The game hasn’t even been played, but Minnesota Gophers running back David Cobb has gained a lot of attention practicing this week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
Bleacher Report‘s Mike Tanier compared Cobb’s week of excellence to Doug Martin’s awesome Senior Bowl week a few years ago. Martin, like Cobb, was tabbed a likely third- or- fourth-round pick but he was impressive enough to find a way into the first round of the NFL Draft.
It’s a nice comparison, but Cobb told Tanier that he’s always thought of himself more like former Titans running back Eddie George.
“Growing up, I was just a big Eddie George fan,” he said. “Eddie was a physical guy, a downhill runner, pretty good with his hands out of the backfield and protecting the quarterback.”
Here’s a handful of Tweets from NFL Draft analysts whose heads were turned by Cobb. GopherSports.com has even more reaction.
Best RB in Mobile this week. RT @RyanBurnsGI: thoughts on David Cobb this week?
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 22, 2015
David Cobb trucking through for a TD run. Looks like total package to me this week.
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) January 22, 2015
Dude is about to be the #SOD. RT @MockingTheDraft David Cobb has looked like the best RB at the Senior Bowl. He's decisive hitting the hole.
— Nick Nelson (@NickNelsonMN) January 22, 2015
2) Minnesota RB David Cobb will go in first 3 rds of the draft, I was told by two different talent evaluators at practice. Impressive today.
— Robbie Rosenhaus (@robbierosenhaus) January 21, 2015
9. It's official @GopherFootball RB David Cobb is the best Running Back at the 2015 #SeniorBowl
— RosterWatch (@RosterWatch) January 23, 2015
As a senior this season, Cobb set Minnesota’s single-season rushing record, churning his way to 1,626 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was named All-Big Ten Second Team by the coaches and media, but he wasn’t a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, which many pundits thought was a shame.
Cobb will play for the North team. The Senior Bowl kicks off Saturday at 3 p.m. CT. It will be televised on NFL Network.
Before Hall of Famers Randall McDaniel and Paul Krause starred for the Vikings, they were standouts at the Senior Bowl. Vikings.com notes that both players are on display in the Senior Bowl museum because they are part of the game’s all-time roster.
