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

The Senior Bowl is a pivotal stop on the road to the 2025 NFL Draft, and beginning on Monday, the NFL world descended on Mobile, Alabama to do some evaluation of the next generation of NFL talent.

I’m in Mobile as well, and am going to be giving out observations from each day of the 2025 Senior Bowl, filled with guys who stood out. Tuesday was the first day of practice, and, as expected, there were a lot of hiccups. Both the American and National teams had operational penalties like false starts and offsides, and with the QBs transitioning to more under center work with guys they’ve never worked with, there were a lot of bobbled exchanges. However, there were a lot of really cool things that stood out from the opening day.

It was a day dominated by the offensive and defensive lines, a group that might be one of the more talented ones put together in this game. There were routine plays being blown up by all the talent up front, and it’s a reflection of the growth in the sport at defensive tackle and defensive end.

Place an order from your nearest Cook-Out, and let’s hop in!

• In the morning practice for the American team, Marshall EDGE Mike Green might’ve been the best individual player. He won weigh-ins by coming in at 251 pounds, and he looks like he put on a lot of good weight. That added mass didn’t make him lose speed at all, though. He routinely busted through into the backfield in one-on-ones, hitting a nasty inside move on Purdue’s Marcus Mbow (a good player in his own right) and flying past others. Where he made the most growth was as a run defender, being able to consistently set the edge and was forceful in the run game. I’ve had him in the first round since the college football season, and on the first day he absolutely proved that he should remain there.

• Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku also had a very good day. He’s a little small at 6’2 and 248 pounds, but he’s also a blur coming off the edge and with 34-inch arms he has more length than I expected. He put Oregon OT Josh Conerly Jr. on his butt in the run game, got me out of my seat.
• Outside of that one play, Conerly Jr. had a nice day. His movement skills are uber impressive for a guy his size, and he was super effective cutting off backside players on run schemes. He was chosen for the best on best portion of the practice, and absolutely housed UCLA EDGE Olu Oladejo. Conerly is going to be a guy that might rise even higher, in a tackle class that needs true tackles.

• The best offensive lineman from the National team portion of practices was either North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel or NC State’s Anthony Belton. Zabel is a guy I came in high on, and he did nothing to make me come down. He got reps across the offensive line, and simply dominated at every spot. His ability to anchor was tested, and he passed with flying colors. He got popped for a false start in team drills, but other than that, was super impressive. Belton is a guy I’ll have to go back and watch more of, because whew man he absolutely cooked. Line him up at guard or tackle, doesn’t matter. He crushed the competition today, showing the foot speed to shut down outside moves and the power to anchor and redirect pass rushers. Fast start for him.
• USC C Jonah Monheim might be a fish out of water in this situation. He had some nice moments, but when he lost, he looked completely overwhelmed. He only has 30-inch arms, which is abnormally short for a lineman, so you just wonder what he can do at the next level.
• I was expecting more from Arkansas’ Landon Jackson today. His lack of bend is really concerning, and he doesn’t really have a pass rush plan.
• Toledo DT Darius Alexander had some REALLY nice moments today. He’s got MASSIVE hands and long arms, and when he packs a punch, it sounds like a thunderclap. Won a lot of reps in the pass and run game today, but he really stood out as a run defender.
• Miami TE Elijah Arroyo has got JUICE. Was overlooked because of QB Cam Ward and WR Xavier Restrepo, but he’s an easy mover who consistently created separation.

• Virginia Tech DT Aeneas Peebles had some pretty incredible reps today. He’s a sawed off DT with shorter arms, but he was a monster in the run game, effecting the practice with quickness and burst off the ball.
• Syracuse LB Justin Barron was a late add to the roster, but his movement skills intrigue me. Looked really fluid in coverage.
• Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa was the vocal captain of the National team. Took the role of calling the plays and getting everyone organized. Also had some nice reps in the passing game.
• The intensity was THERE for the National team, much more than the American team. Iowa DT Yahya Black and West Virginia OL Wyatt Milum got into it and had to be separated. The American team cut the music off halfway into practice, which is why I think the intensity was down.
• For the American team, Kentucky DT Deone Walker did this to a poor assistant coach. They switched to players holding the bag after this.

• Walker had a pretty good day after this as well. I worry about his pad level at 6’7, but he had reps where he was simply dominant. He needs to string together more consistent days.
• The best defensive lineman on the field was Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott. Another guy who’s a little undersized at 297 pounds, but his lateral quickness and agility was jaw-dropping today. He was in the backfield so much he forced a bad snap with his quickness off the ball. For a team needing a penetrating three-technique, Norman-Lott is going to be their pick on Day 2. He left early, however. Wonder if he got dinged up.

• I thought Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart was just…fine today. Had some impressive reps, but also had some rough ones. He might be the highest rated prospect here, but he’s going to need a strong second day.
• Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen has an impressive build. He came in at 6’3 and 293 pounds, and he looks lean. He’s super quick off the ball and flashed a lot in the run and pass. His consistency needs to iron itself out, but he’s very similar to Buffalo Bills’ DT Ed Oliver.
• Often overlooked because of his star teammates around him, LSU OL Miles Frazier had a great practice. He stonewalled Nolen on repeated plays in team drills, and showed some impressive play strength. Tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr (who was also fine today) stole the show, but Frazier was impressive in his own right.
• Alabama A&M tackle Carson Vinson is going to talk cash shit, and I love it. Was hyping himself and the rest of the offensive linemen up after big plays, and his high reps looked really nice. His lows were low, but at his size with his movement skills, he’s going to get drafted on Day 3.
• RJ Harvey has tree trunks for legs:

• LSU TE Mason Taylor was very good today. Showcased a lot of skills in the run game, and created separation vertically as a receiver. Another overlooked player because of his teammates around him, Taylor is going to rise big time after this week.
• South Carolina DT TJ Sanders is another undersized tackle who wins with speed and quickness, but also was able to do this today, in what’s possibly the best rep of the day for either side:

• Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser decided to play in this game despite playing in the national title game one week ago, and he made some nice plays in coverage on the backs. Being able to do that will keep him on the field.
• Florida LB Shemar James can MOVE. He was a little miscast at Florida, but made some nice plays in coverage today
• SMU RB Brashard Smith was COOKING in the passing game today. Former WR from Miami, transferred to SMU and switched to RB. Profile is very similar to Giants’ RB Tyrone Tracy.
• DO NOT WEAR TIMBS BECAUSE YOUR FEET WILL HURT INSTANTLY
• The music choice overall was really good, but we hit a stride during National team practices. Hopefully we keep it up.

Tomorrow, full pads go on. Expect the intensity to go up, and for more people to stand out from Mobile.