Washington Football: Senior Bowl update

Washington football sent three players down to the Senior Bowl, how have they faired?

Washington football sent three players down to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, offensive tackle Kaleb McGary, tight end Drew Sample, and defensive tackle Greg Gaines. Running back Myles Gaskin was also invited, but dropped out and was replaced by Memphis back Tony Pollard. All three players who did attend have been shooting up draft boards, and they’ve got scouts very excited.

Drew Sample

Sample was an excellent role player during his time at UW, and has been named on most lists of “biggest risers” at the Senior Bowl. He’s shown off the excellent blocking that he perfected at UW, and he also got to display how well he can catch the ball, which is an underrated part of his game, since he didn’t need to do much of it in college, especially when Hunter Bryant came into the picture.

Darrell Daniels was also the primary pass-catching tight end during Sample’s first few years on campus, which didn’t make it any easier for Sample to see targets. He caught 46 balls for 487 yards and five touchdowns over his four seasons, with most of that production (25 catches, 282 yards, and five scores) coming during his senior year.

Scout’s quote- “I thought Drew Sample was an underrated TE prospect coming into Senior Bowl week. He was a key blocker anytime I turned on Huskies film to watch Gaskin and displayed smooth pass catching ability when targeted. That translated to the practice field in Mobile, Alabama where he looked like the best tight end prospect between both rosters. He projects as a good all-around blocker and short area pass catcher at the next level that should come off the board in the 4th round.” Connor Rogers– Bleacher Report NFL Draft Analyst

Greg Gaines

Gaines has flashed his ability to disrupt the pocket as a pass rusher during one on one drills all week, and has impressed scouts left and right. The three-time All Pac-12 player, and 2018 defensive Morris Trophy winner, which is awarded to the toughest offensive lineman to play against (as voted on by opposing players). Gaines was a very reliable face on the Husky defense, he never missed a game during his four seasons, and started them all over his final three years on campus.

Gaines didn’t get many chances to flash his pass rushing ability in college, playing as a nose tackle, but he’s shown off what he can do at the Senior Bowl, and has been arguably the best interior lineman in Mobile. He has incredible strength and sneaky athleticism for someone his size, and a young, strong and athletic defensive tackle is something that every NFL team could find a home for. Sadly, he’s overshadowed in this class by some pretty good ones in Houston’s Ed Oliver, Clemson’s Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence, and Michigan’s Rashaan Gary.

He’s drawn comparisons to former Buffalo Bill Kyle Williams, and could find himself being picked towards the end of Day Two. He has the traits to have a long, successful career in the NFL, and he has the potential to be an instant starter.

Kaleb McGary

McGary has been a force down in Mobile, and has flown up the boards for some scouts in an offensive tackle class that has been perceived as weak, but is quickly showing some depth. Some of that has been provided by McGary and Washington State tackle Andre Dillard, who have both had standout weeks and are definitely making themselves some money.

McGary was always overlooked on the Washington offensive line, but was arguably just as good, if not better than Trey Adams. He only missed one game over his four seasons, and started every game over his last three years. McGary was also a two-time first team All Pac-12 selection, and won the 2018 Pac-12 offensive Morris Trophy.

Boston College’s Zach Allen is a potential late first rounder, and at 284 pounds, it’s no easy task to pancake him, but McGary made it look easy.