2024 Senior Bowl: Quarterbacks Falling, Defensive Linemen Rising in Mobile

Oregon’s Bo Nix and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. have struggled through the first two days of workouts, while UCLA’s Laiatu Latu and Ohio State’s Michael Hall Jr. have shown off their talents.

Coming into Senior Bowl week, the thought was that we’d see a pair of first-round picks in Oregon’s Bo Nix and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. showcase their talents.

While there’s another practice with the game to follow Saturday, both Pac-12 talents have struggled after the first couple of days of workouts. After uneven showings Tuesday, Nix struggled to find rhythm, throwing multiple passes short and off-target in team periods Wednesday. As for Penix, his performance was decent yet inconsistent, also plagued by indecision.

Looking ahead to the NFL draft in April, there’s a good chance Nix and Penix, in some order, are the fourth and fifth quarterbacks taken behind USC’s Caleb Williams, UNC’s Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels of LSU.

Penix spent a whopping six years between Indiana and Washington :: Vasha Hunt/USA TODAY Sports

And while nothing in Mobile has changed that reality, very little has been shown to reinforce the notion, either.

For both, the big question is when they’ll get drafted. Considering quarterbacks are always in demand, the smart money says first or early second round. But with veteran quarterbacks such as Kirk Cousins, Ryan Tannehill and Russell Wilson hitting free agency, teams may opt for a bridge instead of using such significant draft capital on Nix or Penix.

The other issue? Age.

Nix played five years between Auburn and Oregon, and will turn 24 years old on Feb. 25 For reference, C.J. Stroud won’t turn 24 until Oct. 3, ’25.

Penix spent a whopping six years between Indiana and Washington, yet appeared in only 49 games. He will turn 24 on May 8 and already has sustained two torn ACLs in his right knee—in ’18 and ’20.

Bottom line: This was a chance for both to prove why they should be top-20 picks. That’s still a possibility, but the opportunity hasn’t been seized by either.

As for other news and notes in Mobile …

UCLA, Ohio State showing their strength in the trenches

Latu has been dominant the past two years for the Bruins after transferring from Washington State :: Vasha Hunt/USA TODAY Sports

While the storylines typically revolve around the offense skill players, don’t sleep on a few defensive studs showing off their talents.

On Wednesday, it was impossible to miss UCLA’s Laiatu Latu, who measured 6'4" and 261 pounds, and was consistently getting around the opposing tackle in team drills.

In one three-play stretch, Latu ran the arc with good bend, swiping the right tackle’s hands off his frame to make the would-be sack. The next play, Latu used a power move in an attempt to collapse the pocket. Then, on the third snap, Latu was chipped by the tight end, looped inside over the guard and got another pressure to impact the throw.

A projected first-round pick, Latu has been dominant the past two years for the Bruins after transferring from Washington State. He had 23.5 sacks and 34 tackles for loss, while also adding two interceptions.

And keep an eye on Michael Hall Jr. of Ohio State. Listed at 6'2" and 280 pounds, Hall is an intriguing prospect who could be a versatile chess piece up front with his combination of size and agility, while mostly playing inside. For a comparison, think Charles Omenihu. He’s also listed at 280 pounds, and plays all over the line for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Hall has shown his entire repertoire in Mobile, displaying a nasty spin move on multiple occasions. Projected as a Day 2 pick, the questions around Hall are largely about his lack of production in college. Despite his talent and being surrounded by top-end athletes, he posted just six sacks over his final two years.

While production was an issue, the eye test says otherwise. If he does well in medical testing and interviews over the next few months, he’s going to make a team fall in love with his potential.

Small-school running back making noise

Dylan Laube is a name to get to know.

Laube played at New Hampshire and posted quality numbers in the Coastal Athletic Association, rushing for 1,205 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2022 before returning in ’23 and posting 715 yards and nine scores on 4.5 yards per carry.

More importantly, though, is his pass catching.

In two days of practices, Laube has shown a good feel for route running and soft hands, while displaying a burst not expected from a kid measuring at 5'9" and 210 pounds. At New Hampshire, Laube notched 117 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns over the past two seasons.

Likely a Day 3 pick, Laube is similar to Northwestern’s Evan Hull, who was taken in the fifth round by the Indianapolis Colts last year. Hull, 5'11" and 210 pounds, had 88 receptions over his final two years with the Wildcats.