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The initial watch list for the players who will compete in the 2016 Reese’s Senior Bowl has been released and it is not surprising which conference leads the way.
The SEC landed 80 players on the first list of possible talent who will perform in a week-long practice schedule for pro scouts prior to the Jan. 30, 2016, game to be played in Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala.
By a wide margin, more Southeastern Conference players are being considered than any other conference. The SEC placed 80 players on the list while the Big Ten followed with 58.
“From the moment the 2015 draft ended, we worked on putting this list together,” executive director Phil Savage said. “There are 375 players and 117 schools and we are working to find the best 110 players.”
Alabama has the most players appearing on the list with 12. Michigan State has 11, while Auburn, Georgia, Arizona State and Utah each had nine.
Quarterback Jake Coker, running back Kenyon Drake, center Ryan Kelly and linebacker Reggie Ragland lead the Alabama contingent on the list.
Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen is one of five Razorbacks on the list, while three wide receivers — Ricardo Lewis, Melvin Ray and Duke Williams — make up one-third of the Auburn candidates. Jon Bullard, Jake McGee, Antonio Morrison and Brian Poole are the four Florida Gators being considered for roster spots.
Georgia running back Keith Marshall, linebacker Jordan Jenkins and kicker Marshall Morgan give the Bulldogs at least one player representing each phase of the game. Three defenders join offensive tackle Jordan Swindle as candidates from Kentucky, while Vadal Alexander, Deion Jones, Jamie Keehn and Jalen Mills hope to represent LSU.
Heisman hopeful Dak Prescott leads a group of five Mississippi State Bulldogs as Ole Miss’ Cody Core, Mike Hilton, C.J. Johnson, Jaylen Walton and three other Rebels are on the list.
Kentrell Brothers, another in a long line of stout Missouri defenders is joined by four other Tigers being considered. Four South Carolina Gamecocks are on the list led by running back Brandon Wilds. Curt Maggitt will miss significant playing time this season due to an injury, so he could use the exposure in Mobile to increase his draft stock with two other Tennessee Volunteers .
Texas A&M offensive lineman Mike Matthews will look to join the family business in the NFL with a good performance as will running back Tra Carson and a trio of other Aggies. Caleb Azubike and two other Vanderbilt Commordores are also in consideration for roster spots.
In all, each SEC school has at least three players on the list of candidates to perform in Mobile.
Savage, director of public relations Rob Lehockey and other staff members will routinely travel to games around the nation to evaluate the players already on the list and to add others to the pool of talent.
Steve Barnes is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football.
