Former Alabama Players Participate in Senior Bowl

The Senior Bowl offers players from around the country the opportunity to put their talent on display in front of scouts from all 32 NFL organizations. The game, held annually in Mobile, Alabama's Ladd-Peebles Stadium, usually sees multiple players increase their draft stock due to their efforts given during practice and the game.

For example, former Alabama wide receiver Kevin Norwood saw his draft stock improve after winning the Most Outstanding Player award at last year's Senior Bowl. Norwood finished the game with 4 receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown.

Former Crimson Tide players Blake Sims, Arie Kouandjio, Austin Shepherd, and Jalston Fowler participated in this year's Senior Bowl looking to impress NFL scouts. Playing time is often minimal due to the snaps that must be shared with other players. However, all four players carried over a solid week of preparation into the game.

Quarterback Blake Sims was a particular player of interest leading up into the game. Sims was the first Alabama quarterback to play in the Senior Bowl since Greg McElroy in 2011. There was speculation leading up to practice that Sims might play running back because his head coach for the week, Gus Bradley, switched former Michigan and current Jaguars player Denard Robinson from quarterback to running back.

All eyes were on Sims, a fan favorite, when he entered the game for the first time at the start of the second quarter. He struggled to catch a break once he was on the field, and only completed 4 of his 11 pass attempts for 50 yards. One of his incompletions was due to former Auburn wide receiver Sammie Coates' inability to bring down two feet in the endzone. In terms of success, Sims was able to avoid pressure and pick up 23 yards on the ground.

Despite his mediocre performance in the game, he proved he was worthy of playing quarterback at the next level. Jonathan Jones, a Carolina Panthers beat writer for the Charlotte Observer, had high praise for Sims' all week in practice.

Sims was not the only former Alabama player that had a great week of practice. Jalston Fowler impressed scouts all week and even caught the eye of Senior Bowl Director Phil Savage. NFL.com writer Chase Goodbread reported that Savage was very impressed with the 5'11", 264 pound fullback.

Fowler did not get any carries at running back during the game, but he did manage to open up running lanes when he lined up at fullback. Fowler also got some playing time on kick-off coverage.

Offensive linemen Austin Shepherd and Arie Kouandjio were the final two players representing Alabama in the Senior Bowl. Although Shepherd played right tackle for the Tide, he and Kouandjio alternated at left guard throughout the game's entirety. The two helped pave the way for Team South running backs in route to a combined 120 rushing yard effort.

Shepherd's move to left guard may benefit his draft stock in the long run. However, in terms of draft stock, Kouandjio may have improved the most. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock complimented Kouandjio's performance throughout the week, and believes he could be a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick that eventually becomes a starter at guard.