2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl Preview

Players to watch on Saturday

The Reese’s Senior Bowl will kick off Saturday, February 1, at 2:30 p.m. ET on the NFL Network. This is the college football all-star game that will feature prospects that are most likely to be selected early in the 2025 NFL Draft. Last year, the Commanders selected a number of Senior Bowl alumni: Ben Sinnott, Brandon Coleman, Luke McCaffrey, Javontae Jean-Baptiste, and Sam Hartman (UDFA). Who will the team add from this year’s crop of talent?

Below are a few players to watch on Saturday that could make the Commanders better. Share what you think about them in the comments, or drop the name of a prospect you are looking forward to seeing. The Senior Bowl rosters can be found right here.

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National Team Offense

Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Senior, Virginia Tech

Hokies, stand up! In a draft class that is full of talented running backs, Bhayshul Tuten might get overlooked. That’d be a big mistake because he is a talented running back. Compactly built at almost 5’9”, 211 lbs, Tuten is an explosive runner that gets downhill quickly. He has the vision to pick his way through the line, but excelled in Virginia Tech’s zone-running scheme where he could put a foot in the ground and get north. Tuten can catch the ball downfield and has two kick return touchdowns for his career. Ball security is a concern, as he had four fumbles this season on 183 carries.

LeQuint Allen, RB, Junior, Syracuse

When I first watched LeQuint Allen, he immediately reminded me of Najee Harris in running style. Allen isn’t nearly as big as Harris, but at 6’, 207 lbs, he has enough size for the next level. He runs hard, sometimes, maybe even a little out of control, but it’s all because he wants to get the most out of every run. He will absorb and run through contact, but has quick enough feet to navigate limited space at the line of scrimmage. Vision, especially reading his blocks, is a positive attribute for him. Syracuse lined Allen up on the line of scrimmage and he ran routes from that alignment successfully.

Jaylin Noel, WR Senior, Iowa State

In the Future Hogs series, I featured Jaylin Noel’s teammate Jayden Higgins – also at the Senior Bowl – as a big wide receiver that could help the Commanders. Noel is intriguing, though. He’s short at a shade under 5’10” but solid at 196 lbs. His calling card is speed. Noel gets open deep with regularity, but some that is a lack of press coverage to respect his speed. He uses that speed on underneath routes to maximize his yards after the catch. The hands are good; he’ll high point catches and flashes his hands late to not tip off defenders. Small hands – 8.5 inches – might explain his two fumbles this season.

Elijah Arroyo, TE, Redshirt Junior, Miami

I mentioned Elijah Arroyo during the college football season in the Future Hogs series, but it looks like he’s improved since then. Arroyo has positional size at 6’4.5”, 251 lbs, but he moves more like a big receiver which is how Miami often used him. He’s been almost uncoverable during Senior Bowl practices and has been displaying his downfield speed and ability to track the ball. As a blocker, Arroyo will do the work and has some bright spots. I think he can improve this area of his game and become a good all-around tight end.

Grey Zabel, OT/OG, Senior, North Dakota State

North Dakota State has quietly become OLU, sending a number of talented offensive linemen to the league. The next one looks to be Grey Zabel. He has experience at every position on the line except center. He checks the box on size, 6’5”, 316 lbs; but, his arms are only 32 inches, less than ideal for an NFL tackle. But Zabel is technically sound, moves well, and is strong at the point of attack. What he does in the video below at the :46 mark is a crime in a handful of states. He’s handled the step up in competition at the Senior Bowl well, looking like one of the best linemen there.

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National Team Defense

Darius Alexander, DT, Senior, Toledo

Darius Alexander has a nice blend of size, speed, and power. While Alexander has good size for the interior defensive line, 6’3”, 304, it’s the 34” arms that helps him win a lot his battles. He uses them to keep blockers off him and has good enough hand usage to get free and move into the backfield. He’s also strong enough to take blockers into the backfield and disrupt a play.

