MOBILE, Alabama – Three days of practice in preparation for the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl have now concluded, and the next step is to finally play the game. This was the final opportunity for prospects to show their work ethic and athleticism in an NFL practice format before taking the field on Saturday.
Here are some of the top observations from the third day of practice:
One of the defining characteristics from the National team's final practice was the energy and dominance from the defensive line. The charge was led by UCLA linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo, who was not only the first to bring the energy, but the production as well starting in the one-on-one period. But he wasn't the only to have success, as Tommy will outline in these other points of emphasis. (Kyle Youmans)
Darius Alexander (Toledo) was impossible to miss in practice on Thursday because he was constantly wreaking havoc at the line of scrimmage. He's one of the twitchier interior defensive linemen in the class and has great length (34 inch arms, 82 inch wingspan) to pair with a 6'3, 304 pound frame that he holds very well. He's so powerful at the point of attack and uses his long arms and a quick first step that gives him advantages against the run and the pass. He'll need to be more consistent at the next level on a snap-to-snap basis, but has all the tools and traits to fit in a variety of schemes.(Tommy Yarrish)
This is an NFL Draft class that hasn't received similar praise as former years for quarterback talent. However, Thursday was the best practice for two American team quarterbacks, Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) and Jalen Milroe (Alabama). Both players showed significant accuracy and arm strength throughout the week, but really shined in the redzone portions of the final practice. (Kyle Youmans)
The national team defense was having all kinds of success on the line of scrimmage in Thursday's practice, and Landon Jackson (Arkansas) was a big reason why. At 6'5, 273 pounds, Jackson has a great frame for an NFL defensive end. He's not the best athlete nor the quickest, but is strong and uses his hands well to win 1 on 1 situations and has the motor to carry a heavy workload. (Tommy Yarrish)
Pat Bryant (Illinois) had the play of the day in 1 on 1s against Nebraska CB Tommi Hill, making Hill flip his hips one direction at the line of scrimmage and heading the other way in response, making himself wide open in the endzone. Bryant has a good feel for how to get himself into an advantageous position when going for 50-50 balls, and pairs that ability with great hands and a knack for getting his feet in bounds in a phone booth along the sideline or back of the endzone. (Tommy Yarrish)
Throughout the week of practice, Florida linebacker Shemar James showed an ability to read and react at the second level. His downhill ability on display when run fitting and attacking the line of scrimmage. However, his best day was highlighted by great coverage against the passing game. On a rep in one-on-ones, he absolutely stuck it to Georgia running back Trevor Etienne. Known for his ability to be a receiver out of the backfield, he was blanketed by James and was unable to reel in the pass. (Kyle Youmans)
