27 Senior Bowl observations from Day 1 at follow for 2025 NFL Draft hopefuls

The Senior Bowl is a pivotal cease on the street to the 2025 NFL Draft, and starting on Monday, the NFL world descended on Cell, Alabama to do some analysis of the subsequent technology of NFL expertise.

I’m in Cell as nicely, and am going to be giving out observations from every day of the 2025 Senior Bowl, stuffed with guys who stood out. Tuesday was the primary day of follow, and, as anticipated, there have been a whole lot of hiccups. Each the American and Nationwide groups had operational penalties like false begins and offsides, and with the QBs transitioning to extra underneath middle work with guys they’ve by no means labored with, there have been a whole lot of bobbled exchanges. Nevertheless, there have been a whole lot of actually cool issues that stood out from the opening day.

It was a day dominated by the offensive and defensive strains, a bunch that is perhaps one of many extra gifted ones put collectively on this recreation. There have been routine performs being blown up by all of the expertise up entrance, and it’s a mirrored image of the expansion within the sport at defensive sort out and defensive finish.

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• Within the morning follow for the American workforce, Marshall EDGE Mike Inexperienced would possibly’ve been the very best particular person participant. He received weigh-ins by coming in at 251 kilos, and he appears to be like like he placed on a whole lot of good weight. That added mass didn’t make him lose pace in any respect, although. He routinely busted via into the backfield in one-on-ones, hitting a nasty inside transfer on Purdue’s Marcus Mbow (a very good participant in his personal proper) and flying previous others. The place he made essentially the most development was as a run defender, having the ability to constantly set the sting and was forceful within the run recreation. I’ve had him within the first spherical for the reason that school soccer season, and on the primary day he completely proved that he ought to stay there.

• Boston Faculty EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku additionally had an excellent day. He’s slightly small at 6’2 and 248 kilos, however he’s additionally a blur coming off the sting and with 34-inch arms he has extra size than I anticipated. He put Oregon OT Josh Conerly Jr. on his butt within the run recreation, received me out of my seat.
• Exterior of that one play, Conerly Jr. had a pleasant day. His motion abilities are uber spectacular for a man his measurement, and he was tremendous efficient reducing off bottom gamers on run schemes. He was chosen for the very best on greatest portion of the follow, and completely housed UCLA EDGE Olu Oladejo. Conerly goes to be a man which may rise even greater, in a sort out class that wants true tackles.

• One of the best offensive lineman from the Nationwide workforce portion of practices was both North Dakota State’s Gray Zabel or NC State’s Anthony Belton. Zabel is a man I got here in excessive on, and he did nothing to make me come down. He received reps throughout the offensive line, and easily dominated at each spot. His potential to anchor was examined, and he handed with flying colours. He received popped for a false begin in workforce drills, however apart from that, was tremendous spectacular. Belton is a man I’ll have to return and watch extra of, as a result of whew man he completely cooked. Line him up at guard or sort out, doesn’t matter. He crushed the competitors right now, displaying the foot pace to close down exterior strikes and the facility to anchor and redirect move rushers. Quick begin for him.
• USC C Jonah Monheim is perhaps a fish out of water on this state of affairs. He had some good moments, however when he misplaced, he seemed fully overwhelmed. He solely has 30-inch arms, which is abnormally quick for a lineman, so that you simply surprise what he can do on the subsequent degree.
• I used to be anticipating extra from Arkansas’ Landon Jackson right now. His lack of bend is absolutely regarding, and he doesn’t actually have a move rush plan.
• Toledo DT Darius Alexander had some REALLY good moments right now. He’s received MASSIVE palms and lengthy arms, and when he packs a punch, it feels like a thunderclap. Gained a whole lot of reps within the move and run recreation right now, however he actually stood out as a run defender.
• Miami TE Elijah Arroyo has received JUICE. Was missed due to QB Cam Ward and WR Xavier Restrepo, however he’s a simple mover who constantly created separation.

• Virginia Tech DT Aeneas Peebles had some fairly unimaginable reps right now. He’s a sawed off DT with shorter arms, however he was a monster within the run recreation, effecting the follow with quickness and go off the ball.
• Syracuse LB Justin Barron was a late add to the roster, however his motion abilities intrigue me. Appeared actually fluid in protection.
• Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa was the vocal captain of the Nationwide workforce. Took the function of calling the performs and getting everybody organized. Additionally had some good reps within the passing recreation.
• The depth was THERE for the Nationwide workforce, far more than the American workforce. Iowa DT Yahya Black and West Virginia OL Wyatt Milum received into it and needed to be separated. The American workforce minimize the music off midway into follow, which is why I believe the depth was down.
• For the American workforce, Kentucky DT Deone Walker did this to a poor assistant coach. They switched to gamers holding the bag after this.

• Walker had a reasonably good day after this as nicely. I fear about his pad degree at 6’7, however he had reps the place he was merely dominant. He must string collectively extra constant days.
• One of the best defensive lineman on the sector was Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott. One other man who’s slightly undersized at 297 kilos, however his lateral quickness and agility was jaw-dropping right now. He was within the backfield a lot he pressured a foul snap together with his quickness off the ball. For a workforce needing a penetrating three-technique, Norman-Lott goes to be their choose on Day 2. He left early, nonetheless. Marvel if he received dinged up.

• I believed Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart was simply…wonderful right now. Had some spectacular reps, but additionally had some tough ones. He is perhaps the very best rated prospect right here, however he’s going to wish a robust second day.
• Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen has a powerful construct. He got here in at 6’3 and 293 kilos, and he appears to be like lean. He’s tremendous fast off the ball and flashed quite a bit within the run and move. His consistency must iron itself out, however he’s similar to Buffalo Payments’ DT Ed Oliver.
• Usually missed due to his star teammates round him, LSU OL Miles Frazier had an ideal follow. He stonewalled Nolen on repeated performs in workforce drills, and confirmed some spectacular play power. Tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr (who was additionally wonderful right now) stole the present, however Frazier was spectacular in his personal proper.
• Alabama A&M sort out Carson Vinson goes to speak money shit, and I adore it. Was hyping himself and the remainder of the offensive linemen up after massive performs, and his excessive reps seemed very nice. His lows have been low, however at his measurement together with his motion abilities, he’s going to get drafted on Day 3.
• RJ Harvey has tree trunks for legs:

• LSU TE Mason Taylor was superb right now. Showcased a whole lot of abilities within the run recreation, and created separation vertically as a receiver. One other missed participant due to his teammates round him, Taylor goes to rise massive time after this week.
• South Carolina DT TJ Sanders is one other undersized sort out who wins with pace and quickness, but additionally was in a position to do that right now, in what’s presumably the very best rep of the day for both aspect:

• Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser determined to play on this recreation regardless of taking part in within the nationwide title recreation one week in the past, and he made some good performs in protection on the backs. Having the ability to do that can maintain him on the sector.
• Florida LB Shemar James can MOVE. He was slightly miscast at Florida, however made some good performs in protection right now
• SMU RB Brashard Smith was COOKING within the passing recreation right now. Former WR from Miami, transferred to SMU and switched to RB. Profile is similar to Giants’ RB Tyrone Tracy.
• DO NOT WEAR TIMBS BECAUSE YOUR FEET WILL HURT INSTANTLY
• The music selection general was actually good, however we hit a stride throughout Nationwide workforce practices. Hopefully we stick with it.

Tomorrow, full pads go on. Count on the depth to go up, and for extra folks to face out from Cell.