Jah Joyner, DE, Redshirt Senior, Minnesota

At 6’4”, 263 lbs, Jah Joyner has excellent size to play on the edge. He’s strong enough to continue his rushes undeterred by blockers. He wins a lot with a rip move around the edge, but I’d like to see him add more to his repertoire. You can also see the power in his hands when he engages with blockers in the run game. He stops them, disengages, and makes the play. While he doesn’t offer a lot of explosion or flexibility at the position, he will stop the run and push the pocket to make plays.

Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Senior, Oregon

Watch Jeffrey Bassa play and you’d probably be able to guess he used to play defensive back. One, he’s a little undersized at 6’1”, 226 lbs. Two, he moves so quickly and fluidly. It is one of the reasons he can drop and cover effectively in both man and zone. When his athleticism is paired with his ability to diagnose a play, it allows him to get to the ball carrier fast. He uses his speed to elude blockers and find the ball, but he’ll have to get stronger and take on those blockers consistently at the next level.

Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Junior, Florida State

This was one of Florida State’s worst seasons, but Azareye’h Thomas stood out for all the right reasons. He’s 6’1.5”, 191 lbs, but he has loose hips that help him quickly change direction. Thomas played a lot of press man, timing his punch well and using his 32.5” arms to disrupt receivers’ routes. Thomas is physical and has no problem tackling in run support or laying a big hit on a player. One question I have on Thomas is does he have speed to cover deep downfield.

Bilhal Kone, CB, Redshirt Senior, Western Michigan

The Senior Bowl introduced me to Bilhal Kone and I’m a bit embarrassed I wasn’t familiar with him before this week. Kone is a physical corner that has no problem throwing around his 186 pound frame. He has the skill set to play man, but he’s at his best in zone where he can keep his eyes on the quarterback. Once he sees he can make a play on the ball, Kone accelerates to make a play on it. Being 6’1” helps him get his hands on the ball, and he had nine PBUs in 2024.

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American Team Offense

Brashard Smith, RB, Senior, SMU

Fans appear to want more juice in the backfield with Jayden Daniels. One of Brashard Smith’s best attributes is how quickly he accelerates. He uses that to burst through holes and pull away from defenders after stopping his feet. It also allows him to make defenders miss in space. Once he clears the line, he has the long speed to get big chunks of yardage. Power isn’t his game at 5’9”, 195 lbs, but he will lower his shoulder to maximize runs. As a receiver, he not only has good hands, but the body control and awareness to make impressive catches.

Trevor Etienne, RB, Junior, Georgia

Trevor Etienne looks to follow in his brother Travis’ footsteps and become a starting NFL running back. Standing 5’8.5” and weighing 202 lbs, Trevor is a little smaller than Travis. It looks like it makes Trevor a little quicker, especially his feet. It allows him to cut quickly and make defenders miss in space. Etienne’s vision is good, too. He recognizes when a hole is closing and where one will be opening and uses his quickness to get there. Not a power back, but he can withstand contact and keeps his feet moving for more yards. I don’t think he’ll run away from NFL defenders, but he should consistently gain positive yards. In the passing game, Etienne is a reliable outlet from the backfield.

Jack Bech, WR, Senior, TCU

Savion Williams, wide receiver from TCU, will get a lot of attention as we approach the draft. Don’t sleep on his teammate Jack Bech. He looks to be the better pure receiver of the two. A transfer from LSU, Bech is 6’1”, 212 lbs. He is one of the better blockers at the position because of his size. His best quality is his hands; he catches everything. While he isn’t sudden or quick, he has build-up speed that I think surprises defenders. That, paired with his route running, allow him to get open on intermediate and deep routes.

Jackson Hawes, TE, Redshirt Senior, Georgia Tech

If the Commanders lose John Bates in the offseason, they should take a close look at Jackson Hawes as his replacement. The stats for Hawes – 16 catches, 195 yards – don’t tell the whole story. Hawes’ calling card is blocking and it is why he’ll have a long career in the NFL. He uses his 6’4”, 252 pound, frame, excellent technique, and sheer determination to neutralize his assignment. But, I think he has a lot of untapped potential as a receiver and in a creative offense with a lot of weapons, he can be more productive.

