Senior Bowl 2025: Unsung players deserving of all-star invitation

By / Cal, Devy & College Football, FAU / Leave a Comment
Senior Bowl, College Football, The League Winners

For many college football players, the ultimate goal is to play professional football. Some players may never experience pro football on the gridiron. However, there are opportunities for unheralded players to showcase their talent. One route for these players is through the Senior Bowl, which gives upperclassmen an opportunity to impress NFL talent evaluators leading up the draft.

It’s impossible to list all of the players who deserve their shot at the Senior Bowl. However, this list will encompass 2025 draft-eligible players I’ve seen in-person this season who deserve their chance to showcase themselves in front of Jim Nagy and company in Mobile.

Yet before we get started, there’s some clarifications to be made.

  • Academy players have not been included due to federal rule that mandates a two-year service period after school.
  • Players projected to be early first-round picks like Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward are also not included.
  • The following players have performed well in games I’ve viewed in-person. Because of that, some players may not qualify for this list. That includes Syracuse Orange quarterback Kyle McCord (see why, here) – despite the likelihood that he will receive a Senior Bowl invitation.

California Golden Bears

The Cal Golden Bears have one of the best defenses in college football. So, there’s no surprise that my three Senior Bowl nominees on this team are all on the defensive side of the ball. But as you’ll see, they’re here for good reason.

Teddye Buchanan, Linebacker

Honestly, it’s a shame that Teddye Buchanan is not a household name amongst college football fans. After playing four years at UC Davis, Buchanan chose to utilize his final year of eligibility playing for California. In an attempt to prove he can play alongside elite competition, Buchanan has shown to be in a league of his own.

The 6-foot, 2-inch linebacker weighs in at 235 pounds, displaying an incredible combination of speed, physicality, and football IQ. Buchanan isn’t afraid to take on ball carriers one-on-one in the hole, and when he gets his hands on offensive players, he doesn’t let them break free.

Buchanan’s 8.5 missed tackle percentage is 58th among 261 linebackers with at least 250 snaps, per PFF. Meanwhile, his five sacks are tied for sixth, with his 39 run-stops placing him 17th along his position group. However, it’s his coverage prowess that may deserve more praise.

With a 71.7 coverage grade, Buchanan ranks 15th among his peers. Buchanan is targeted by opposing quarterbacks at the 12th-highest rate (10.9 snaps per target), yet yields receptions at the fourth-lowest rate (21.7 snaps per reception). His football IQ plays a major role in his success. Yet on top of that, he has blazing speed that allows him to be dangerous with the ball in his hands.

Nohl Williams, Cornerback

It would feel like a disservice not to put the current FBS interception leader on this list. Nohl Williams has a knack for finding the ball – and the endzone. The fifth-year senior has seven interceptions on the season, returning three of them for touchdowns. Yet he isn’t just a boom-or-bust player in coverage – he’s been shutting opponents down, too.

At the moment, Nohl’s 63.3 passer rating against is 72nd among 350 qualified cornerbacks. And teams are starting to shy away from him in coverage, too.

However, only is Williams a playmaker in the secondary, but he’s a playmaker as a returner, too. It’s the dual threat ability that makes Williams an incredibly intriguing prospect – and one who should find himself playing in the Senior Bowl.

Craig Woodson, Safety

Fans may not have heard of Woodson, but he has been one of the best safeties in college football this season. The veteran on the back-end of the Golden Bears defense has a knack for making plays – both in the run and the pass game.

Woodson is a versatile player within the Cal defense. He can play in the box, the slot, as a FS, and along the defensive line. Where ever the safety is aligned, he makes critical plays for the defense.

Woodson’s 89.5 defensive grade ranks third overall among all safeties (min. 300 snaps), per PFF. He also has the 10th-highest tackle grade (85.7), and the sixth-highest coverage grade (89.4). Like the aforementioned Buchanan, Woodson also rarely misses when initiating contact.

The veteran safety has just a 6.9 missed tackle percentage, ranking 17th among all safeties in FBS play. Meanwhile, his forced incompletion percentage when targeted is a staggering 29 percent, tied for seventh among those at his position.


Woodson is quickly becoming one of the most underrated safeties in this upcoming draft class; and it would be a shame if he wasn’t given a chance to further improve his draft stock in the upcoming Senior Bowl.

