Senior Bowl 2025: Standout Players After Day 2

By / Devy & College Football / Leave a Comment
Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M Football, Senior Bowl, The League Winners

Day 2 is in the books from the Senior Bowl. There were some more standout players, whether they were upper-level pass rushers, wideouts breaking ankles, or linebackers breaking onto the scene. Some players are repeat performers who deserve a spot on this list, as they are the best of the best when it comes to the players at this year’s Senior Bowl.

However, this article aims to highlight new standouts from the practice. The previous standouts will still be in the honorable mention section; this article is (mainly) meant to highlight players who burst onto the scene today. It will be a long one, but it is well worth it.

So, with the prerequisite out of the way, let’s dive into the day two standouts for the 2025 Senior Bowl!

2025 Senior Bowl Standout Players

National Team

Tez Johnson, WR – Oregon

Like a Wawa on the East Coast, Tez Johnson is always open.

The dynamic receiver from Oregon, using a combination of speed, quickness, and route running, dominated his opposition. He attacked open space, turned around cornerbacks, and based past defenders in zone coverage. Even at a smaller size, nobody could stick with Johnson for any period of time.

Johnson’s performance culminated in a “best-on-best” matchup against FSU cornerback Azareye’h Thomas. Despite Thomas being one of the best press-man corners in this year’s class, Johnson cooked him off the line of scrimmage and secured the catch on one of the best reps of the entire day.

There were plenty of questions about Johnson heading into the practices, especially with him being a significant size outlier at the receiver position. However, Johnson has shown that he is a ball player this week, and especially one worthy of NFL attention in this year’s class.

Quincy Riley, CB – Louisville

In terms of cornerbacks, nobody had a better day in coverage on the National team than Quincy Riley.

The Louisville product provided a combination of everything with his reps on the field. He ran down vertical routes and forced incomplete passes, including two great reps against Iowa State standout Jaylin Noel. He made great breaks on the ball, almost picking off Dillon Gabriel on one of his plays.

Throughout this week, Riley has been aggressive in coverage while also staying smooth with his technique. He has constantly been a tough matchup, even in 1-on-1 periods that heavily favor the wide receiver.

Riley is one of the few cornerbacks who plays with a “bulldog” mentality in this class, notably in all facets of coverage. As a result, he likely is one of the main risers from the Senior Bowl.

Mike Green, EDGE – Marshall

Holy bend, Batman! That was the first thought that went through my head when I saw Mike Green almost parallel to the ground during a pass-rush drill to start off practice. And as it turned out, that drill would only be the start for Green.

The Marshall product blew up high-level tackle prospect Josh Conerly Jr. with a bull rush during 1-on-1s. He showcased impressive speed and power on a would-be sack during team drills. This built upon a strong Day 1 performance from Green, where he showcased some good run defense reps and great pass rushing ability

Green already had some first-round buzz coming into this week, especially due to his pass-rushing prowess. With favorable measurables and a great two-day stretch of practice, that buzz should only increase for Green.

Terrance Ferguson, TE – Oregon

Tez Johnson was not the only standout receiving option from Oregon on Wednesday.

Tight end Terrance Ferguson displayed a high-level of receiving ability and route running against his competition. He won with speed, outrunning linebackers to make the throw easier for the quarterback. He won through contact, using his length and route running to break free. Ferguson also won in contested catch situations, most notably with a one-handed catch in the “best-on-best” period.

Ferguson has displayed some good blocking, but his pass-catching prowess has been his main calling card at the Senior Bowl. He has looked smooth, explosive, and dynamic all over the field for the National Team’s offense. If the quarterback needs to make a play, there is a good chance they will look for Ferguson if he is on the field.

Even in a loaded tight end class, Ferguson has begun to separate himself. He will be a great addition for a team when it comes to the 2025 NFL Draft.

