NFL Analysis

1/30/25

7 min read

2025 Senior Bowl: Stock Up, Stock Down at Day 3 Practices

Jan 30, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; National team offensive lineman Grey Zabel of North Dakota State (77) and National team defensive lineman Darius Alexander of Toledo (9) battle through drills during Senior Bowl practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Also pictured is National team offensive lineman Marcus Mbow of Purdue (63). Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

The week down in Mobile is still going strong, and the physicality isn't going away at any time at this year's Senior Bowl.

It was a sloppier day for the American team in the later practice, but the National team showed tons of intensity early on, even with only the top pads on. Even if things weren't always perfect, both sides continued to compete in front of NFL coaches and scouts.

Players like Shemar Stewart and Mike Green opted out after the first two practices, allowing some new players to shine on Thursday. Let's dive into which players helped and hurt their draft stock at Day 3 of the Senior Bowl.

Rankings are based off of Kyle Crabbs' latest big board.

Stock Up

Darius Alexander, DL, Toledo Toledo logo

Big Board Rank: NR

Toledo might have another draft gem coming out of its program this year in Darius Alexander.

The Rockets prospect has had a great week down in Mobile, and continued to shine on Thursday. The day started with him showing a great combination of quickness and power in one-on-ones, shocking offensive linemen at the point of attack, and then creating separation to get to the QB.

That dominance carried over into team red zone period, where Alexander was a one-man wrecking crew. He came away with a big-time sack by bowling through a tight end, then generated another pressure off of the edge.

Alexander has an ideal combination of power and quickness to be a versatile piece along defensive lines at the NFL level. His tape shows it, and it continued to pop up at the Senior Bowl, which could help his draft stock skyrocket.


Jack Bech, WR, TCU TCU Horned Frogs logo

Big Board Rank: 82

Jack Bech has refused to stay quiet this week.

Whether it's in team periods or individual, Bech has put up highlight plays on every day of practice. On top of the viral tweets, he's also doing the dirty work, trying to dominate his assignment when tasked with blocking in the run game.

Bech has an ideal frame for an outside WR at 6-foot-1 and 212 pounds, and plays like a physically dominant wideout. He also has the route running and body control to create separation or box out defenders, and could find a very real role quickly in an NFL offense as a rookie.

The game hasn't happened yet, but Bech is one of the biggest winners this week.


Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville Louisville Cardinals logo

Big Board Rank: NR

In a weaker QB class, Tyler Shough was still an afterthought compared to the rest of the quarterbacks at this year's Senior Bowl. However, he might have had the best day of any of the QBs on Thursday.

The former Louisville QB fit some throws into tight windows during team periods on Day 3. Probably his best play came on a play-action boot, avoiding throwing the flat to hit Elijah Arroyo in the end zone with a tough throw across his body for the touchdown.

Shough was a former top recruit in high school back in 2018, and has had a long path to this point. It's a full-circle moment for Shough to have such a good day against top competition, and deserves some love for the day that he had as a potential Day 3 pick.


Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois Illinois Fighting Illini logo

Big Board Rank: 98

There are some real speedsters at this year's Senior Bowl, but Pat Bryant made a name for himself on Thursday by being a true technician.

The Illinois prospect ran crisp routes all day, using his size and footwork to maximize separation and box out defenders for catches. He had such a strong day that he was called on by coaches to compete at the end of practice, showing off that route-running ability again with some winning reps against Nebraska DB Tommi Hill.

Bryant is an underrated route runner in this class, especially for his size at 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds. He was a dominant weapon for the Illini this season, and days like today are a reminder of just how dominant he could be in the NFL.


Shemar James, LB, Florida Florida Gators logo

Big Board Rank: NR

Linebackers have a tougher job than a lot of positions in Senior Bowl practices, especially in one-on-one coverage drills against running backs.

That's an almost impossible drill for an ILB, but Florida's Shemar James locked the RBs down whenever he was called upon, whether it was routes to the flat or up the seam. He wasn't done after that drill, however, showing great instincts and processing speed in team drills to fly downhill and fill the run.

James is a former 5-star recruit with a lot to prove in this year's draft class, and stacking days like today could do wonders for his draft stock.


Stock Down

Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State Oklahoma State Cowboys logo

Big Board Rank: NR

There's a lot to like about Ollie Gordon II, and it's hard for a running back to really stand out in practices where ball carriers can't be brought to the ground.

However, there were some red flags that popped up with Gordon during pass pro drills on Day 3. Despite weighing in at 233 pounds in Mobile, the Oklahoma State prospect was routinely bodied by linebackers in pass protection drills, allowing sacks.

Gordon was rarely asked to help out in pass protection in college, only logging 65 pass-blocking reps this past season. Scouts were hoping to see some every-down ability from him by shining in pass protection with his frame, but it wasn't there.

The good news for Gordon is that he still looks like a natural runner, but the pass protection reps aren't going to ease anyone's concerns about his ability on passing downs.


Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole miss Ole Miss Rebels logo

Big Board Rank: 90

There were some highs from Jaxson Dart on Thursday, but there were also some lows that could hurt him in the hunt for QB3.

Dart missed a few makable throws going on air in the red zone early in the day, and fumbled a snap out of the shotgun for what was an up-and-down day from the Ole Miss QB. While he had some nice throws, he also got one of his teammates in Jack Bech lit up on a rail shot against a two-high safety look, letting Dan Jackson get a clean shot on his receiver.

It's not just that Dart had some tough plays, but also that Alabama's Jalen Milroe took a big step forward after some tougher early practice days. Quarterbacks are supposed to be a bit rusty with a new team and playbook at the Senior Bowl, and while Milroe looked more comfortable on Thursday, Dart did not.

The two QB prospects will continue competing against each other to edge the other out on the QB big boards, but at least for today, Milroe won out.


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