Every year players use the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL, as a launching pad for the NFL draft. Below are five prospects who performed well and are trending up before the Combine in late February.
OL Grey Zabel (6-5, 316), North Dakota State
Zabel played predominately at left tackle for the Bison, but he also took guard and center reps throughout the practices at the Senior Bowl. He didn't lose any of his 12 reps in 1-on-1s, according to The 33rd Team, and allowed a marginal pressure on 2 reps.
Zabel, who grew up in Mound City, SD, (population 69 in the 2020 US census), helped NDSU earn its 10th national championship last season. He was named the Senior Bowl's practice player of the week as voted by the NFL executives in attendance.
TE Elijah Arroyo (6-4, 251), Miami
Arroyo's career for the Hurricanes was hampered by injuries -- he played in 11 games the 2022 and 2023 seasons combined. In 13 games this past last season, the former four-star recruit totaled 35 receptions, 590 yards and 7 touchdowns. He showcased his speed in Mobile which he showed on a 74-yard touchdown against Georgia Tech this season. Arroyo reached 21.8 miles per hour on the catch-and-run, a number only six NFL players eclipsed in the 2024 season.
"He's a long strider who is comfortable inline or in the slot and can stress defenses between the numbers because of his athleticism," CBS Sports draft analyst Ryan Wilson wrote. "He has an enormous catch radius, soft hands and explodes out of his breaks."
DL Shemar Stewart (6-5, 281), Texas A&M
Stewart's college production doesn't accurately depict his impact on the game, which was on display at Hancock Whitney Stadium. The Miami native has speed, power and strength. After a would-be sack in practice, he yelled, "Don't play with me. I'm like that," for the coaches, executives and fans in attendance to hear. Stewart has 4.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 65 tackles in three seasons in College Station.
"He's one that has exponentially gotten better every single year even though he had 1.5 sacks for his career high in a season," ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid said. "He's one of those dudes that flashes every time he's on the field."
DL Mike Green (6-4, 251), Marshall
Green had debatably the best (or most memorable) rep in 1-on-1 drills over the three practices when he ran through Oregon T Josh Conerly and put Conerly on his back. Green began his college career at Virginia before he transferred to Marshall. He had 17 sacks this past season, the most by any college player since Alabama's Will Anderson's 17.5 in 2021 when he was named a unanimous All-American. Anderson was drafted No. 3 overall in 2023.
Green, according to Pro Football Focus, had a 92.5 grade last season, 59 pressures, a 20.1% win rate and a 90.2 run defense grade.
"I think he solidified himself in the back of the first round," CBS Sports analyst Leger Douzable said. "He's a guy that everyone was worried about with his size. I think he came out at 235 in the spring, but his official number [at the Senior Bowl] was 251. That was his last checkmark in regard to potentially being a first-round pick. I thought he showed up and was big against better competition. He did not look out of place. As a matter of fact, I think he elevated his game."
DT Walter Nolen (6-3, 293), Mississippi
Nolen is a twitchy player for an interior defensive lineman. The 2024 consensus All-American was a part of one of the best defenses in Rebels history. The group's 52 sacks and 120 tackles for loss are school records and led the nation. Nolen's 14 sacks tied for the team lead.
"I still want to see him finish plays a bit more," NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah wrote. "That issue showed up on tape and it popped up again when I watched him live this week. That said, there's a lot to dream on with the tools he brings to the table."
