2) Potential first-rounder provides health update. Florida DT Caleb Banks suffered a foot injury that disrupted his final season of college, but he’s performing at the Senior Bowl with a chance to crack the first round.
On Tuesday, Banks — Jeremiah’s No. 39 overall prospect — was a bit quiet in practice, but on Wednesday he made some noise. Banks was strong in one-on-one drills, flashing nice power in wins against his college teammate, Jake Slaughter, and Arkansas’ Fernando Carmona Jr. In team drills, Banks would have had a tackle for loss had there been full tackling.
Banks declared himself 100 percent healthy on Wednesday. He suffered a foot injury in fall camp, then re-injured it against LSU in the third game of the season. It was a foot fracture, and it wouldn’t have been stunning had he opted out of the remainder of the season. But Banks returned late in the season and made an impact for the Gators, starting the final two games.
“I came back to support my teammates and to finish my (college) career off right, broken foot or not,” Banks said. “They needed me out there.”
Asked what he needs to show scouts to secure an early draft slot, Banks said: “Definitely my consistency, play to play. Been asked about that. I’m trying to show I can be (more consistent) here.”
3) No rest for title winner. It has been virtually non-stop for Indiana RB Kaelon Black since August camp, playing 16 games this season for the national-champion Hoosiers, who beat Miami for the title only nine days ago. Yet, there was Black, lining up at the Senior Bowl the first two days of practice.
Black had several key runs in the title game and led the Hoosiers with 10 rushing TDs, finishing just behind teammate Roman Hemby in carries and yards. Black said he barely had time to celebrate IU’s first national title. Did he consider opting out of the Senior Bowl considering how long his college season lasted?
“I was waiting to see after the game how my body felt, and it felt great, so I just decided to come and show what I could do,” he said.
Black had an up-and-down Wednesday practice, with some quality runs but also a fumble and a dropped pass that ended up an interception.
“Definitely a below-average day for myself,” he said. “I’m planning to get with the quarterbacks and work on that mesh and just iron out the details for (Thursday) so everything is right.”
More work for one of the hardest-working players at this year’s game.
4) Roster update. Two new players were added to the Senior Bowl roster: Florida State DT Darrell Jackson Jr. and LSU WR Chris Hilton Jr. Both arrived on Tuesday night after performing at the East-West Shrine Bowl and were on the field for Wednesday’s practice.
Jackson wasted no time getting acclimated. In one dominant one-on-one rep against Iowa’s Beau Stephens, Jackson bowled the 310-pound Stephens over. Although Stephens battled back for a win on the next rep, Jackson made his presence felt.
“I had a really good get-off,” Jackson told me. “That allowed me to get my speed to power and shock him in the chest.”
The 6-5, 328-pound Jackson measured in with 11-inch hands and 35-inch arms during his strong week at the Shrine Bowl. He said he’s thrilled to get more chances to showcase his skill set.
“The more scouts that see me do what I do, the better,” Jackson said. “I’m thrilled to be here. It’s more football, and I love it.”