LeQuint Allen, RB – Syracuse

Not many players look like they have the Madden “speed boost” when they move or catch the football. However, Syracuse’s LeQuint Allen is not like many players.

Just like he did on day one, Allen displayed upper level movements as a wideout. He looked shifty and explosive, while also displaying an impressive route tree for such a young player. The Syracuse product had the opposition on skates, making them look silly as he went to go make a catch in space. To add to his impressive arsenal, Allen also made a leaping contested grab during the practice.

I would personally love to see more running reps from Allen, especially in between the tackles. But solely based on the two practices, Allen has shown that he is arguably the best receiving back in the entire draft. And based on that alone, he is worth an investment from a team that will know how to deploy him.

Honorable Mentions
  • Jayden Higgins: DOMINANCE. Higgins proved that he is for real and is a major stock riser for me after this week of practice.
  • Donovan Edwards: Best running back route of the day. He looks to be a big-time threat as a receiving back.
  • Jaylin Noel: Speed, shiftiness, route running, and nice hands. Noel has it all and will be a nice selection for a team this spring.
  • Harold Fannin Jr.: He had a much-needed bounce back after a quiet day one. I loved the way the TE fought through contact and made contested catches today.
  • Elijah Arroyo: Phenomenal route runner, easy mover, great hands. Arroyo has it all and will be a great selection for a team in need of a dynamic receiving option.
  • Keondre Jackson: He made some great plays deep down the field in coverage. Not a major “riser” for me yet, but he is a main sleeper.
  • Kyle Williams: Blazing fast speed, fantastic route-running package, good hands. The WSU product showed that he can be a producer against the best of the best.
  • Jeffrey Bassa: My favorite linebacker at the Senior Bowl. Great ability against the run and pass while also displaying great leadership qualities.
  • Olawafemi Oladejo: Powerful hands, very good at setting the edge. Excited to watch some more pass-rushing from him.
  • Cody Lindenberg: Cerebral player with great instincts. Sleeper player who can be a key contributor on a defense.
  • Darien Porter: He had some great coverage reps deep down the field. Nice length, great speed. A player to watch.
  • Josaiah Stewart: Powerful hands, and he has a nice plan of attack on each play. Very solid player down here in Mobile.
  • David Walker: Loved some of his pass rush snaps today. Very explosive and has some fun pass-rush moves.
  • Donovan Ezeiruaku: He has had some good pass rush moves and run defense reps. Very solid player.
  • Azareye’h Thomas: He lost some reps, but he also had some great press-man reps. Want to see a bit more consistency from him.
  • Nickolas Martin: I really liked the way he played in coverage and attacked the ball downhill. Another member of a fun linebacker group.

American Team

Shemar Stewart, EDGE – Texas A&M

As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, the idea was not to put “repeat” performers in my standouts section. However, Shemar Stewart is my main exception to that idea.

The Texas A&M pass rusher was dominant for the majority of Wednesday’s practice. During team drills, he set the edge on a run play and completely stopped it in its tracks. On the next play, he won immediately as a pass rusher and would have had a chance at a sack. Later in the practice, he displayed insanely impressive bend to force a strip sack on the quarterback.

Stewart built upon his good start on Day 1 by completely terrorizing the American team’s offense. To put what I said in my notes into this article, go enjoy the weekend, young man. You earned your money.

Eugene Asante, LB, Auburn

In terms of an all-around performance, Eugene Asante may have had one of the best.

Do you want pass rush ability? Asante beat Mason Taylor with an impressive rip move in one-on-ones. Do you want  a guy that can run fit? Asante did that perfectly in a rep during team drills. Do you want. A player that can force turnovers? Asante did that during team drills as well.

A fluid and quick mover, Asante already displayed yesterday that he can make plays in coverage. With ample displays of pass rush, run defense, and turnover creation on Wednesday, the Auburn product showed that he is versatile and effective in a variety of ways. In terms of his 2025 NFL draft stock, that is only a good thing for him.