Florida Atlantic Owls

The FAU Owls, statistically, are one of the worst teams in the FBS. However, there are a couple of bright spots on the team that deserve to play at the Senior Bowl in Mobile.

Kahzir Brown, Cornerback

Kahzir “Buggs” Brown transferred from the Maine Black Bears to show that he can play in a G5 – and he has proven that and more in his short time with the Owls.

Prior to the start of the season, Buggs was listed on the Senior Bowl watchlist, and he has not disappointed.

Brown is a physical corner, who operates well in press coverage. He shows excellent technique against the boundary, and utilizes his physicality well in short areas. Brown studies film, and puts it to use on the football field. And on top of his coverage ability, he’s an excellent run-stopper for a cornerback.

In coverage, Brown’s 75.0 grade ranks 65th among 254 cornerbacks (min. 150 snaps). Buggs has a knack for deterring receivers from getting the ball, as his 39.5 reception rate is 15th among qualified cornerbacks. Brown’s coverage prowess is being seen by opposing offenses, as well.

The FAU cornerback is targeted at the 83rd lowest clip among 254 cornerbacks, yet is only allowing a completion once every 15.4 snaps, which is 48th-best in the FBS. Yet not only is Brown great in coverage, he’s an excellent run-stopper for the position, too.

Brown’s 2.7 stop rate is tied for 17th among 156 cornerbacks. He’s a player that never gives up on a play, chasing down ball carriers downfield on the opposite sideline once they break the second level. Buggs is an elite athlete, and his all-around skillset could allow him to play multiple positions at the NFL level.

Federico Maranges, Center

For an offense that has been pretty bad, Federico Maranges is one of the few bright spots – especially along the offensive line. The sixth-year senior is a proven veteran on the FAU offense, and despite playing at a G5, should be talked about more as a player that can compete at the next level.

Maranges is a well-balanced lineman, able to protect well in both passing and running situations. He stays squares on his blocks, and understands his assignments. He also is responsible for calling the protections along the line, and does a great job holding the interior together for the Owls.

Among centers and guards, Maranges’ 82.4 pass-blocking grade ranks 45th among 274 qualifying players. He’s been credited with only one sack allowed on the season, with a 99.0 efficiency rating (tied for 38th), per PFF.

As a run-blocker, Maranges is ranked 40th with a 72.4 grade, which is also the highest on his team. The FAU center plays better in an overall zone scheme, which is where the Owls have their most success on a consistent basis. However, he’s able to hold his own in gap runs, being ranked among the top-half of players in that concept as well.

Maranges is not a well-known prospect, but his intelligence and leadership capabilities should allow him to easily find a home at the NFL level.

FIU Panthers

The FIU Panthers have been a wildly inconsistent team in 2024. However, there is one player who has stood out to me when watching him against the aforementioned Owls. He’s also proven to be the team’s most reliable option this year.

Eric Rivers, Wide Receiver

A redshirt junior, there’s a chance that Eric Rivers may not declare for the NFL draft this year. And to be honest, it’d be hard to blame him. In fact, there’s a chance that he either transfers out of FIU into a bigger program for more notoriety, or he continues to establish his connection at the school to become a homegrown star.

Rivers has already been added to the Biletnikoff watchlist, proving that he has been an outstanding receiver this season.

Rivers has been on a tear this season. He is one of only two wide receivers with at least 750 yards with less than 70 targets. His 870 receiving yards rank ninth in FBS, while his eight touchdowns are tied for 11th. Rivers has proven to be a productive deep threat for the Panthers, and that niche always has a place at the NFL level. In fact, he currently leads the nation with 20.2 yards per reception (min. 50 targets).

With 3.63 yards per route run, Rivers ranks second among all wide receivers. And while he has one of the higher drop percentages among wide receivers (12.2%), Rivers is one of the best at making the first defender miss, with 18 missed tackles forced (tied for ninth).

Like those at Florida Atlantic, Rivers may be under the radar because of the school he goes to. However, there’s no question that he should be given a Senior Bowl invite, if he decides to declare for the NFL draft this year.

Miami Hurricanes

Given that the Miami Hurricanes are one of the better schools in the country, it’s hard to classify any of their players as truly “unsung” in the grand scheme of things. So, the player listed here is more-so one that must be in attendance at the Senior Bowl – no ifs, ands, or buts.

