2025 Senior Bowl Standouts: Top Risers & Key Takeaways from Practice Week, Shemar Stewart, Mike Green, Grey Zabel Had A Great Week
Senior Bowl practices shape NFL Draft stock! Check out the top risers, standout performances, and key takeaways from this crucial week. The Senior Bowl isn’t just another college all-star game—it’s the single most important pre-draft event outside of the NFL Combine for evaluating prospects. While the game itself garners attention, the reality is that NFL scouts, general managers, and coaches put far more weight on the practices than the game itself. Why the Senior Bowl Practices Matter More Than the Game Most NFL personnel leave Mobile before the actual game is even played. Why? Because the real evaluation process happens during the week of practice. Teams want to see how prospects prepare, retain information, and compete against top-tier talent. Perhaps most importantly, the Senior Bowl offers small-school standouts a chance to prove themselves against Power 5 competition. We’ve seen this before—just last year, Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell dominated in Mobile, carried that momentum into the NFL Combine, and solidified himself as a first-round pick. This year, Marshall’s Mike Green is following in Mitchell’s footsteps, showing he belongs with the best. North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel is another small-school name creating serious buzz after an impressive showing in the trenches. Day One Senior Bowl Practice Notes Day one of Senior Bowl practices set the tone for a competitive week, with standout performances from multiple position groups. The tight ends stole the show, as Miami’s Elijah Arroyo and LSU’s Mason Taylor consistently won their reps, displaying refined route-running and soft hands. Arroyo, in particular, flashed elite separation ability, proving he belongs in the conversation as one of the draft’s top tight ends. Meanwhile, the defensive line lived up to expectations, with Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku and Marshall’s Mike Green dominating in one-on-one pass-rush drills. Both showcased elite get-off, hand usage, and flexibility, proving they can impact games beyond just rushing the passer. The trenches saw fierce battles, as offensive linemen fought to hold their ground against an impressive defensive front. North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel stood out with his ability to anchor against power rushers, solidifying his stock as a versatile interior lineman. Meanwhile, Texas A&M’s Shemar Turner was forced to withdraw due to a lingering injury, a setback that could impact his pre-draft process. One of the biggest surprises of the day was UNC’s Willie Lampkin, an undersized lineman who proved his toughness against much larger defenders, winning multiple reps. With the first day in the books, scouts have already begun reshuffling their boards as key prospects continue to separate themselves from the pack. Day Two Senior Bowl Practice Notes Day two of Senior Bowl practices saw continued separation among top prospects, while others fought to solidify their draft stock. The defensive front continued to dominate, with Shemar Stewart, Mike Green, and Donovan Ezeiruaku once again making their presence felt in one-on-ones. Green, in particular, flashed elite speed-to-power conversion, bullying offensive tackles and proving he belongs in first-round discussions. Meanwhile, Missouri’s Armand Membou withdrew from the week due to illness, leaving scouts to debate whether he projects better as a guard or tackle at the next level. His absence created more opportunities for linemen like Grey Zabel, who continued to impress with his technical proficiency and positional versatility. In the secondary, Louisville’s Quincy Riley bounced back from an early drop, displaying sticky coverage and elite recovery speed in drills. At wide receiver, Oregon’s Tez Johnson stole the show, proving his ability to create separation with suddenness and elite burst. As for the QBs, Canadian QB Taylor Elgersma continued adjusting to the American game, showing improved rhythm and footwork after a shaky Day One. Jalen Milroe and Jaxson Dart shook off the Day One rust and started to get their feet beneath them on Day Two. Now, let’s dive into the top 10 players who have stood out the most in Senior Bowl practices this week. My Top 10 Standouts from 2025 Senior Bowl Practices 1. Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M Stewart has been as advertised physically, boasting a 6’5”, 281-pound frame with a near-7-foot wingspan that makes him a nightmare for offensive tackles. He showcased explosive get-off, raw power, and the ability to collapse the pocket in one-on-one drills. While his college sack production remains a concern, his NFL traits are undeniable, and he’s cementing himself as one of the top edge rushers in this class. 2. Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall Green has been one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in Mobile, showing elite speed-to-power conversion and a relentless motor. The FBS sack leader (17.0 sacks in 2024) has won rep after rep in one-on-ones, proving he can win with bend, power, and refined hand usage. His ability to bulldoze top-tier tackles, including Josh Conerly Jr., has solidified him as a potential late first-round pick. 3. Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State Zabel has been a technician in the trenches, consistently stonewalling pass rushers with strong hands, an elite anchor, and smooth footwork. His ability to take reps at both guard and center has only increased his value, as NFL teams covet linemen with positional flexibility. He’s played with good pad level, balance, and recovery ability, making him a riser in Mobile. 4. Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College Ezeiruaku has been one of the most technically refined pass rushers in Mobile, winning one-on-one battles with elite hand placement and counter moves. At 6’2¼” with an 82⅜” wingspan, he compensates for his lack of elite height with outstanding arm extension and leverage. He’s flashed excellent bend and first-step quickness, making him one of the top defensive performers of the week. 5. Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami Arroyo has been one of the smoothest route-runners among tight ends, consistently creating separation against linebackers and safeties. However, at the 2025 Senior Bowl, Arroyo is catching eyes with his skills before the ball is in his hands, displaying his route-running ability as a tight end. Arroyo also clocked the fastest recorded speed for a TE in 2024 (21.8 mph), proving he’s an elite athlete. His stock is firmly inside the top-50 conversation heading into the NFL Combine. 6. Jack Bech, WR, TCU Bech has consistently won his matchups, showcasing strong hands, crisp route-running, and body control. Measuring at 6’1”, 214 pounds, he plays with a physical edge, making tough catches in traffic and showing strong possession-receiver traits. His ability to win at the catch point has drawn praise from scouts, and he’s helped his stock immensely. 7. Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss Nolen has been a force in the interior, regularly pushing the pocket and winning reps with his explosiveness off the ball and raw strength. His ability to stack and shed blockers in the run game, coupled with his violent hands, makes him one of the most NFL-ready interior defenders at the event. He’s proving he belongs in the top 20 of the first-round conversation. 8. Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State Royals has seized the moment in Mobile, proving he’s one of the best route technicians in this WR class. He entered the week with questions about his health after missing the second half of the 2024 season, but he’s erased all doubts with his play. Royals has effortlessly created separation, utilizing his elite burst, crisp route-running, and ability to win at the catch point. He’s firmly in the Round 1-2 mix and could sneak into the back half of the first round. 9. Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon There may not have been a player who impressed more than Jeffrey Bassa this week. The Oregon linebacker showcased elite movement skills in coverage, staying sticky against running backs, tight ends, and even wide receivers in space—an essential skill for today’s linebackers. His fluidity and football IQ have vaulted him into Day 2 discussions, making him a perfect fit for teams in need of a coverage-first linebacker. 10. Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon If you’re looking for a playmaker, Tez Johnson is your guy. At the Senior Bowl, he’s been a nightmare for DBs, using elite quickness, route precision, and breakaway speed to create separation. His ability to turn short catches into big plays has stood out. At only 5'9", 156 lbs, Johnson compares his game to Tank Dell and Cooper Kupp, proving size won’t hold him back. His stock is climbing into the mid-Day 2 range, making him a potential steal as a dynamic slot weapon. Final Takeaway The Senior Bowl practice sessions remain the most valuable scouting tool of the week, and these ten players have stood out the most in a highly competitive environment. While the game itself carries little weight, the ability to compete, adapt, and win reps consistently is what truly moves the needle for NFL teams. Several players—especially Mike Green, Jalen Royals, and Jeffrey Bassa—have significantly elevated their stock, proving they belong in the Day 1 and Day 2 conversations. As the week continues, expect more risers to emerge as scouts and evaluators finalize their notes ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
