2024 Senior Bowl: FCS Players Continue To Shine Throughout First Three Days
Practices at the 2024 Reese's Senior Bowl concluded on Thursday as prospects were able to showcase their skills in front of all 32 NFL teams over the past three days.
Four former FCS players participated in this week's events, including New Hampshire running back Dylan Laube and South Dakota State running back Isaiah Davis. Houston Christian EDGE Jalyx Hunt and SEMO wide receiver Ryan Flournoy will represent the FCS on the American Team.
Below is the latest news and updates from the full week of practices at the Senior Bowl for all four former FCS players.
New Hampshire RB Dylan Laube
One of the biggest winners of the week was former New Hampshire running back Dylan Laube. Throughout the week, Laube showed his athleticism and his ability to be one of the most versatile weapons in this draft class. He was able to create plays from the backfield, in the slot, and consistently dominated 1-on-1 opportunities against some of the top prospects from around the country.
There is a strong argument that no player in Mobile raised his stock as much as Laube. He could be one of the biggest steals in the upcoming draft as he can make an immediate impact for multiple NFL franchises. He can be a versatile running back, a dangerous receiving threat, and a major contributor on special teams. It was an excellent week for Laube and now the attention will shift to his testing numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
South Dakota State RB Isaiah Davis
South Dakota State running back Isaiah Davis had a quiet Day 1 but exploded onto the scene over the final two days of practice. He really shined in the scrimmages and made a strong impression during the red zone periods on Day 3. He showed his ability to be a patient, but explosive runner with the ball in his hands. At 220 pounds, he has the size and strength to be an effective pass-blocker, which was on display this week.
Entering the week, Davis had questions about his ability in the passing game due to his limited opportunities with the Jackrabbits. He improved throughout the week and showed that he had the potential to be a receiving threat out of the backfield. If Davis tests well at the NFL Scouting Combine, there is a strong possibility that he could earn some mid-round consideration ahead of the NFL Draft.
SEMO WR Ryan Flournoy
Despite being a late invite to the Senior Bowl, Flournoy made an impact throughout the week. He showed the versatility to play on the outside as an "X" but also shined in his reps in the slot. Flournoy excelled in the short game, creating plenty of separation on slants, ins, and comeback routes. An underrated part of Flournoy's game is his ability to be a solid run blocker on the outside. He showed plenty of physicality and effort in rushing situations, which can be seen throughout his film during his time at SEMO.
Flournoy is expected to make a major impression at the NFL Scouting Combine. He was named one of Bruce Feldman's College Football Freaks ahead of last season. He is going to run in the low 4.4 range and has already recorded a vertical jump of over 41 inches. Flournoy is projected to be a Day 3 selection but is already generating some buzz after his performance at the Senior Bowl practices.
Houston Christian EDGE Jalyx Hunt
Hunt entered the week as one of the most intriguing prospects in the class as his path to being an All-American EDGE rusher was unconventional. He showed flashes of what his potential could be throughout the week but has only played on the line of scrimmage for two full seasons. Hunt showed the ability to match the physicality of a bigger offensive lineman but also possesses the athleticism to take advantage of slower tackles in pass-rush situations.
Despite his lack of experience at the EDGE position, Hunt's measurables (6'3; 250) and athleticism will catch the attention of NFL teams throughout the draft process. He is expected to be a Day 3 selection, but an elite performance at the NFL Scouting Combine could create even more opportunities for Hunt at the next level.