Xavier Restrepo, Wide Receiver

Xavier Restrepo might honestly be the best true slot receiver in college football. Restrepo is building off a fantastic 2023 campaign, that he’s starting to put to shame just 10 games in for the Hurricanes.

Currently the Miami wide receiver has caught 55 passes for 934 yards and 10 touchdowns. Restrepo has proven to be a reliable target for his quarterback this year, making some spectacular plays this season in crucial situations (third and Renfrow, anyone?).

With most pure slot receivers, there’s a chance that he may have some limitations at the NFL level. However, Restrepo knows how to stem his routes, create separation, and understands the timing of his quarterback which will make him a truly elite safety valve option in the slot for whoever he’s playing with.

A slot receiver with a plus-50 percent contested catch rate and among the better receivers at forcing missed tackles show the mindset of the Hurricanes’ wideout. I don’t have any doubts that Restrepo will see his name chosen to participate in the Senior Bowl, but he had to be here just in case.

Pitt Panthers

At the beginning of this season, you would have been hard-pressed to find non-Panthers fans who believed this team would have the type of success they’re having this year. A school known for housing NFL talent, there’s no surprise that it has players mentioned here.

Gavin Bartholomew, Tight End

Statistically, Gavin Bartholomew is having an underwhelming season. That’s especially true if you look at how he played the previous year. However, the tight end’s role has changed in the offense in 2024 playing with Eli Holstein, and Bartholomew has proven to be a reliable target.

Scouting the tight end position is more about looking for specific traits, than it will ever be about production. That’s especially true at the college football level. While the Pitt tight end doesn’t have eye-popping stats, he’s shown an ability to change roles, and still play at a successful level.

Since last year, Bartholomew has seen his yards per reception drop nearly 10 yards, his aDOT drop seven yards, despite being more efficient in more areas. He’s also being asked to play outside, with his 27.2 wideout percentage obliterating last year’s 1.9 percent.

This is a case of judging the player and the film, over the basic data. And because of that, it would not shock me to see Bartholomew get a Senior Bowl invitation this year.

Javon McIntyre, Safety

A redshirt junior, theoretically, Javon McIntyre could stay another year in college if he wanted to. And considering how well-together of a unit the Pitt defense is, there’s a possibility that happens. However, McIntyre is worth a mention in this article.

A lunch pail player, McIntyre’s stats won’t necessarily “wow” you. However, there are cases where that is a good thing. In McIntyre’s case, this is one of those situations.

The Panthers safety is a versatile, playing as a slot cornerback and at both safety positions. His 79.1 overall defensive grade ranks 35th among 386 safeties in FBS. He’s a premier run-stopper, as his 82.3 grade ranks 29th at the position, per PFF. And while his coverage is a 75.5 grade (his lowest), he’s still just 82nd among 386 total qualified players.

Because he’s tasked with playing multiple positions, McIntyre’s tackle numbers aren’t eye-popping. However, he only boosts a 9.3 missed tackle percentage, proving he is a sure-tackler.

In the passing game, McIntyre keeps things in front of him. That allows opposing offensives to get easy short yards, but limits any big-play potential. The Pitt safety only allows 7.3 yards per reception, tied for 22nd in college football.

McIntyre may truly be a diamond in the rough; a bend but doesn’t break player at the next level. While he may stay in college another year to fine-tune his talents, he’s worth getting a Senior Bowl invitation regardless.

Syracuse Orange

The Syracuse Orange has been one of the better teams in the nation this year. While they sputtered at times, there’s a lot of players to like entering the 2025 NFL draft.

Trebor Pena, Wide Receiver

Like the aforementioned Restrepo, Trebor Pena has also proven to be a reliable slot receiver for his quarterback. This is a breakout year for Pena, who had played with low-quality passing attacks throughout the first half of his tenure at Syracuse. However, stepping up and with a bigger opportunity, the receiver has shined in 2024.

Pena has 60 catches for 632 yards and five touchdowns on the year. The Orange wideout has caught nearly everything thrown his way, as his 76.9 reception percentage ranks seventh among wide receivers (min. 50 targets).

Yet despite being primarily a slot receiver, Pena has a toughness that some may not have. The Syracuse wideout currently leads the FBS in contested catch conversions, with 13 catches on 15 targets for an outstanding 86.7 percent.

