Tag: Reese’s Senior Bowl

Tez Johnson deemed ‘unguardable’ at Reese’s Senior Bowl

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson has been among the most impressive players this week at the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Oregon Ducks star wide receiver Tez Johnson has had five years of college football to build a resume and show NFL teams why they should consider drafting him to the professional level. What he has done over the last day at the Reese’s Senior Bowl may be having the biggest impact, though.

Among the best players in the nation, Johnson is reportedly turning heads in Mobile, Alabama. Early on, he was deemed ‘unguardable’ in coverage against elite defensive backs.

Check out some of his highlights from Senior Bowl practice here. 

While Johnson’s measurables were less than ideal earlier this week—he weighed 5 feet 9 inches and 156 pounds—he has shown what he is capable of on the field with his elusive quickness and breakaway ability.

In two seasons at Oregon, Johnson had 169 catches for 2,080 yards and 20 touchdowns, acting as one of the Ducks’ best players of the Dan Lanning era.

There is still a long pre-draft process ahead of us leading up to April, but it’s clear early on that Johnson has made a name for himself this week at the Senior Bowl, and it would not be a shock to see some NFL team take a chance on him with a mid-round pick this year.

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Ducks QB Dillon Gabriel to represent Oregon, Oklahoma, UCF on helmet at Senior Bowl

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel will wear a helmet featuring logos from all three of his college teams at the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

With the college football season now behind us, the pre-draft process is ramping up, and we’re seeing some of the best players in the nation head down to Mobile, Alabama to participate in the annual Reese’s Senior Bowl.

The Oregon Ducks are sending the most players of anyone in the nation, with eight players participating in the week-long event, leading up to Saturday’s Senior Bowl showcase.

One of the group’s leading members is Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who was among the Heisman Trophy finalists in 2024. Gabriel will go to Mobile representing the Ducks, but with a special twist, the multi-team transfer is going an extra step to have all of his former teams included.

This will be showcased by Gabriel’s special VICIS ZERO2 QB helmet, which is the first-ever helmet engineered to provide position-specific protection for quarterbacks.

On Gabriel’s black helmet, one side will feature the silver Oregon wings, but the other side will have the Oklahoma Sooners logo on it. On the back of the helmet will be the UCF Golden Knights logo.

Photo Courtesy of AJ Salas, VICIS.
Photo Courtesy of AJ Salas, VICIS.
Photo Courtesy of AJ Salas, VICIS.
Photo Courtesy of AJ Salas, VICIS.
Photo Courtesy of AJ Salas, VICIS.

All three logos represent Gabriel’s stops along the way during his college journey. He started his career at UCF, where he spent three years with the Golden Knights from 2019-2021, throwing for 8,037 yards and 70 touchdowns. He spent the next two years of his career in Norman, Oklahoma, where he threw for 6,828 yards and 55 touchdowns.

The last step of Gabriel’s college journey came in the form of one season at Oregon, where he threw for 3,857 yards and 30 touchdowns while leading the Ducks to a Big Ten Championship and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.

All schools were meaningful steps along the way for Gabriel, and they hold a special place in his heart, and on his helmet.

The Senior Bowl kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 11:30 a.m. PST and will be aired on NFL Network.

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Titans’ Scott Fuchs added to National Team staff at Senior Bowl

Tennessee Titans assistant offensive line coach Scott Fuchs was named the National Team offensive line coach for the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

The Tennessee Titans will have an opportunity to view some of the offensive line prospects in the 2025 NFL draft at the Reese’ Senior Bowl up close.

Assistant offensive line coach Scott Fuchs was added to the National Team staff at the Senior Bowl as the offensive line coach, giving him ample opportunity to interact and watch the incoming talent.

The offensive line, specifically the tackle position, is a big area of opportunity for the Titans this offseason.

J.C. Latham performed relatively well as a rookie, but how much better would he have performed if he lined up at his natural right tackle position? The Titans could not justify leaving Will Levis’ or Mason Rudolph’s blind side in the hands of Nicholas Petit-Frere or John Ojukwu or Leroy Watson though. No, Latham was the smart decision to move.

