Skip to Main Content
Content on this page may include affiliate links. If you click and sign up/place a wager, we may receive compensation at no cost to you.

Senior Bowl 2022: Oklahoma's Perrion Winfrey wins MVP, Malik Willis dazzles with his legs, more key takeaways

senior-bowl.jpg
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

MOBILE, Ala. -- The 2022 Reese's Senior Bowl took place Saturday, which ultimately signified the start of draft season. Talent evaluators from all 32 NFL franchises were on hand for the Senior Bowl, and they've been in Mobile, Alabama, for the entire week of practices leading up to this game. For most personnel executives, it's all about the practice week, meeting with the players, and watching how they interact with the rest of their team. However, standing out as a performer in the actual game can carry a lot of weight, too. 

All eyes were on the quarterbacks, and Malik Willis, Sam Howell and Desmond Ridder were among those who showed flashes of first-round potential. But they were hardly the only ones to make an impact during the National Team's 20-10 victory over the American Team. Below, we dive into the MVP, other standout players, and key takeaways.

MVP

Perrion Winfrey, DL, Oklahoma

Perrion Winfrey didn't exactly fly under the radar during the week, but he did get lost in the mix at times while names like Travis Jones, Logan Hall, Devonte Wyatt and Jermaine Johnson were well-deserved talking points. But Winfrey did his share of dominating one-on-one drills during practices, and he took that tenacity to the field Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium. He finished the day with two sacks and three tackles for loss and was just about unblockable every time he was on the field.

Just ask LSU's Ed Ingram, who was tasked with staying in front of Winfrey on his second sack of the game, the one where you're screaming at quarterback Bailey Zappe, "Please, for the love of all that's holy, get rid of the ball before it's too late."

It was too late for Zappe, but this week will serve as a springboard for Winfrey into the pre-draft conversation, after a career at Oklahoma that showed glimpses of potential.

Gameday Standouts 

Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

Here's the deal: Willis' week was all about possibilities. He had a solid day in terrible conditions Wednesday, and while he struggled at times during Thursday's workout, on game day he led the both rosters in gasps from both fans and media in attendance at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Willis finished with just 11 passing yards -- which was last among the six quarterbacks -- but he also rushed for 54 yards, a game-high, punctuated by this scramble at the end of the first quarter:

Our stance on Willis remains unchanged: He's incredibly raw, but the upside is through the roof. He'll need to land in the right place to have the best chance to succeed, and he probably won't be ready to play until 2023. There were several instances Saturday where he missed open receivers, or only got through his initial read before taking off. It's fun to watch, for sure, but it's not sustainable in the NFL, and the team that drafts him must have a long-term plan. For today, however, it was a lot of fun.

Sam Howell, QB, UNC

Howell quietly had a solid week, and like Willis, showed that his value lies in his leg and his rocket right arm. He was 6-for-9 for 67 yards through the air, and added 29 more yards on the ground (including a two-yard TD run) on five carries. Throughout his career in Chapel Hill, Howell has drawn comparisons to Baker Mayfield, but the reality is this: Mayfield was a better, more consistent passer coming out of Oklahoma while Howell is the better athlete. And like Willis, there needs to be a plan for Howell, though he did have the benefit of facing tougher competition on a weekly basis at UNC. You could see how a team might like his physical talents after his performance on Saturday.

Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati

Desmond Ridder arguably had the most to prove this week, and while he held his own during the week, on Saturday he made some of the throws we wanted to see.

Yes, this looks easy, but he hit tight end Trey McBride in stride, allowing him to turn upfield and get into the end zone without having to readjust his body. It's a little thing, but it could also be the difference between a touchdown, a first down or winning and losing. Ridder came back in the second half with a similar throw on a similar play with similar results:

Credit to tight end Jake Ferguson for doing the heavy lifting and getting into the end zone, but he doesn't get that opportunity if the throw is behind him, or low, or causes him to have to contort his body to pull it in. Again, it seems straightforward enough, but Ridder struggled at times with those throws during the season.

Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota

If you told us Boye Mafe was the MVP we wouldn't have questioned you. He showed off that quick first step during the week in one-on-one drills, giving offensive tackles fits. That theme continued Saturday where, like Winfrey, Mafe had two sacks, three tackles for loss while also forcing a fumble.

And this, where it feels like Mafe almost materializes out of nowhere to run through the quarterback:

Mafe is a Day 2 pick all day long, and his effort this week in Mobile only solidifies that.

Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor

There were a lot of good defensive performances throughout the week. The conversation usually started along the defensive line, but the secondary had its share of standouts. Near the top of that list: Jalen Pitre, who measured only 5-foot-10, 196 pounds, but plays like he's 2-3 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier. He was all over the field Saturday, blanketing receivers in coverage or coming downhill with a purpose.

Pitre excels in the slot, but he can also patrol deep centerfield or play in the box. Yes, he's undersized but you wouldn't know it to watch him.

For more Senior Bowl coverage, fellow CBS Sports NFL Draft analysts Josh Edwards and Chris Trapasso provided updates throughout the game, which you can see below:

Updates
(58)
See New Posts
 
Pinned
Link copied

That's what Baby Ironhead can do. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Travis Jones. Large human being. Strong human being. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Sneaky good day for Jesse Luketa too. Been super disruptive. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Sup, Jake Ferguson! Looking spry on that touchdown. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Perrion Winfrey. Goodness. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Minnesota edge rusher Boye Mafe was a top 100 prospect for me coming into the season and there was little buzz around him. He has forced the narrative to change this week.

February 5, 2022, 9:55 PM
Feb. 05, 2022, 4:55 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

I *knew* Bailey Zappe would come out firing

 
Pinned
Link copied

Channing Tindall was a part-time LB at Georgia because of all the talent around him. He feels like a classic "will be better as a pro" type player because of his athleticism. Nice play there. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Kenny Pickett is SO DONE with getting questions about his hand size. I don't blame him. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Oklahoma DT Perrion Winfrey's film is very up and down. He's had a monster week at the Senior Bowl and has continually disrupted today. Stock up.

 
Pinned
Link copied

Wyoming LB Chad Muma has been all over the field today too. Film is squeaky clean. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Myjai Sanders has had a strong afternoon. He won't be for everybody, but the upside is very high because of his length and explosiveness.

 
Pinned
Link copied

Taylor got smoked on the out and up but that ball hung forever. Good play on the football. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

The running backs woke up this morning choosing violence. Abram Smith, Dameon Pierce, Brian Robinson and others choosing to truck stick would-be tacklers.

February 5, 2022, 9:26 PM
Feb. 05, 2022, 4:26 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

You do not want to see Dameon Pierce in space. Dude is a Mack truck. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Kentucky's Luke Fortner played center this season but had previously played guard for the Wildcats.

February 5, 2022, 9:24 PM
Feb. 05, 2022, 4:24 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Very few true centers attending the Reese's Senior Bowl this week so there have been a lot of guards taking snaps there. Tennessee-Chattanooga's Cole Strange is one of those converts and that could explain the high snap. Memphis' Dylan Parham and Boston College's Zion Johnson are a few other guards that took snaps at center this week.

February 5, 2022, 9:23 PM
Feb. 05, 2022, 4:23 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

I wouldn't say he is one of my guys but Waletzko is a good player that was solid against Power 5 competition this week. 

February 5, 2022, 9:21 PM
Feb. 05, 2022, 4:21 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Matt Waletzko is a #draftcrush of yours right, Josh?

 
Pinned
Link copied

Carson Strong coming out with the National Team to start the second half. Big, strong quarterback with no mobility.

