As practices began ramping up in both team period workload and overall intensity, these NFL Draft prospects stood out most.
Mobile, AL — The temperature outside rose, as did the overall intensity at practice which birthed a lively day from both the National and American Teams. After shaking the dust off in the first practice and growing comfortable with the installs bestowed upon them, both teams showcased a more confident and violent showing.
Immediately following the conclusion of practice on Wednesday, the team buses shuttled all players over to the Mobile Convention Center for Media Day. After a great day of practice and interviews, the Senior Bowl participants look to cap off a strong week with the event’s last practice today and the game on Saturday at 2:30 PM EST.
While there were plenty of great plays to go around, these prospects stood out above the rest of the competition on Wednesday. Those who will be briefly touched on following the list(s) in question will have their name(s) italicized. Multiple-day standouts will be bolded.
National Team Standouts
- Toledo iDL Darius Alexander
- Marshall EDGE Mike Green
- Syracuse RB LeQuint Allen Jr.
- NDSU iOL Grey Zabel
- Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeuriaku
- Louisville CB Quincy Riley
- Purdue iOL Marcus Mbow
American Team Standouts
- Texas A&M Shemar Stewart
- South Carolina LB Demetrius Knight Jr.
- LSU TE Mason Taylor
- UNC iOL Willie Lampkin
- Utah State WR Jalen Royals
- Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser
- Georgia LB Smael Mondon Jr.
- SMU RB Brashard Smith
Darius Alexander, iDL, Toledo
Like Quinyon Mitchell in last year’s Senior Bowl cycle, Alexander is a Toledo product who has made himself a ton of money after a few days in Mobile, AL. Unlike Mitchell, Alexander’s pre-All-Star circuit draft stock was much lower heading into the week, therefore he had much more to prove — and that he has.
Standing at 6’3” tall and weighing 304 lbs, Alexander has been a tough cookie to crack this week, showcasing a type of versatility across the defensive front that saw him get pressure on the quarterback from various alignments. His violent hands and short-area quickness were on full display during a dominant 1-on-1 period.
Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
Back-to-back strong showings from LSU tight end Mason Taylor to start the week. At 6’5”, 250 lbs, there are concerns about Taylor’s play weight, though he’s shown encouraging moments against defensive linemen and linebackers alike. Most notably, he had an impressive down block on Ole Miss EDGE Jared Ivey that completely washed him out of the play.
As a pass catcher, Taylor needs no introduction. After just one drop in the 2024 season (a class-low 1.8 drop%), Taylor’s sure hands have continued during Senior Bowl practices. When it comes to all tight ends down here in Mobile, Taylor’s route-running chops stand above the rest.
Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina
At 6’1”, 246 lbs, Knight Jr. may just be the most NFL-looking linebacker in Mobile, a fun prospect who found himself playing confidently and freely in his second practice of the week. The former QB turned LB has channeled his inner leader from the get-go, calling out the strength pre-snap and ensuring that his teammates are in the correct positioning.
Knight Jr. is an athletic linebacker who can play in space and attack downhill as an effective run-stopper. His biggest play of the week came on Tuesday when a lane opened up and he quickly filled it, stopping Delaware RB Marcus Yarns dead in his tracks for the biggest hit we may see all week — including the game itself.
Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
Riley is a shorter cornerback (5’10”, 192 lbs) who may inevitably be slotted at nickel, but he wears his heart on his sleeve. The Louisville prospect breathes competition with every rep no matter the outcome of the play before — the way every cornerback should play.
Typically most confident playing in zone coverage, Riley was sticky in 1-on-1s against wide receivers of all shapes and sizes. His day concluded with a handful of pass breakups after proving to be patient mid-route and decisive at the point of attack. Riley’s day had all the ingredients of a rising draft stock.
Brashard Smith, RB, SMU
The choice-route demon. Smith is a converted WR who displays impressive levels of natural vision as a rusher. It’s clear as day after seeing him up close that Smith was underutilized after three seasons in Miami’s WR room.
Smith totaled over 1,600 yards of scrimmage in his first year as a collegiate running back, rushing for nearly 1,400 yards and 14 TDs while also totaling career highs in both receiving yards (327) and TDs (4) for the CFP SMU Mustangs.
Despite his small stature at 5’9”, the 195 lb back makes up for lack of height with an impressive blend of speed, vision, and change of direction out of the backfield. He’s an absolute mismatch nightmare for any linebacker, whether that be from out wide or next to the quarterback.
Be on the lookout for more Senior Bowl content as I will be here in Mobile throughout the week. Today will be the conclusion of practices, with Saturday being the game itself to put a bow on the 2025 Senior Bowl cycle.
