The 2018 Reese’s Senior Bowl week began on Monday, with players arriving for medical checkups and interviews with NFL scouts. During Monday’s informal interviews, a Buffalo Bills national scout showed early interest in inside linebackers: the scout was seen interviewing Purdue linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley and Michigan linebacker Mike McCray.
McCray is a two-year starter for the Wolverines, with two interceptions, 30 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, seven passes broken up, two forced fumbles, and 158 tackles (88 solo) in those two seasons. Bentley was a four-year starter for the Boilermakers, and in his senior season, he tallied 97 tackles (54 solo), 11.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and a 76 yard pick six.
It should be noted that an event like the Senior Bowl features nearly a hundred prospects streaming through the practices, and for many teams, this is just a time to take care of due diligence ahead of more personal interviews at a player’s college or on a pre-draft visit. Still, this early in the process, it’s nice to get an initial read on who the team is showing interest in, especially with looming contract negotiations for Preston Brown and Ramon Humber.
Dan Lavoie and Andrew Griffin will be at the Senior Bowl this week. Stay tuned for more coverage.