Every year a few gems are unearthed at the Senior Bowl, and little-known players see their stock rise as they get the chance to compete among the best in the game.
That was the case again this year, as a few FCS and Group of 5 players were among the best in the game in the 2018 Senior Bowl.
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SENIOR BOWL:
SDSU Tight End Dallas Goedert Impresses Early at Senior Bowl
NDSU LB Nick DeLuca Flying Up NFL Draft Boards
D3 Cornerback Michael Joseph Making a Senior Bowl Splash
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Here's a look at 5 players who helped out their draft stock in the Senior Bowl:
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Kyle Lauletta, QB — Richmond
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Richmond Athletics[/credit]
While Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield were the most talked about quarterbacks in the senior bowl, it was former Richmond signal caller Kyle Lauletta who stole the show in Mobile, completing 8 of 12 attempts for 193 yards and three scores, including a 75-yarder to LSU wide receiver DJ Chark.
COMPARE: Kyle Lauletta to Any QB
Lauletta, who played FCS college ball, proved he belongs on the same stage as the big-name quarterbacks in the draft. He was named the Most Outstanding Player in the game.
.@kylelauletta throws a laser for his 2nd TD of the day!
: 2018 @seniorbowl | NFL Network pic.twitter.com/OWVIYcOWAu
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 27, 2018
ANOTHER ONE!@kylelauletta throws his 3rd TD of the game.
: 2018 @seniorbowl | NFL Network pic.twitter.com/Vp2WEQyyNI
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 27, 2018
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DJ Chark, WR — LSU
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LSU Athletics[/credit]
Speaking of DJ Chark, the former LSU receiver had a huge game, catching 5 passes for 160 yards (32 yards per catch) including that 75-yard bomb from Lauletta. He also carried the ball once for nine yards, and his 169 all-purpose yards led all players in the game.
COMPARE: DJ Chark to Any WR
Chark's best career game was a 5 catch, 150-yard showing in the LSU upset of No. 10 Auburn last October. He showed in the Senior Bowl he's a big-play receiver, and was likely kept a little bit of a secret back by LSU's run-first offensive tendencies.
Don't blink or you'll miss a touchdown!@kylelauletta finds @DJChark82 for the 75 yard TD!
: 2018 @seniorbowl | NFL Network pic.twitter.com/HpiJij23dj
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 27, 2018
.@MW_XIV goes DEEP!
He finds @DJChark82 down the sideline.
: 2018 @seniorbowl | NFL Network pic.twitter.com/EtdWO2oaZX
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 27, 2018
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Rashaad Penny, RB — San Diego State
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San Diego State Athletics[/credit]
Penny did a little bit of everything on Saturday, rushing for 64 yards on 9 carries (7.1 yards per carry) and catching a pass for a 73-yard score. He also returned a kick 15 yards.
COMPARE: Rashaad Penny to Any RB
He will have his work cut out for him in a draft that features talent like Saquon Barkley, Derrius Guice, Sony Michel, Nick Chubb and others, but his performance in the Senior Bowl shows he can compete with the best of them.
Rashaad Penny with a huge run. Nice kick out block by Ian Thomas pic.twitter.com/KKHY1RNNAH
— Billy Marshall (@BillyM_91) January 27, 2018
Unreal Rashaad Penny! What a throw by Benkert too. Whew pic.twitter.com/lDsTpeglLV
— Billy Marshall (@BillyM_91) January 27, 2018
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Darius Leonard, LB — South Carolina State
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South Carolina State Athletics[/credit]
Another FCS player making a big splash was South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard, who led all players with 14 total tackles (5 solo). Only one other player in the game, Hawaii safety Trayvon Henderson, had double-digit tackles in the game.
COMPARE: Darius Leonard to Any LB
Like most FCS prospects, Leonard needed to show he could compete against elite competition, and he passed the test with flying colors.
#SouthCarolinaState #Bulldogs LB Darius Leonard (@dsleon45) highlights from the #SeniorBowl @SCStateAthletic pic.twitter.com/N4oI4KJ6bd
— Sleeper Athletes (@SleeperAthletes) January 28, 2018
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Marcus Davenport, DE — UTSA
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Jeff Huehn/UTSA Athletics[/credit]
Davenport is quickly solidifying himself as the best defensive end in the draft not named Bradley Chubb, and he showed his abilities as an impact player in the Senior Bowl with a sack on Baker Mayfield and a 19-yard fumble recovery scoop and score.
COMPARE: Marcus Davenport to Any DE
Davenport told Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks on the Move the Sticks podcast early in the week that he wanted people to stop calling UTSA a small school. He certainly did his part to put the school on the map.
Marcus Davenport!
The potential 1st round pick from UT-San Antonio gets to Baker Mayfield for the sack.
: 2018 @seniorbowl | NFL Network pic.twitter.com/JDj6ZqeKcr
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 27, 2018
Marquis Haynes with the sack fumble.
Marcus Davenport with the scoop and score for the South!
: 2018 @seniorbowl | NFL Network pic.twitter.com/LkwcmYEBr5
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 27, 2018
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NEXT: NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Baker Mayfield to Denver?
