All-Reese's Senior Bowl Team & Final Impressions
All Access Football provides impact and analysis from the 76th Annual Reese's Senior Bowl.
Welcome to the February 7, 2025 edition of the All Access Football Newsletter, Presented By Sports Management Worldwide Football Career Conference.
SAVE $150! Our friends at SMWW are offering $150 off to AAF readers for the biggest networking event of the year! Enter our promo code at checkout: BALDY150
REESE’S SENIOR BOWL FINAL IMPRESSIONS
With the 76th Annual Reese’s Senior Bowl in the books, the scouting community prepares to gear up for the NFL Scouting Combine at the end of the month.
First, it’s time to examine some of prospects who are on the rise, who surprised and who needs to do more, as we approach Indianapolis.
Many quarterback-needy teams ascended upon Mobile in hopes of a QB3 emerging from the pack. There seems to be a consensus that Cam Ward of Miami and Shedeur Sanders of Colorado will be the first two signal-callers off the board. After that, about a half dozen candidates seem to by jockeying for positioning on NFL big boards around the league.
While many expected dual-threat Jalen Milroe to seize the opportunity, it never really materialized for the polarizing product from Alabama. Instead, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart seemed to stand out from a group that also included Riley Leonard of Notre Dame. Oregon pint-sized dart thrower Dillon Gabriel also failed to capitalize.
One quarterback who did depart Mobile with a bit more shine on the armor was Louisville gunslinger Tyler Shough. There’s no doubt Shough possesses prototype size, can make all the throws and demonstrates the ability to connect when forced off-platform. Still, there’ some questionable decision-making that tends to show up, which makes him more of a mid-round type prospect in our book.
The biggest disappointment? That distinction would have to go to Arizona State thumper Cam Skattebo. After running over, through and around the Texas defense during the College Football Playoff, Skattebo had some serious momentum working in his favor. Especially, since Boise State runner Ashton Jeanty managed a measly 3.0 yards per carry. Skattebo could have gone down to Mobile and staked a claim as RB1 in this year’s draft. Instead, he opted out and now figures to go somewhere on Day 2.
The script couldn’t have been written any better for Senior Bowl MVP Jack Bech, who secured the game-winning walk-off touchdown grab for the American Team. It was a fitting end to a strong week for Bech who entered the showcase with a heavy heart. One month earlier, his brother Tiger Bech was murdered on Bourbon Street during the New Orleans terrorist attack that occurred on New Year’s Day. The TCU wideout has drawn comparisons to Puca Nacua and projects as a top 50 overall prospect.
One player who doesn’t get enough publicity is Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin, who made several beautiful catches, over the middle, up top, one-handed grabs, you name it, he can do it … there’s something special about his talent. It would not be shocking to look back 10 years from now and see Fannin emerge as the top player from this year’s event, he can really do some serious damage!
There was first round bound prospects galore in the trenches, with the likes of North Carolina State large and in charge offensive tackle Anthony Belton, versatile North Dakota State standout Grey Zabel and Purdue tough-guy Marcus Mbow, who irritated opponents all week long. On defense, players such as Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M, Walter Nolen of Ole Miss and Mike Green of Marshall, all flashed a skill-set worthy of first round consideration.
Last year, the Senior Bowl had 10 players chosen in round one of the NFL Draft. It should come close to that number again this year with backend players such as Maxwell Hairston of Kentucky and Billy Bowman of Oklahoma also garnering Day 1 attention.
Some prospects to keep an eye on for Day 2 and Day 3 of the NFL Draft that could ultimately outplay their draft position would include Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo, Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser and Georgia safety Daniel Jackson. For Arroyo, there are concerns about durability but he has wheels much like former Patriots playmaker Aaron Hernandez, from an on-field comparison. As for Kiser and Jackson, they get knocked for being limited athletically but there instincts, experience and contributions on special teams could make them core players for a long time at the next level.
ON LOCATION: REESE’S SENIOR BOWL REPORTS
The following players have been selected as the premier performers at their position during our practice week and game observations at the 76th Annual Reese’s Senior Bowl. Be sure to make note of these prospects, as their draft stock is on the rise!
OFFENSE
POSITION | PLAYER | SCHOOL | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY | HAND | ARM | WING
QB — Jaxson Dart, Mississippi, 6017, 226, 4.64e, 0948, 3028, 7268
RB — Damien Martinez, Miami, 5111, 226, 4.54e, 0848, 3200, 7758
WR — Jack Bech, TCU, 6012, 214, 4.50e, 0878, 3138, 7500
WR — Jayden Higgins, Iowa State, 6036, 217, 4.50e, 0948, 3328, 7938
WR — Tez Johnson, Oregon, 5092, 156, 4.35e, 0848, 2978, 7300
TE — Harold Fannin, Bowling Green, 6031, 238, 4.65e, 0938, 3318, 7878
OL — Anthony Belton, North Carolina State, 6053, 345, 4.90e, 1028, 3458, 8318
OL — Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota, 6056, 339, 5.25e, 0938, 3400, 8118
OL — Grey Zabel, North Dakota State, 6053, 316, 5.05e, 0938, 3320, 7758
OL — Marcus Mbow, Purdue, 6041, 309, 5.12e, 1038, 3300, 8018
OL — Jonah Monheim, USC, 6041, 307, 5.24e, 0928, 3058, 7700
NFL DRAFT CAST WITH ERIC EDHOLM & CRISSY FROYD
All Access Football host Ric Serritella brings you inside tales from the all-star game scouting trails with a recap of the East-West Shrine and Reese's Senior Bowl games. Plus NFL.com Eric Edholm joins the show to discuss his latest mock draft and observations from Mobile with QB insider Crissy Froyd. Tune-in for hard-hitting analysis and insight into the draft process.
Starting next Wednesday at 3:30pm eastern, NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger will be joining the show as full-time co-host! All Access. All Football. All The Time.
DEFENSE
POSITION | PLAYER | SCHOOL | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY | HAND | ARM | WING
DL — Walter Nolen, Mississippi, 6032, 293, 4.90e, 0928, 3300, 7948
DL — Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M, 6051, 281, 4.75e, 0918, 3428, 8348
DL — Sai’vion Jones, LSU, 6051, 289, 4.80e, 1018, 3348, 8148
DL — Mike Green, Marshall, 6031, 251, 4.60e, 0858, 3228, 7728
LB — Eugene Asante, Auburn, 6002, 222, 4.55e, 0848, 3000, 7248
LB — Jack Kiser, Notre Dame, 6013, 227, 4.60e, 0918, 3048, 7538
LB — Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon, 6010, 226, 4.57e, 0958, 3158, 7818
DB — Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State, 6014, 191, 4.50e, 1018, 3248, 7728
DB — Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky, 5112, 179, 4.50e, 0878, 3148, 7600
DB — Billy Bowman, Oklahoma, 5096, 198, 4.48e, 0858, 2938, 6958
DB — Dan Jackson, Georgia, 5116, 194, 4.52e, 0900, 3048, 7268