The Senior Bowl held it’s weigh in and first practices of the week on Tuesday and while full pads aren’t always conducive for evaluations – particularly on the defensive side of the ball – the talent always seems to shine through, and these prospective Bucs stood out to the PewterReport.com staff.
NORTH TEAM
DE Charles Omenihu – Texas
If any defensive player had a big first day of Senior Bowl activities, it was Charles Omenihu, defensive end out of the University of Texas.
From his measurements – 278 pounds at 6-foot-5 with 36.5 inch arms – to his confidence at the podium to his performance in practice – Omenihu is going to be a player to watch throughout the rest of the week.
Named the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and All-Big 12 by the AP and coaches, Omenihu finished his 2018 season with 45 total tackles – 18 of them going for loss with one forced fumble.
Here he is going against one of the more highly-touted guards at the Senior Bowl, Wisconsin’s Michael Dieter, and flattening him.
#Texas DE Charles Omenihu goes up against #Wisconsin OG Michael Deiter and flattens him on a straight bull rush pic.twitter.com/XJHBskZDWt
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) January 22, 2019
DT Khalen Saunders – Western Illinois
Talk about a great first day at the Senior Bowl. At the media availability following weigh-ins on Tuesday, Western Illinois defensive tackle Khalen Saunders announced that he was expecting the birth of his daughter in the next 24 hours. Saunders was featured in PewterReport.com’s Senior Bowl Bucs’ Targets: Defense story.
Western Illinois DT Khalen Saunders’ finance will be giving birth to their daughter within the next 24 hours, but he’s staying at the @seniorbowl. pic.twitter.com/StNtwl2K8a
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) January 22, 2019
It wasn’t just winning off the field for Saunders though, when practice rolled around he had some great reps and wasn’t easily stopped in one-on-one’s.
Western Illinois DT Khalen Saunders has been unblockable so far at @seniorbowl.
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) January 22, 2019
To top the day off, Saunders announced on Tuesday evening that his daughter, Kambridge Saunders, had been born.
I AM A FATHER!!!!!!!!!! Thank you God for your continued blessings. I love you so much Kambridge Vonyea Saunders. Daddy’s coming home real soon.
— Sir Bink Saunders (@khalenNOTkaylen) January 22, 2019
Saunders is a big, strong defensive tackle whose versatility allowed Western Illinois to line him up all over the line while remaining productive. He also ended practice by doing one of his famous backflips, which wowed his teammates and coaches.
Khalen Saunders is a pretty impressive 300 pounder. pic.twitter.com/mz8P6gZSp5
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 22, 2019
SOUTH TEAM
DT Daylon Mack – Texas A&M
If you frequent PewterReport.com then you’ve heard Daylon Mack’s name.
The defensive tackle out of Texas A&M was a frequent standout at the East-West Shrine Game practices, earned a late invitation to Mobile and he’s returning to form at the Senior Bowl. Mack has been rising up draft boards this offseason and it’s not a surprise when he puts out film like this.
#Aggies DL Daylon Mack with a great move to the inside and pushes the OL further back pic.twitter.com/kwQTNDcz5N
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) January 22, 2019
Mack, a five-star prospect coming out of high school, started all 12 games for the Aggies in 2018, racked up 29 total tackles and ranked third on the team with 5.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss.
S Mike Edwards – Kentucky
In a day where players aren’t wearing full pads and most of the passing reps are limited to one-on-one and seven-on-seven drills, the practice is generally skewed to the offense’s advantage and it’s hard for defensive backs to stand out, but Mike Edwards did.
This past season Edwards was able to reach a pinnacle that few Kentucky players have ever reached, becoming just the 19th player and second defensive back in school history to compile 300+ total tackles in his career.
In 2018 the sure-tackling defensive back came up with 82 total tackles with 56 of them being solo tackles and 9.5 of them for loss. He also added one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, six passes defended and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a pick-six.
Here he lines up in man coverage against Clemson’s Hunter Renfrow and makes a great recovery to break up the pass.
Good defense and recovery from UK CB Mike Edwards on Hunter Renfrow. pic.twitter.com/EJ5jECfaZS
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) January 22, 2019
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