Inside The All-Star Game Landscape
All Access Football founder Ric Serritella examines the current state of the NFL Draft all-star game circuit and highlights some of the top standout performers.
Welcome to the All Access Football Newsletter for Thursday, February 1, 2024. Are you headed to Indy for the NFL Scouting Combine? Come join us for the SMWW Football Career Conference.
Welcome to our 23rd year of independent scouting analysis for the 2024 NFL Draft cycle at All Access Football. The all-star game circuit has undergone some drastic changes over the past several years, as the landscape continues to evolve.
The explosion of prodigious collectives infiltrating college football, combined with bottomless NIL deals, which have surpassed eight-figures, plus the extra year of COVID-eligibility granted by the NCAA in 2020, have made the all-star game selection process a much more difficult task. In addition, the NFL opted to grant underclassmen (17 in the Senior Bowl) the right to participate in all-star games for the first time in history!
One significant result of the trickle-down impact we have seen is the severe decrease of underclassmen in recent years. The 2024 NFL Draft will feature just 58 underclassmen, down from the 82 in 2023 and more than 50% less than the 130 players who declared early just three years ago in the 2021 NFL Draft. We have witnessed the evolution of college football from amateur-to-pro before our very eyes. The ability for universities to ‘re-recruit’ players back with NIL payouts (Marvin Harrison was reportedly offered $20-$25M to return to OSU) has created a a bottomless budget for college football coaches who also command salaries north of $25M annually.
Where will it end?
The answer to that billion dollar question is likely an eventual ‘Super-Pac’ with 40-50 schools, who create regulations such as salary caps, positional pay guidelines and bylaws to abide by, as colleges continue to masquerade around their ‘student-athletes’ as essential satellite campuses. However, that is a topic for another day.
In regards to the all-star scene, it has also ratcheted up the recruiting stakes amongst game directors. With the partnership between the NFL and East-West Shrine Bowl, the league has boosted its efforts in hopes of enhancing the high-profile event status. Despite their initiative, the Reese’s Senior Bowl still remains the No.1 premier all-star game, featuring the most amount of first round draft picks and top-100 overall prospects.
Gone with the wind in 2024 is the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. With the players union decision to suddenly abandon their all-star showcase, which was perceived as the No.3 Game in the market during the previous 11 years, the resurrected Caribe Royal Hula Bowl has taken its place in that slot. The results showed, as 38 Hula Bowl participants were ‘called up’ to the East-West Shrine Bowl and an additional 10 players received Senior Bowl invites. A survey amongst scouts on the ground received mixed reviews as to whether this was a positive (chance to see players for a second time) or negative (taking away limited spots from players who are deserving).
Another beneficiary would be the Spiral Tropical Bowl, which fielded a very strong collection of prospects overall. Between the four all-star games, approximately 500 players are evaluated by all 32 NFL teams. Around 350 players will be invited to the NFL Scouting Combine (a majority of underclassmen typically receive invites) and about 255 players will be drafted come April. Factor in that nearly one-third of every NFL team consists of undrafted free agents and you can see why the all-star game circuit (every invite becomes a vital decision) serves as such a crucial part of the evaluation process.
Unfortunately, the process has become convoluted with ill-intended agendas (too many to list); these are just a few concerns in regards to the current structure of the all-star game landscape. Let’s hope that the games are able to re-focus moving forward with a prioritized emphasis on providing players the best opportunity for success.
We now turnout attention to some player evaluations from our observations on-site at the various all-star games.
NEW ON BSJ: SENIOR BOWL PREVIEW & SHRINE BOWL MONEY MAKERS
ON LOCATION: 2024 TROPICAL BOWL (DAYTONA BEACH)
Editor’s Note: Official player measurements are provided in parenthesis and reads as follows: [Height/Weight/Hand/Arm/Wingspan]
The ninth annual Spiral Tropical Bowl in Daytona Beach, Florida featured over 120 scouts on-site, including representatives from 31 NFL Teams, plus CFL and UFL clubs.
The consensus top overall player in attendance was Texas A&M Commerce DT Levi Drake Rodriguez [6014/297/1018/3348/7968] who dominated throughout the week, displaying an array of pass-rush moves during one-on-one drills and finishing off the week with three sacks in the game. He was named the Overall Tropical Bowl MVP for his performance and should hear his name called on Day Three of the NFL Draft.
There was an impressive looking group of offensive linemen but one player seemed to tower the competition, literally and figuratively. Mammoth Buffalo OL Gabe Wallace [6053/345/0938/3400/8148] continued to draw rave reviews amongst evaluators, as he possesses extraordinary strength, which enables him to move massive men in the trenches with ease. He likely projects as a guard in the NFL, as there are some technique flaws that can be improved upon but there is a lot to like and he carries a big chip on his shoulder.
Another standout included North Carolina OL Ed Montilus [6030/297/0948/3468/8228] who doesn’t necessarily own prototypical size but utilizes his massive wingspan to keep defenders at bay and has over 50 career starts under his belt in the ACC. His length, pedigree and athleticism (showed the ability to pull block effectively) makes him a late Day Three candidate, or high priority free agent.
One of the more pleasant surprises throughout the week was Pittsburgh RB C’Bo Flemister [5106/205/0900/3100/7558], displaying an impressive overall skill-set as an efficient runner, smooth route runner and capable blocker. The Notre Dame transfer made the most of his touches with the Panthers this past year and has the size, plus versatility that would seem to make him an excellent practice squad addition.
