We spotlight a hard-charging safety, two hybrid defensive line prospects, an underrated SEC wideout and a couple of intriguing tight ends in our breakdown of the American team’s Day 2 practice at the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Alabama QB and Heisman Trophy finalist Mac Jones excelled with his ball placement on Day 2. He was quick in his decision-making all week. He demonstrated touch on back-shoulder (Red Zone) or tear drop throws during one-on-one periods (see Palmer, Day 2). The inaccurate throws were occasionally present on passes to running backs out of the backfield.
Georgia and former FSU TE Tre' McKitty caught just six passes for the Bulldogs in four games this past season. On Day 2, however, he displayed savvy running routes and competed as a blocker. During the week, he made a number of terrific grabs and won several times versus man coverage.
Former Tennessee WR Josh Palmer displayed all of the necessary tools during the week to suggest he can become a better pro than collegian. His stride closed the cushion on defensive backs. Palmer exhibited body control and long arms to snag passes from his frame, particularly on bootleg concepts. He had his way versus man coverage on several occasions during the week. His biggest weakness? A tendency to hop when getting into his inside or outside releases versus press-man coverage.
Alabama LT Alex Leatherwood (No. 70 pictured) generally was solid during the week, but still set a short corner at times. Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond (No. 12 pictured) flashed during the week, but ball security continued to be an issue for him in the pocket (drops ball near end of Day 2). FSU DL Marvin Wilson (No. 21 pictured) versus Tennessee OL Trey Smith and Kentucky OL Drake Jackson had an up-and-down week.
American QB Kellen Mond attempted to get this pass in-between coverage (two-deep) but former Florida safety Shawn Davis could not reel in this interception attempt. Davis is known for his hard-hitting style, but he did intercept five passes over the last two seasons. The former Miami Southridge Senior High School (Fla.) product competed well, yet displayed some rigidness in pass coverage during the week.
Bowling Green State's Quintin Morris showed his former wide receiver skills during the practices. With that said, he did have some instances where he rounded some cuts and allowed safeties to undercut him (Gillepsie, Day 1, INT). We were impressed how he came back on Day 2 and competed as a blocker, even recording a knockdown in a team period versus a linebacker. He still gets thrown around when sustaining, but that didn't stop him from running his feet through the whistle as a down tight end on Day 2 versus Sam linebackers.
These two defensive linemen caught our eyes during the week. Both did so for different reasons. Bradley-King was slippery inside and showed heavy hands versus tight ends. Sample was able to beat turn protection as a three-technique DT on Day 2, and kept fighting once walled in DL/OL pass rush drills. These are two hybrid-type prospects due to their willingness to mix it up as run defenders. Sample can perhaps be a third down defensive tackle and Bradley-King may be able to play some left defensive end.