Live from Mobile: NFL Vet's Son 'Grabs Attention' at Senior Bowl; Commanders Target?
MOBILE, Ala. -- After focusing on the trenches for Day 1 of the Reese's Senior Bowl in search of Washington Commanders prospects, we decided to take a different look on Wednesday, eyeing the skill positions more than before.
As they tend to, talented players made their mark on the day's activities and landed themselves squarely in our Commanders notebook as potential targets in the NFL Draft this April.
Today we're looking at one offensive player we've heard a lot about this week, and then a defensive player making a splash in Mobile.
WAVE BACK
Mention running back Tyjae Spears to Tulane Green Wave sideline reporter Maddy Hudak, and she'll immediately tell you all the things that make this player an NFL prospect worth watching.
"He’s a complete back," says Hudak. "He can pick up blitzes, pass protection, run routes out the backfield, with vison and burst to run up the sticks, patience and acceleration to tear up outside zone runs, and is incredibly elusive. He runs with speed, agility, and power."
Spears' big play ability got the fans in attendance excited when he scored a long touchdown on a zone run to the right side of the offensive formation that showcased his ability to hit a hole, make a move to avoid contact, and accelerate into open space and to the end zone.
But it's not just his talents on the field that made Spears stand out. His character is what should have NFL teams placing him firmly on their draft boards.
"I can’t think of many people I think of as highly as Spears," Hudak said. "He’s been through hard times in life, hard times on the field – including 2 ACL tears – and never takes it out on anyone or stops smiling. He’s the type of guy that spends his load management rest days helping an injured RB rehab or with guys lower on the depth chart off to the side, running drills and coaching them up. He’s a leader on and off the field, and truly is one of those people whose back you have all life – as he does mine."
THE LEGACY
One way to jump off the field is to make big plays for your unit when the opportunity arises.
This is exactly what Stanford defensive back Kyu Blu Kelly did on Wednesday when he returned an interception all the way for a pick-six.
Kelly's father Brian played cornerback in the NFL for many years and was most notably a part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2002 Super Bowl Champion team.
The younger Kelly didn't win his squad a title with the play, but he grabbed everyone's attention, reminding all in attendance that it's not just an opportunity for unsung players to make a splash.
Washington's defense wasn't a great takeaway machine in the last season, so getting a cornerback with playmaking ability could help take the group even higher than it reached in 2022.
Kelly could be that guy on Day 2 if the Commanders don't go there in the first round.
And plays like the one he made on Wednesday are a prime example of why.
Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82 and on the Locked On Commanders podcast.
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