2024 Senior Bowl Takeaways: Ray Davis Looks Like Impact NFL RB After Strong Showing
In certain ways, the Senior Bowl turns into a war of attrition. Loaded rosters lose prospects every day either through injuries or decisions by representation to pull their clients.
The injury bug bit the likes of Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson, Marshall running Rasheen Ali and UCF wide receiver Javon Baker after strong initial performances throughout the week. Others stopped practicing either due to undisclosed injuries or decisions to opt out. Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton, Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, UCLA edge-rusher Laiatu Latu and Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson are a few who fell in that category.
Those who stay can continue to compete and impress NFL decision-makers, which is advantageous for prospects with something left to prove. Kentucky running back Ray Davis is a prime example.
Davis took a circuitous route to Mobile, Alabama, with stops at Temple and Vanderbilt before joining the Wildcats program. He posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in the SEC and may very well be the class' most fluid and natural runner. At the Senior Bowl, the 5'8", 220-pound ball-carrier also showed how fluid he is in the passing game.
As others fell by the wayside, Davis impressed. He'll be a 24-year-old rookie who can be a 1,000-yard rusher in Year 1.
The Bleacher Report Scouting Department consisting of Brandon Thorn, Cory Giddings, Derrik Klassen and Matt Holder kept a close eyes on talented options still on the field, with a concentration falling upon those who continued to stack good days.
Finally, Thursday's spotlight interview is with Utah's Sione Vaki, who played safety and running back last season for the Utes. He discussed his decision to declare for the draft early as a sophomore, how teams may view his skill set and where he prefers to play.
Skill Positions
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Some of the same names continued to pop at the skill positions but for entirely different reasons, starting with the biggest disappointment through the first two practice days.
QB Bo Nix, Oregon
Nix was far from the hyped-up player many thought he would be this week, but he finished the week with his best day of practice. Nix made a few sweet throws during red-zone drills and generally maintained a level of consistency he completely lacked the previous two days.
Maybe Nix's surge was too little, too late. But it's better than the alternative.
QB Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
Hartman had a rough Day 3, especially during red-zone periods. Hartman struggled to connect on most out-breaking throws, where the sideline becomes an extra "defender."
Hartman also regularly pulled the ball down to scramble rather than giving some receiver a chance to make a play.
RB Ray Davis, Kentucky
Davis continued to prove he's more than just a bowling ball of a back.
Davis made a tough shoelace grab at the goal line during red-zone drills. The catch was a nice finish to Davis' week and confirmed what's been true on film all year: He's a good pass-catcher.
Davis consistently makes catches outside his frame and sometimes down the field, which should help make him a weapon at the next level.
RB Kimani Vidal, Troy
Vidal looked good in early one-on-ones. He has a short, stout frame, but he showed some impressive quickness to get open in the underneath area.
Vidal is going to need that in the NFL.
TE Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
Sinnott needed a good Day 3 practice, and he had one. His first two showings were up-and-down, especially with regards to finishing at the catch point.
But Sinnott made the most of his opportunities during red-zone drills on Thursday. He showed the surprisingly smooth movement skills and route-running ability that make him an intriguing prospect in the first place.
WR Javon Baker, UCF
Baker had his best day of the week. After two practices with flashes but no consistency, Baker put everything together and really showed out in the absence of Roman Wilson.
Baker's best rep of the day was a 360-degree contested catch in the left side of the end zone, a rep that showcased both his size (6'1", 208 lbs) and ball skills. Unfortunately, he left the practice with a hamstring injury and may not participate in the actual Senior Bowl contest.
WR Brenden Rice, USC
Rice finished the week off well. He regularly ran into and through contact during the first two practices. Instead, he took a more calculated approach on Thursday with better results.
Thanks in part to not running straight at defensive backs, Rice was able to show some fluidity and short-area mobility while still being an imposing physical presence.
WR Jamari Thrash, Louisville
Thrash continued his excellence into Day 3. He does not overwhelm with size or long speed, but he's so crisp as a route-runner.
Thrash was every bit as consistent with his route-running this week as other top names such as Michigan's Roman Wilson and Georgia's Ladd McConkey. Thrash even flashed good ball skills and finish at the catch point during Thursday's session, which is something he struggled with earlier in the week.
— Klassen
Offensive Linemen
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Two of the more intriguing prospects in Mobile didn't impress to the level many may have expected.
