2025 Senior Bowl: American Team Standouts
The 2025 Senior Bowl can be celebrated as another successful rendition of the sport’s premier college all-star game. Who were the top performers throughout the week and the game itself? Which prospects elevated their draft stocks with their prodigious efforts amongst a talented field of athletes? Which standouts from the American team stood tall at the Senior Bowl?
Offense
Wide Receiver
Jack Bech | TCU
Bech stood out during the practices, with great reps throughout the week. He possesses excellent size and underrated athleticism, along with uncanny route-running ability. The former TCU breakout star had a heartwarming finish to the Senior Bowl game and was named MVP. His brother was tragically killed during the terrorist attack in New Orleans last month. Teams should be looking at him during the early stages of Day 3 after the week he just had.
Jalen Royals | Utah State
Royals proved that he is healthy after missing multiple games last season due to a foot injury. He showed tremendous ability, which got him onto the draft scene. The former Utah State product plays much bigger than his 5’11 size belies. His outstanding week should intrigue teams into selecting him on Day 3.
Isaac TeSlaa | Arkansas
Teslaa was the breakout star receiver in Mobile, winning multiple reps and proving to be an outstanding athlete for the position. The former Arkansas receiver profiles like an “X” with more athleticism than he’s given credit for. Although his production was minimal in college, he presents an intriguing upside for the team that drafts him. With his performance in Mobile, Teslaa solidified his stock into the early to middle stages of Day 3.
Running Back
Devin Neal | Kansas
Neal stood out even in a highly talented running back class in Mobile. He was arguably the best overall runner during the week. The underrated Kansas star showed enough at the Senior Bowl to justify a Day 2 selection. He has the athleticism and vision to be an impact runner early in his career.
Brashard Smith | SMU
Smith transferred to SMU from Miami for the 2024 season and changed positions to running back. A position switch that saw him explode onto the draft scene. He rushed for over 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns and retained his receiver ability. The former Mustangs star more than justified the hype during the week. He also brings return ability to the table. He is undoubtedly an intriguing prospect in the shape of a Deebo Samuel-type wingback role. Teams could take him early on Day 3 after a good Combine process.
Marcus Yarns | Delaware
The Delaware standout had a fantastic week, showing off his athleticism and speed in numerous reps. He’s an electric weapon out of the backfield. Yarns had a strong effort to stand out in a loaded running back class that could see him drafted early on in Day 3. He is an underrated prospect who gained a lot of traction in Mobile.
Offensive Line
Willie Lampkin | iOL | UNC
The former North Carolina star lineman was a star in a Mobile throughout the process. He had one rep whose size difference was laughable, but he shut down the much bigger Deone Walker. Lampkin is just 5’11 270, but he is an absolute warrior in the trenches. He just doesn’t quit, no matter the odds. Given his size, it’s likely that he’ll move to a hybrid fullback/tight-end role. Lampkin is one of the big winners and American team standouts.
Jackson Slater | iOL | Sacramento State
Slater had much to prove during the week, and he proved that he belonged at this level of competition. He was steady during the week and didn’t lose many reps. The former Sac State lineman lined up at guard and center, excelling at both. His stock is soaring up the boards after a good week and should see him drafted within the first four rounds.
Carson Vinson | OT | Alabama A&M
Despite a step up in competition level, Vinson showed up and showed out in Mobile. He has all the physical traits of a franchise blocker. He’s every bit of his 6’6 314 and looks the part with the length and frame. Vinson was nearly impossible to beat during the practices. The HBCU product was the rare tackle who shut down Shemar Stewart. He had a great week that should elevate his stock into the Day 2 range. Alabama A&M’s star tackle should see a meteoric rise similar to another small school Alabama product in Tytus Howard.
Defense
Defensive Line
Walter Nolen | DL | Ole Miss
Nolen came as advertised and then some. He was flat-out dominant during the week and showed slight weakness. He was by far the best of the Ole Miss contingent, which is saying something since they were all so good in their own right. The former Rebels standout cemented himself into the first round with a great week.
