2025 Senior Bowl: Day One Standouts

MOBILE, Ala. — The road to the 2025 NFL Draft starts here in the heart of Mobile, Ala. The Reese’s Senior Bowl is widely recognized as the top college football all-star game and the first major event in the NFL Draft process. It has been held here for the past 76 years, making it the longest-running all-star game in history. This year, more than 900 NFL personnel, including key decision-makers from all 32 teams, and over 1,100 media members from across the country were credentialed. In April, the game helped shape the NFL Draft with 110 players selected, accounting for 43% of the entire draft class.

Split into the American and National teams, players were facing off in intense practices from Tuesday to Thursday morning before going head-to-head in "The Game"—an exhibition where prospects have the chance to elevate their draft stock with standout performances. Set for Saturday, Feb. 1, at 3:30 p.m. ET at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the University of South Alabama campus, the game is sure to feature plenty of intriguing prospects who will stand out from the crowd. During Tuesday morning’s opening practice session, there were already plenty of players making their mark.

Senior Bowl Day One Standouts

OL Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota

With powerful hands that he uses to keep pass rushers at bay, Aireontae Ersery was one of the top linemen who received plenty of attention during Tuesday's drills. At many points of the afternoon, Ersery was giving some of the top sack artists in college football all they could handle. Expected to be selected in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, the two-year Minnesota starter allowed just one sack and earned a spot on the All-Big Ten First Team for his exceptional play.

WR Tez Johnson, Oregon

As the week of practices in Mobile approached, much of the talk centered around Tez Johnson’s slender frame as the Oregon pass-catcher recently weighed in at just 156 pounds. However, his next-level quickness was on full display.

Most notably, Johnson excelled at nearly every rep, consistently creating the perfect amount of separation. A firecracker in 2024, Johnson led the Ducks with 898 yards on 83 catches, adding 10 touchdowns to his impressive resume. He’ll undoubtedly be a name to watch in the coming days.

DL Deone Walker, Kentucky

There’s no doubt about it, folks—Mr. Deone Walker is a physical specimen who moves exceptionally well for his size. Standing tall at 6-foot-7 and weighing a solid 340 pounds, few, if any, can contain this defensive disruptor. The Kentucky Wildcat excelled as a run-stopper and even made his mark as a pass rusher, finishing his college career with 10 sacks. Walker certainly made his presence felt on Tuesday, wreaking havoc in the offensive backfield. If he strings together a few more standout practices, then he could very well solidify his spot as a first-round pick come April.

RB Trevor Etienne, Georgia

Etienne might be one of the more underrated do-it-all backs who is in attendance for the 2025 Senior Bowl. The younger brother of Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, he raised plenty of eyebrows during Tuesday's practice session. Etienne was the primary running back for the Dawgs throughout much of the 2024 season, playing a key role in their SEC Championship win over Texas in overtime. Although he missed a few games due to a minor rib injury, he still led the team in rushing touchdowns and gave a significant boost to Georgia's ground game. He particularly stood out during 1-on-1's where he made plenty of linebackers look foolish with his solid pass-catching skills, sharp cuts and swift footwork. Etienne's draft stock could very much be on the rise.

EDGE Mike Green, Marshall

Despite coming from a smaller school, Green's play style is nothing short of elite. It’s no coincidence that the redshirt sophomore burst onto the scene in 2024, finishing with an impressive 17 sacks. From the start of the week here, what stood out was his remarkable ability to contort his body and shed blocks in any way necessary, setting the tone for his standout practice on Tuesday.

For NFL teams that are giddy in adding pass-rushing monsters, it's Green who fits that description perfectly.