NFL
By Bill Carroll
If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story. Orson Welles
The 76th Senior Bowl’s Practice week is at an end. There are many things that were learned and even more questions were raised. Today for my final review I will go though all of the position groups for the American and National teams. I will begin with the American and National Teams’ Defenses.
Defense
Defensive Backs
The Steak
Corners Brandon “BJ” Adams, Trey Amos, Johnathan Edwards, Maxwell Hairston, Tommi Hill, Bilhal Kone, Dorian Strong and Azareye’h Thomas all had good moments, yet none of them captivated me.
The Sizzle
The Short Kings AKA slot/nickel players really showed me something. Mac McWilliams had three consecutive good days. He is adroit, pugnacious and tenacious. My only concern is defensive holding calls, he has active and acquisitive hands that may draw flags in the NFL.
Jacob Parrish is another intriguing slot corner in the mold of Elijah Monroe Molden. He projects inside and like Molden, teams that like to treat FS and Nickel as nearly interchangeable may try him at free safety. He is best in a scheme that allows him to see the ball coming from the QB. He is strong for his size and is composed at the catch-point. He got “Mossed” once by Jack Bech of TCU and flat beat a few other times, but he is a competitor.
Speaking of competitors, Uptown Stout may sound like a draft special, at a bar named Apropos of Nothing, on Berry Street and North 6th in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. But that is not the case. At 5’8 1/4″ 178 he is reminiscent of Brent Omar Grimes and Antoine Duane Winfield Sr. He has the ability to mirror and match; he is handsy and “punches above his weight.”
Linebackers
The Steak
Jeffrey Bassa was the linebacker who had the highest top speed according to Zebra Technologies. He is a very modern linebacker, in that agility and mobility are among his greatest strengths. He had some rough repetitions in coverage but he kept at it and showed improvement. Bassa was named top LB on National squad in vote from OL, TE, and RB position groups at Practice Player-of-the-Week awards ceremony today at 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Jack Kiser was a player with whom I spoke briefly. I expressed surprise that he was playing again and he said,
“It’s a chance to play more football.”
All of these players have had extensive media training, but that felt 100% genuine. Kizer seems like he is all ball. At 6’1 3/8″ 227 he gave off a strong emanation of Drue Tranquill. He is likely not that level of pure athlete, but he is going to be a favorite of the right coaching staff.
Demetrius Knight Jr. of S. Carolina was another that looks like a future starter. Knight spent four years at Georgia Tech before transferring to Charlotte in 2023. His final season with the Gamecocks he blossomed posting 82 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception. He guessed in coverage and when he was right he looked good and when he was wrong, it showed but he is “a grower and a shower” he reacted well to tips from coaches.
The Sizzle
Smael Simon Mondon Jr. was a player with whom I was familiar, but that I was not wowed by. However he has has some of the best coverage sessions among his position group. He is an easy mover and at 6’2 3/8″ 229 he has room on his frame to get to 242 without losing any quickness.
Defensive Ends
The Steak
Once Marshall’s Mike Green and Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart left, most of what was left was “steak”, solid, dependable NFL prospects, but nothing overly flashy. Donovan Ezeiruaku has been so consistent and is a very good athlete. At 6’2 1/4″ 248 his likely NFL role is as a odd-front outside linebacker or a designated pass-rusher for a 4-3 team, think of Bryce Huff.
The Sizzle
Barryn Sorrell was originally to have been joined by Alfred Collins, Andrew Mukuba, Gunnar Helm and Vernon Broughton, he is the only Texas player who came. Thursday the offensive lineman group awarded him the Practice Player-of-the-Week at his position.
“As a competitive player, I want to be the best,” Sorrell said, per a Dallas Cowboys release. “I’m just coming out here to show that I’m a competitive player. I can do things in the run game and I can do things in the pass game. That was my main thing, just coming out here and showing these coaches that I’m a leader, I’m a winner, and I’m a competitor.”
Defensive Tackle
The Steak
This was a truly strong group and they did not disappoint. There will be between 5-8 players drafted from this group in the top 150-175 players drafted. That is not counting the opt-outs. Aeneas Peebles from Virginia Tech showed real pop in his hands for an “undersized” player at just 6’0 3/8″ 289. He may need to add 12 pounds but he has starter potential.
The Sizzle
Darius Alexander of Toledo had one of the top five overall performances here. He was explosive, powerful and resourceful. He looked like a top 50 prospect to me. His frame, 6’3 5/8″ 304 with 33″ arms and motor will be enticing to teams like the Steelers.
Safety
The Steak
I was looking closely at this group to see who would emerge. Maxen Hook was so steady and has reliable instincts. Nothing about him is flashy, he reminds me of Reed Blankenship.
The Sizzle
Justin Barron stood out, literally! He stands 6’3 5/8″ is 226 and has played linebacker and safety. Despite his size he is quite adroit at getting into proper position. He is a true student of the game and oozes natural leadership. I see him as a future NFL team captain.
I will do offense when I get off of the road. Farewell until 2026 Mobile!
“You and I will meet again, When we’re least expecting it, One day in some far off place, I will recognize your face, I won’t say goodbye my friend, For you and I will meet again.” – Tom Petty
