MOBILE, Ala. - One of the things NFL teams like best about the Senior Bowl is that it allows them to assess small school prospects against higher levels of competition over the course of a week.
Some of those small-school players might have faced a team or two from a power conference over the course of a season, but the Senior Bowl allows those players to match up consistently rep after rep against better competition on a consistent basis.
One of the small-school players who stood out during the practices here at Hancock Whitney Stadium over the course of the week here in Mobile was one such player, Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander.
Alexander measured in at 6-foot-4, 304 pounds here at the Senior Bowl and more than held his own throughout the week, whether he was lined up on the interior of the defensive line or as a defensive end.
"I feel like I can play any position along the defensive line," said Alexander. "I just pride myself in being the underdog and competing. It doesn't matter who I'm going against."
It certainly didn't during the week, as Alexander consistently won utilizing heavy hands and displaying the power to jolt offensive linemen at the snap, showing how he recorded 40 tackles, including eight for a loss, and four sacks last season at Toledo.
His showing this week was reminiscent of another former Toledo star, cornerback Quinyon Mitchell here a year ago. Mitchell used a strong week of practice here to solidify a spot in the first round of the draft, where he was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Alexander was one of several MAC players in attendance at this year's Senior Bowl. And while he might not go quite as early as Mitchell did, he perhaps solidified a spot somewhere on Day 2 of April's NFL Draft.
Having additional MAC players here – all on the National squad – didn't hurt.
"There's a lot of camaraderie here even though that's a rival," Alexander said. "(Bowling Green tight end) Harold Fannin, that's a rival, but we're still out here competing with and against each other. We're happy to be out here. It's definitely good to see some MAC guys out here. We have respect for each other. We want to show up for our conference, too, and show that MAC players can compete with anybody."
Alexander was hardly the only defensive lineman here drawing praise. Florida State defensive tackle Josh Farmer was very consistent for the Seminoles the past two seasons, even if the team around him wasn't quite as consistent.
Florida State went 13-1 in 2023, producing defensive linemen such as Braden Fiske and Jared Verse, both of whom were selected in last year's draft by the Rams. Both also are finalists for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Farmer produced at a high level again in 2024, despite a down season for the team that saw the Seminoles post a 2-10 record.
Despite that, Farmer had 32 tackles, adding eight tackles for a loss and four sacks, nearly identical to the numbers he posted in the previous season.
"I just knew I was the best," said the 6-3, 314-pound Farmer. "Florida State had a down year this year, but I didn't have a down year. I just wanted to show everybody that I'm the best guy in this class pound for pound. I took double the reps, just trying to prove to everyone that I'm that guy."
Farmer projects more as a nose tackle at the NFL level, but much like current Steelers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton, he also can move off the nose to rush the passer. In fact, Farmer also is utilizing the same training group that Benton did three years ago to help him prepare for the draft.
"Both," said Farmer when asked if he could play nose or defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. "I'm 315 (pounds). I move as quickly as a 285-pound guy, so I think I can play both."
Much like Benton.
"That's my guy," Farmer said. "He's a guy that I have worked hard with my trainer to try to emulate and is someone I would look forward to playing against – or with."
Alexander and Benton were two of several defensive linemen who appeared to help themselves this week at what is a deep position in this year's draft. Others would include but weren't limited to Mississippi's Walter Nolen, T.J. Sanders of South Carolina and Tennessee's Omarr Norman-Lott.
Honor thy brother: TCU wide receiver Jack Bech made several acrobatic catches this week, rising up above defensive backs to haul in passes.
The 6-foot-1, 212-pound standout had plenty of incentive to stand out here, as well. Every player here in Mobile was wearing a No. 7 on their helmets to honor Tiger Bech, a Princeton University wide receiver who was killed in the New Year's Eve terror attack in New Orleans.
Tiger Bech also happens to be the brother of Jack Bech.
"It means the world to me and my family," Bech said of the other players honoring his brother. "It just shows the kind of guy (Senior Bowl executive director) Mr. Jim Nagy is and all the love and support he's shown my family and all the love and support we've received from so many people. It's lifted my family and has really helped bring us through this situation."
Bech, who is coming off a season in which he had 62 receptions for 1,034 yards and seven touchdowns, was one of the stars of the wide receiver position here this week.
• Dale Lolley is co-host of "SNR Drive" on Steelers Nation Radio. Subscribe to the podcast here: Apple Podcast | iHeart Podcast Pittonline@iheartmedia.com
Neal's fortune: Kansas running back Devin Neal might have had the best week of any of a strong group of players at that position, showing off his versatility.
At nearly 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds, Neal showed he has the ability to lower his shoulder and get tough yards. But he also showed he's got the speed to get to the outside and looked natural catching the ball, as well.
"I think it's the perfect time to prove my versatility," Neal said. "I think there are some things in my game that have been doubted. I'm good in pass pro, a good route runner, good in all aspects of the game."
Neal's performance at Kansas would back that up. A three-time 1,000-yard rusher, he scored 16 touchdowns in each of the past two seasons, as well. He also had 77 career receptions for 711 yards and four more scores.
"I want to be an every-down back and show teams I'm capable of doing that," Neal said.
