Stanford's Michael Wilson, Kyu Blu Kelly among standouts from early Senior Bowl prep
Stanford has some standouts at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, this week.
Wideout Michael Wilson has impressed through the first two days of prep, putting a handful of excellent one-on-one reps on film. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler said Wednesday that Wilson is making a case to be the top wideout at the Senior Bowl. He also said corner Kyu Blu Kelly has improved his stock.
My Day 2 notes from National Practice very similar to day 1:#MichiganState WR Jayden Reed and #Stanford WR Michael Wilson both making strong cases to be the best WR in Mobile. #Wisconsin DT Keeanu Benton looks like a dude on a mission. #Stanford CB Kyu Blu Kelly 📈📈📈
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 1, 2023
Kelly had 35 tackles and six pass breakups during Stanford’s 2022 campaign. Often regarded as one of the best defensive backs in the Pac-12, Kelly’s senior season certainly didn’t go the way he hoped it would, but he gave up just 22 catches and two scores on 42 targets.
ESPN’s Matt Miller wrote the following on Kelly after Day 2 of practice:
Stanford cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly really impressed on Day 2, showing toughness in coverage and very good instincts when matched up with receivers in one-on-one drills. The National roster doesn’t have a top-flight cornerback prospect, and through two practices, Kelly has been that team’s most talented cover man. It’s fair to say he has improved his draft stock in Mobile and is moving into my top 60.
Wilson probably also left Stanford wishing for a more fulfilling ending. An injury suffered in the Cardinal’s win over Notre Dame on Oct. 15 kept him sidelined for the remainder of the season. That came after missing the first eight games of 2021. Wilson got off to a strong start this season, posting 26 catches for 418 yards and four scores through six.
He’s hoping to prove worthy of a draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and it sounds like he’s taking positive steps toward that goal.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid wrote this on Wilson’s first two days of Senior Bowl prep:
After a standout first day … Wilson continued to get open during all competitive periods on Wednesday. He showcased savvy route running and strong/reliable hands, he has been the most consistent wideout of the group this week. At 6-foot-2 and 216 pounds, he has an impressive build.
… Evaluators think that he could be a better pro than college player, and while he was seen as a mid-Day 3 selection before the Senior Bowl, he’s now generating some early-Day 3 buzz.
Here’s some of what Wilson was able to do on Wednesday.
Stanford's Michael Wilson continues to stand out at the Senior Bowl🔥
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 1, 2023
Michael Wilson using a hesi-crossover release to win the slant route.
Resets the line of scrimmage, crosses his face, resets vertical, and breaks into the slant pic.twitter.com/lvplFo0f48
— Receiver Life (@ReceiverLife_) February 1, 2023
Michael Wilson closing the DB’s cushion and then selling the deep ball before suddenly dropping into his comeback.
No indicators‼️ In and out of the comeback in 3 steps.
Less steps = less time for the DB to react pic.twitter.com/U2ROiJ5p3P
— Receiver Life (@ReceiverLife_) February 1, 2023