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 Cellular, Alabama to do some analysis of the following era of NFL expertise.

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

It was a day dominated by the offensive and defensive strains, a gaggle that may be 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 seems to be like he placed on lots of good weight. That added mass didn’t make him lose pace in any respect, although. He routinely busted by way of 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, with the ability to constantly set the sting and was forceful within the run recreation. 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 School 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, acquired 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 that may rise even increased, in a sort out class that wants true tackles.

• The most effective 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 acquired reps throughout the offensive line, and easily dominated at each spot. His capability to anchor was examined, and he handed with flying colours. He acquired 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 this moment, exhibiting the foot pace to close down exterior strikes and the ability to anchor and redirect move rushers. Quick begin for him.
• USC C Jonah Monheim may be a fish out of water on this scenario. He had some good moments, however when he misplaced, he regarded fully overwhelmed. He solely has 30-inch arms, which is abnormally brief for a lineman, so that you simply surprise what he can do on the subsequent stage.
• I used to be anticipating extra from Arkansas’ Landon Jackson right this moment. 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 this moment. He’s acquired MASSIVE palms and lengthy arms, and when he packs a punch, it appears like a thunderclap. Gained lots of reps within the move and run recreation right this moment, however he actually stood out as a run defender.
• Miami TE Elijah Arroyo has acquired JUICE. Was missed due to QB Cam Ward and WR Xavier Restrepo, however he’s a straightforward mover who constantly created separation.

• Virginia Tech DT Aeneas Peebles had some fairly unbelievable reps right this moment. 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 acquired 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 fairly good day after this as effectively. I fear about his pad stage 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 sphere 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 this moment. He was within the backfield a lot he compelled a nasty snap together with his quickness off the ball. For a workforce needing a penetrating three-technique, Norman-Lott goes to be their decide on Day 2. He left early, nonetheless. Surprise if he acquired dinged up.

• I assumed Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart was simply…nice right this moment. Had some spectacular reps, but additionally had some tough ones. He may be the best rated prospect right here, however he’s going to want a powerful second day.
• Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen has a formidable construct. He got here in at 6’3 and 293 kilos, and he seems to be lean. He’s tremendous fast off the ball and flashed loads within the run and move. His consistency must iron itself out, however he’s similar to Buffalo Payments’ DT Ed Oliver.
• Typically 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 nice right this moment) 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 like it. Was hyping himself and the remainder of the offensive linemen up after large performs, and his excessive reps regarded 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 excellent right this moment. Showcased lots 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 large 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 this moment, in what’s presumably the very best rep of the day for both facet:

• Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser determined to play on this recreation regardless of enjoying within the nationwide title recreation one week in the past, and he made some good performs in protection on the backs. With the ability to do that can preserve him on the sphere.
• Florida LB Shemar James can MOVE. He was slightly miscast at Florida, however made some good performs in protection right this moment
• SMU RB Brashard Smith was COOKING within the passing recreation right this moment. Former WR from Miami, transferred to SMU and switched to RB. Profile is similar to Giants’ RB Tyrone Tracy.
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• 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 individuals to face out from Cellular.