It was the last day of Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Alabama. It was an exciting week and very informative to get a chance to watch so many players up-close and talk to more than 25 one-on-one. You can hear those interviews on the Giants Huddle podcast in three episodes on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Before breaking down the final day of practice, I want to thank Jim Nagy, Molly Middleton and the entire Senior Bowl communications teams for a great week of practice, access, and interviews. Fantastic job by them.
Here's what I saw from the sideline. As always, opinions are my own.
View photos from the practices leading up to the 2025 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
American team wide receiver Jack Bech (7), of TCU, celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning touchdown over the National team during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team head coach Mike Kafka, of the New York Giants, watches during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the American team, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Riley Leonard (13), of Notre Dame, looks to throw a pass during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the National team, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team wide receiver Jayden Higgins (9), of Iowa State,reacts after scoring a touchdown against the American team during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Jaxson Dart, center, of Mississippi, throws a pass during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the National team Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8), of Oregon, looks to throw a pass during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the American team Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team tight end CJ Dippre (81), of Alabama, catches a pass as National team defensive back Tommi Hill (31), of Nebraska, defends during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team running back RJ Harvey, center, of Central Florida, carries the ball during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the National team Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Jalen Milroe (4), of Alabama, looks to throw a pass as National team defensive lineman Junior Tafuna (58), of Utah, applies pressure during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team running back Jarquez Hunter, center, of Auburn, carries the ball against the National team during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team running back Ollie Gordon II, front right, of Oklahoma State, carries the ball as American team linebacker Jack Kiser of Notre Dame, left, closes in for the tackle during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team tight end Elijah Arroyo (80), of Miami, catches a pass for a two-point conversion over American team defensive back Mac McWilliams (27), of Central Florida, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team running back Ollie Gordon II, top, of Oklahoma State, is tackled by American team defensive back Dan Jackson, bottom, of Georgia, as he carries the ball during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team linebacker Tim Smith, bottom, of Alabama, takes a photo with fans after the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the National team, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team quarterback Tyler Shough, of Louisville, looks to throw a pass during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the American team Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Seth Henigan, of Memphis, looks to throw a pass during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the National team, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team quarterback Taylor Elgersma (18), of Laurier, scrambles as American team defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, left, of Georgia, tackles him from behind during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Jaxson Dart, left, of Mississippi, escapes pressure from National team defensive lineman Landon Jackson (40), of Arkansas, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
James Ferentz Assistant Offensive Line Coach
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
Angela Baker Offensive Assistant
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Mike Adams Assistant Secondary Coach
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Mike Adams Assistant Secondary Coach
Angela Baker Offensive Assistant
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Angela Baker Offensive Assistant
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Schoen
Marcus Cooper National Scout, Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Blaise Bell College Area Scout, Marcus Cooper National Scout, Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Angela Baker Offensive Assistant
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
Angela Baker Offensive Assistant
James Ferentz Assistant Offensive Line Coach
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
James Ferentz Assistant Offensive Line Coach
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
Mike Adams Assistant Secondary Coach
James Ferentz Assistant Offensive Line Coach
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
Joel Thomas Running Backs Coach
Angela Baker Offensive Assistant
Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager
Angela Baker Offensive Assistant
Angela Baker Offensive Assistant
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Mike Kafka Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
* Some players decided not to participate in practice on Thursday, including Shemar Stewart, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Deone Walker, Mike Green and Dorian Strong. Some players were brought in to replace them on the roster like Minnesota edge rusher Danny Striggow.
* The final day of practice takes place just two days before the game and is always a bit lighter in terms of length and full contact to make sure players are ready for Saturday's game. The National players, however, were juiced up. You could tell the players had built up some competitive fire going against the other side throughout the week. Players were chippy and there was a lot of chirping between the National offense and defense throughout.
* It was especially obvious in the trenches during one-on-one drills where a small scuffle almost broke out between players after some reps. The defense generally got the better of the matchups. Here are a couple more names beyond the obvious and those I've spoken about before that flashed today. Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander (6-3.5, 304, 34-inch arms) was getting up-field and past the offensive linemen using a combination of burst, power and a sweet rip move to work towards the quarterback. Aeneas Peebles (6-0, 289) from Virginia Tech, Junior Tafuna (6-3, 303) from Utah, and Joshua Farmer (6-3, 314) from Florida State also had their moments.
