MOBILE, Alabama -- At this time last year, Nate Orchard arrived at the Senior Bowl after the most productive season of his life, but uncertainty remained.
Could the 4-3 defensive end transition to outside linebacker if he were selected by a team that runs the 3-4? Could he play without his hand in the dirt?
Orchard answered those questions enough throughout the pre-draft process to earn the trust of the Browns, who selected the Utah pass rusher in the second round.
Orchard, along with first-round pick Danny Shelton, made our pre-Senior Bowl list of players to know last year. Will we have the same luck this year? There's only one way to find out.
The nine names to keep on your radar as Senior Bowl week unfolds from the Port City:
QB Carson Wentz - North Dakota State
All Wentz did at North Dakota State was win. In his two years as a starter, Wentz led the Bison to its fourth and fifth consecutive FCS titles. His senior season was marred by a wrist injury that kept him sidelined for two months, but it hasn't hindered his perceived draft stock, which has soared in recent weeks. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Bismarck, N.D., native is among the highest-rated prospects at this week's game and will command plenty of attention from scouts, coaches, general managers and media members.
WR Braxton Miller - Ohio State
A familiar name to many in the Cleveland area, Miller is one of the game's top athletes and proved as much this past year at a new position. The former quarterback kept opposing defenses on their toes as both a runner and receiver, hauling in 26 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 42 carries, 260 yards and another score. His game will be dissected at a whole new level this week.
LB Reggie Ragland - Alabama
One of the core members of the Crimson Tide's national championship defense, Ragland is among the top-rated linebackers in the entire draft class. After piling up more than 100 tackles as an inside linebacker for Alabama's 3-4, Ragland will test his hand at outside linebacker this week.
DE Noah Spence - Eastern Kentucky
The former Buckeye reinvented himself with the Colonels and showed why he was considered one of the top defensive players in college football. The 2015 Ohio Valley Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year finished his junior year with 22.5 tackles for a loss and 11.5 sacks. He's pegged as a late first-round selection in many mock drafts.
WR Will Fuller - Notre Dame
For what Fuller lacks in prototypical No. 1 wide receiver size (6-foot, 184 pounds), he makes up in production. The Philadelphia native had seven 100-yard receiving games and piled up 14 touchdowns with the Fighting Irish during his junior year. Over the past two seasons, Fuller found the end zone 29 times. He and Miller are considered to be the top receiver prospects at this year's Senior Bowl.
DT Jarran Reed - Alabama
There's perhaps no deeper position group at this year's game than defensive tackle, and Reed is among the leaders of it. The junior-college transfer passed on the draft last season and was rewarded with a national championship and a significantly improved draft projection. A core member of Alabama's deep front seven, Reed led all of the team's defensive linemen with 57 tackles.
S Miles Killebrew - Southern Utah
Two years ago, Pierre Desir came from a small school and performed with the game's best in Mobile, setting the stage for him to land with the Browns in the fourth round. Killebrew isn't quite as off the radar as Desir, but this will be easily his biggest stage yet to prove he's one of the best available at his position. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder is a thumper of a hitter and is coming off a season in which he racked up 101 tackles and three interceptions.
LB Kyler Fackrell - Utah State
Setting the edge was an issue for the Browns, especially early in the season. That's an area where Fackrell flourished with the Aggies, and it's why he's among the top-rated prospects in Mobile. Fackrell, who had just one scholarship offer out of high school, was strong against the pass and run, setting a school record with 12 quarterback hurries and leading the nation with five fumble recoveries.
QB Jacoby Brissett - North Carolina State
Because what fun is it following just one quarterback? The Florida transfer primarily thrived with his arm for the Wolfpack but showed off his legs in a big way in his team's regular season finale. Brissett rushed for 128 yards and two scores in that game, showing that he's one of the best dual-threat options in this year's quarterback class. In two seasons at North Carolina State, Brissett threw 43 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions.
