The Senior Bowl is an annual college football all-star game, showcasing the top NFL Draft prospects who have completed their college eligibility and intend to make the step up to the National Football League. The game and the week of practice preceding it are a key part of the draft and scouting calendar. The 2021 Senior Bowl will be no different in this regard.
Four players who participated in the 2020 version went on to be drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft: Justin Herbert, Javon Kinlaw, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jordan Love. While they weren’t selected in the top 32 picks, Antonio Gibson, Chase Claypool, Jeremy Chinn, and Jalen Hurts all had impressive rookie campaigns after participating last year.
When is the 2021 Senior Bowl?
The 2021 Senior Bowl will take place on January 30, 2021, at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
For the first time since the inaugural game in 1950, the game will be played somewhere other than Ladd-Peebles Stadium. While the 1950 game took place at Gator Bowl Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, the 72nd Senior Bowl will remain in Mobile, at the new home of the University of South Alabama.
Who will be allowed to attend the Senior Bowl?
Fans and media will be in attendance, although organizers have made it clear that “seating capacity for 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl has been significantly reduced to comply with local and state government public health orders.”
What time and channel is the Senior Bowl on?
The 2021 Senior Bowl will be broadcast live on NFL Network. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 pm EST.
Practices on Wednesday and Thursday, those practices will also be aired by ESPN on ESPNU. Additionally, NFL Network will air an hour-long recap show each evening as well.
A previous version of this article reported that the Senior Bowl practices would be available live on NFL Network. This information was obtained from the official Senior Bowl website. However, according to the NFL Network TV schedule, this is not the case.
Make sure to follow our NFL Draft coverage to stay up-to-date with the latest news and rumors throughout the week.
Who is playing in this year’s game?
The 135 invitees are separated into two teams — American and National — with players split evenly between the two teams.
A list of players who have accepted invitations can be found on the Senior Bowl website.
Kyle Trask headlines the players looking to make a big impact
Among the highest-ranked players on Tony Pauline’s big board who will be playing are Alabama RB Najee Harris, Pittsburgh DE Patrick Jones, and Wake Forest DE Carlos Basham Jr.
Justin Herbert, the frontrunner for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, was named the 2020 Senior Bowl MVP. The award helped solidify his draft stock, and he was eventually selected 6th overall by the Los Angeles Chargers.
Who will coach in the 2021 Senior Bowl?
Matt Rhule and the Carolina Panthers staff will coach one of the all-star teams, while Brian Flores and the Miami Dolphins coaches will lead the other. These coaches will lead their respective rosters in practice throughout the week before taking charge of the game.
The Dolphins have the third and 18th picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Panthers have the eighth pick. Both teams will get a first-hand look at the draft prospects on show.