Carson Vinson, OT, Senior, Alabama A&M

Representing the HBCU Alabama A&M, 6’7”, 314 lbs Carson Vinson is looking to prove that a step up in competition isn’t too big for him. He has been one of the best offensive linemen for the American team during practices. Vinson’s footwork needs improvement, but he easily moves his feet to mirror defenders. With his 35” arms, he can keep defenders from getting into his body. It can be hard for him to get leverage as a run blocker because of his height, but he’s so big defenders have trouble getting off his blocks. If the technique matches the physical traits, Vinson could become a solid tackle in the NFL.

Clay Webb, OG, Redshirt Senior, Jacksonville State

Jacksonville State had one of the most productive offenses in the country this past season. It starts upfront with Clay Webb. 6’3”, 310 lbs, Webb was All-Conference USA in 2023 and 2024 playing left guard. He not only has the strength to handle power rushers on the inside, but he has quick enough feet to take care speed rushers. Jacksonville State took advantage of his mobility, using him as puller frequently. On the move, he identifies defenders and removes them from the play.

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American Team Defense

T.J. Sanders, DT, Redshirt Junior, South Carolina

After his fellow defensive tackles at South Carolina Tonka Hemmingway had an impactful East-West Shrine Bowl, T.J. Sanders should be even more motivated to standout at the Senior Bowl. Being 6’4” and only 284 lbs, Sanders’ game is about quickness. Interior offensive linemen are barely out their stance before Sanders is by them. If he doesn’t win with quicks, Sanders uses his hands to keep blockers off him on his way to the backfield.

Shemar Stewart, DE, Junior, Texas A&M

If you want a defensive end that is big, powerful, and athletic, Shemar Stewart should interest you. The stats might be an issue for some people since he only had 1.5 sacks, but turn on the tape and you’ll see a disruptive player. He is quick for a player that size and uses it to shoot gaps to the ball. The strength is evident when he sets the edge in the run game as tackles have trouble moving him off his spot. Stewart is raw as a pass rusher and relies on power and speed to win. He can put tackles on skates, but needs to use his hands to disengage from them to make plays. Improving hand usage, developing more pass rush moves, and understanding when to use them is paramount if he wants continued success in the NFL.

Jalen McLeod, LB, Senior, Auburn

Jalen McLeod, a local prospect from Washington, D.C., has a really diverse skillset from the linebacker position. Auburn occasionally lined him up on the edge to rush where he used his speed to get the corner against tackles. He also used that speed when lined up in the middle of the field to get into the backfield. At 6’1.5”, 247 lbs, McLeod is big enough to take on blockers and get free to make plays. What I haven’t seen much of is him in coverage. If he has that in his toolbox, he should hear his name called fairly early in the draft.

Maxwell Hairston, CB, Junior, Kentucky

There will be some that are skeptical of Maxwell Hairston because of his size at only 5’11”, 179 lbs. He also missed time this year with a shoulder injury and some would not consider drafting him. In spite of that, Hairston could really help an NFL team’s secondary, especially if they play a lot of zone. Hairston is so quick to react to the ball in the air when he has his eyes in the backfield. He can play well in man, too, and looks to have the speed to run with receivers downfield. He’s also feisty around the ball, forcing two fumbles in seven games.

Hunter Wohler, S, Senior, Wisconsin

In 2023, Hunter Wohler was a first-team All-Big Ten performer after putting up 120 total tackles. His 2024 campaign wasn’t as productive, but his level of play was consistent. Wohler is made in the mold of a strong safety at 6’1”, 217 lbs. That size allows him to be a sure tackler. His instincts help him to play fast and be in place to make plays. He doesn’t have a ton of interceptions, three for his career, but 16 PBUs suggests he gets his hands on plenty of balls. Athletic testing is going to be important for him because instincts alone won’t be enough against NFL athletes.