If first impressions are critical for a college football prospect trying to get on an NFL team's radar, then a pair of teammates from Duke definitely got on the right track Tuesday afternoon.
Both Blue Devils wide receiver Jamison Crowder and offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson were tabbed by NFL Media draft expert Mike Mayock as the players of the day Tuesday at the first day of practices for the 2015 Senior Bowl.
"I thought both of those guys had outstanding days," Mayock said.
Crowder, a 5-9, 175 receiver out of Monroe, N.C., simply stole the show Tuesday afternoon at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala.
"[He was] so quick out of breaks," Mayock said. "Nobody covered him today – in press or off coverage."
Crowder – who had 283 receptions in four seasons with Duke – also contributes to special teams, as he returned 43 kickoffs for 904 yards and 43 punts for 589 yards and two touchdowns in 2014 for the Blue Devils.
"Watch the way he comes out of a break, back to the football," Mayock said as he watched film of Crowder from Tuesday's practice. "Natural hands catcher and a good return guy."
Crowder's teammate, Tomlinson, meanwhile, impressed on Tuesday with his ability to keep the quarterback clean against some tough competition on the other side of the line.
Tomlinson – who stands at 6-3 and weighs a beefy 330 pounds – is a "really solid, very square guard," Mayock said.
"Look at him against Danny Shelton – a top-10 pick," Mayock said. "Here he's trying to get underneath Henry Anderson, who I also thought had a very good day. And finally, nice job pushing the tackle, Carl Davis, past the quarterback."
Tomlinson put together a very impressive career at Duke, and was named a 2014 consensus All-America selection. He led a Duke offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks allowed per passing attempt in the ACC (36.23), and also became the first offense in school history to average 210-plus yards passing and 180-plus yards rushing per game.
Also catching Mayock's eye Tuesday were Henry Anderson, a 6-6, 287-pound defensive end from Stanford; Nate Orchard, a 6-3, 251-pound defensive end from Utah; and Ibraheim Campbell, a 5-11, 210-pound safety from Northwestern.
RELATED LINKS:-- Cornerbacks Go Under Microscope At Senior Bowl
-- Senior Bowl Players To Watch
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