Tag: Benjamin St-Juste

6 potential Chargers who stood out in Senior Bowl game

Which players caught the attention of the Los Angeles Chargers in the Senior Bowl game?

After a trio of practices, the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl concluded on Saturday with the annual all-star game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

Here are six potential Chargers targets who stood out in the showcase:

Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State

I was fortunate enough to be able to interview Radunz just a couple of days ago. I spoke to him after three great practices. He carried that over to today, showing why he’s worthy of a top-40 selection in the game. Radunz was a brick wall in pass protection, displaying outstanding footwork, balance and anchor to handle both speed and power. In the running game, he executed multiple reach blocks and a high motor when working to the second level.

Creed Humphrey, OC, Oklahoma

Like Radunz, Humphrey carried the momentum of dominance into Saturday. After being used as a center and a guard, Humphrey exclusively played center, which is where he projects best at the next level. The former All-American showed great power and patience in pass protection and country strength in the running game, where he bulldozed defenders off the line to clear lanes. I wouldn’t be surprised if Humphrey doesn’t reach the third-round.

Cameron Sample, EDGE, Tulane

Sample didn’t receive a lot of buzz coming into this week, but based on how he performed in the practices and the game, I wouldn’t be surprised to be him be a top-100 selection. The 6-foot and 274 pounder was moving like he was 35 pounds lighter, winning with quickness and making plays away from the line of scrimmage, displaying great change of direction and a high motor. Not only that, but he showed great technique and power with his hands. Sample lined up both on the outside and inside. That versatility would come in handy for the Chargers.

Elerson Smith, EDGE, Northern Iowa

When I interviewed Radunz, he said one of the toughest pass rushers that he faced in college was Smith. The 6-foot-6 and 272 pounder put together a performance, showing why he was a challenge for Radunz. Smith used all of the necessary traits at the position to be disruptive; length, flexibility and athleticism. It carried over when rushing the quarterback and in the run game, where he made a nice play in open space for a tackle of loss.

Keith Taylor, CB, Washington

Taylor was one of the most consistent corners during the week of practices and he was today, too. Even though he allowed a short touchdown, displayed the athleticism, competitiveness and length to stay attached to receivers throughout the afternoon. He was stellar at turning and locating the football. As a result, Taylor had a couple of passes defensed. Given the fact that the NFL covets, long corners that can play press and run, he’s going to go high.

Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Minnesota

Another corner who is going to go a lot higher after today is St-Juste. St-Juste showed good play strength at the line of scrimmage, jamming receivers and consistently staying on their hip throughout the route, which led to two passes defensed. The 6-foot-3 corner was lock down and he utilized his 80¼-inch wingspan to his advantage. Both St-Juste and Taylor are capable of playing early on for the Bolts.

5 potential Chargers prospects who stood out from Day 3 of Senior Bowl

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez notes the prospects who put on a show at the Senior Bowl on Thursday.

The final day of practices at the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl came to an end on Thursday.

There were a handful of prospects that stood out today, some of which capitalized on the past couple of performances and a few that made their first cases.

With that being said, here are five players that shined who could be on the Chargers’ radar:

OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama

Leatherwood, arguably the nation’s top left tackle from this past season, has put together a mixed bag of showings since the first day. However, Leatherwood, put the pieces together on Thursday, showing that he should be in discussion for a top-40 selection. Winning with length, power and a stout base, edge defenders had no luck against him in both one-on-ones and team drills. When it came to the team drills, he did a firm job of driving opponents down the field.

TE Noah Gray, Duke

The Chargers could possibly be in the market for a tight end, especially if another team wants to pay Hunter Henry top dollar. Therefore, Gray could be a mid-rounder who catches the team’s attention. Today, Gray was arguably one of the pass catchers out of the bunch, which included a spectacular one-handed grab. He also showed promise in the run-blocking department during team drills, which is an area that he needed to prove his worth to scouts coming into the event. Overall, his combination of length, leaping skills and body control make him an ideal mismatch weapon.

CB Benjamin St. Juste, Minnesota

Yesterday, I mentioned two lengthy cornerbacks who stood out; Washington’s Keith Taylor and UCF’s Aaron Robinson. Today, it was St. Juste, another corner who’s well-built, who stole the show. St-Juste made a couple of impressive plays, showing good play strength at the line jamming receivers and consistently staying on receiver’s hip throughout the route, which led to pass deflections. Hailing at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, St-Juste would bring a big, physical and sticky player to cornerback room.

IOL David Moore, Grambling State

Like University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Quinn Meinerz, Moore entered this week completely under the radar. But he has shown that the competition is not too big for him, serving as an absolute wall up front. Built like a tank, Moore played with good, quick feet, a wide base and clamps as hands, not allowing much ground. In the run game, he used his massive size and lower body strength to drive defenders well off the ball and put a couple of defenders in the turf. Likely to go Day 3, Moore would be a strong contributor along the interior.

WR Frank Darby, Arizona State

If the Chargers wish to build around quarterback Justin Herbert, getting him another pass-catching target is not a bad idea. It’s not an immediate need, which means they could wait until Day 3, where someone like Darby would benefit the wide receiver group. Today, the former Sun Devil displayed great route-running, footwork and toughness, both in one-on-ones and the red zone drills. Darby has shown plenty of separation quickness to be a great vertical threat at the next level.