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 subsequent technology of NFL expertise.

I’m in Cellular as nicely, and am going to be giving out observations from every day of the 2025 Senior Bowl, crammed with guys who stood out. Tuesday was the primary day of follow, 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 beneath middle work with guys they’ve by no means labored with, there have been quite a lot of bobbled exchanges. Nonetheless, 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 strains, a bunch that is perhaps one of many extra proficient 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 crew, Marshall EDGE Mike Inexperienced would possibly’ve been one of the best particular person participant. He received weigh-ins by coming in at 251 kilos, and he seems 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 (a very good participant in his personal proper) and flying previous others. The place he made probably the most development was as a run defender, having the ability to persistently set the sting and was forceful within the run recreation. 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 Faculty EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku additionally had an excellent day. He’s just a little 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, received 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 one of the best on finest 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 crew 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 received reps throughout the offensive line, and easily dominated at each spot. His potential to anchor was examined, and he handed with flying colours. He received popped for a false begin in crew 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 in the present day, displaying the foot velocity to close down exterior strikes and the ability to anchor and redirect cross rushers. Quick begin for him.
• USC C Jonah Monheim is perhaps 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 degree.
• I used to be anticipating extra from Arkansas’ Landon Jackson in the present day. His lack of bend is absolutely regarding, and he doesn’t actually have a cross rush plan.
• Toledo DT Darius Alexander had some REALLY good moments in the present day. He’s received MASSIVE palms 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 recreation in the present day, however he actually stood out as a run defender.
• Miami TE Elijah Arroyo has received JUICE. Was neglected due to QB Cam Ward and WR Xavier Restrepo, however he’s a straightforward mover who persistently created separation.

• Virginia Tech DT Aeneas Peebles had some fairly unimaginable reps in the present day. 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 expertise intrigue me. Regarded actually fluid in protection.
• Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa was the vocal captain of the Nationwide crew. Took the position of calling the performs and getting everybody organized. Additionally had some good reps within the passing recreation.
• The depth was THERE for the Nationwide crew, way more than the American crew. Iowa DT Yahya Black and West Virginia OL Wyatt Milum received into it and needed to be separated. The American crew reduce the music off midway into follow, which is why I feel the depth was down.
• For the American crew, 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 nicely. 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 sphere was Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott. One other man who’s just a little undersized at 297 kilos, however his lateral quickness and agility was jaw-dropping in the present day. He was within the backfield a lot he compelled a nasty snap along with his quickness off the ball. For a crew needing a penetrating three-technique, Norman-Lott goes to be their choose on Day 2. He left early, nevertheless. Surprise if he received dinged up.

• I believed Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart was simply…nice in the present day. Had some spectacular reps, but in addition had some tough ones. He is perhaps 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 lean. He’s tremendous fast off the ball and flashed quite a bit within the run and cross. His consistency must iron itself out, however he’s similar to Buffalo Payments’ DT Ed Oliver.
• Usually neglected due to his star teammates round him, LSU OL Miles Frazier had a terrific follow. He stonewalled Nolen on repeated performs in crew drills, and confirmed some spectacular play power. Tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr (who was additionally nice in the present day) 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 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 in the present day. Showcased quite a lot of expertise within the run recreation, and created separation vertically as a receiver. One other neglected 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 velocity and quickness, but in addition was ready to do that in the present day, in what’s presumably one of the best rep of the day for both facet:

• Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser determined to play on this recreation regardless of taking part in 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 may hold him on the sphere.
• Florida LB Shemar James can MOVE. He was just a little miscast at Florida, however made some good performs in protection in the present day
• SMU RB Brashard Smith was COOKING within the passing recreation in the present day. 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 crew 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 Cellular.