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

The Senior Bowl is a pivotal cease on the highway 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 properly, 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 observe, and, as anticipated, there have been quite a lot of hiccups. Each the American and Nationwide groups had operational penalties like false begins and offsides, and with the QBs transitioning to extra below heart work with guys they’ve by no means labored with, there have been quite a lot of bobbled exchanges. Nevertheless, there have been quite a lot of actually cool issues that stood out from the opening day.

It was a day dominated by the offensive and defensive traces, a gaggle that is perhaps one of many extra gifted ones put collectively on this sport. 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 deal with and defensive finish.

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

• Within the morning observe for the American group, Marshall EDGE Mike Inexperienced would possibly’ve been the most effective particular person participant. He gained weigh-ins by coming in at 251 kilos, and he appears to be like like he placed on quite a lot of good weight. That added mass didn’t make him lose velocity 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 ( 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 sport. I’ve had him within the first spherical because the faculty 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 somewhat 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 sport, obtained me out of my seat.
• Outdoors of that one play, Conerly Jr. had a pleasant day. His motion expertise are uber spectacular for a man his measurement, and he was tremendous efficient slicing off bottom gamers on run schemes. He was chosen for the most effective on greatest portion of the observe, and completely housed UCLA EDGE Olu Oladejo. Conerly goes to be a man that may rise even larger, in a deal with class that wants true tackles.

• The most effective offensive lineman from the Nationwide group 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 obtained reps throughout the offensive line, and easily dominated at each spot. His capacity to anchor was examined, and he handed with flying colours. He obtained popped for a false begin in group drills, however aside 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 deal with, doesn’t matter. He crushed the competitors as we speak, displaying the foot velocity to close down outdoors strikes and the facility to anchor and redirect cross 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 appeared 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 as we speak. His lack of bend is de facto regarding, and he doesn’t actually have a cross rush plan.
• Toledo DT Darius Alexander had some REALLY good moments as we speak. He’s obtained MASSIVE arms and lengthy arms, and when he packs a punch, it appears like a thunderclap. Gained quite a lot of reps within the cross and run sport as we speak, however he actually stood out as a run defender.
• Miami TE Elijah Arroyo has obtained JUICE. Was neglected 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 as we speak. He’s a sawed off DT with shorter arms, however he was a monster within the run sport, effecting the observe with quickness and go off the ball.
• Syracuse LB Justin Barron was a late add to the roster, however his motion expertise intrigue me. Appeared actually fluid in protection.
• Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa was the vocal captain of the Nationwide group. Took the function of calling the performs and getting everybody organized. Additionally had some good reps within the passing sport.
• The depth was THERE for the Nationwide group, far more than the American group. Iowa DT Yahya Black and West Virginia OL Wyatt Milum obtained into it and needed to be separated. The American group minimize the music off midway into observe, which is why I feel the depth was down.
• For the American group, Kentucky DT Deone Walker did this to a poor assistant coach. They switched to gamers holding the bag after this.

• Walker had a fairly good day after this as properly. 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.
• The most effective defensive lineman on the sector was Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott. One other man who’s somewhat undersized at 297 kilos, however his lateral quickness and agility was jaw-dropping as we speak. He was within the backfield a lot he pressured a foul snap along with his quickness off the ball. For a group needing a penetrating three-technique, Norman-Lott goes to be their decide on Day 2. He left early, nonetheless. Surprise if he obtained dinged up.

• I assumed Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart was simply…positive as we speak. Had some spectacular reps, but additionally had some tough ones. He is perhaps the best rated prospect right here, however he’s going to wish a robust second day.
• Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen has a formidable 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 rather a lot within the run and cross. His consistency must iron itself out, however he’s similar to Buffalo Payments’ DT Ed Oliver.
• Typically neglected due to his star teammates round him, LSU OL Miles Frazier had an awesome observe. He stonewalled Nolen on repeated performs in group drills, and confirmed some spectacular play power. Tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr (who was additionally positive as we speak) stole the present, however Frazier was spectacular in his personal proper.
• Alabama A&M deal with Carson Vinson goes to speak money shit, and I like it. Was hyping himself and the remainder of the offensive linemen up after huge performs, and his excessive reps appeared very nice. His lows have been low, however at his measurement along with his motion expertise, he’s going to get drafted on Day 3.
• RJ Harvey has tree trunks for legs:

• LSU TE Mason Taylor was excellent as we speak. Showcased quite a lot of expertise within the run sport, and created separation vertically as a receiver. One other neglected participant due to his teammates round him, Taylor goes to rise huge time after this week.
• South Carolina DT TJ Sanders is one other undersized deal with who wins with velocity and quickness, but additionally was in a position to do that as we speak, in what’s probably the most effective rep of the day for both aspect:

• Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser determined to play on this sport regardless of enjoying within the nationwide title sport one week in the past, and he made some good performs in protection on the backs. With the ability to do that may maintain him on the sector.
• Florida LB Shemar James can MOVE. He was somewhat miscast at Florida, however made some good performs in protection as we speak
• SMU RB Brashard Smith was COOKING within the passing sport as we speak. 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 alternative total was actually good, however we hit a stride throughout Nationwide group practices. Hopefully we stick with it.

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