T.J. Sanders | DL | South Carolina
Sanders joined the litany of former Gamecocks populating Mobile and stood out in a big way. It could be argued that he was among the best non-Nolen interior defenders during the week. The athleticism popped up in the practice sessions, but the power showed up, too. He separated himself into another gear from his college teammates. Sanders won most of his reps and showed well during the team portions. He’s in the conversation for Day 2 but will likely settle into the early Day 3 range.
EDGE
Kyle Kennard | South Carolina
Kennard entered the week needing a big week to lock in a Day 2 selection, and he delivered in spades. The Nagurski winner proved that 2024 was no fluke and won most of his reps. He used every bit of his entire arsenal during the week. It would be a shock if he didn’t land within the draft’s first three rounds. A bigger surprise would be if he doesn’t go in the second round with the week he just had in Mobile.
Shemar Stewart | Texas A&M
After two days, Stewart so thoroughly dominated the practices that he pulled out of the event. He eviscerated the competition and had an argument that he was the second-best EDGE prospect in the class. The former Aggies pass rusher put all of his skills on display, including an incredible burst and bend around the edge repeatedly. He didn’t lose a single rep in practice and locked himself into the first round, barring unforeseen circumstances.
Jared Ivey | Ole Miss
Ivey was a sleeper to watch heading into the week’s proceedings and showed that he’s better than advertised alongside star teammates. He generally had a good time in one-on-one situations and rarely lost a rep. However, he consistently shined through in team drills, notching several effort plays. The Ole Miss standout showed off his versatility by being equally adept on the perimeter and inside. While college teammate Princely Umanmielen had a good week, Ivey nudged ahead with a better one.
Linebacker
Demetrius Knight | LB | South Carolina
Knight came into Mobile as one of the top linebackers in the class and left the city the same way. He measured 6’1 246 with the longest arms and wingspan of all linebackers at the Senior Bowl. Given his size, there were some coverage concerns, but he alleviated them throughout the week. The former Gamecocks star has all the tools to become a great Mike linebacker at the next level. Knight likely has elevated his stock into the late Day 2 stage with his great week.
Secondary
B.J. Adams | CB | UCF
Adams is one of the more underrated cornerbacks in the class. That is no longer the case after an outstanding Senior Bowl week. He has the physical traits to succeed in the league, including his height and length to make life miserable for receivers. The former UCF defensive back is a physical, aggressive cornerback who doesn’t fear anyone. Adams’ week in Mobile caused his stock to soar into a possible Day 2 selection. He was projected as a middle Day 3 selection before the Senior Bowl.
Billy Bowman | S | Oklahoma
Bowman is a safety by trade but practiced some at cornerback during the week. He excelled in coverage against bigger tight ends and was a natural athlete. He’s undersized but a refined defensive back. The former Sooners star showed off plenty of versatility and tremendous athleticism. He was sticky in coverage all week, no matter who he faced. The safety class is trending towards very challenging in its breadth, and Bowman could vault up the boards. He could be the next Evan Williams, the do-it-all DB, who launched an all-rookie campaign from Mobile in 2023.
Mac McWilliams | CB | UCF
The alliterative legend from the Magic Kingdom had a great week in Mobile, proving the Senior Bowl was prescient in extending him an invitation. McWilliams proved that he could shut down even the best receivers in the country. Scouts will likely flock back to the UCF tape to see what they missed in the initial viewing. There were times that he ran the route for the receiver. He elevated himself onto the scene with an outstanding week.
Upton Stout | CB | Western Kentucky
During Senior Bowl week, Stout posted a compelling argument for being the most dominant cornerback in Mobile. The former Hilltoppers star rarely lost a rep and snagged a couple of interceptions on top of being a lockdown corner. Entering the week, he was on the low end of Day 3 on most boards. Exiting Mobile, Stout has a solid chance of being drafted in the early to middle stages of Day 3. He is well on his way to earning a CB1 opportunity in the league.
Joseph is a veteran writer of many publications past and present. He is a long-time Tennessee Titans fan and draft scout/analyst, along with writing about the league is a passion project. Mr. Yun has been credentialed to the Senior Bowl multiple times. Readers will find he brings the juice with a scout’s eye and analytical mind. Follow me on Twitter @2Yoon2ZeroBlitz for more good stuff!