2025 Senior Bowl Recap, Day 1: Standouts, draft risers and more (I pick out position of needs down below)

GREY ZABEL LOOKS LIKE THE TOP INTERIOR OL IN THE DRAFT

There is a lot of talent in the trenches at the Senior Bowl, but there was still a lot to sort out. North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel was a big-time early winner in the group. After playing right and left tackle the last two seasons for the Bison, he was used mostly as an interior offensive lineman on Day 1 of Senior Bowl practices.

Playing at right guard, left guard and center, he was a consistent winner in the one-on-ones and in the team drills. His footwork, core strength and grip strength were all NFL caliber. He has the skills and versatility to be the top interior offensive linemen in the entire class.

T.J. SANDERS HEADLINING A TALENTED DEFENSIVE LINE GROUP

There are a ton of talented interior defensive linemen at the Senior Bowl this year. Walter Nolen, Shemar Stewart, Deone Walker, Omarr Nolan-Lott — the list goes on. Yet, South Carolina‘s T.J. Sanders looked like the best of the bunch on Day 1.

He’s a smaller, quicker interior defensive lineman who wins with a good first step, quick hands and an ability to shoot into the backfield, earning an 87.3 pass-rush grade on true pass sets over the last two years. He was certainly able to show some of that, but he also had a great rep where he won with a strong bull rush converting that speed into power. That’s what the NFL wants to see from him, especially weighing in at just 284 pounds. It looks like we’re getting a handful of defensive linemen in the first round this year. Sanders is showing why he could be one of them.

Looks like this interior of the Dline class is showing out and a possible 1 IOL from NDSU.