Senior Bowl Day 2 observations: Full pads brings full intensity

Plus, a defensive lineman from Toledo steals the show.

Day 2 from the 2025 Senior Bowl saw the full pads get put on. Every day is an exciting one here, but when the pads come on, the intensity levels rise to critical levels. Both practices today were incredibly physical, and there were players scrapping after plays for the American and National teams.

Through the fights, however, we saw some really interesting players stand out and continue to play well after strong first days. Here are my observations from an intense day two.

• On the National side, Toledo DT Darius Alexander has continued to put together really strong days. He’s shown positional versatility, winning reps in pass rush from the inside and outside, while constantly providing pressure from the interior. He came in at a good size at 6’3 and 304 pounds with 34-inch arms, and those measurables with the level he’s played at puts him as a lock for the second day of the draft.
• Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku had a really good day as well. He’s won a lot in the run game, but this was his best day as a pass rusher. He hit Purdue OT Marcus Mbow with a sweet chop and rip move. He’s definitely more of a standup guy, but he’s a productive pass rusher.

• Central Arkansas EDGE David Walker is a stumpy player at 6’0 and 267 pounds, but when he goes speed to power it’s really impressive. He drew two holding calls during his reps today. Not sure where his draft range is, but he’s a unique player.
• Syracuse RB LeQuint Allen had some real dope moments as a receiver today. Showed off receiver-like ability to adjust and make plays on passes in the air. I think that’s going to keep him on an NFL roster.
• Donovan Edwards from Michigan is an interesting case. He was DROPPING LBs during the RB-LB pass coverage session, but then in team he put the ball on the ground, fumbling a couple of times. Edwards’ stock has plummeted since the beginning of the season, but if he can show off the receiving chops he might stick on an NFL roster as a depth RB.
• UCLA EDGE Olu Oladejo had some pretty sick reps today. Really turned his play up as the pads started popping. He was lined up over the guard and center a couple of times and dusted his opposition.

• Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II is a reliable player between the tackles as a runner, but man he’s a bit stiff as a pass catcher. He couldn’t really sink his hips or create separation from the linebackers, which scared me off a little bit. Still a quality player, but a limited one as well.
• Conversely, his teammate LB Nick Martin had some fun reps in pass coverage. He was clearly the best pass coverage LB on his team, creating a couple PBUs.
• Mike Green did this:

First round player.

• Another quality day of work for NDSU OL Grey Zabel and NC State OT Anthony Belton. Belton intrigues me with his size and movement skills.
• Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott wasn’t practicing today due to injury.
• There have been some impressive battles this week, but LSU OL Emery Jones Jr. and Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart have been going to WAR. They went after each other repeatedly, both splitting reps. This is what this week is about.
• Jones got some work at guard and was also really good there. I think Jones deserves the chance to try and tackle, but he would make a very nice guard.
• UNC C Willie Lampkin has been really good this week. He’s an outlier in literally every aspect of the game (a 5’10, 270 pound center?) but his wrestling background and grip strength have proven to be successful both at the pivot and at guard. I wonder if a change to fullback is in store.

• Arizona OL Jonah Savaiinaea is an interesting case. He’s struggled a lot at tackle this week, but has been much, much better at guard. Yet, he doesn’t get many reps at guard. His frame and limited movement on an island might make him best suited for inside.
• LSU TE Mason Taylor had some up and down reps in pass protection, but he’s such a smooth route runner and gives a lot of effort in run blocking. I’m a big fan of his game.

• Two small school linemen stood out today on the American side: Jacksonville State OL Clay Webb and Sacramento State OL Jackson Slater. Both guys did a good job refitting hands after initial pass rush, and Webb showed some leg drive and power that I thought was really impressive.
• Georgia Tech TE Jackson Hawes is a menace as a blocker. He loves to mix it up in that area, and he won a lot of reps in the LB-TE pass pro session. He also hauled in a one-handed grab which was fun. Wake up babe, a new Tip Reimann dropped.
• Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser might be the best linebacker at this event overall. He’s been the most consistent of the backers in the run and passing game, and showed off some nice movement skills when it comes to dropping his weight and changing direction. He picked off a pass thrown by Alabama QB Jalen Milroe where he dropped into his zone and found the next immediate threat. He’s had a good week.
• Georgia WR Arian Smith is...frustrating. He had three drops across the entire practice, but also made some of the best plays downfield on the sideline. I think he’s a linear athlete who works best going forward and backward, but his hands are a major issue.
• The linebackers today were out there THUMPIN SHIT. Auburn LB Eugene Asante was taking dudes out and letting people know about it. South Carolina LB Demetrius Knight II absolutely hammered Delaware RB Marcus Yarns on a toss play. Knight is a super intriguing player, and those two were out there making some shit shake.
• Georgia LB Smael Mondon Jr. was really good today, in both the run and passing game. He made some big plays defending the backs, I was really impressed.
• SMU RB Brashard Smith is a cheat code in the passing game. I don’t think anyone has consistently shut him down.
• UCF RB RJ Harvey had a nice day all around. Made some impressive plays as a receiver, and showed off some nice vision as a runner. The pass protection is still coming along (because he’s 5’7) but everything else is there.
• Georgia DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins doesn’t get the same recognition of his teammates, but he’s been surprising this week. Won with power and burst, I’ve been impressed.
• These three reps from LSU’s Emery Jones Jr. and Texas’ Barryn Sorrell are what this is about. The competition today was awesome.

• If you need a QB this year...no you don’t.
• Utah State WR Jalen Royals has been really good this week. He’s at his best on in-breaking routes like slants, digs and does some nice work on screens, but he’s shown a variety of ways to get open, including simply bowling a DB over:

• Whoever’s unc was on the aux today, tell him that I think he’s great.