The first day of Senior Bowl practices are in the books, an even that has played an important role in the Indianapolis Colts’ pre-draft process under GM Chris Ballard.
The Senior Bowl is an All-Star showcase event for many of the top draft prospects and also provides an opportunity for smaller school players or really any prospect to get exposure and give their draft stock a bump with a strong showing.
General managers and scouts from all 32 teams attend the event. Oftentimes, it is at the Senior Bowl when many talent evaluators are getting to see these prospects up close on the practice for the first time while also having the opportunity to interact with them off of it.
Between 2017 and 2023, 26 of the Colts 67 draft picks during that span participated in the Senior Bowl. In last year’s draft, three of Ballard’s selections were a part of this event.
For a position by position look at the players participating in this year’s Senior Bowl along with the Colts need at each position this offseason, follow the links below:
Quarterbacks
Linebackers
Running backs
Tight ends
Wide receivers
Cornerbacks and Safeties
Offensive line
Defensive line
Now, on to some of the highlights from Day 1:
Couldn’t have been more impressed with @NDSUfootball OL Grey Zabel in the @seniorbowl 1-on-1s. Here are three good reps from him at three different positions (C, LG, RG)
Strong case for IOL1 in this draft, and a top 50 pick pic.twitter.com/qX2is4UXn6
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 28, 2025
Beautiful catch from @TCUFootball WR Jack Bech to climb the ladder and come down with this one
Catch of the day at @seniorbowl pic.twitter.com/14DFuC1uVS
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 28, 2025
It’s taken me all of 15 minutes to decide Xavier Restrepo is my favorite (and possibly the best) WR out here today. #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/FbMx6q30VW
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) January 28, 2025
Here is every one-on-one rep for Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen during Day 1 of the Senior Bowl: pic.twitter.com/h4EVLvlBtd
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 28, 2025
Brashard Smith was super smooth in the receiving drills at #SeniorBowl. It’s obvious he knows how to create easy separation given his experience at WR. @AtoZSportsNFL pic.twitter.com/nCXmlHZjQB
— Travis May (@FF_TravisM) January 28, 2025
.@NoelJaylin13 in his bag 🎒@seniorbowl pic.twitter.com/EcHyZUqoAY
— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) January 29, 2025
Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku had 16.5 sacks in 2024 — but Minnesota OT Aireontae Ersery has him in the ninth circle of Hell right now at the #SeniorBowl
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) January 28, 2025
Elijah Arroyo is putting on a show at the Senior Bowl👀
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 28, 2025
Fastest players (MPH) during Senior Bowl practices (via Zebra Sports):
21.61 – CB Jaylin Smith
21.36 – WR Kyle Williams, CB Dorian Strong
21.26 – CB Darien Porter
20.84 – SAF Jonas Sanker
20.64 – WR Tez Johnson
20.45 – CB Keondre Jackson
20.39 – SAF Sebastian Castro— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 29, 2025
😤😤😤#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ https://t.co/QbmyV89t3b
— Reese’s Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 29, 2025
Great rep from CB Quincy Riley.
Patient, no panic, contest the back shoulder. pic.twitter.com/rwtTqAxSY1
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 28, 2025
Walter Nolen speed to power in one on ones against Clay Webb. #SeniorBowl https://t.co/Pw9EcgoqTb pic.twitter.com/FfzUoamyR1
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) January 28, 2025
