MOBILE, Ala. -- Some of the top 2015 NFL Draft hopefuls wrapped up postseason play on Saturday as the North knocked off the South, 34-13, in the Reese's Senior Bowl.
As they have all week, the running backs stole the spotlight from the quarterbacks. Northern Iowa tailback David Johnson showed off his shiftiness on a nifty 19-yard touchdown run to kick off the scoring for the South and flashed plenty of potential as a return man, too. Despite playing with a hamstring injury he suffered earlier in the week, former Nebraska star Ameer Abdullah was selected as the Most Outstanding Player in the game. Abdullah led the North in receiving (4 catches for 40 yards) averaged more than 10 yards per carry (7-73) as he hit the hole quickly and was able to burst through for several big gains.
"It was a fun game against some of the best players in college football with a lot of talent and guys you'll see make a lot of money one day in the NFL," Abdullah said. "It was surreal being back in Alabama for my last game. You couldn't ask for a better story. I left Alabama for Nebraska and now I played my last college game here."
Yale's Tyler Varga powered through the South defense for two touchdowns while splitting time at fullback and running back, while Minnesota runner David Cobb continued to boost his stock with another nice outing in rushing for 69 yards and a score.
Iowa defensive tackle Carl Davis wrapped up a stellar stay in Mobile on the other side of the ball, playing well during the game as a disruptive presence in the middle of the defense while also earning Practice Player of the Week honors at halftime. North teammate Nate Orchard also flashed plenty of potential at both defensive end and outside linebacker, earning praise yet again from the Tennessee Titans' coaching staff.
Local stars from Alabama and Auburn naturally drew the greatest ovation from the near-sellout crowd at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Ex-Crimson Tide starter Blake Sims had several nice scrambles. Auburn's Nick Marshall capped off a very good week with some savvy defensive play after switching from quarterback to his new position of cornerback. Ex-Tigers wideout Sammie Coates nearly hauled in a pair of long touchdown catches but couldn't hold onto the ball and later left the game with a groin injury.
TCU cornerback Kevin White kept his rivalry with Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty going in the postseason, picking off the quarterback in the first quarter to halt a North drive at midfield. Former Texas cornerback Quandre Diggs one-upped his in-state rival, however, nearly taking his interception of QB Bryan Bennett back for a pick-six. Converted hoops star and MAC Defensive Player of the Year Quinten Rollins also got his hands on the football at the cornerback spot, hauling in a beautiful over-the-shoulder catch for an interception for the North.
With the festivities from Mobile wrapped up, all of the players are likely headed back to their training spots filled with notes from NFL scouts and their respective coaching staffs on things to work on as they prepare for the next step on the road to Chicago: the NFL Scouting Combine next month.
You can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.