BYU's Kingsley Suamataia and Houston's Patrick Paul finished the week with another up-and-down day, fitting the common theme throughout the week for both.
During the team session, Suamataia set short on an outside rush and lost the corner clean around seven yards in what would've been an easy sack. On another rep, he cut off an inside move, showing off his strength to anchor down and solidify the width of the pocket.
Both players have really good size, natural power and solid (Paul) or good (Suamataia) athletic ability. But both are in need of significant refinement before being counted on as consistent starters.
RT Christian Jones, Texas
Jones stayed on the right side all week and was one of the more surprisingly consistent blockers in Mobile. He utilized excellent length and play strength to latch and sustain blocks through the majority of practices with only a few clean losses.
Jones is closer to an average mover, but he was efficient and effective throughout the practice week.
OL Sataoa Laumea, Utah
Laumea struggled with his pass sets and hands, losing twice clean across his face during the team period at RG. One was against a 2i alignment (defensive tackle on inside shoulder) going outside, and the other came against a 3-tech (defensive tackle on outside shoulder) going inside. He was also beaten once at right tackle around the corner and lost multiple reps during one-on-ones.
Laumea's play strength was solid in his anchor against pure power, but things quickly broke down when he had to adjust on the fly and mirror against most countermoves.
OT Javon Foster, Missouri
Foster had a shaky one-on-one period Thursday, with a few losses around the edge due to missing with his initial strike and giving up a short corner.
But the experienced tackle prospect continued to battle with former teammate Darius Robinson in a way not many tackles could replicate.
— Thorn
Defensive Front Seven
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With a few players sitting out on the last day of practice—most notably UCLA edge-rusher and potential top-15 pick Laiatu Latu—the offensive line had the upper hand on Thursday.
However, there were still a few standouts from the front seven, as a handful of prospects capped off a solid week with a strong showing during Thursday's practice.
EDGE Austin Booker, Kansas
It was a bit surprising to see Booker declare for the draft and head to the Senior Bowl since he was only on the field for one season in college. Even so, the redshirt sophomore was productive this past year with eight sacks.
Those pass-rush skills flashed in Mobile. Booker was one of the first rushers to get a win with one-on-ones during the National squad's initial practice by showing a nice inside spin move as a counter.
Booker measured in with 34-inch arms and has been putting them to good use with several wins all week. Thursday capped off a strong showing, as he was turning heads in the full-team drills, too.
NT T'Vondre Sweat, Texas
After a disappointing first practice, Sweat managed to stack good days together on Wednesday and Thursday. As a pass-rusher, his size often proved overwhelming for offensive linemen.
He showed a couple of impressive bull rushes, including one against UConn's Christian Haynes, who is known for his strength and was solid in pass protection during the week.
The former Longhorn was stout against the run as well, proving to be a boulder in the trenches.
LB Jackson Sirmon, Cal
The linebacker group was underwhelming as a whole, but Sirmon had a few eye-catching reps during the final practice.
During seven-on-seven, Sirmon had a couple of pass breakups and came down with an interception. That was his second of the week after ending Tuesday's session with a pick.
Sirmon did take a few losses during coverage one-on-ones, but he also showed decent instincts by staying in phase against an out-and-up route.
The Cal product is far from a highly touted draft prospect. However, his performance in Mobile might force teams to at least flip on the tape.
DL Justin Eboigbe, Alabama
Eboigbe had been quiet for most of the week, not particularly standing out in either direction. But his Thursday performance was among the day's best.
He had a couple of wins as a pass-rusher by showing some impressive strength with a bull rush and long-arm move. Then, he ended the session with a tackle for loss during the team period with a quick get-off and a nice swim move.
— Holder
Secondary
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Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell continued to be one of the most talked about prospects in Mobile, but not for the same reasons Thursday as Tuesday and Wednesday.
The practice-week standout came out to practice fully dressed but did not participate in drills. While the move was somewhat curious, Mitchell did more than enough to show that he was the top cornerback in attendance from both squads.
Mitchell will look to build upon the momentum he's already built at the NFL combine, where good testing could solidify him as a legitimate first-round option.
CB Cam Hart, Notre Dame
Hart continued to show what he does best. His length and physicality provide highlight-caliber reps. When he gets hands on wide receivers in press, he's able to disrupt and control them down the field.
