfield or to the ground. Illinois' Gabe Jacas (6'3 and 1/8 inches, 260 pounds, 32 and ¾ inch arms) has also been a constant threat on the edge, using both his power and his ability to win with speed and bend the edge.

* One of the few offensive linemen able to slow those rushers down was Arizona State's Max Iheanachor. A massive man at 6'5 and 5/8 inches and 325 pounds with 34 and a half inch arms, he was able to consistently stymie the best rushers for the National Team. It frustrated Moore to the point where the two got into a little extra-curricular activity after their last rep against each other.

* The play of the day in either practice belonged to Notre Dame's Malachi Fields, who tracked a deep ball over his shoulder that made him fade to the right as he dove fully outstretched to make a tough hands catch while diving to the ground. Videos on social media showed he controlled the ball to the ground. Fields' production will not wow anyone, but his size and speed might depending on how he runs at the NFL Combine.

* In the competition period at the end of American practice, Oregon State safety Skyler Thomas won on a one-on-one pass rush rep. On the next rep, running back Jadyn Ott shut down linebacker Xavian Sorey in pass protection. The third rep between Florida center Jake Slaughter and Michigan defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny was deemed a draw, leaving a winner take all rep between Zion Young and Boston College offensive lineman Jude Bowry. Young barely got to the quarterback on a closely contested rep to give the defense the victory.

View the best photos from Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Alabama.

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