Lengthy Auburn WR Shane Hooks [6035/201/1048/3400/8328] demonstrated sharp route running ability and seemed to constantly find the open seam. Blessed with a big catch radius, soft hands and savvy—his combination of size and athleticism is surely intriguing. While his numbers were pedestrian this past season, Hooks was very productive at his previous stop at Jackson State. He stands a strong chance to compete for a roster spot but will need to find a way to contribute on special teams in order to stick at the next level.
Another massive target who turned heads was Long Island TE Leak Bryant [6053/245/0938/3358/8000] who is easy to locate between the white stripes and understands how to attack vulnerable spots of the defense. The natural pass-catcher owns massive mittens and is a truckload to bring down in the open filed, or after the catch, especially when he’s able to pickup some steam. Believe it or not, the Sharks have another draft-eligible TE Owen Glascoe [6025/256/1018/3168/7848] who was the primary receiving target for the Sharks and is also on the NFL radar—Bryant was utilized in more of a blocking capacity. However, he showcased himself in a manner that will make scouts go back and do more homework.
Two notable names you need to know include Tulane OC Sincere Haynesworth [6003/297/1000/3300/7938] who dominated all week but whose length will certainly be called into question and long, athletic Texas Tech CB Malik Dunlap [6022/215/0878/3148/7628] who showed physicality, along with great coverage ability. Both players stood out in a big way!
Additional Tropical Bowl Prospects Whose Stock Is Up: Alabama OL Darrian Dalcourt, who earned Tropical Overall Lineman Co-MVP honors; Minot State playmaking SS Knylen Miller-Levi [5112/188/1000/3318/7958]; massive, wide-body North Carolina OL Spencer Rolland [6057/308/0900/3268/7748]; Temple pass-rusher DE Layton Jordan [6011/223/0900/3248/7738] and feisty Western Carolina CB Rod’Darius Gattison [6002/185/0858/3128/7448].
2024 CARIBE ROYAL HULA BOWL STANDOUTS
While Boeing 737 issues created travel issues for some, the Hula Bowl generated a huge turnout with over 250 scouts in attendance. Here’s a look at some prospects whose arrow is pointing north after their performance in Orlando, Florida.
A traditional pocket-passer, Louisville QB Jack Plummer [6041/220/0968/3228/7878], who amassed nearly 10,000 passing yards during his collegiate career (transfer from California via Purdue), earned Co-MVP honors for his performance throughout the week. However, it was South Alabama QB Bradley Carter [6025/221/0968/3168/7778] who stood out as the most impressive passer in attendance. The record-setting Carter possesses excellent size, showcased the ability to make all the throws and proved capable of moving the chains with his feet when needed—he was rewarded with an invitation to the Senior Bowl.
Sharing Co-MVP honors was hard-nosed Memphis RB Blake Watson [5095/187/0868/2948/7128]. A jackknife of sorts, Watson owns a triple-threat skillset with his ability to run, catch, block. There is no doubt he would be a smart Day Three investment for any organization in search of upgrading their backfield depth, as Watson should be viewed as a dynamic third down weapon.
One of the most popular names amongst interview requests throughout the week belonged to UTSA WR Josh Cephus [6022/185/0918/3178/7438] whose frame, burst and physicality traits all came in well above average. Another strong-framed target who stood out included Western Carolina WR Davis White [6025/195/0938/3148/7528], while Holy Cross WR Jalen Coker [6007/218/0978/3248/7758] flashed outstanding vertical ability. All three continued to make strong impressions at the East-West Shrine Bowl this past week.
It looked as if BYU TE Isaac Rex [6051/244/0978/3148/7768] was shot out of a cannon. His combination of size, athleticism and ability to pick up additional yards after the catch was on full display. The California native demonstrated astute pass-catching prowess and exceptional height which could make for a tremendous weapon inside the red zone at the next level (24 career receiving touchdowns).
Draft season has been favorable for Northern Iowa DT Khristian Boyd [6024/324/0948/3128/7638] thus far, as the FCS product has more than held his own against the FBS-caliber of competition—his performance has garnered attention amongst scouts at both the Hula and Shrine Bowls. The Kansas City native has flashed knock-back power and a high-motor, while destroying opposing linemen during one-one-one drills—it’s quite possible that he hears his name called on Day Three.
Coming in below the minimum size threshold, Marshall LB Eli Neal [5115/222/0968/3138/7618] constantly showed up around the football. He finished with a boatload of tackles during the game (totaled 375 career tackles), demonstrating his ability to fill the gap with ferocious intent. Neal will likely need to punch his ticket to the backend of an NFL roster by earning his keep on special teams.
The linebacker group as a whole was stellar, including UCF LB Jason Johnson [6005/230/0868/3118/7558] who took home the Tropical Bowl Defensive MVP Award and UConn LB Jackson Mitchell [6013/227/0938/3038/7558] who continues to be one of the more underrated off-ball linebacker prospects in this year’s draft. His character, work ethic, production and frame (room to grow) provide boastful checkmarks in the intangibles department.
ALL ACCESS FOOTBALL NETWORK
In search of more great draft content? All Access Football founder Ric Serritella will be providing additional NFL Draft content exclusive to Boston Sports Journal for the 2024 NFL Draft. Over the past seven years, Greg Bedard has established BSJ as the go-to source for Boston sports! Whether your fandom resides in New England, or you are just a thirsty draftnik craving more draft intel, make sure you visit: www.BostonSportsJournal.com | First Article: NFL Draft Notebook: Senior Bowl Preview; Shrine Bowl Movers & Shakers
Programming Alert — 2/1/24 (Thursday): Join Ric Serritella on SIRIUSXM Channel 159 for Sports Rage with host Gabriel Morency at 10p eastern time. Also available on Sports Grid.
