After an impressive showing in Mobile at the 2020 Senior Bowl, the Big Ten will be having another talented group competing in 2021. There’s a real chance for some of these prospects to build their resume even more by showing their draftable abilities against other seniors.
Here are four of the Big Ten prospects that have the most to prove in Mobile.
Cam Taylor-Britt, DB, Nebraska
One of the more versatile players in the NFL Draft, Taylor-Britt had 51 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, a career-high 11 pass breakups, one interception and one blocked kick in his senior season, which earned him a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the conference coaches and media.
The Cornhusker defensive back can mirror receivers well and has some physicality to his game that stands out on film. His ability to fly up the field and make a play on the ball carrier is impressive and something that you see multiple times a game. Taylor-Britt has all the confidence and ability you would want in a mid-round defensive back with a ton of potential and room for growth.
Bo Melton, WR, Rutgers
Rutgers most prolific weapon in 2021 had to be Melton. The Scarlet Knight receiver caught 55 passes for 618 yards and three touchdowns in the regular season. In a loss to Northwestern, Melton caught eight passes for 101 yards and a touchdown.
He has some shades of volume pass catching in his arsenal, but his athletic ability makes him useful in other ways. The senior has some speed on the corner on end arounds and can be a real problem with the ball in his hands. At the next level, teams can be creative with how they get Melton the ball in space through screens and other offensive schematics.
The Scarlet Knights senior leaves a huge legacy in New Jersey. He ranked third in program history with 56 games played, sixth with 164 receptions, tied for eighth with five 100-yard receiving games and 10th with 2,011 receiving yards (Rutgers).
Hassan Haskins, RB, Michigan
After a big 2021 season that saw Haskins eclipse 1,000 yards, the Wolverine running back accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl. With unfinished business in the College Football Playoff, Haskins mind may be elsewhere. When the dust clears there will be a big opportunity to raise his stock in Mobile.
Haskins shows some dominant power running paired with some quickness in space. Toughness is at the forefront of Haskins’ game, as he can just wear down a defense by the end of the game. The Michigan running back carries a big frame and strong build that could potentially get bigger as he enters the draft process. His ability to hurdle may stand out in highlights, but Haskins does a lot of the important things like pass block that will have scouts eyeing him late in late rounds of the draft.
Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
We knew going into the year that Dotson was one of the best receivers in the game, but he raised that level even higher in 2021. His ability to create space and elevate for the football stand out all over film. He uses clean cuts to get past defensive backs and get open.
The Nittany Lion wideout caught 91 passes for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns in the 2021 season. Dotson has a chance to solidify himself as a first round pick at the Senior Bowl, where he’ll be going against some of the more talented defensive backs available in the NFL Draft.
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