But if Latham can switch back to his preferred spot, that would be ideal. This means the Titans need to focus on finding a left tackle, and Fuchs will be in a prime position to evaluate some of the options available.

Fuchs joined the Titans in 2024 after spending 30 years coaching at the collegiate level. It’s safe to say that Fuchs is quite familiar with this demographic and will be able to provide solid opinions on what each player brings to the table.

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Giants’ Angela Baker added to American Team staff at Senior Bowl

For the second straight year, New York Giants assistant coach Angela Baker will serve as a TE coach in a postseason college all-star game.

For the second straight year, New York Giants offensive assistant Angela Baker will serve as a tight end coach at one of the major college all-star games.

Baker will coach the tight ends for the American Team at this year’s Senior Bowl. Last year, Baker coached the tight ends for the West team in the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl Game.

The Senior Bowl will be played next Saturday afternoon, February 1, in Mobile, Alabama.

Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will serve as the head coach of the National Team, while Cleveland Browns assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone will be at the helm of the American Team.

Baker is not the only Giants assistant coach in the game. Running backs coach Joel Thomas will serve as the offensive coordinator for the American side. Mike Adams and James Ferentz will also be on staff.

In addition, Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen will be one of the head coaches in next week’s East-West Shrine Bowl Game, and inside linebacker John Egorugwu will join Bowen on the West Team staff as defensive coordinator.

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Giants’ James Ferentz added to American Team staff at Senior Bowl

New York Giants assistant offensive line coach James Ferentz has been added to the American Team staff at the 2025 Senior Bowl.

The New York Giants were already well-represented at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, which will be played at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama on Saturday, February 1, but their influence continues to grow.

In addition to Mike Kafka, Joel Thomas, and Mike Adam, Giants assistant offensive line coach James Ferentz will be present. He has been added to the American Team staff as a unit coach.

The Giants added Ferentz to their staff in March of last year.

Ferentz, 35, is the son of legendary Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz. Like his father, he also played his college ball at Iowa.

After graduation, Ferentz entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie offensive lineman who went on to play for the Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, and New England Patriots.

He appeared in 61 games, starting 10, and has two Super Bowl rings from his time with the Broncos and Patriots.

Ferentz played under current Giants offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo in New England from 2019 through 2021.

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Senior Bowl adds international man of mystery QB prospect

Senior Bowl adds international man of mystery QB prospect in Taylor Elgersma from Laurier University in Canada

The Senior Bowl practices kick off next Tuesday, and the rosters for the annual exhibition/scouting extravaganza are getting finalized. One recent addition at quarterback is a true international man of mystery.

His name is Taylor Elgersma, the quarterback of the Laurier Golden Hawks in the USports league, the Canadian edition of college football. Elgersma dominated that level, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 40 TDs last season and capturing their version of the Heisman Trophy. He earned the promotion to the Senior Bowl from his impressive work at other postseason games,

 

 

Having not seen Elgersma play yet, I’m very intrigued by what he can do in Mobile next week. It’s a major jump from the USports league, where the level of play is roughly commensurate with high-level D-III ball in the U.S., to playing with and against many players who project as first-rounders in the 2025 NFL Draft. He’s the first Canadian college QB to ever be invited to the Senior Bowl.

Nebraska tight end to play in 2025 Senior Bowl

Fidone will join fellow Huskers Ty Robinson and Tommi Hill in the all-star game.

A Nebraska tight end will participate in an upcoming NFL draft showcase game. Thomas Fidone II will play in the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Fidone declared for the draft several days ago.

The Iowa native had a career with the Huskers that was plagued by injuries. He suffered multiple season-ending injuries early in his career but became an offensive contributor in the last two seasons.

He had 56 total receptions for 583 yards and four touchdowns for his career. His final game as a Cornhusker saw him grab five catches for 50 yards in the Pinstripe Bowl against the Boston College Eagles.

Fidone will join fellow Huskers Ty Robinson and Tommi Hill in the all-star game. The Reese’s Senior Bowl will be played in Mobile, AL, on February 1, 2025, and can be seen on the NFL Network.

https://x.com/seniorbowl/status/1880818667627397305

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Giants’ Mike Kafka named head coach of Senior Bowl National Team

The New York Giants will send Mike Kafka and Joel Thomas to the 2025 Senior Bowl with Kafka serving as head coach of the National Team.

