5 players that stood out at the Senior Bowl

The Senior Bowl has long been considered a pre-draft event at which prospects will only ever have something to gain.

After a full week of team practices, and the North and South teams coming together for a game Saturday afternoon, there are a number of players who have helped do just that, bolstering their stocks looking ahead to April.

Here are five of the many who made the most of the opportunities in Mobile, Alabama:

O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama

The Senior Bowl's most highly touted participant didn't disappoint. Howard spent the entire practice week demonstrating his impressive ability both as a pass-catcher and an in-line blocker. To the surprise of nobody, a panel of NFL scouts and event staff members voted the Alabama tight end the Senior Bowl's top practice player ahead of Saturday's game. Clearly having been underused at Tuscaloosa, Howard appears primed for a far more productive career in the NFL than he had in college.

Haason Reddick, LB, Temple

With 9.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss in his final season at Temple, Reddick's ability as an edge-rusher was made abundantly clear. One of the only factors impacting his draft stock was size, as a 6-foot-1, 237-pound frame isn't exactly ideal for an every-down defender at that spot on an NFL field. The way he dominated when asked to play off the ball this week should ease any concerns about what position he plays at the next level. Be it as a full-time inside linebacker, or one with the versatility to kick outside in nickel and get after the quarterback, Reddick should generate plenty of interest.

Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina

Think your team could use a big-play receiver? Keep an eye on Jones. The East Carolina wideout, who racked up an incredible 158 receptions for 1,746 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior, was the star of Saturday's game. He pulled down his fair share of catches throughout, but the two most impressive plays may be the ones that didn't count. If the scouting community wasn't aware of Jones' ball skills heading in, it sure is now. See for yourself:

Nate Peterman, QB, Pitt

The quarterback group lacked star power after Deshaun Watson's decision to pass on the Senior Bowl, but that's not to say there isn't some mid-round intrigue under center. Peterman was far and away the most impressive passer throughout the practice week, demonstrating both NFL-caliber arm strength and the corresponding ability to make every throw on the field. While he was less impressive in the North-South game, there were still flashes of that talent - the most notable of which came in the second half, when he stood firm in the pocket to deliver a strike before taking a hit. Excelling under pressure will always be imperative for success at the NFL level.

Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo

In one of the most talented running back classes in recent memory, there's a possibility that a number of prospects will end up getting lost in the shuffle. Hunt translating his college production into a tremendous showing in a competitive environment will go a long way toward ensuring that he's not one of those players. His potential as a between-the-tackles runner was apparent throughout his four-year run at Toledo, and he enjoyed an explosion in passing-game production as a senior. Hunt's proficiency in both areas was on display during practice week, and he went on to take 15 carries for 118 yards and one catch for 11 yards in his game reps.