Winners from Day 1 of the Senior Bowl Include a Massive DT and Lightning Quick WR
Josh Frey
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The classic saying of the Senior Bowl is “The Draft Begins in Mobile.”
Well, folks, the 2024 Senior Bowl officially kicked off with its first practice sessions on Tuesday morning and afternoon, so the draft process is officially underway. The Minnesota Vikings are slated to have nine picks in April, and with the first day of Senior Bowl practices behind us, here is a look at some of the draft prospects who may have caught the Vikings’ eye.
Marshall RB Rasheen Ali
The Vikings could certainly use a home run threat at the running back position in 2024, and Marshall RB Rasheen Ali may be exactly that. With the Thundering Herd in 2023, Ali totaled 1135 yards and 15 TDs on the ground while averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
His explosive burst out of the backfield carried over to the first practice session at the Senior Bowl, and he was an elusive ball carrier throughout the morning. It was nice to see him haul in a couple passes downfield as well.
Baylor DT Gabe Hall
If the Vikings want to add an overpowering presence to their defensive line, Gabe Hall is a name to watch this week. The Baylor defensive tackle measured into the Senior Bowl at just under 6’6″ while weighing 290 pounds. He also possesses outstanding length, including an 84-inch wingspan.
Hall played to every bit of that size in Tuesday morning’s practice with the National team, winning just about every single one-on-one rep that he went through, including Illinois OT Isaiah Adams, a top-150 prospect on PFF’s big board.
Michigan WR Roman Wilson
Roman Wilson has been hyped up as one of the fastest receivers in all of college football over the past few years, and he proved why during the first day of Senior Bowl practice. The Michigan receiver simply outmatched any cornerback that was put on him throughout the morning session, utilizing multiple different routes to get free.
Wilson put up big time production with the Wolverines in 2023, catching 48 passes for 723 yards and 12 TDs, but some have questioned how he would do against bigger cornerbacks. If he continues this type of prolific production, the Michigan receiver will be one of the biggest risers by the end of the week.
Fresno State CB Carlton Johnson
Carlton Johnson was a late addition to this year’s Senior Bowl, but he made the most of his opportunity as soon as he got onto the field. In the team drill session of the afternoon practice, Johnson read one of QB Spencer Rattler’s passes perfectly, and he snatched an interception out of the air. Johnson totaled four interceptions during the 2023 season for Fresno State, and he kept his big-play reputation going into the first day of the Senior Bowl.
The Vikings certainly have a need at the cornerback position, particularly one who is capable of making momentum-changing plays. Johnson looks like a prospect to keep an eye on in that regard.
Tulane QB Michael Pratt
Michael Pratt has a chance this week to prove that he belongs amongst some of the big names at the QB position in the 2024 NFL Draft. Joining Joe Milton of Tennessee and Spencer Rattler of South Carolina on the American team, Pratt looked like the best QB on the field during the afternoon session, consistently finding his receivers at all three levels of the field.
Much has been made of the Vikings’ QB position this offseason, and while many are hoping that the Vikings select a QB in the first round, Pratt is proving that there could be some overlooked talent further down the draft board this spring.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Sports Reference CFB.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.