Winners and Losers from Senior Bowl 2025

A look at the best and worst moments from the 2025 Senior Bowl, including an emotional day for Jack Bech.

The week of training and the Senior Bowl game can catapult the stock of NFL Draft prospects and this year was no different. In this text, we will point out who was successful and who did not make the most of the 2025 Senior Bowl.

Opt-Outs

There are always players who opt-out, or, as we said in the article about prospects to watch, those who stand out so much in training that they decide not to go to the game. This year the number was very high, including names that withdrew before training. Whatever the reason, it is something that greatly impacts the event. Personally, I disagree with this behavior. If you have committed to something, go all the way.

None of the Ohio State players participated in the event. Jack Nelson (OT) from Wisconsin did not participate either, along with Georgia teammates Jared Wilson (C) and Tate Ratledge (G) and Ajani Cornelius (OT) from Oregon. Defensive linemen Jordan Burch (EDGE), Nic Scourton (EDGE) and Alfred Collins (NT) opted out. Cam Skattebo (RB) decided not to participate basically a day before the event started (he was even in the text and left at the last minute). Andrew Mukuba (S), Carson Schwesinger (LB), Xavier Watts (S) and Elic Ayomanor (WR) were other names that were left out.

Armand Membou measured and gained a lot of stock. He had a stomach problem (at least that was the reported reason), but it seems that he and his agents thought about keeping him, after the Missouri OT went with the 11th pick (to the 49ers) in the last NFL Mock Draft by Daniel Jeremiah. It was something similar to what Byron Murphy II did last year.

Finally, some who trained and stood out decided to leave the event during the week. They are:

Trey Amos (CB),

Mike Green (EDGE),

Shemar Stewart (EDGE),

Deone Walker (DT),

TJ Sanders (DL),

Kyle Kennard (EDGE)

Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE),

Bru McCoy (WR)

Let’s go!

Winners

Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

Mike Green was one of the biggest winners. He led the FBS in sacks with 17 while playing at Marshall. There were two questions that needed to be answered: the first was about his weight, which seemed to be undesirable for an EDGE in the NFL. Green solved this by weighing in at over 250 pounds, as opposed to the 240 that was projected.

The other question was about his performance against higher level competition. Green was dominant, showed one of the best bends in the class and a good repertoire of moves. His dominance was so great that he opted out, as we said above. Green will probably hear his name called in the first round.

Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami

I don’t remember a class of TEs this promising. I don’t know if they will actually fulfill their potential in the NFL, but there are many good options. One of them is Arroyo. He demonstrated incredible route-running, better than many WRs, even.

He finished off an excellent week with a beautiful “TD” on the two-point conversion.

Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota

He measured 33 inches for his arms and weighed 240 lbs, fitting the bill for a modern NFL LB. He showed his speed and reading ability, covering sideline to sideline in the running game and reading the eyes of QBs well in the passing game.

Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

There was some doubt as to whether Membou would be an OG or OT in the NFL. That doubt was basically dispelled by his measurements at the event. He weighed 332 lbs and had 34-inch arms. More than enough to be an OT and allows Membou to dream of finishing very close to the top-10. In a class where many OTs are projected as OGs, Membou earned stock and consequently money.

Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona

The Arizona OT should be moved inside. His measurements are more than adequate, with an arm over 34”, wingspan over 81” and weight over 330 lbs. However, Savaiinaea struggled against some speed rushers and inside was where he found his best snaps and that is probably where he will play in the NFL. He had a good game at guard.

Miles Frazier, OG, LSU

A RG from LSU standing out in the Senior Bowl…

Does this remind you of anything Seahawks fans? Maybe the last good guard John Schneider brought in, Damien Lewis. The style of both is very different but Frazier was dominant in the 1-on-1 and certainly saw his name rise on several boards.

With two big days at guard on Tuesday and Wednesday, Frazier was asked by NFL teams to work today at right tackle to show his versatility. Frazier, who has played 61 snaps as an OT this season, showed that he really belongs at guard.

Anthony Belton, OT, NC State

Belton dominated in the measurements, at 6’5, 345 lbs and with a wingspan of over 83”. In addition to playing tackle, he has been asked to play guard and even center. Belton has shown naturalness in both new roles and this versatility will certainly increase his stock.

Grey Zabel, OL, NDSU

One of the big winners of the event. Excellent ability to recover after an initial loss, a fundamental characteristic for success in the NFL. He took snaps as a guard and as a center. Excellent work on zone runs, he will definitely be chosen as a guard and should have taken his stock to the first part of Day 2.

Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

Extremely dominant. His repertoire of moves needs to be refined. But he is very fast and explosive for someone his size. He won with strength and speed on the edge, as he was a great defender against the running game. He was so dominant that he made his name in the first round (maybe earlier than you think) and opted out.

Jalen Rivers, OT, Miami

I confess he wasn’t on my radar. I saw a few of his plays but he hadn’t caught my attention. However, his excellent Senior Bowl performance will put him back on my radar. He moved around very well for someone his size. He also had snaps as a Guard and Center and showed naturalness, gaining versatility points and increasing his stock.

Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami

One of my favorite prospects. He’s basically a slot-only player, but has a good repertoire of releases and is an extremely solid and reliable receiver. He has achieved good victories in direct matchups.

Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State

He really measured over 6’3” and showed all his agility and explosiveness as a vertical weapon. Very good in contested balls. He will be a great X receiver, showing great adjustment ability on the first TD of the game. He reminds me a lot of Nico Collins’ style.

Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

Only 20 years old, good physique and athletic ability. I liked his technique in press coverage. He got good reps, even though the exercise is totally favorable to the receivers.

Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M

He didn’t get the same attention as similar small-school names like Cole Strange and Quinn Meinerz but he took advantage of the week to increase his stock. Playing at a level below the FBS, Vinson had excellent measurements and showed a very refined technique to deal with counters.

Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo

There were some doubts about his size/weight. The measurements were very good, including showing an excellent arm length/wingspan.

In training we saw more of what he could do during the season. He was a winner during the 1v1s. He won with strength and especially speed.

Coaches like to do a lot of tests. They even used Alexander in a wide-9 alignment and he managed to stand out.

Another one who ended a good week of training with a good game.

Jack Bech, WR, TCU

First of all, Bech went through a very difficult time at the beginning of the year. His brother passed away in the New Orleans terrorist attack in January. It’s hard to stay focused with such a big loss, he showed a lot of determination and mentioned his brother in his speech during the game.

Another one of my favorite players. He’s a great weapon in the slot and in the red zone. His background as a TE helps a lot with contested receptions and he’s an excellent route runner.

He’s simply a contested catching machine. He reminds me a lot of Puka Nacua and would be a great addition to Seattle’s receiving corps.

It’s amazing that the event ended with him making a catch to give the American team the win. Really exciting.

Mason Taylor, TE, LSU

I believe he finished the week as the TE3 of the class. He won almost every route duel, showed blocking skills and was also a standout in the red zone, showing safety on contested balls. This really intensified the fight for who will be the next one at the position after Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland.

Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

He gained a lot of stock this week. His name started to circulate in the first round. I think it’s too early for him, but he’s still a great prospect. With the other QBs not showing much to admire in a weak class, Dart rose up the boards.

He fumbled on this play, which was a problem, especially in 2023. It’s something that needs to be worked on.

Very good passing on the move and with an excellent release.

Here we have the good and the bad of Dart in the same play. Excellent read, good release and mechanics. However, he lacks arm strength and the pass is short. Otherwise, this would be a TD. This was something that happened quite often on his tape in 2024.

Losers

Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

Had small hands in the measurements, which could be the reason for his fumbles. Milroe had a busy first few days of practice with misplaced passes and interceptions. On the play above, he basically got sacked and threw an interception on the same play.

He showed that he continues to have trouble reading underneath defenders, which is the reason for most of his interceptions this season. To be fair, his last day of practice was much better than the others, but he still failed to increase his stock, quite the opposite.

Wyatt Millum, OL, West Virginia

His measurements should limit him to playing as an iOL. Furthermore, he, who in several mocks managed to get out within the first round, should fall a lot. He lost speed, strength and technique in 1v1s.

His snaps as an OT were terrible.

Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas

His big problem is maintaining consistency. During practice he was often thrown to the ground, managing few victories in the process. He had a very good game, but he missed a lot of snaps during practice.

Ups and Downs

Willie Lampkin, C, UNC

His measurements were terrible. 5’10 and 270lbs is quite difficult to risk a pick. However, during practice he showed that he dominates the leverage well, including lining up against the 6’7 NT, Deone Walker.

Marcus Mbow, OL, Purdue

He measured 6’4, 33” arms and +10” hands. More than enough numbers to keep his place as OT, the position he played most of his time at Purdue.

He has very good hand technique and it showed.

He has been tested as an OT, OG and C. I think center would be the best role for him, where he can take advantage of his athleticism. However, he has not shown the variety of pass sets in practice that he had at Purdue. This has allowed his lack of strength to be exploited.

He regained his stock during the game, but I wish he had gotten more snaps at center and guard instead of tackle.

Deone Walker, NT, Kentucky

6’7”, 340 lbs, 34” arm and 84” wingspan. Incredible measurements and obviously draws attention. He moves well for someone of his size and weight, there’s no denying it. Maybe most saw Walker as a winner, however I thought his pad level was too high, the weight wasn’t well distributed and he looked clumsy at times. Obviously, with pure strength he’s almost impossible to block.

Meetings with Seattle:

As mentioned in the Shrine Bowl article, the All Star Games have implemented a policy of having each prospect meet with each team once. This makes it harder to gauge the teams’ interest in prospects. However, it was reported that the Seahawks requested a second interview with a prospect. It was Jackson Slater, from Sacramento State.

Slater was one of the big winners of the week of training camp. It’s hard for FCS and Small School prospects to get noticed, the Senior Bowl is a great opportunity. He has almost all of his experience as a OG and has had a few games as an OT. Most scouts have him projected as a center. Regardless, wherever he plays he would be a good choice for Seattle, considering the level of our OL.

Giving context to this snap, Walter Nolen is one of the most athletic DTs in this class. Nolen also had a great week of practice, and Slater had a good win. He uses an aggressive pass set and Nolen attacks the inside gap, Slater is able to recover and win the snap.

Showed good speed going up to the second level and sealing the LB.

He was also tested as a center and was good.

The next major event for NFL Draft prospects is the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, which starts on Feb. 27 and concludes on March 2.