2025 NFL Draft Players to Watch at the Senior Bowl: Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, Devin Neal, Tez Johnson

We’re inching closer and closer to the NFL Combine in February but the real kick-off to the 2025 NFL Draft is the Senior Bowl. The Senior Bowl is an annual college football all-star game held in Mobile, Alabama, featuring top NFL Draft prospects, and it’s a prime opportunity for players to showcase their skills in front of NFL coaches, general managers, and scouts, potentially boosting their draft stock. As viewers, this is the time to get to know the next generation of potential superstars and get the early edge on rookies for your fantasy drafts and early betting.

We’ll undoubtedly see several of these players go in the first or second round of the draft. Looking back at the 2024 Senior Bowl, players who participated and raised their draft stock include Ladd McConkey, Xavier Legette, Ray Davis, Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix, Laiatu Latu, Braden Fiske and Quinyon Mitchell. In the 2023 game, we even saw a special connection form between CJ Stroud and Tank Dell, directly leading to Stroud requesting that the Texans draft Dell.

Let’s talk about what’s in store for the 2025 Senior Bowl, who you should watch and how they’ve been performing in practice this week leading up to Saturday’s game.

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2025 Senior Bowl Date, Time, and Where To Watch

• Date: February 1, 2025
• Time: 2:30 pm ET
• Where To Watch: NFL Network

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Quarterbacks to Watch at the Senior Bowl

Quick note: Cam Ward’s odds to go as the first overall pick recently flipped from -210 to +105. It’s very possible that the gap between Ward and other quarterbacks, including one or many of those below in particular, is smaller than the gaps between talent at other positions. There’s a reality where the Titans feel more comfortable with drafting Abdul Carter and drafting a tier down at quarterback, making the following names even more important to keep an eye on.

Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

There’s no question Dart has the talent and intangibles to push his way into a potential Round 1 pick. After transferring from USC, Dart became a three-year starter at Ole Miss, with nearly 12,000 yards, 81 TDs and 27 interceptions. The production doesn’t lie.

However, he’s faced challenges with post-snap reads and handling pressure within the pocket. Dart will showcase his arm strength and ability to extend plays but needs to show improved decision-making and mechanics.

Dart’s week got off to a rough start with consistency but bounced back well and has definitely left a strong impression with scouts. If Dart can pull off a strong performance on Saturday, he could launch himself into Day 1 conversations. 

Jalen Milroe, Alabama

Milroe is the quintessential high-ceiling, very low-floor QB and is comped to players like Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson due to his arm strength and impressive athleticism. While I can’t quite say I agree with the Jackson comp in terms of true passing capabilities, it’s possible he could develop into a player similar to Hurts but needs to show significant improvement in consistency and accuracy and that he’s worth developing. 

Unfortunately for Milroe, the week has showcased far more cons than pros. While his deep ball was on display, the big arm couldn’t hide all the wild inconsistencies in his performance. Milroe is a must-watch player on Saturday because another poor performance could truly tilt the scales in draft rankings.

Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

Perhaps the most polished quarterback at the Senior Bowl, Gabriel’s extensive collegiate career includes stints at UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon, with nearly 19,000 passing yards and 155 TDs, tying the FBS record. In 2024, he shined with career highs of a 72% completion rate, 3,857 passing yards, 30 TDs and just six interceptions, earning him a spot as a Heisman Trophy finalist. 

Whereas players like Dart and Milroe pose more potential from a development perspective, Gabriel is a very well-rounded QB, known for his anticipation, accuracy and ability to read defenses. However, he lacks elite arm strength and size is a major issue. The NFL has been a bit more agreeable to shorter QBs in recent years. It’ll interesting to see how Gabriel’s strong performance potentially shifts NFL management to take a chance on the undersized talent. 

Running Backs to Watch at the Senior Bowl

Devin Neal, Kansas 

Neal had an excellent week at Senior Bowl practices and could shine in Saturday’s game. The 5’11”, 215-pound RB has been a consistent performer with over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his last three seasons and 49 career rushing TDs. Neal is known for his vision, contact balance, quickness, and receiving abilities, making him a versatile offensive asset that could thrive in the NFL.

