The National team had their second practice of Senior Bowl week on Tuesday morning. The players wore full pads.
Of all the 2025 NFL Draft prospects on the National Team, Florida State cornerback Azareye’h Thomas could be the first one to get drafted next April. In some ways, Thomas had a quiet practice, but the reason for that is the silky smooth corner covered up his receivers overall and kept them from getting open against him. In the one-on-ones, seven-on-seven, and the team scrimmage, Thomas ran with receivers on a variety of routes. He gave up a couple of receptions, but overall, he showed the skill set of a starting corner with size, speed, and athleticism. He maintained tight coverage on out routes and crossers and carried verticals with ease.
In the team scrimmage, Thomas flashed contribution as a run defender, flying into the tackle box to get a stiff hit on a running back just past the line. Thomas has practiced well this week and could be a pick in the mid to late first round next April. If he slips to the second round, Thomas will go off the board quickly.
Another cornerback who practiced well on Wednesday was Louisville’s Quincy Riley. He showed some nice twitch and quickness to undercut routes and disrupt throwing lanes. Riley had a near interception in the team scrimmage, jumping in front of an out route. Riley knocked the pass away but probably should have intercepted it. A bit later in the team scrimmage, Riley undercut a route and dropped an interception. Riley looks like a potential day-two pick that could be a slot corner.
Marshall edge rusher Mike Green might sneak into the end of the first round or go early in the second round, and he had a good practice on Wednesday. After getting a draw from Boston College tackle Ozzy Trapilo, Green had a tremendous speed to power rush to knock Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr. flat on his back. Green flat-out destroyed Conerly on that rep, and that caused a big murmur from the scouts and media. In the rematch, Green beat Conerly with a swim move to the inside. Iowa State tackle Jalen Travis had a win over Green by getting depth in his drop to stuff a spin move by Green. In the team scrimmage, Green used speed to dart past Texas Tech’s Caleb Rogers for a sack. Green helped himself on Wednesday, showing his dangerous pass rush ability off the edge.
Conerly Jr. had an ugly practice on Wednesday. On top of his losses to Green, Conerly lost an ugly rep to Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku on a swim move to shed the block and Ezeiruaku darting past Conerly for a sack. Conerly is a good athlete with quickness and smooth feet. However, Conerly needs to get stronger. He has to get stronger in his base and improve his anchor. Conerly might need a year of development as a backup before he is ready to be trusted as a pass protector for a pro quarterback.
Arkansas defensive end Landon Jackson had an underwhelming practice on Tuesday but rebounded in the second session. Jackson had some nice rushes in the one-on-ones, including a powerful rip to get a win over Conerly. Jackson was stout in the team scrimmage as a run defender and got a push in the pocket. Jackson steadied himself on Wednesday and could use a big day on Thursday to help finish off an upward trajectory for the week.
Minnesota defensive end Jah Joyner had his second straight solid practice. Joyner showed speed in the one-on-ones and had an impressive win against Purdue’s Marcus Mbow with a swim move. Joyner has some untapped potential and could be a sleeper who turns into a good mid-round pick.
The 2025 NFL Draft is not a good class of centers, but that helps USC’s Jonah Monheim. Monheim played all over the line in his career with the Trojans, but he is a center for the NFL. Monheim had some issues in the one-on-ones before rebounding with some wins. Monheim has quality feet and athleticism but needs to improve his anchor and strengthen his base. After some developmental time, he could develop into being a starting candidate for an NFL team.
North Dakota State offensive tackle Grey Zabel had his second good practice on Wednesday. Zabel showed a strong base to anchor against bull rushes and has enough feet and athleticism to wall off the corner from speed rushes. Zabel is having a good week and is making himself some money in Mobile.
