Senior Bowl 2011: 10 Biggest Surprises So Far

The 2011 Senior Bowl is quickly approaching and will finally take place this Saturday.

As players attempt to raise their draft stock, others are simply trying to make sure theirs doesn’t take a tumble or fall completely off the map.

Which players helped or hurt themselves after the first two days of practice gearing up for the big game Saturday and big stage in April?

Here are 10 of the biggest surprises thus far of the 2011 Senior Bowl.

10. Ricky Stanzi, Iowa Hawkeyes QB

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes walks off the field after defeating the Missouri Tigers in the Insight Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (

The Iowa quarterback is quickly moving up the ranks. He has good size and poise. He showed great improvement this season.

As Stanzi and other quarterbacks emerge before the draft, we may see teams passing on quarterbacks early in the draft for the second straight year.

9. Stephen Paea, Oregon St. DT

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 09: Defensive tackle Stephen Paea #54 of the Oregon State Beavers during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Beavers defeated the Wildcats 29-27. (Pho

Paea was a popular late first-round pick among recent NFL mock drafts.

Now that Paea will miss the rest of the Senior Bowl due to injury, his draft stock will surely fall, which will knock him down to the second round.

In addition, Paea seems to be lacking the size necessary for most defensive tackles in the NFL.

8. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma RB

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the football to score a touchdown in the first quarter against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in G

If Murray keeps this up, he just might rival Virginia Tech’s Ryan Williams and Illinois’ Mikel LeShoure for the second back taken after Alabama’s Mark Ingram. Murray showed great ball skills, pass-blocking and separation while running downfield.

Murray is showing everything necessary to be a top third-down back in his rookie season, which would be extremely beneficial for a powerhouse squad like the New England Patriots, for example.

7. Greg Jones, Michigan St. LB

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Greg Jones #53 of the Michigan State Spartans awaits the start of play against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jonathan Dan

Jones was a fantastic middle linebacker at Michigan St. throughout his college career. He was one of the best linebackers in the nation. He has great instincts, strength and speed.

News out of the Senior Bowl, though, is that Jones may not be best suited for a middle linebacker position in the NFL and would need to move to the weak side because of his size.

Me?

I think this will just fuel Jones even more and that he will be an excellent pick for any NFL team.

6. Leonard Hankerson, Miami WR

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 20: Leonard Hankerson #85 of the Miami Hurricanes runs after a catch during a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Sun Life Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Hankerson measured in with massive hands at the Senior Bowl. After two days, it seems like the ball just gravitates and sticks to them.

Hankerson will not crack the first round, but he may just be moving up the second round very quickly if he keeps catching everything that comes his way. Hankerson doesn’t have the deep speed but does everything else nicely.

He could very well be the second or third wide receiver taken in the draft.

5. Allen Bailey, Miami DL

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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Defensive lineman Allen Bailey #57 and linebacker Colin McCarthy #44 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrate after scoring a safety against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Land Shark Stadium on September 17, 2009 in Fort

Bailey is one of the more gifted defensive linemen in this year’s draft class, but news out of the Senior Bowl is that Bailey has been disappointing.

Although a ton of focus is placed on Bailey because of his abilities, he has been getting beat off the ball and is not showing the necessary explosiveness as soon as the ball is snapped.

Bailey was a staple of the late first round in mock drafts, but if he keeps up this disappointing performance, he just may fall into the second round.

4. Derek Sherrod, Mississippi St. OT

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 15: J.C. Brignone #70 and Derek Sherrod #79of the Mississippi State Bulldogs get ready on the line of scrimmage during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 15, 2008 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Sherrod is arguably the top offensive lineman at the Senior Bowl.

He measured with the longest wingspan and longest arms of any player at the event. His hands were tied for second.

Still, Sherrod was beaten by Texas A&M pass rusher Von Miller.

Sherrod may have the size, but if he continues to get beat, he could very well become the fourth or fifth offensive lineman taken in the draft.

3. Von Miller, Texas A&M DE/OLB

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Jordan Jefferson #9 of the Louisiana State University Tigers throws under pressure from Von Miller #40 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by C

Maybe not a big surprise, as Miller is arguably the top pass rusher at the Senior Bowl.

Since the college football season ended, Miller has been rapidly rising on draft boards and mock drafts.

Expect Miller to continue to vault up mock drafts as more news is released of him dominating. Miller may just be able to vault himself into the top 10 or 12 of April’s draft.

2. Cameron Jordan, California DE

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TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 25: Defensive tackle Cameron Jordan #97 of the California Golden Bears during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Golden Bear

Cameron Jordan has been a first-round mainstay in NFL mock drafts, but Jordan is going to be rapidly moving up draft boards over the next few days.

Jordan’s stock is reportedly at an all-time high, as he is destroying a who’s who of top offensive linemen in this year’s draft class.

Some names you may have heard include Boston College’s Anthony Castonzo, Wisconsin’s Gabe Carimi and Colorado’s Nate Solder.

1. Andy Dalton, TCU QB

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs holds the offensive player of the game trophy after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers 21-19 in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ste

Dalton had a very good college career but has been overlooked by many heading towards April’s draft.

Dalton came prepared to work at the Senior Bowl and has impressed thus far. He is showing everything necessary to be a professional NFL quarterback.

If Dalton keeps this up, we may see teams passing on those "other" four quarterbacks, Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Mallett, Jake Locker and Heisman winner Cam Newton.