February 5, 2022, 9:17 PM
Feb. 05, 2022, 4:17 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Nice bend and speed around the corner from Jesse Luketa

 
Pinned
Link copied

Howell is about the same size as Willis, loves to run, and has a deceptive arm. Can really spin it. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

That touchdown was par for the course for the offensive performance in this first half

 
Pinned
Link copied

Baylor RB Abram Smith has been THE GUY so far in this defensive battle. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Ridder showing off his athletic traits. He can get out and create with his legs a little. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Rutgers WR Bo Melton can move. Shows that speed on film too. Nice return there. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Cincinnati represented by six players today: quarterback Desmond Ridder, edge rusher Myjai Sanders, cornerback Coby Bryant, running back Jerome Ford, linebacker Darrian Beavers and wide receiver Alec Pierce.

February 5, 2022, 8:25 PM
Feb. 05, 2022, 3:25 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Rachaad White feels like a clone of his former teammate Eno Benjamin. So smooth and plays with natural contact balance.

 
Pinned
Link copied

All I have seen from Malik Willis thus far is that he can run, but holds onto the ball too long in the pocket, which is consistent with what we had seen from him all season.

February 5, 2022, 8:15 PM
Feb. 05, 2022, 3:15 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Tough position for a defensive back when the ball is underthrown. I thought Coby Bryant did a good job getting his head back around but he ran right through Calvin Austin because the ball was short.

February 5, 2022, 8:14 PM
Feb. 05, 2022, 3:14 pm EST
See More
default-cbs-image
Live

Share Video

Link copied!
  • Image thumbnail
    Live

    CBS Sports HQ

  • Image thumbnail
    2:56

    NFL Overreactions: Terry McLaurin Will Be Paid As A Top-5 Wr At Start Of Year

  • Image thumbnail
    1:32

    NFL Overreactions: Tyreek Hill Won't Be On Dolphins At Start Of Season

  • Image thumbnail
    1:41

    NFL Overreactions: Bengals Will Trade Trey Hendrickson

  • Image thumbnail
    2:05

    NFL Overreactions: Kenny Pickett Will Win The Browns Starting Qb Competition

  • Image thumbnail
    0:58

    Overreaction or Reality: Bengals Will Trade Trey Hendrickson Before Season

  • Image thumbnail
    1:03

    Overreaction or Reality: Micah Parsons Won't Suit up for Cowboys in Week 1

  • Image thumbnail
    1:00

    Overreaction or Reality: Terry McLaurin Will Be Paid as a Top-5 WR

  • Image thumbnail
    1:02

    Overreaction or Reality: Daniel Jones Will Beat Out Anthony Richardson for QB1

  • Image thumbnail
    1:11

    Overreaction or Reality: Kenny Pickett Will Win Browns Starting Job

  • Image thumbnail
    0:34

    Overreaction or Reality: Tyreek Hill Won't Be a Dolphin at the Start of This Season

  • Image thumbnail
    0:35

    BREAKING: All Pro LT Tristan Wirfs (Knee) to Miss Start of Season Following Offseason Surgery

  • Image thumbnail
    1:56

    Jonathan Jones Breaks Down the Tristan Wirfs Injury and What It Means for the Buccaneers This Season

  • Image thumbnail
    1:41

    Best Options for the Buccaneers After Tristan Wirfs' Injury

  • Image thumbnail
    1:50

    How Will Tristan Wirfs' Injury Impact Baker Mayfield and the Bucs?

  • Image thumbnail
    1:25

    NFL Week 1: Lions at Packers Results to Impact Race for NFL North

  • Image thumbnail
    1:10

    NFL Week 1: Aaron Rodgers Returns to Metlife Stadium

  • Image thumbnail
    1:53

    NFL Week 1: Patriots Rising, Dolphins Falling

  • Image thumbnail
    1:17

    NFL Week 1 Cardinals at Saints: Leger Douzable Picking Cardinals to Win NFC East

  • Image thumbnail
    1:48

    NFL Week 1 Texans vs Rams: More Emphasis on Offense or Young Defense in Matchup?

  • Image thumbnail
    0:43

    Pick-One NFL QB: Aaron Rodgers or Justin Fields