While a one-year wonder may be an interesting choice to place here, it’s hard to fault players who are stuck within the confines of their system. Because of that, Pena finds himself listed on among these hypothetical Senior Bowl invitations.

Oronde Gadsden II, Tight End

Oronde Gadsden II is the second tight end to make this list. With McCord (who will likely be at the Senior Bowl himself) in Syracuse, the entire offense has seen a vast improvement. However, talent always has a chance to shine through. That’s the case for Gadsden.

With 70 targets, Gadsden is one of only 13 tight ends to have at least 50 entering Week 12. The Orange tight end has caught 45 passes for 586 yards and four touchdowns on the year. Gadsden is heavily utilized in the slot at a 60.6 percent rate, which is sixth-highest among tight ends this year. Syracuse wants to showcase his pass-catching ability, and with plays like this, it’s hard not to see why.

The tight end is more than just a safety valve in the passing attack. He’s a downfield threat to attack the weaknesses in opposing defenses. Gadsden’s 10.4 aDOT is tied for seventh among tight ends. Meanwhile, he is second with contested catch targets (22) and completions (12). This is a player who will suit up on Sunday.

Marlowe Wax, Linebacker

Listing Marlowe Wax here is cheating a little. While I did see him play against Pittsburgh this year, it was his first game back from injury and on limited snap counts. With that said, he did record a sack in that matchup, and has been on a tear ever since.

Wax already has four sacks in four games this year, tying his season-high record from last season. He’s a true difference-maker on the Orange defense, and a leader in the locker room.

The Syracuse linebacker is great sideline-to-sideline, and as a downhill attacker. He understands his gap responsibility well, and isn’t afraid to take chances. He’s more of a traditional linebacker who may struggle with coverage responsibility. However, he has plenty of room to grow and should find success in the NFL.

UConn Huskies

One of the more surprising schools this season, UConn has proven to be a well-coached team under Jim Mora. They also have two tackles who could find themselves playing on Sundays.

Chase Lundt, Offensive Tackle

Right tackle Chase Lundt has been a measure of consistency for the Huskies this season. The offensive lineman has only allowed one sack in over 300 pass-block reps; however, it’s run-blocking where Lundt truly shines.

The 6-foot 8-inch offensive lineman moves incredibly well in space, playing at a sufficient pad level to really drive in his blocks in the run game.


Lundt is a mauler in the run-game; and his 81.4 run-blocking grade ranks ninth among all tackles in the FBS (per PFF). He is a bulldozer of a human being who will find success at the next level.

(Update: Lundt has officially received his Senior Bowl invitation).

Valentin Senn, Offensive Tackle

Like Lundt, Valentin Senn is a balanced offensive lineman in a class that is starving for talent at the position group. However, whereas Lundt is more of a mauling run-blocker, Senn is more of a pass-blocking specialist.

The 6-foot 7-inch left tackle is tied for the 46th-best pass-blocking rank per PFF, with a 79.7 grade. Senn has only allowed seven total pressures in 343 pass-block reps, and has yet to yield a sack to opposing defenses. That’s an impressive stat considering the Huskies have utilized multiple quarterbacks this season.

And yet while there is room to grow as a run-blocker, Senn boosts the 33rd-highest run-block rank with a 74.8 grade. The UConn tackle has shown improvement throughout his college tenure. With NFL coaching, he should be able to find himself playing on Sunday, and is deserving of receiving a 2025 Senior Bowl invitation.

2025 Senior Bowl Honorable Mentions

These players are either juniors who may play for another year, or seniors who just missed the cut based on the length of this article.

Florida Atlantic Owls

  • Jackson Ambush, LB
  • C.J. Campbell, RB
  • Chris Jones, DL
  • Jayden Williams, S

Florida International Panthers

  • C.J. Christian, DB
  • Jamal Potts, DB

Miami Hurricanes

  • Simeon Barrow Jr., DL
  • Tyler Baron, DL

Syracuse Orange

  • Jackson Meeks, WR
  • Mark Petry, OG
  • Justin Barron, S
  • Duce Chestnut, S

UConn Huskies

  • Jordan Wright, CB
  • Tui Faumuina-Brown, LB
  • Jayden McDonald, LB

UTSA Roadrunners

  • Donyai Taylor, CB

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