With Reese's Senior Bowl practices in the books, and the game scheduled for 3 p.m. (CT) Saturday on NFL Network, here's five players from the South roster to watch play in the action at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala.
WR Phillip Dorsett, Miami: Dorsett was described as the "fastest player" at the Senior Bowl, and that could again be the case next month at the NFL Scouting Combine. Dorsett said he has been clocked at Miami at running the 40-yard dash in 4.21 seconds and wants to be under 4.3 seconds in Indianopolis, where Chris Johnson set the record of 4.24 seconds in the event in 2008. His senior season included a four-catch game with a whopping 201 yards that was fueled by a pair of 63-yard touchdown catches. Dorsett showed scouts this week there's more to him than elite speed and was named most outstanding wide receiver by a panel of scouts.
RB David Johnson, Northern Iowa: After being a standout performer in FCS for four seasons, Johnson impressed scouts during practices at the Senior Bowl. He was selected by a panel as the most outstanding running back this week in Mobile. Johnson scored 20 touchdowns as a senior (17 rushing, two receiving and one on a kickoff return). He ranked third in FCS with 180.5 all-purpose yards per game and finished 2014 with 1,553 rushing yards and 536 receiving yards. He'll likely have opportunities to impact the offense both ways Saturday.
CB Nick Marshall, Auburn: Marshall began the week listed as one of three quarterbacks on the South roster, but opted to switch to defensive back. He jumped right into the mix Tuesday on defense and special teams. Marshall previously played cornerback and enrolled at Georgia with that in mind, but wound up becoming a QB and helped the Tigers make the national championship game after his junior season. Marshall looked like he didn't have too much rust at the position and had a nice pass breakup during a drill, but a game could provide a better measuring tool. His switch will prompt consideration from more teams than if he had stayed at quarterback.
OLB Lorenzo Mauldin, Louisville: Mauldin said former Cardinals teammate and Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater, who was selected by Minnesota in the first round in 2014, advised him to "handle up," meaning "do what I do on a regular basis: just come out here and grind like I did when I was playing with him." Mauldin, who spent most of his youth in the foster care system, found football in high school and it led to a scholarship at Louisville and becoming the first person in his family to graduate college. He played defensive end his first three years, and was switched to outside linebacker as a senior under a new coaching staff. Mauldin said he wanted show he can drop into coverage to go along with what he showed in college as a pass rusher, and there's no better remaining opportunity to do that than in Saturday's game.
DB Kevin White, TCU: White received recognition from the scouting panel as the most outstanding defensive back during practices this week. White, who redshirted as a freshman before playing the next four seasons, finished his college career with six interceptions, 146 tackles and 27 passes defended. White and all cornerbacks should have multiple opportunities to showcase covering receivers because the game will feature a two-minute drill at the end of all four quarters.
Local connection: South Head Coach Gus Bradley (of the Jaguars) is a native of Zumbrota, Minn.
Related: Click here for five players to watch on the North.