* On the edge, despite not looking the part, Central Arkansas' David Walker continued to win reps lining up inside and over the offensive tackle. He is only 6-0 and 267 pounds with 31.75-inch arms and he is very compact, but he figures out a way to win one-on-one. It will be interesting to see how teams decide to fit him into their defensive gameplans.
* After fast starts this week, Miami's Jalen Rivers (6-5, 331, 35-inch arms) and N.C. State's Anthony Belton (6-5.5, 345, 34.5-inch arms) were less consistent today. Rivers has played guard and tackle, while Belton has primarily been at tackle. West Virginia's Wyatt Millum (6-6.25, 315, 32.5-inch arms) took snaps at tackle and guard this week, but was much more effective playing the latter. Meanwhile, Nebraska's Ty Robinson and Arkansas' Landon Jackson had more success after slow starts on the first day of practice. UCLA's Oluwafemi Oladejo (6-2.75, 261, 33.5-inch arms) continued to win rushing from the inside and outside.
* Quarterback Dillon Gabriel is doing a cool thing, wearing a helmet with logos from all three teams he played for: Oregon, Oklahoma and UCF.
* In team drills, Oregon's Jamaree Caldwell (6-2, 342) had impressive run stops. Running back Bhayshul Tuten (5-8.75, 211) used his speed to get to the outside on a run. Virginia safety Jonas Sanker, Florida State cornerback Azareye'h Thomas and Illinois State safety Keondre Jackson either played good coverage or knocked a pass away.
* The seven-on-seven action took place in the red zone, where Xavier Restrepo caught a touchdown from Dillon Gabriel, Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen caught another, and Da'Quan Felton pulled down a score on a quick out.
* The National Team worked team red zone drills next, where Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo adjusted his crosser to a zone defense and stopped in a hole in the coverage and made a jumping catch for a touchdown. He was the most exciting tight end in Mobile. A ball that went through the hands of a tight end found its way to Nebraska's Tommi Hill for an interception. Landon Jackson, Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa, Utah's Junior Tafuna and Darius Alexander all registered what looked like potential sacks.
* In the competition portion to close practice, Iowa safety Sebastian Castro had a pass break-up defending Harold Fannin during red zone drills, recovering after getting beat off the line. Anthony Belton and Wyatt Millum won their one-on-one pass protection drills. The practice ended with a three-rep competition between Illinois' Pat Bryant II and Tommi Hill, with Bryant taking the win home with a catch for a touchdown.
* In the American practice, Delaware running back Marcus Yarns continued to show off his athleticism with a deep catch in one on ones beating the tight end. Florida wide receiver Chimere Dike caught a couple passes down the field. TCU wide receiver Jack Bech doesn't wow with traits but catches everything and shows good body control. Geogia wide receiver Arian Smith had a good day with several catches.
* Defensive backs Trey Amos and Billy Bowman Jr., along with linebackers Jack Kiser and Smael Mondon Jr., all had pass break-ups. Ole Miss edge rusher Princely Umanmielen used an outside rush in a team drill to beat the left tackle and knocked the ball away from Jalen Milroe. Georgia Safety Dan Jackson had a big hit separating Bech from the ball on a near long completion down the sideline. UCF cornerback Mac McWilliams punched a ball out and Kansas State cornerback Jacob Parrish had a pass break-up.
* In the final competition of the week, UCF cornerback Brandon Adams prevented Floria receiver Chimere Dike from coming down with a catch. Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone II caught a corner route for a touchdown. Georgia running back Trevor Etienne beat his teammate Smael Mondon Jr. for a touchdown. Alabama defensive tackle Tim Smith (6-4, 311) got under the pads of Arizona offensive linemen Jonah Savaiinaea and drove him back for a sack. Practice ended with LSU offensive lineman Miles Frazier (6-5.5, 324) stopped Umanmielen on a nasty outside speed rush to seal the win for the offense.
Subscribe to Giants Text Alerts to stay up to date on breaking news, ticket offers, gameday entertainment, and more!