The New York Giants will once again be well-represented at the Senior Bowl, which will be played at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama on Saturday, February 1.

On Wednesday, it was announced that Giants assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, Mike Kafka, would serve as head coach for the National Team.

“It’s an honor to be selected as one of the head coaches for the Senior Bowl,” Kafka said in a statement. “I look forward to getting to know some of the best college athletes in the country both on and off the field, as well as getting to work with a variety of talented coaches from around the NFL.”

Current Giants head coach Brian Daboll praised the decision to have Kafka serve as one of the leading men.

“Mike deserves the opportunity he has as one of the head coaches in this year’s Senior Bowl. His experience as a player and coach is invaluable to these young men who will soon be professional players,” he said. “He is an exceptional coach and teacher and will serve as a resource for everyone involved throughout the week.”

Cleveland Browns assistant head coach and special teams coordinator, Bubba Ventrone, will serve as head coach of the American Team.

“We’re excited to be getting two outstanding coaches with such great reputations leading our teams this year,” Reese’s Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy said. “I was part of the Patriots scouting staff that drafted Bubba Ventrone back in 2005 so I know how smart and competitive he is.

“Mike Kafka has already had numerous head coaching interviews over the past couple hiring cycles and many people I’ve talked to around the league believe it’s only a matter time before he gets one of those jobs.

“Our players will leave Mobile as better players than when they arrived after spending the week with these two men and their respective staffs.”

But Kafka will not be the Giants’ lone representative in Mobile. Running backs coach Joel Thomas has also been tabbed to serve as offensive coordinator for the American Team.

The presence of both Kafka and Thomas will greatly benefit the Giants, allowing them to get a first-hand look at senior prospects ahead of the 2025 NFL draft where they hold the third overall pick.

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UCLA All-America linebacker accepts invite to Reese’s Senior Bowl

Another Bruin football player is Mobile-bound and will get a chance to increase his draft stock at the Senior Bowl.

After a big statistical year with the Bruins, linebacker Carson Schweinsger declared for the 2025 NFL draft in December. Before the All-American makes his way to the draft stage in April of this year, Schwesinger will stop in Mobile, Alabama. According to a post on X, the former Bruin has accepted an invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

The Senior Bowl is one of college football’s most prestigious showcases. It allows NFL-bound players to wow scouts and general managers with their play over a week of practices and a scrimmage.

Schwesinger will join fellow former Bruin and defensive teammate Oluwafemi Oladejo in Mobile, where the two staples of UCLA’s defense in 2024 have a chance to show out together before the NFL Draft.

Though Schwesinger’s numbers speak for themselves, he has flown under the radar in the early goings of the draft process. However, if Schweinsger can have a big week at the Senior Bowl, he could emerge as a potential first-round draft pick in April.

Alabama QB Jalen Milroe accepts invite to 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl

QB Jalen Milroe to attend the Reese’s Senior Bowl as he prepares for 2025 NFL draft.

Despite an unfortunate ending to the Alabama Crimson Tide’s 2024 season, it will always be a special year because it was Alabama’s first taste in life after Nick Saban and the beginning of the Kalen DeBoer era. DB Malachi Moore, OL Tyler Booker and QB Jalen Milroe are among a few guys who cemented their legacies in Alabama history by staying through the transition.

As a quarterback and the top returning Heisman Trophy vote-getter from the 2023 season, getting Milroe back on campus was especially a big deal for DeBoer and his staff.

After a 5-0 start that included dominant wins against Wisconsin and No. 2 Georgia, many people discussed Milroe as a top-ten pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Unfortunately, the remainder of the 2025 season was a bit of a roller coaster with four losses and a few abysmal showings.

Milroe is arguably the best athlete in the entire draft class as he had 20 rushing scores this year, but he still has plenty of room for growth as a passer as he finished the season completing 64.3% of his passes for 2,844 yards and 16 TDs to 11 INTs.

Some scouts are still mocking Milroe as a first round draft pick, but I think he will likely be a day two guy.  To help improve his draft status, Milroe will be attending the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.