Jalen Royals, WR – Utah State

Jalen Royals is, simply put, a smooth operator.

The Utah State wideout’s route running popped off the page once again during Wednesday’s practice. He consistently set up defenders, used head fakes and stutter steps, and utilized his hands in the proper way. Cornerbacks did not have a good way to stop him, even if they got hands on him. And if they hesitated, Royals would just go right through them.

Royals is ready-made for the modern NFL. He is not afraid to get physical and has nose for the football. Most importantly, he has a route-running package and ability that many wideouts would only dream about having. He is a big riser for me and one of my favorites from the Senior Bowl

Jalen McLeod, LB – Auburn

Similar to his Auburn teammate in Asante, Jalen McLeod was extremely impressive on Wednesday.

The linebacker showed off an impressive arsenal of pass-rushing moves during 1-on-1 drill work. He threw out a nifty spin move and utilized a club move to win two separate reps. In team drills, McLeod was very solid against the run, as he flew down to make a stop in the hole.

McLeod’s pass-rush ability alone should turn the heads of NFL coaches and scouts. But with the strength and quickness he displayed as a player, too, the Auburn linebacker could shoot up draft boards very quickly.

Jared Ivey, EDGE – Ole Miss

Among a deep edge rusher class, Jared Ivey is making a name for himself.

The Ole Miss defender built upon a solid first day with more big-plays on day two. Ivey had an instant win against two blockers as a pass rusher, blazing toward Jalen Milroe for what would have been a sack. He also showed stout run defense, not letting the running back get outside and make a big play.

Whenever called upon, Ivey has been a solid, if not great, player. He defends the run very well and has some of the more pass-rush wins you will see. In terms of his stock, Ivey is definitely a riser in my book and a big-time standout from day two of practice.

Honorable Mentions
  • Jack Bech: Dominant route running once again. Has made himself some big-time money this week.
  • Jack Kiser: He had some great pass rush wins and looked very solid in coverage. Another very solid linebacker from a deep Senior Bowl group.
  • Mason Taylor: He was a bit up and down as a blocker today, getting beat by some of the linebackers. However, Taylor is a force as a receiver. He is one of the best at his position in this class.
  • Thomas Fidone II: Powerful blocker, strong hands as a receiver through the point of contact. Fidone is a sleeper for me in a deep tight end class.
  • Deone Walker: Another day, another dominant run defense rep from Walker. A mountain of a man and a very fun football player.
  • Brashard Smith: The best overall running back in Mobile. Upper-tier route running and hands. Good quickness and improving vision as a runner.
  • Marcus Yarns: He had some great wins as a receiver once again. Highly explosive.
  • RJ Harvey: Similar to Yarns, Harvey is dynamite as a receiver. In a real game setting, he likely would have had a big run or two.
  • Tai Felton: I loved the way he played through contact. He’s not getting enough love at wideout for his performance this week.
  • Smael Mondon Jr.: He had some impressive run defense and pass rush reps. He is a strong player that is at his best coming downhill.
  • R.J. Oben: SPIN CYCLE! I liked how Oben got after the past today.
  • Demetrius Knight II: Had the biggest hit of the entire week on Marcus Yarns. A very powerful player in all facets of his game.
  • Dante Trader Jr.: Great plays and flashes in the run and passing games.
  • Emory Jones: Stonewalled Shemar Stewart on a pass-rush opportunity. Need to see him be more consistent, but the talent will always be there.

Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fairleigh Dickinson University in May 2023 with a Communications Degree, a concentration in Multimedia Journalism, and a minor in Broadcasting. Received an M.A. in Communication from Fairleigh Dickinson University in May 2024. Wrote for Jets Insider for two years, previously hosted a Knicks podcast for Let's Talk Knicks, and contributed to Inside the Iggles. Currently a writer for Jets X-Factor. Avid movie watcher, gym goer, music listener, and MMA fan.

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