- Shemar Stewart seems to be each bit like a first-round choose: The Texas A&M edge defender dominated in Cellular and sure received’t final previous the primary 32 picks in April.
Estimated studying time: 5 minutes
The Reese’s Senior Bowl is likely one of the most vital occasions within the lead-up to the NFL Draft. Most of the high gamers who’ll hear their names known as in April sq. off in an effort to maneuver up draft boards.
Right here’s a prospect at each place who made themselves some cash down in Cellular, Alabama.
Quarterback: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
It wasn’t essentially a banner week for any quarterback down in Cellular, however Gabriel was a minimum of essentially the most constant one in attendance. The exact timing and accuracy that was throughout his collegiate tape was current on the Senior Bowl which is much more spectacular contemplating he’s by no means thrown to most of those receivers.
The sixth-year senior is likely one of the most efficient quarterbacks in faculty soccer historical past, as his 155 profession landing passes are tied for essentially the most all-time with Case Keenum, and he’s earned 85.0-plus grades in every of the final three seasons. Whereas his measurables aren’t nice (5-foot-10, 206 kilos), Gabriel tasks as a minimum of a high-floor backup who ought to stick round within the league for a very long time.
Nice TD throw right here from Dillon Gabriel to Xavier Restrepo #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE pic.twitter.com/Lnv8bZLuXI
— Mason Kinnahan (@Mason_Kinnahan) January 30, 2025
Operating Again: Trevor Etienne, Georgia
Etienne particularly excelled in receiving drills through the Senior Bowl, routinely getting open towards linebackers. That must be no shock contemplating he was third amongst SEC tailbacks since 2023 with 447 yards after the catch.
Trevor Etienne making linebackers look foolish pic.twitter.com/mCK0GthSJs
— UGA Soccer (@UGARecruiting20) January 28, 2025
Huge Receiver: Tez Johnson, Oregon
Johnson didn’t have the very best begin to his week as he got here in at solely 156 kilos. That’s tied for the third-lightest ever by a large receiver and only one pound heavier than the 2 under him. In the case of the performances on the sphere although, it’s arduous to seek out too many wideouts who had a greater week. His elite route-running chops have been on full show and he was capable of separate towards press protection, which is what his greatest query mark is at his measurement.
It’s nothing new for Johnson, whose 91.8% separation fee since becoming a member of Oregon in 2023 stands within the a centesimal percentile amongst FBS large receivers. When isolating his targets to when he was towards single protection, Johnson’s 74.2% separation fee is within the 92nd percentile throughout that timeframe.
Tez Johnson in one-on-ones may as nicely be Tez Johnson operating routes on air pic.twitter.com/rQnWUbhxvV
— Max Chadwick (@CFBMaxChadwick) January 29, 2025
Tight Finish: Elijah Arroyo, Miami (FL)
In what’s a wide-open race for TE3 within the NFL Draft behind Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland, Arroyo may have the within monitor after a powerful efficiency on the Senior Bowl. He has glorious athleticism at 6-foot-5, 251 kilos and was a nightmare for opposing defensive backs to deal with. His 99.7 receiving grade towards single converge this previous season stood within the 99th percentile amongst FBS tight ends.
This was a @seniorbowl first…
Miami TE Elijah Arroyo caught a landing cross and instantly punted the ball into the stands 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/AocRMAzwJ4
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 30, 2025
Offensive Sort out: Anthony Belton, NC State
Belton displayed fast footwork at 345 kilos which allowed him to remain in entrance of a number of the quickest edge defenders in one-on-one drills, like Marshall’s Mike Inexperienced and Michigan’s Josaiah Stewart. His 36-inch arms allowed him to shortly have interaction defenders and dictate many reps as nicely. Belton was capable of even kick inside on some reps and confirmed that he can maintain up at guard as nicely. His 87.2 pass-blocking grade was second amongst ACC tackles this previous season.
NC State OT Anthony Belton held his personal towards Marshall EDGE Mike Inexperienced, one of many quickest risers on the @seniorbowl, this afternoon.
Belton is placing collectively a stable week in Cellular. pic.twitter.com/TTUNmBEGE6
— Noah Fleischman (@fleischman_noah) January 30, 2025
Inside Offensive Lineman: Gray Zabel, North Dakota State
There may not have been a much bigger winner on the Senior Bowl this week than Zabel. He earned a 90.4 grade this previous season for the Bison however wanted to again that tape up towards some elite defensive sort out prospects as a substitute of FCS ones. Not solely that, Zabel wanted to take action whereas switching from left sort out to protect and middle. He dominated one-on-ones regardless and is now being talked about as arguably the very best inside offensive line prospect within the draft.
Right here is each 1-on-1 rep by OL Gray Zabel (North Dakota State) through the Senior Bowl: pic.twitter.com/bEz5BJXykW
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 29, 2025
Inside Defender: Darius Alexander, Toledo
Talking of gamers who dominated lesser competitors, Alexander additionally confirmed out in Cellular. After ending because the nation’s second-most-valuable defensive sort out in accordance with PFF’s wins above common metric, he constantly created havoc this week along with his quickness at 310 kilos.
One other one for Darius Alexander. Hell of a day thus far. #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/rZqhcz2uXC
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) January 30, 2025
Edge Defender: Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
Stewart seemed each bit like a first-round choose this week on the Senior Bowl. He has absurd explosiveness at 281 kilos and is ready to convert velocity to energy at an elite stage. Stewart remains to be creating a pass-rush plan however his athletic presents will doubtless have him taken someplace inside the first 32 picks.
Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart flashing why he’s a possible high 15 choose on the Senior Bowl. His capability to transform velocity to energy is ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/ehH5gR66Px
— Bobby Soccer (@Rob__Paul) January 29, 2025
Linebacker: Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
Kiser confirmed precisely why he was probably the greatest linebackers within the nation throughout his time with the Preventing Irish. He shined in protection drills, choosing off a Jalen Milroe cross through the second day of apply. He additionally was glorious as a run-defender as he confirmed off his unbelievable instincts and downhill velocity. Kiser sees the sphere at a really excessive stage and can a minimum of be a particular groups contributor long-term within the league.
Jalen Milroe in some way sacked AND threw an INT on the identical play as Jack Kiser picked him off at #SeniorBowl apply! @AtoZSportsNFL pic.twitter.com/FqrgyKOkDB
— Travis Could (@FF_TravisM) January 29, 2025
Cornerback: Dorian Sturdy, Virginia Tech
One-on-one drills are inherently designed to favor large receivers over defensive backs, however Sturdy nonetheless confirmed some flashes of brilliance. He does a superb job in press-man protection which is unsurprising contemplating how he carried out with the Hokies. Since 2023, his 87.0 grade in single protection is within the 96th percentile amongst FBS corners.
Virginia Tech’s Dorian Sturdy with a gorgeous rep – disrupts WR at LOS, stays on that hip, and makes use of sideline. Sturdy allowed only a 61.6 NFL QB ranking this previous season. pic.twitter.com/c9IKsN7D4M
— Bobby Soccer (@Rob__Paul) January 29, 2025
Security: Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma
Whereas Bowman is barely undersized at 5-foot-9, 198 kilos, he makes up for it along with his instincts and quickness. It’s a serious motive why he’s picked off 11 passes during the last three seasons. He additionally crammed the gaps in run protection properly even when there wasn’t any dwell tackling in apply. He’s probably the greatest safeties within the class and tasks as an early Day 3 choose.
INT from Billy Bowman JR pic.twitter.com/uJrXHzrE0C
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 28, 2025
