A trio of Tigers will head to Alabama this January to showcase their abilities in front of scouts, coaches and front office personnel from the next level.
Linebacker Deion Jones, defensive Jalen Mills and right tackle Vadal Alexander have accepted invitations to participate in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, the bowl announced via twitter on Tuesday. All three are currently projected as second-day (second or third round) selections in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The game will be played at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile with kickoff slated for 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 30. However, it’s the week of practice leading up to the actual game that’s considered far more important in terms of impressing a potential suitor ahead of draft day.
Jones, a first-year starter and Jesuit High graduate, was named one of five finalists for the Butkus Award (given annually to the nation’s best linebacker) after leading LSU in both tackles (92) and tackles-for-loss (11.5). His versatility and sideline-to-sideline range have lifted him up draft boards after entering the season as a virtual unknown commodity.
Mills, a four-year starter from Texas, had started every game of his collegiate career before a fractured leg suffered in fall camp cost him the first five games of this season. He’s played primarily at safety and nickelback since beginning his career as a cornerback. Mills recorded 30 tackles and 1 sack in six games (five starts) this season.
Alexander, a Georgia product, has started 45 career games between right tackle, left guard and one game at left tackle in place of an injured Jerald Hawkins. His future home at the next level will likely be at guard, as some consider Alexander to be one of premier interior blockers in this year’s class.
Left tackle La’el Collins and fullback Connor Neighbors made up the LSU contingent at the 2015 Senior Bowl. Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (2007) was the last Senior Bowl participant from LSU to be selected in the first round of the draft.
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