The 2025 NFL Draft season is heating up, and Reese’s Senior Bowl has just dropped its highly anticipated watch list—showcasing a whopping 859 players from 180+ college programs. That’s a big leap from last year’s 720 prospects, and one major reason for this surge is a new rule allowing underclassmen to participate in postseason all-star games.
The Senior Bowl is set to take place on February 1, 2025, in Mobile, Alabama, and will air live on NFL Network at 2:30 p.m. ET. With top college programs like Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Georgia each contributing 20+ athletes to the list, there’s a lot to unpack here. Let’s dive into three crucial takeaways from this year’s watch list:
1. Underclassmen Hit the Watch List for the First Time—What Does It Mean?
The most exciting new development in the world of NFL scouting is the addition of underclassmen to the Senior Bowl watch list. With 81 younger players making the cut, this move is changing how both college programs and NFL teams strategize around talent.
Jim Nagy, the Senior Bowl’s executive director, highlighted the challenges of recruiting younger players for the event. “The shift to allow underclassmen was announced late last year, so there’s been a bit of a learning curve for everyone,” Nagy said.
But these underclassmen are already turning heads, with offensive stars like Tetairoa McMillan and Luther Burden III making waves alongside defensive talents like Mykel Williams and Harold Perkins. The inclusion of underclassmen offers NFL scouts a broader pool of talent but also raises questions about the readiness of younger players compared to their seasoned counterparts.
In a world where NIL deals and eligibility rule changes can sway players’ decisions, teams need to maintain strong relationships with college programs to tap into this rising talent pool. Underclassmen could tip the balance in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it will be fascinating to see how the presence of younger players impacts draft strategies.
2. Georgia’s Carson Beck: A Top Contender Among 47 Quarterbacks
Quarterback is always a hot position when it comes to NFL Drafts, and the 2025 class is no different. While 2024 was loaded with QB talent, the upcoming draft may be more unpredictable. Out of the 47 quarterbacks listed, Carson Beck from Georgia is emerging as a leading contender.
Had Beck entered last year’s draft, he could have gone in the top rounds, but staying another year has only solidified his stock. Beck will be competing against other high-profile QBs like Quinn Ewers (Texas) and Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), and the college season will reveal who truly rises to the top.
Lesser-known names like Jalen Milroe (Alabama) and Riley Leonard (Notre Dame) are also on the radar and could become household names as we get closer to the draft. While it’s too early to say if 2025 will stack up to the 2024 QB class, Beck’s performance will be closely monitored by scouts as a potential game-changer.
3. Running Backs, Tight Ends, and Cornerbacks Lead the Strongest Positions
While quarterbacks always get the most attention, the 2025 Senior Bowl watch list shows that running backs, tight ends, and cornerbacks are the positions to watch this year. Teams in need of offensive firepower and defensive support will find a deep pool of talent.
This is a significant shift from previous years where depth was lacking in some of these positions. Tight ends, in particular, are seeing a resurgence, with several standout prospects ready to make an impact.
Similarly, cornerbacks with elite coverage skills are plentiful in this year’s pool. Teams looking to solidify their defensive backfields will have no shortage of options. Expect draft boards to be stacked with players from these three positions as we move deeper into draft season.
Breaking Down the Schools
When looking at the 2025 Senior Bowl Watch List, powerhouse programs continue to shine, with Ole Miss leading the pack with 21 players making the cut. This is no surprise, as Ole Miss has been known for developing NFL-ready talent year after year. Close behind are Texas A&M and Georgia, both boasting 20 players each, further demonstrating the dominance of Southeastern Conference (SEC) teams in producing top-tier football talent. With Alabama and Ohio State contributing 19 and 18 players, respectively, it’s clear that the big names in college football are still driving the conversation.
However, what’s particularly notable this year is the increased presence of talent from smaller, less historically dominant programs. This suggests that NFL scouts are looking beyond the usual suspects, recognizing the depth and diversity of talent across the NCAA landscape. Schools that may not always grab headlines during the college football season are proving they can produce future NFL stars, emphasizing the growing competitiveness at all levels of college football. As the season progresses, the performance of players from these lesser-known programs could shake up the rankings and shift scouting priorities heading into the draft.
The Influence of Shaquille O’Neal and Equal Pay in Sports
A fresh and provocative talking point surrounding the sports world this year is Shaquille O’Neal’s advocacy for equal pay in women’s sports, particularly in the WNBA. His comments have sparked broader discussions not only within basketball but across all professional sports. O’Neal has been particularly vocal about emerging stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, emphasizing their growing influence and media presence. O’Neal argues that the monumental growth in WNBA viewership—evidenced by the 2023 season’s 1.2 million viewers per game, a 170% increase from previous years—justifies a substantial pay raise, with O’Neal suggesting salaries as high as $20 million for top players.
While his focus is on women’s basketball, O’Neal’s comments tap into the broader conversation about pay equity in sports. The gap between men’s and women’s professional sports salaries remains vast, and this dialogue is particularly relevant as NFL rookies and veterans continue to push for better compensation and more favorable contracts. The issues raised by O’Neal resonate within the NFL as well, as the league balances massive revenue growth with the need to ensure fair player compensation. The conversation around equal pay and financial fairness isn’t going away, and as more athletes and public figures like Shaquille O’Neal continue to speak out, the pressure on professional sports leagues to address these inequalities will only grow.
Final Thoughts: What’s Next for the 2025 Senior Bowl?
The Reese’s Senior Bowl continues to be a must-watch event for NFL fans, scouts, and analysts. With a more extensive watch list than ever before and the addition of underclassmen to the pool, this year’s event is shaping up to be a key indicator for how teams will approach the 2025 NFL Draft.
As February 1, 2025, approaches, keep an eye on Carson Beck and the promising crop of running backs, tight ends, and cornerbacks. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just tuning in for draft insights, this year’s Senior Bowl promises to be packed with future NFL stars.
With the game being broadcast on NFL Network, make sure you mark your calendar for one of the most exciting showcases of young talent as they vie for a spot in the league.
This is where dreams meet the gridiron, and the 2025 Senior Bowl will give fans a sneak peek into the future of the NFL.
