Donald named top practice player

MOBILE -- Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald was named the Most Outstanding Overall Player at Reese's Senior Bowl practices during the Alabama Power Practice Awards ceremony at the annual Player's Banquet on Thursday night at the Battle House Hotel.

"Donald is a very explosive defensive tackle," said Mike Smith, the coach of the Atlanta Falcons who is guiding the North team this week. "I've been very impressed with him. He's short in stature by NFL standards and doesn't maybe have all the measurables, but he's one of the more explosive guys we have on the North squad. He's done a very nice job both in the running and the pass game."

Last year, Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher was selected by NFL scouts as the Most Outstanding Overall Player during practices for the Senior Bowl, and he went on to be the first player selected in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Donald came to the Senior Bowl as the most decorated player in the nation for the 2013 season after winning the Bednarik, Lombardi, Nagurski and Outland awards while also earning the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year Award.

THE POSITION WINNERS:

Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman: Dee Ford, Auburn

Most Outstanding Defensive Back: Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois

Most Outstanding Running Back: Charles Sims, West Virginia.

Most Outstanding Receiver: C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa

Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Zach Martin, Notre Dame

Most Outstanding Linebacker: Chris Borland, Wisconsin

Most Outstanding Specialist: Cody Parkey, Auburn