2012 NFL Draft: Arkansas WR Joe Adams and Cincinnati RB Isaiah Pead Put on a Show in the Senior Bowl

Monday, January 30, 2012

ArkansasRazorbacks.com

By Bob Evans
Senior Writer

Arkansas wide receiver Joe Adams may have entered the 2012 Senior Bowl overshadowed by a number of big-name players at his position, but he certainly emerged as a player to watch at the end of the game.

After finishing the 2011 season with 54 receptions for 652 yards and three touchdowns, Adams needed a big game in order to prove to scouts that he was more than an afterthought in the Razorbacks’ offense. Eight receptions and 133 yards later, and the 5’11”, 174-pound senior may have just vaulted into an earlier draft position.

Heading into the game, Adams had been projected fifth round range of the 2012 NFL Draft. Despite possessing elite speed (4.38 40-yard dash), Adams never really had a “break out” performance as a wide receiver in college. However, he has been known as a game-breaker in the return game, as he returned four punts for touchdowns in his final two seasons at Arkansas.

Adams lit up North cornerbacks, blowing by them with his elite speed and running excellent routes in his performance. He showed off much better hands than anticipated and easily had the best performance of any receiver on the day.

He wasn’t the only player to have a big day though, as Cincinnati running back Isaiah Pead showed off some game-breaking skills of his own.

The 5’10”, 193 pound running back used his 4.42 40-yard dash speed to change field position for the North, racking up 98 yards on two punt returns. He had a 60-yard return that was nearly a touchdown, and a 38-yarder that set up a field goal late in the first half.

Pead added in eight carries for 31 yards on the ground (3.9 per carry), showing NFL scouts that he can be much more than a return specialist in the NFL. His big performance, coupled with a North victory, was rewarded with Senior Bowl MVP honors.

Pead came into the game projected to be selected in the fourth round, but with questionable talent at the running back position he may have just vaulted that status.

Other players who had excellent Senior Bowl performances were: Arizona State wide receiver Gerell Robinson (two receptions, 64 yards and one touchdown), Arizona wider receiver Juron Criner (six receptions, 77 yards), Arizona quarterback Nick Foles (11-of-15 for 136 yards and one touchdown) and North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples who showed off his athleticism all day.

There was one rather large negative performance on the day, as Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden—one of the nation’s most accurate quarterbacks—struggled in his start for the South. He completed 5-of-9 passes for just 56 yards, and threw two interceptions. For a player already struggling to prove NFL scouts he is worth the gamble at the age of 28, he did not do anything good for his draft stock.

After a solid week of workouts at the Senior Bowl, these players now have their eyes fixed on the NFL Combine and Pro Days workouts to get ready for the 2012 NFL Draft. The next couple of months will be big for all of these players, especially the ones who failed to live up to expectations (Mr. Weeden).


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