2020 Senior Bowl: Day 1 South team standouts

The first day of the 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl practice is in the books in Mobile, Alabama. With the south team up first on Tuesday, a lot of eyes were on impressive defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw, standing at 6-5, 315 pounds, he was easily the highlight of the day for the south team.

Considering team needs, the Jaguars will have their pick of the litter from this year’s Senior Bowl. With needs along the offensive and defensive lines, wide receiver, and tight ends, the Jaguars may be in scouting heaven watching some of the top prospects compete at an ultimate job interview in Mobile.

Watching the south team today, multiple players made impact plays as they made their way through drills, team work, and one-on-ones.

DL Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina)

Kinlaw enters the 2020 Senior Bowl with very little to prove and a lot to gain. On Tuesday, the former Gamecock was able to showcase his power and diverse, impressive skill set during pass rush drills. Thought of as a first round pick entering the day, there has already been some anticipation of a sore up the draft boards due to his physicality at the defensive tackle position.

In one-on-one drills against LSU offensive lineman Lloyd Cushenberry, Kinlaw performed admirably and was able to get the better of Cushenberry II on at least one repetition. Showing off his strength in the initial punch Kinlaw is able to knock back Cushenberry for a spell before spinning out of the block almost as if it were routine.

Earlier in practice we got a good look at Kinlaw running through bag drills, the 6-5, 315 pound man was the largest of the group.

Note: Kinlaw told Big Cat Country on Tuesday that he has yet to meet with the Jaguars. Team’s typically meet with all players, and it would be a surprise if they do not talk to Kinlaw at all this week.

WR Van Jefferson (Florida)

Jefferson, 6-1, 197 pounds put on a clinic during wide receiver one-on-one drills on Tuesday. Almost effortlessly, Jefferson was able to put his route running prowess on display, effortlessly losing the defensive back on multiple occasions while catching passes from South team quarterbacks.

Jefferson excelled in the Gators’ spread offense over the past two seasons with the team accounting for 84 receptions for 1,160 yards and 12 touchdowns over two seasons in a spread offense which takes away from some opportunities he may typically get.

TE Harrison Bryant (FAU)

Bryant was one of the more impressive tight ends on the South team roster showcasing his receiving ability early and often, including an impressive over-the-shoulder reception from former-Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert. Bryant is looking to improve his draft stock and prove to team’s that he is capable playing in multiple ways at the tight end position.

TE Stephen Sullivan (LSU)

The LSU tight end was rarely used, but on Tuesday he made his presence known on the south team. Standing at 6-5, 245 pounds, Sullivan was rarely used as a pass-catcher in LSU’s offense accounting for only 46 receptions for 712 yards and three touchdowns in 24 games with the Tigers.

Sullivan looked the part during south team practice hauling in a few passes and showing off his size for the position. The LSU tiger has the ideal size for a tight end in any scheme, and can see his draft stocks rise as a result of participating in this year’s senior bowl.

-Terrell Lewis (EDGE, Alabama) coming in at 6’5”/258 was a solid showing that will help his stock -Stephen Sullivan (TE, LSU) was 6’5”/245 and looked a bit slight; if that’s even possible, could add weight

OL Lloyd Cushenberry III (LSU)

Cushenberry III, a red-shirt junior out of LSU, looked the part at center on Tuesday as he was able to stone Kinlaw at least one time in one-on-one drills. The former second-team All-American center stands at 6-3, 302 pounds with the capability to play either center or guard at the next level. Cushenberry looked like one of the best offensive linemen on the field on Tuesday.

DL Terrell Lewis (Alabama)

Lewis, an edge rusher out of Alabama, has a chance to showcase his talents after an injury-riddled career in Tuscaloosa. Playing only 14 games since 2017, Lewis accounted for 31 tackles (21 solo), 13.5 tackles for loss, and seven sacks with the Crimson Tide.

Lewis has an incredible opportunity at the Senior Bowl this year to showcase his pass rushing ability and to be used along the defensive line instead of how Alabama used him, oftentimes in coverage as a linebacker.

On Tuesday, Lewis showcased his speed off the line, beating . Standing at 6-5, 245 pounds, Lewis is one of the most physically-gifted athletes at the Senior Bowl and should see his draft stocks rise as a result, depending on his health.

DL Trevis Gipson (Tulsa)

Perhaps not well-known yet, the Tulsa graduate will be getting a lot more publicity in the very near future if his practice on Tuesday is any indication. The 6-3, 259 pound defensive lineman showcased his versatility with pass rush moves from inside and outside in a defensive tackle/end position.

The Senior Bowl has routinely produced formerly unknown players, and Gipson may be one of the better of the bunch. With 114 tackles (63 solo), 25.5 tackles-for-loss and 13 sacks, the fifth-year senior looks to continue his development at the next level.