27 Senior Bowl observations from Day 1 at apply 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 following 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, full of guys who stood out. Tuesday was the primary day of apply, and, as anticipated, there have been numerous hiccups. Each the American and Nationwide groups had operational penalties like false begins and offsides, and with the QBs transitioning to extra underneath heart work with guys they’ve by no means labored with, there have been numerous bobbled exchanges. Nevertheless, there have been numerous actually cool issues that stood out from the opening day.

It was a day dominated by the offensive and defensive traces, a gaggle that may be 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.

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• Within the morning apply for the American workforce, 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 like he placed on numerous good weight. That added mass didn’t make him lose velocity 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 (a great participant in his personal proper) and flying previous others. The place he made probably the most development was as a run defender, with the ability to constantly set the sting and was forceful within the run sport. I’ve had him within the first spherical for the reason that 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 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, bought 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 reducing off bottom gamers on run schemes. He was chosen for the most effective on greatest portion of the apply, and completely housed UCLA EDGE Olu Oladejo. Conerly goes to be a man which may rise even greater, in a deal with class that wants true tackles.

• The perfect 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 bought reps throughout the offensive line, and easily dominated at each spot. His potential to anchor was examined, and he handed with flying colours. He bought popped for a false begin in workforce 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 at present, exhibiting the foot velocity to close down exterior strikes and the ability to anchor and redirect go 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 appeared utterly 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 at present. His lack of bend is admittedly regarding, and he doesn’t actually have a go rush plan.
• Toledo DT Darius Alexander had some REALLY good moments at present. He’s bought MASSIVE fingers and lengthy arms, and when he packs a punch, it appears like a thunderclap. Gained numerous reps within the go and run sport at present, however he actually stood out as a run defender.
• Miami TE Elijah Arroyo has bought JUICE. Was ignored 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 at present. He’s a sawed off DT with shorter arms, however he was a monster within the run sport, effecting the apply with quickness and go off the ball.
• Syracuse LB Justin Barron was a late add to the roster, however his motion expertise intrigue me. Seemed 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 sport.
• The depth was THERE for the Nationwide workforce, rather more than the American workforce. Iowa DT Yahya Black and West Virginia OL Wyatt Milum bought into it and needed to be separated. The American workforce minimize the music off midway into apply, 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 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 perfect 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 at present. He was within the backfield a lot he compelled 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, nevertheless. Marvel if he bought dinged up.

• I believed Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart was simply…advantageous at present. 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 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 lean. He’s tremendous fast off the ball and flashed loads within the run and go. His consistency must iron itself out, however he’s similar to Buffalo Payments’ DT Ed Oliver.
• Usually ignored due to his star teammates round him, LSU OL Miles Frazier had a fantastic apply. He stonewalled Nolen on repeated performs in workforce drills, and confirmed some spectacular play energy. Tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr (who was additionally advantageous at present) 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 massive performs, and his excessive reps appeared very nice. His lows had been low, however at his measurement together 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 at present. Showcased numerous expertise within the run sport, and created separation vertically as a receiver. One other ignored 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 deal with who wins with velocity and quickness, but additionally was ready to do that at present, 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 at present
• SMU RB Brashard Smith was COOKING within the passing sport at present. 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 total 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.