Senior Bowl 2012: One NFL Draft Prospect from Each Side Who Impressed the Most

The 2012 Senior Bowl was the first step for many players in the transition to the NFL. Obviously, next is the combine, pro days and then the draft.

However, some players have significantly increased their status thanks to this past weekend.

So, based on the eye-test, numbers and overall impact, here's one player from each side of the ball that stood out and impressed the most.

North Roster: Isaiah Pead, RB (Cincinnati)

Heading into the Senior Bowl, Cincinnati Bearcats running back Isaiah Pead was an expected late third/early fourth-round pick. On the year, he compiled 1,259 rushing and 319 receiving yards while scoring 15 total touchdowns.

His 5'11", 200-pound frame is ideal to be a bruiser in the NFL as well as a potential every-down back. That said, he certainly upped the draft value by shining on a big stage.

Against arguably the toughest competition he has faced all season, Pead led the North with 36 rushing yards on just eight carries while also returning two punts for 98 yards.

The punt returns were more impressive due to the fact that he did not return a single punt until the 2011 season. Pead had only gained 74 yards on 10 returns so a big showing in the Senior Bowl certainly opened some eyes.

Provided that Pead has a strong combine and pro day, he's a realistic mid second-rounder.

South Roster: Nick Foles, QB (Arizona)

Unless you watch Pac-12 football, you were probably unaware of Arizona's Nick Foles,an expected second-round pick, before the Senior Bowl kicked off.

All that may have changed for the better as Foles out-performed every quarterback this past weekend.

Foles completed 11-of-15 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown and was sacked just once.

He had more completions and yards than anyone in the game, somewhat of a foregone conclusion based on his 2011 numbers.

On the year, Foles hit over 4,300 yards with 28 touchdowns to 14 picks. However, he completed 69.1 percent of his passes and easily had the best year of his solid collegiate career. With not much talent surrounding him, Foles was one of the few bright spots on a 4-8 Wildcats team.

Now, include those Senior Bowl numbers and, instead of being a late second-rounder, Foles is making a case to be a first-round pick depending on the combine and pro day.

If you want to see a guy who is making the most of his opportunities, Foles is doing just that right now.

John Rozum on Twitter.