This draft class is stacked at RB, so these backs have a uphill battle. But Neal has the potential and the stats to prove it.

Damien Martinez, Miami

Miami’s players swarmed the Senior Bowl, determine to ensure Cam Ward wasn’t the only Hurricane making waves in the NFL Draft and Martinez had potentially the strongest week of any running back and is poised to stand out on Saturday. Martinez is a traditional big, bruising power back and while there have been some concerns around his receiving capabilities, he showed well in passing drills at practice this week and as the potential to be an impact player at the next level. 

RJ Harvey, UCF

Harvey is a bit undersized but has a similar build to that of Blake Corum and his lateral quickness, burst and agility make him a dynamic playmaker that could excel at the next level as a potential committee back. Harvey’s had a strong week and showcased both patience and vision and receiving upside and if he can show some improvements in blocking on Saturday, he can round out a very successful Senior Bowl week.

Potential Fatansy Sleeper - Brashard Smith, SMU

When you look across draft rankings, you typically won’t see Smith. He’s a former Miami receiver who transferred to SMU and converted to running back very successfully with 235 carries for 1,332 yards and 14 rushing TDs, plus four TDs through the air. Smith shows shades of Tyrone Tracy Jr., who had a similar trajectory as a former receiver and earned his way into a starting role with the Giants.

Wide Receivers to Watch at the Senior Bowl

Tez Johnson, Oregon

I’m officially labeling Johnson as the Senior Bowl Darling because you cannot find even a smidgen of negative news around him. Johnson’s connection with Bo Nix has helped bring Johnson into the spotlight, but make no mistake, Johnson is delivering on his own and truly shining.

Johnson showcased speed, elite burst, excellent route running, and separation from defenders. The concern with Johnson is size, weighing in under 160 pounds, but we’ve seen the recent success of slim receivers throughout the NFL and you can certainly make the case for Johnson as well. Johnson is a must-watch on Saturday as he continues to make the argument to fly up draft boards.

Xavier Restrepo, Miami

Another position, another Hurricane making a major impact this week with scouts. Restrepo has routinely popped as one of the top receivers at the Senior Bowl this week. Restrepo is another receiver with a slightly build - although still significantly larger than Johnson - but has been a consistent producer at Miami and delivered in two key areas that GM’s love: excellent hands and precision route-running. While he doesn’t have elite long speed, he’s quick and has real potential in the slot.

Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

Higgins is more of a prototypical receiver with size, solid hands and contested catches. Speed and athleticism are a bit underwhelming but Higgins has showcased well this week and stood out, potentially helping to dispel any concerns heading into the draft. He’s a very well-rounded receiver that could transition well with skills to make a solid impact. He’s got all the check marks that quarterbacks love, thriving in routes and providing a reliable red zone target. 

Tight Ends to Watch at the Senior Bowl

Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami

Adjust your TE rankings! While it’s unlikely that Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland are jumped in the eyes of NFL scouts, there’s a strong argument for Arroyo being the third best tight end in the class. It wouldn’t be unprecedented to see a dramatic leap in an athletic tight end. Sam LaPorta’s rise was very similar. 

Arroyo’s entire collegiate career was at Miami, but 2024 was the first time he shined as a true receiving threat, averaging nearly 17 yards per catch with seven TDs. Arroyo is capable of blocking, but absolutely profiles more as a catch-first tight end that does align well with the progression of the position in the NFL. Arroyo has been arguably the top performer at Senior Bowl practice this week and is a must-watch in Saturday’s game.

Additional Players to Watch at the Senior Bowl

QB:

• Riley Leonard

RB: ​

• Trevor Etienne
• Bhayshul Tuten
• Ollie Gordon II
• Donovan Edwards

WR:

• Jalen Royals
• Jack Bech
• Kyle Williams
• Tai Felton
• Chimere Dike

TE:

• Mason Taylor