Dawgs By Nature
NFL coaches and scouts are taking in the talent for the upcoming NFL draft at the Senior Bowl practices
One week ago, the weather in Mobile, Alabama had 10 inches of snow, a historic event for this part of the country. Today, a brisk breeze would have been a welcome change as it topped 75 degrees by the time both squads finished with practice at the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
I mentioned that all of Ohio State’s players bailed before the first day and today it was announced that Missouri OG Arman Membou went home with an illness.
Dawgs By Nature’s Barry Shuck is at the Reese’s Senior Bowl taking notes and talking with players as a part of our Cleveland Browns NFL draft coverage.
Standouts for today’s events:
If you don’t watch much college football you may not have seen many Iowa State games. So, this guy’s name popping up may become a “who?” moment. But at practice sessions, Higgins is showing out. For one, he is 6’-4” so he has the reach and just screams Red Zone target. But he is much more than just height and range. It is a fact that most folks don’t know just how good he is.
Higgins has quick feet and his move is usually productive as it moves the defender in another direction almost every time, he either bobs, dips, or weaves. So far all I have seen is crisp routes I asked him about his blocking skills and he gave me the Hollywood talk about everything in his game he does well. But he is a good blocker and knows how to remain engaged instead of pushing with both hands, release, and then figure out which direction their man went. He has a #55 ranking. Did not see much of him on Tuesday, but he shined today.
Love this guy. Did an interview with him so that will be coming out soon. Long armed kid that really knows how to lean. Like a shot off the snap. Impressive hand usage in the 1-on-1 drills with the offensive linemen. You could tell when a guard or tackle rotated around to take on Ezeiruaku it was like “not him again” type attitude.
Coming into this week’s practices he was ranked #33 so the Browns could take with the first pick in the second round and everyone would be pleased. Not a tall guy at 6’-2” and is very lean. He told me his best sport was basketball and he looks the part even now. Very cut, wiry, but is a rocket off the jump. Two good days in a row for this dude. Did well against offensive tackles who had 40 pounds on him.
Note: Click “The Game” tab on the upper left, then “2025 Rosters” to see the Senior Bowl rosters
