Senior Bowl Set with Wallace and Williams, Top Pokes Prospect Teven Jenkins Absent
STILLWATER – Pokes Report spoke with Oklahoma State assistant athletic director for athlete performance Rob Glass on Thursday after the Cowboys football team meeting and asked if the absence of the NFL Combine would mean extra work for Glass and his staff. Glass said he didn’t think so and head coach Mike Gundy chimed in and said, “Right now, we don’t know what the NFL is going to do.”
One thing we do know for sure is next week 120 of the top NFL Draft senior prospects are going to be in Mobile, Ala. for the Reese’s Senior Bowl and that includes wide receiver Tylan Wallace and cornerback Rodarius Williams. It does not include offensive tackle Teven Jenkins. The 6-6, 320-pound Jenkins opted out of the last two games of the Oklahoma State regular season and the Cheez-It Bowl win over Miami, Fla. Jenkins, who has been listed as a first-round pick in most mock drafts was invited to the Senior Bowl, but then pulled out. We are not sure whether that decision was health related or just choosing not to go. We just know that Oklahoma State was notified that they did not need to send equipment to Mobile for Jenkins.
The Athletic came out with their top 100 board (by Dane Brugler) on Friday and Jenkins was the highest listed prospect from the Big 12 and a seemingly certain first-round selection. Here is what they said about Jenkins:
27. Teven Jenkins, OT4, Oklahoma State (6-7, 320)
Jenkins ties up rushers early with outstanding body control and works hard to stay attached, finishing with the kill shot and sending defenders into tomorrow once he gets the upper hand. He tends to lean into blocks and defaults to his power over technique, which creates occasional balance problems.
Jenkins not being there is a mixed bag. It will certainly get some teams thinking, but if the tackles there don’t perform particularly well then that could help. Jenkins has his play on video and plenty of it. If he is hurt and less than 100 percent then he certainly should not be there. Scouts and NFL personnel staff have a way of finding out what the situation.
Meanwhile, Wallace, who penned an emotional letter to his twin, Tracin, over the fact they are going different directions in their lives for the first time, is set to be a very popular attraction at the Senior Bowl practices. Tracin Wallace, by the way will remain at Oklahoma State as a graduate assistant coach and get his graduate degree.
Wallace is listed in The Athletic top 100 at number 75, but he is much higher on the top prospect list at the Senior Bowl.
11. WR TYLAN WALLACE, OKLAHOMA STATE
PFF Big Board Rank: 54th
Wallace isn’t known for the diverse route tree he runs in the Oklahoma State offense, nor is he known for the top corners he faced. However, his week of practices at the Senior Bowl could change that. What he is known for is his explosiveness as a former track standout, as well as his work at the catch point. He averaged over 100 yards a game in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
That listing came from the people at Pro Football Focus. They love Wallace and several NFL scouts that I have spoken with love him as well. He has a chance to really shine.
Rodarius Williams is a solid corner prospect with size at 6-0, 195-pounds and plenty of athletic ability.
Here is a schedule for the Senior Bowl practices, which often are more important than the game. All Sennior Bowl activities this year, including the game on Saturday, Jan. 30 will now be at South Alabama’s new Hancock-Whitney Stadium.
Practice Dates: January 26-28, 2021 (All times are central)
January 26
11:30am-1:30pm National Team
2:00pm-4:00pm American Team
January 27
11:30am-1:30pm National Team
2:00pm-4:00pm American Team
January 28
11:30am-1:30pm National Team
2:00pm-4:00pm American Team
The game kicks off at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 30, 2021
