It was a cloudy day from Cellular, as the ultimate day of practices from the 2025 Senior Bowl received underway. The groups have been in shells (shoulder pads and shorts) for the day and have been principally doing walkthroughs for the primary portion of the follow. It picked up significantly as follow ended, and particular groups turned a precedence.
Nonetheless, we’ve got observations to present you from Cellular, with the following time we see these guys being on Saturday throughout the precise sport.
- Toledo DT Darius Alexander is a surefire lock for the primary half of the second spherical. He’s been unblockable all week, profitable in a number of alignments alongside the line of defense. His quickness is unreal for that dimension, and he’s additionally received sufficient energy to be an element on the bottom. If you happen to want a three-technique on Day 2, Alexander is the man.
- With EDGEs Mike Inexperienced and Donovan Ezeiruaku leaving Cellular after nice weeks, the following EDGE to step up for the Nationwide staff was Central Arkansas’ David Walker. He had some candy move rush strikes, highlighted by a ghost transfer towards Purdue’s Marcus Mbow. He’s had a very good week right here, by no means actually wanting misplaced. I want he was 6’2 as a substitute of 6’0, but it surely won’t matter anyway.
My favourite half about UCA EDGE David Walker is he is constructed like he needs to juke you out, however as a substitute, he makes use of his energy to get below tackles to knock them off steadiness pic.twitter.com/zXIaYvBhSS
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) January 30, 2025
- FSU CB Azareye’h Thomas had his finest day of follow on Thursday. He was blanketing each receiver, and it received paid off with an interception on one of many worst routes I’ve ever seen (extra on that later). Thomas’ endurance has actually improved this week, combining that along with his size in man protection to plaster opponents. I’ve a sense Thomas goes to go greater than many consider, particularly with being one of many solely press man CBs within the draft class.
- USC C Jonah Monheim additionally had his finest day of labor at this time. I believe he’s struggled in particular person reps towards defensive linemen (30-inch arms will do this), he truly was good in staff settings, having the ability to get some motion on the bottom. He’s one other positional outlier as a consequence of his arm size, however somebody goes to make one thing out of him.
- Monheim and UCLA EDGE Olu Oladejo received into it a bit throughout move rush 1v1s. Just a little crosstown showdown.
- Oladejo has been taking part in all around the defensive entrance throughout move rush intervals, even profitable over the middle. I requested him about it after follow and he instructed me that the perfect move rushers can win from all over the place and be versatile, so he’s making an attempt to do the identical factor. I’ve truly been impressed with Oladejo this week. A former MIKE linebacker, Oladejo moved to the sting this season and he did effectively this week. I might see him being a late Day 2 or early Day 3 choose.
- Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II had a tough day in move safety. He received steamrolled by teammate Nick Martin and misplaced in quite a lot of methods. For a man who must show his worth on passing downs, this wasn’t a very good interval for him.
- Martin, however, has been probably the greatest protection linebackers of the week. He had some very nice reps towards the Nationwide staff operating backs, smothering them in protection and profitable so much as a blitzer. His vary as a move defender goes to get him reps.
- Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten had an awesome day. He was arguably the perfect Nationwide staff again in move safety, and confirmed off good burst by means of holes within the run sport. He’s a bit undersized, however proving his worth here’s a good feather in his cap.
- Let’s speak about these receivers, man. I believe 7on7 has ruined soccer, as a result of all these receivers are doing the Futsal Shuffle on the line of scrimmage and never going anyplace. What occurred to the sport I like?
- Additionally, scrambling in a 7on7 interval ought to be punished with loss of life.
- Virginia Tech DT Aeneas Peebles is a delight:
- RB LeQuint Allen has been good this week. Added so much as a receiver and has proven some instruments as a move blocker.
- For the American staff, EDGE Shemar Stewart, CB Trey Amos, WR Bru McCoy and DT Deone Walker weren’t in attendance. CB Maxwell Hairston was in attendance, however wasn’t dressed out, signaling that his week is over. DT Omarr Norman-Lott did gown out, however solely did particular person drills.
- Florida LB Shemar James stole the present. He was all over the place on Thursday, profitable in move protection and having a fast set off downhill. He’s on the lighter aspect, however his play recognition and explosiveness downhill make me assume he may very well be a top quality WILL LB on the subsequent stage.
- To exchange Stewart, Minnesota DL Danny Striggow received referred to as up from the Hula Bowl and instantly received busy. He lined up all around the line of defense and was getting pressures shortly as effectively. I wasn’t acquainted with his sport, however now he has my consideration!
- Delaware RB Marcus Yarns is a dynamic move catcher. Not many guys might follow him this week, and he continued to prepare dinner as a receiver this week. He’s a little bit slight however he fills a particular position within the NFL as a 3rd down again and particular teamer. That’ll preserve you within the league.
- This was alleged to be a walkthrough day, and the gamers have been alleged to be saved off the bottom once they turned up the play pace a little bit bit. South Carolina LB Demetrius Knight II was having NONE of that. I’m actually intrigued by his sport, actual good athlete.
- Texas EDGE Barryn Sorrell has been good this week, and had a very good day at this time. He can win in quite a lot of methods, and used extra pace at this time to select up a win in move rush. I believe he profiles extra as a delegated move rusher, however in a category stuffed with athletic EDGEs, Sorrell can nonetheless stand out along with his repretoire.
- Kansas State CB Jacob Parrish is constructed for an NFL nickel position. He had a pair good move breakups at this time, together with one the place he received over a choose route and beat WR Isaac Teslaa to the ball. He’s small, however feisty corners like him often discover a residence.
- Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter had himself a pleasant day to complete practices. With RBs Devin Neal and RJ Harvey taking the highlight, Hunter stole some shine of his personal on Thursday. He confirmed some good downfield receiving skill, and his highly effective construct lets him make explosive cuts. He’s one other a kind of Day 3 backs that’ll find yourself getting some severe run throughout video games.
- It’s been uneven for him, however Ole Miss EDGE Princely Umanmielen had a very good day of follow. Was profitable with pace across the nook and beating tackles to the within. I want he may very well be extra constant and play the run higher, however his stats and body are prototypical.
- Nationwide staff wiped the ground with the American staff when it got here to the music throughout follow. The American staff would shut off music throughout follow and that’s simply bizarre.
The Senior Bowl goes to happen on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 2:30 pm EST on NFL Community.