For his size (6'3", 204 lbs), Hart does a very good job of sinking his hips and transitioning through his pedal. He had a great week of practice and was able to show scouts his high competitive spirit and great overall movement skills.
CB Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State
Smith-Wade stacked day after day and tremendously improved his standing. Despite a slight frame, he showed the short-area quickness in coverage and ball skills necessary to be a very good nickel.
The two-year starter is a top-notch competitor who didn't back down from anyone. He made play after play in Mobile. Throughout the week, he also showed enough versatility and ability to provide depth as an outside cornerback.
S Kitan Oladapo, Oregon State
Oladapo entered the week as one of the nation's top safeties and a likely Day 2 pick.
While the 6'2", 219-pound defender does his best work in the run game, he's more than capable of holding his own in coverage. He had no issues covering tight ends during practice sessions, whether they aligned with their hand down or split out wide.
Oladapo showed the footwork and transitions necessary to make plays on the ball.
CB Elijah Jones, Boston College
Jones made the most of being a late "call-up" to the Senior Bowl. During the season, his ball skills certainly caught everyone's attention with five interceptions and eight defensed passes.
Jones is a patient defender with good technique. His feel for the position allows him to capitalize on excellent route recognition. He showed quick feet at the line and a very good transition to stay on receivers' hips.
CB Jaylin Simpson, Auburn
Simpson kept providing good play throughout the week at safety and as a nickel corner. His footwork, which creates a smooth backpedal and transition, is the best part of his game.
Although Simpson is listed at 178 pounds, he has plenty of room to add weight, and it doesn't affect his game for now. If he runs well as expected at the combine, it will be interesting to see where NFL coordinators foresee his defensive fit.
— Giddings
Senior Bowl Interview: S Sione Vaki, Utah
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Some players talk about putting the team first. Others live it.
Utah's Sione Vaki falls into the latter category.
Upon committing to the Utes' program, he immediately served a two-year mission as part of the Church of Latter-Day Saints. He returned to the field in 2022 and contributed on both defense in special teams.
In 2023, the 5'11", 211-pound athlete turned into one of the nation's best all-around players. The first-team All-Pac-12 performer started 12 games at safety and registered 8.5 sacks, which ranked second on the team.
Injuries also required Vaki's help on the offensive side of the ball, where he finished third on the team with 317 rushing yards. He ended up as one of seven ball-carriers in the nation with an average of 7.5 yards per tote (minimum 40 carries).
Vaki is part of the first wave of true underclassmen to play in the Senior Bowl. The decision for the youngest of 11 children turned out to be easier than initially thought, with NFL teams looking at him for both positions.
Bleacher Report: As a true sophomore eligible to join this year's NFL draft class, your decision to declare and participate in the Senior Bowl likely surprised many. How did the process play itself out leading you to this point?
Sione Vaki: I feel like it played out well. I tried to get the opinion of the multiple coaches and NFL teams. They felt I had the talent. All of the feedback has been so positive. To get that research back from them and watching the film myself, I understand that I have the skill set to play at the next level. The transition has gone smoother than expected.
B/R: Ultimately, what proved to be the deciding factors after being asked to play on both sides of the ball and still having multiple years of eligibility remaining?
SV: Exactly that, playing both sides of the ball. It inspired the type of confidence to know that I can play at the next level.
B/R: In Mobile, you're being asked to participate purely as a safety. Is there any intention to work out as a running back during the predraft process?
SV: Yeah. I'm a Swiss army knife. You can call me "Blank Check." I bring depth to any position on either side of the ball. I've already had experience at multiple positions on offense and defense. I bring that depth chart to any team, even special teams.
B/R: Have NFL teams specifically asked to see what you can do at running back?
SV: There are quite a few people who have asked what I prefer. Honestly, it's wherever the team needs me, just like this past season.
[NOTE: A source confirmed to B/R that a few NFL teams in Mobile have worked with Vaki as a running back during individual interviews.]
B/R: Because of the path you've taken and all that's been asked of you, how did it affect your maturation as a person and help you so far throughout the draft process?
SV: The mission allowed me to adapt to different cultures. It definitely helped me grow up a lot faster, taking on responsibilities and just being able to understand time management. The transition to college was crazy, because they don't take it easy on you. But having others around you, with veteran leadership, help to show you the ropes, the overall transition itself has been really easy.
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