The National team had their first practice of Senior Bowl week on Tuesday morning. The players wore shells: helmets, shoulder pads, and gym shorts. The full pad practices are held on Wednesday and Thursday.
The 2025 NFL Draft prospect who helped himself the most from the opening practice in Mobile was Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo. Coming from ‘tight end U’, Arroyo’s college career was diminished by injuries, but in his senior year, he stayed healthy and was very productive with quarterback Cam Ward. Arroyo hauled in 35 receptions for 590 yards and seven touchdowns. In practice on Tuesday, Arroyo was excellent.
In the one-on-one session, Arroyo showed off a shifty route running, juking Navy safety Rayuan Lane III with a step to the outside and then slanting to the middle for a big gain. Arroyo continued to create separation through the day with sudden route-running and a burst out of his break. In the one-on-ones to end the practice, Arroyo burned Illinois State safety Keondre Jackson with a fake to the inside before exploding down the field for a long reception.
This practice showed Arroyo’s impressive receiving ability. He has good size to provide a mismatch against defensive backs, but his speed and route-running really set him apart. If Arroyo maintains this level of play in practice, he could be a day-two pick next April despite the medical history.
Another prospect who really helped himself was North Dakota State offensive tackle Grey Zabel. Zabel was stout in the one-on-one pass-rushing drills, showing the strength to anchor and stonewall bull rushes. Zabel did a nice job of gliding and tying up defensive linemen on speed rushes. Zabel could get reps at tackle or guard in his rookie training camp next summer. This was a strong start to the week, and Zabel could be a riser among this group of offensive line prospects.
West Virginia offensive tackle Wyatt Milum has received some first-round hype from some in the media, but he did not display a first-round skill set in this practice. Milum seems to lack a defining trait as he is not overly athletic, not especially quick, and not overpowering. Milum needs to show more dominant ability on Wednesday and Thursday.
The quarterbacks on the National team were not impressive. Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel is extremely small, and his arm strength is not impressive. Laurier’s Taylor Elgersma really struggled in the team scrimmage, taking some sacks and having some inaccurate throws. Louisville’s Tyler Shough is the best of the group. Shough has good size and an arm capable of ripping the ball downfield. Shough’s college career was an odyssey with injuries and transfers. He could be a late-round or undrafted free agent who is quality competition to be a third quarterback.
Marshall edge rusher Mike Green is an early-round prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft after ripping off 17 sacks last season. Green is a fast edge rusher that provides some real speed off the edge. However, team sources see a lack of power in his game, so showing he has more strength and the ability to get stronger is important for him in Mobile.
Green started the practice with a good rep in the 9-on-9 run scrimmage, pushing Pitt tight end Gavin Bartholomew into the backfield to blow up an interior run. Later, Green did an adequate job of holding his ground against a downhill run coming straight at him. Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr. did not get a good push on Green, but he did tie him up to keep Green from making the hit on the back.
In the pass-rushing one-on-ones, Green used speed to the inside to win a rep against Purdue’s Marcu Mbow. Minnesota tackle Aierontae Ersery stuffed a speed rush from Green shortly after, as Ersery got good depth in his drop to block off Green. Green finished that session with a win over Boston College’s Ozzy Trapilo with a speed rush around the corner.
Green had a respectable start to the week, but for the NFL he needs to get stronger and stouter as a run defender. He needs to develop more power as a pass rusher, or he could end up being a one-trick pony who has some modest success but lacks consistent production once NFL tackles figure him out.
Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku is similar to Green in being an undersized speed rusher who hunts quarterbacks. Ezeiruaku had a good practice on Tuesday, showing speed and agility off the edge. While Ezeiruaku is undersized, he fights hard in run defense and is better than one would think, given his size. Ezeiruaku could rise over this week.
Minnesota defensive end Jah Joyner had a nice start to the week. He had a sack in the team scrimmage and showed strength in run defense during the 9-on-9 session. He could be a nice mid-round or day-three pick that turns into a good rotational backup.
