O.J. Howard is one of the top NFL prospects in this year’s Senior Bowl. (Getty)
While the league takes the week off from official games, this weekend features two NFL-related contests that will allow fans to watch football on both Saturday and Sunday. Today features the Senior Bowl from Mobile, Ala. while the Pro Bowl takes place in Orlando, Fla. on Sunday, January 29.
NFL Network will have the Senior Bowl kickoff today at 2:30 p.m. Eastern. The Senior Bowl features the nation’s top college seniors and graduating juniors who are looking to showcase their talents in front of NFL scouts, coaches and executives. It is the only football game on Saturday.
This year, the Chicago Bears are coaching the North squad while the Cleveland Browns staff leads the South team. The rosters are loaded at tight end, cornerback and wide receiver.
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard has shined all week at practice and likely will be the first player participating in the game to be selected in the 2017 NFL Draft. Howard is joined on the South team by another standout tight end, Ole Miss’ Evan Engram.
Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs will get the start for the South. Cal’s Davis Webb is also one of the better quarterbacks on the South roster. BYU running back Jamaal Williams has stood out in practice and is expected to get a good amount of carries for the South.
The North is led by a number of wide receivers who have made a name for themselves in Mobile. There is plenty of buzz around Eastern Washington’s Cooper Kupp, who has played himself into the first round discussion. ECU’s Zay Jones is another North receiver who has impressed.
The Senior Bowl unofficially kicks of draft season and will be the last time NFL teams get to see top prospects play actual football. The NFL Combine starts February 28th but focuses on each player’s measurables through various football drills and physical assessments.
The NFL Pro Bowl will take place Sunday, January 29 at 8 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. The NFL will conclude the season next Sunday with Super Bowl LI between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons. The game will take place on Sunday, February 5 at 6:30 p.m on FOX.
