Senior Bowl 2024 Roster: Highlighting Top NFL Prospects in College Showcase
For decades, the Senior Bowl has served as a showcase event for NFL draft prospects coming out of college to impress pro scouts before beginning their careers at the next level. And this year, the game will be celebrating a milestone.
The 75th edition of the Senior Bowl is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. ET at the University of South Alabama's Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala. The game will air live on NFL Network.
It'll be a prime opportunity for prospects to boost their stock ahead of the NFL draft, which is scheduled to take place from April 25-27 in Detroit. Full rosters for the Senior Bowl can be found on the event's site.
Here's a look at several Senior Bowl participants to keep an eye on during Saturday's game.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
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Michael Penix Jr. came one win shy of ending his college career as a national champion, as Washington lost to Michigan in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game last month. Now, the 23-year-old quarterback is preparing for his next chapter, one that could begin with him being selected in the first round of the upcoming draft.
During his four years at Indiana from 2018-21, Penix had trouble staying on the field due to various injuries. But that wasn't an issue during his two-year stint at Washington, where he played 28 games and threw for 9,544 yards, 67 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.
Penix, who will be playing for the National Team in Saturday's Senior Bowl, could be set up to have NFL success after his lengthy college career.
"All he's been through has prepared him mentally for this type of scenario," former Washington coach and new Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said this week, per John Zenor of the Associated Press.
It should be fun to watch Penix air it out and make some big plays while going up against a formidable defense during Saturday's showcase.
Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA
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After a slow start to his college career while at Washington, Laiatu Latu transferred to UCLA and emerged as a dominant edge rusher over the past two seasons. In 25 games with the Bruins, the 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive end collected 23.5 sacks and 34 tackles for a loss.
Latu will be among the top edge rushers in the Senior Bowl, when he'll suit up for the National Team. He's already been impressing in practices this week, and he could be a standout among all the talented players in Saturday's game.
In April, there's a good chance that Latu could be taken during the first round of the draft. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. recently projected Latu to go to the Denver Broncos at No. 12.
Don't be surprised if Latu quickly develops as an impact pass rusher at the NFL level. So get a good look at him before that happens in Saturday's Senior Bowl.
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
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Another notable draft prospect on the National Team's roster is Taliese Fuaga. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound offensive tackle is among the best O-linemen in the 2024 class after a strong four-year career at Oregon State.
Fuaga is already off to a stellar start in Mobile this week. The Athletic's Dane Brugler shared an impressive clip of Fuaga in which he used a great move to fend off an edge rusher.
Kiper's mock has Fuaga getting selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 22 overall pick in the upcoming draft. Wherever Fuaga ends up, he should help stabilize the offensive line of that team.
But first, Fuaga will be protecting Penix and other talented young QBs in the Senior Bowl.
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