One Bowl to Rule Them All: Recap of the Reese’s Senior Bowl
It’s draft season, which means it’s ECG season. After a week of practice in Mobile, the future stars of the NFL hit the gridiron one final time in their collegiate colors.
In the heart of the traffic-laden University of South Alabama campus, Senior Bowl festivities were in full swing leading up to the 1:30 p.m. CT kickoff. Mascots were out and about, Foosackly’s food trucks were open and music blared before some of the top NFL prospects in the nation took the field for the final time before hearing their name called on draft night.
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel got the start under center for the National team and drove downfield on the game’s opening drive. Gabriel did well with the opportunities given too him, but his time in the spotlight was quickly cut short when Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard got the nod for the American team, and played well throughout the first quarter. Leonard had a solid day, going 6-of-7 for 54 yards, taking one sack. While he could not get the American team on the board, he looked sharp and ended his day after the conclusion of the first quarter.
The next quarterbacks to hit the field were Louisville’s Tyler Shough for the National team and Jaxson Dart for the American team. Shough had an up-and-down day, making some nice throws and showing off his natural arm talent, but he also threw an interception in the end zone that was caught by Tulane safety Caleb Ransaw.
Dart also had a polarizing game, as he finished 1-of-3 for 39 yards with his lone completion being a deep pass to TCU wide receiver Jack Bech on a flea flicker. Dart also found the endzone with his legs, evading pressure and putting the American team on the board. However, Dart was sacked twice on his next drive, with the second one being a strip-sack by Arkansas defensive lineman Landon Jackson.
Running back Ollie Gordon II (0) warms up in a position drill before the first day of practice at the Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on Teusday, Jan. 28, 2025. (Kelii Horvath/East Coast Gridiron)
First Half Standouts
I think Ollie Gordon had a good game, even if you don’t consider his trick-play touchdown pass. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry in the first half and ran with some juice when he found a hole. If 2023 Ollie Gordon can return in 2025, the team that drafts him will get a gem.
Virginia Tech defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles blew up a run, something we have seen from him in practice all week. Although he is undersized, Peebles caused problems throughout the afternoon and in my opinion could be the best pick of day two of the draft.
Landon Jackson bounced back in a big way after a rough week of practice. He was a guy with fringe first round stock who did not look the part all week long. But Jackson made a statement today with a strip sack and big hit in the backfield on a draw in the first half.
LSU defensive lineman Sai’vion Jones was a surprise in the first half, totaling four tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. He was very active in the run game and seemed to breeze past linemen. Jones also tallied a sack early in the third quarter.
Quarterback Seth Henigan (16) throws the ball during practice at the Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Kelii Horvath/East Coast Gridiron)
The second half started with Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe taking the field, and despite plenty of cheers for the Crimson Tide star, Milroe failed to make an impact in the game. Milroe finished the game 3-of-5 for 21 yards and was sacked three times, including twice on his first drive. Milroe was able to get a couple small gains with his legs, but he did not look like the Milroe that led his team in rushing against LSU earlier in 2024.
Taking the field to open the second half for the National team was Canadian quarterback Tyler Elgersma. Throughout practice this week it was clear Elgersma has arm talent but was adjusting to the speed of the game. Both of those evaluations were backed up by his play in the third quarter today. Elgersma took multiple sacks as he did not know where to go under pressure, but also found Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant for a 43-yard gain on a deep fade, setting up a field goal by Florida State’s Nick Fitzgerald.
The fourth quarter saw a rotation at quarterback for the National team, with Shough finding Virginia Tech’s Da’Quon Felton for a touchdown. But it was the quarterback play from the American team that altered the course of the game.
Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan entered the game, but fumbled a snap under center, recovered by Utah defensive lineman Junior Tafuna. The uncharacteristic turnover did not phase the American Athletic Conference’s all-time leading passer, and Henigan responded by leading a scoring drive that ended with an trick play. UCF running back RJ Harvey tossed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Maryland’s Tai Felton to bring the American team within three points of the National team.
The next American drive was led by Milroe, who was uninspiring and was stuffed on a fourth down conversion attempt. Then, with 2:32 left in the game, Henigan took the field, and showed the world why I have him as my top quarterback in this class.
Henigan led his team down the field with a series of throws with exceptional accuracy at all levels of the field. Henigan found TCU’s Jack Bech, Alabama tight end CJ Dippre and Arkansas’ Isaac TeSlaa downfield to put his team in position to score.
And then, it happened. With the clock reading 0:07, Henigan took the snap, rolled to his right, and found Bech in the endzone to win the game. Bech, with the number seven on his helmet, wearing the number seven on his chest and back, caught the game winner after there were seven seconds left in the game, as he honored his late brother Tiger Bech, who wore the number seven during his time at Princeton.
After being awarded Senior Bowl MVP honors, Bech credited his brother and Jesus Christ for his performance in what was an emotionally charged game and week. It’s only fitting that his final catch before being drafted was from Henigan, whose collegiate mascot was a Tiger.
Wide receiver Jack Bech runs a route in practice at the Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Kelii Horvath/East Coast Gridiron)
Second Half Standouts
Jalen Milroe’s struggles are as advertised. Throws within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage come with accuracy issues. Milroe should not be drafted before day three.
SMU running back Brashard Smith had an excellent kick return where he showed how dangerous he can be in open space. His background as a wide receiver was evident in his route running ability throughout the week and combining that with his ability to make guys miss makes him an intriguing prospect.
This half was really the Seth Henigan show. He had a fumble and took a sack, but aside from that he was clinical and accurate. To me he looks pro-ready and is my favorite quarterback in this class. If you are not on the Henigan hype train yet, get your ticket now before it’s full steam ahead.
My first Senior Bowl trip was a blast, generating content, getting interviews and taking photos. For those of you have have been reading and listening, thank you for accompanying me, Dante’ and Sora on our trip to Mobile.
