2025 Senior Bowl standouts, takeaways: How Jaxon Dart, Jack Bech and others performed in NFL Draft event

The NFL's future is on display Saturday from Mobile, Alabama

The crowd in Mobile, Alabama, was treated with some trickery Saturday afternoon, as there were three successful offensive trick plays. In fact, running backs -- Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon and UCF's RJ Harvey -- threw for as many touchdowns as the quarterbacks.

In the end, the American Team secured a 22-19 victory thanks to a walk-off, game-winning touchdown from TCU wide receiver Jack Bech. Bech had a particularly good game, as he was able to show off his ability to win in contested situations. Each player has a helmet decal with the Princeton No. 7, which is the number that Bech's brother, Tiger, wore. Tiger was tragically killed in the New Orleans terror attack in January.

Overall, it was a rough day for each offensive line, which is a small sample to a larger narrative expected to play out in the 2025 NFL Draft. It is an uncharacteristically strong defensive line draft class. There were several registered sacks in the live-game setting, including a few for UCLA's Femi Oladejo and Arkansas' Landon Jackson.

If you missed any of the action, catch up with highlights and analysis in the live blog below.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 5:35 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

JACK BECH WINS IT

The TCU wide receiver caught the game-winning touchdown as time expired. As discussed earlier, his brother, Tiger Bech, was tragically killed in the New Orleans terror attack last month. A fitting way to end a great week in Mobile.

A WALK-OFF WIN AT THE @SENIORBOWL!

Seth Henigan finds Jack Bech for the American Team win! @MemphisFB @TCUFootball pic.twitter.com/Z04yGiQSVH

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 1, 2025

[Feb 1, 2025 at 5:23 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Drama brewing in Mobile?

The National Team is clinging to 19-16 lead late in the fourth quarter. The American Team, led by Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan, is driving with two minutes remaining. Alabama tight end CJ Dippre was the recipient of a deep seam throw just before the break. 

[Feb 1, 2025 at 5:02 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

American Team cuts into the lead with some trickery

For the second time Saturday afternoon, a running back has thrown a touchdown pass. UCF's RJ Harvey found Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton in the end zone. Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan converted the two-point conversion to draw closer, 19-16. 

[Feb 1, 2025 at 4:58 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

National Team extends its lead, 19-8, in the fourth quarter

Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough rebuilt his draft stock at Louisville this season after making stops at Texas Tech and Oregon. Shough found Virginia Tech wide receiver Da'Quan Felton for the game's third score. 

Tyler Shough with a beautiful ball to Da'Quan Felton to extend the National lead! @LouisvilleFB @HokiesFB

📺: @SeniorBowl on NFL Network
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/ttWM0kOIRY

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 1, 2025

[Feb 1, 2025 at 4:42 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Rejoice...a converted field goal attempt! 

To this point in the contest, Senior Bowl kickers had been 0-2 on field goal attempts. There had also not been an attempted extra point because both teams went for two points. Florida State's Ryan Fitzgerald converted a 39-yard attempt after Laurier quarterback Taylor Elgersma found Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant for a big gain. It is 11-8 National Team entering the fourth quarter.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 4:26 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

A first in Senior Bowl history

Taylor Elgersma, from Laurier, is the first Canadian quarterback in the game's history. The game is obviously different up north, but fans will have to wait for an extended look at Elgersma, who was under pressure from the moment he stepped foot on the field.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 4:19 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Service academies represented this afternoon

Navy safety Rayuan Lane III is on the field for the National Team defense. He is exactly what you would expect as a prospect: tough, smart and instinctual. He does a good job identifying route patterns, but may be more limited in terms of play speed and strength. 

[Feb 1, 2025 at 4:17 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Jalen Milroe and what he needs to show

Milroe got a rousing ovation from the home crowd in Mobile. He has been a polarizing prospect through this process because he is the most athletic quarterback eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft. So why is he not a lock for the first round? The passing aspect of his game has been wildly inconsistent. He has the arm strength and makes some splashy plays, but he needs to string together more plays to show that he can sustain drives with his arm.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 3:58 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Halftime in Mobile

Bubba Ventrone revealed that Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe start the second half of a tie game, 8-8.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 3:52 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

National Team gets ball back for two-minute drill

Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson stripped Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart and forced a fumble. Jackson had been in the backfield once already this afternoon. He got on the hip of Alabama A&M offensive tackle Carson Vinson and Vinson was not able to get that moving mass back under control. Jackson sacked Dart when their two teams met earlier this year as well. 

Jackson and Dart are likely both Top-50 overall picks.

[Feb 1, 2025 at 3:32 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

American Team responds with a touchdown of its own

After a flea flicker to TCU wide receiver Jack Bech for a big gain, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart caps the drive with a touchdown run. Dart is in the mix for the first round and should be one of the first three quarterbacks drafted in April. 

Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa was on the receiving end of the two-point conversion. 

The American Team gets in on the trick plays!

Dart launched it to Bech for the big gain! @OleMissFB @TCUFootball

📺: @SeniorBowl on NFL Network
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/cFoeLGAfq1

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 1, 2025

[Feb 1, 2025 at 3:27 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Trevor carrying on the family business

Travis Etienne was a first-round pick out of Clemson and now his brother is elevating his own draft stock. Trevor transferred from Florida and made the most of his opportunity this week. 

Fans do not have to look too far back to find another pair of drafted running back brothers. James Cook was the star of the AFC Championship. The Bills running back is the younger brother of Dalvin Cook. 

𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮: Georgia's Trevor Etienne was named top RB on American team in vote from LB & DS position groups at Practice Player-of-the-Week awards ceremony today at 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl. #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/YRO7J5hzGf

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) January 31, 2025

[Feb 1, 2025 at 3:19 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Backfield pressure en vogue

There have been a lot of plays ending in the backfield this afternoon and the list of players making it happen is extensive: LSU edge rusher Sai'vion Jones, Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa, Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson, Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander and, most recently, Utah defensive lineman Junior Tafuna. Bassa, in particular, has been all over the field after earning top LB honors this week. 

[Feb 1, 2025 at 3:13 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮: Iowa State's Jaylin Noel was named top WR on National squad in vote from CB & DS position groups at Practice Player-of-the-Week awards ceremony today at 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/OUALvptBUZ

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) January 31, 2025

[Feb 1, 2025 at 3:13 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮: Irish ☘️ Notre Dame's Jack Kiser was named top LB on American squad in vote from OL, TE, and RB position groups at Practice Player-of-the-Week awards ceremony today at 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl...and he came to Mobile after only 6-day CFP window and 16-game… pic.twitter.com/LqWjHiMUAw

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) January 31, 2025

[Feb 1, 2025 at 3:03 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

TCU WR Jack Bech honoring late brother this week

Tiger Bech, a member of Princeton's football team and the brother of TCU wide receiver Jack Bech, was tragically killed during the terror attack on Bourbon Street on New Year's Day. The Eagles will host Bech at the Super Bowl next week as well. 

He caught 62 passes this season for 1,034 yards and 9 touchdowns. According to TruMedia, he had a remarkable drop rate of just 1.1%. 

𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮: TCU's Jack Bech was named top WR on American squad in vote from CB & DS position groups at Practice Player-of-the-Week awards ceremony today at 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/ieinTB1EO3

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) January 31, 2025

[Feb 1, 2025 at 2:56 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Longhorn wins top DL honors

Texas had some big time players on its defensive line this season, but it was EDGE Barryn Sorrell, not Alfred Collins or Vernon Broughton, getting recognition as the top DL on his team.

𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮: 🤘Texas' Barryn Sorrell was named top DL on American squad in vote from OL group at Practice Player-of-the-Week awards ceremony today at 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl. 📈#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/VZDZiUmq10

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) January 31, 2025

[Feb 1, 2025 at 2:50 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Big-bodied pass-catchers making big plays

Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins used his 6-foot-4, 215 lb. frame to box out a smaller UCF cornerback Mac McWilliams in the end zone. Higgins caught 9 touchdown passes this season. 6-foot-4 tight end Elijah Arroyo caught the two-point conversion; a clear early strategy from the National Team offense.

Dillon Gabriel finds Elijah Arroyo for the two-pointer!

📺: @SeniorBowl on NFL Network
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/vvkinjNy4f

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 1, 2025

[Feb 1, 2025 at 2:48 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

National team strikes first!

The National Team scores first. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws a pass behind the line of scrimmage to Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon, with a block from Miami wide receiver Xavier Restrepo, to Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins. 

Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo adds the two-point conversion. 

TRICK PLAY ALERT 🚨

Gabriel to Gordon II to Higgins for the National Team score!

📺: @SeniorBowl on NFL Network
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/lnUynLvZ0m

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 1, 2025

[Feb 1, 2025 at 2:45 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮: 🦆Oregon's Jeffrey Bassa was named top LB on National squad in vote from OL, TE, and RB position groups at Practice Player-of-the-Week awards ceremony today at 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl. 📈#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/QMUQZsNqXd

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) January 31, 2025

[Feb 1, 2025 at 2:39 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

The story of Georgia safety Dan Jackson is very cool. He walked-on to Georgia in 2019 after lettering in three sports and setting a school record in the 110 meter hurdles. Head coach Kirby Smart admitted he did not even know who Jackson was when he initially walked-on to the team, but he was starting in his third year. 

𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮: Georgia's Dan Jackson was named top DS on American squad in vote from WR and TE position groups at Practice Player-of-the-Week awards ceremony today at 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.📈#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/qIOtzl5EYm

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) January 31, 2025

[Feb 1, 2025 at 2:37 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

A late addition to the Senior Bowl made the most of his opportunity. 

𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮: Illinois State's Keondre Jackson was named top DS on National squad in vote from WR and TE position groups at Practice Player-of-the-Week awards ceremony today at 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.📈#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/fxS6kyQNOg

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) January 31, 2025

[Feb 1, 2025 at 2:26 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Toledo DL Darius Alexander was recognized for his efforts this week. Alexander has the size to play on the end or inside dependent upon the situation. His versatility will make him an intriguing option for NFL teams on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮: Toledo's Darius Alexander was named top DL on National squad in vote from OL group at Practice Player-of-the-Week awards ceremony today at 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl. 📈#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/lZMSM1Nwzw

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) January 31, 2025

[Feb 1, 2025 at 2:16 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard and Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel will be the starting quarterbacks in this affair. Fans will also see Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart, Alabama's Jalen Milroe and more. 

Here is CBSSports.com's updated prospect rankings

[Feb 1, 2025 at 2:12 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Oregon LT Josh Conerly Jr. finished strong in his last season with the Ducks and then carried over that momentum in Mobile. His peers voted him the best offensive lineman on the National Team. 

𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮: Oregon's Josh Conerly Jr. was named top OL on National squad in vote from DL & LB position groups at Practice Player-of-the-Week awards ceremony today at 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl. 📈#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/R3JYheAFu9

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) January 31, 2025

[Feb 1, 2025 at 2:11 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

One player that helped his draft stock immensely this week: North Dakota State OL Grey Zabel. He played offensive tackle for the Bison, but projects inside at the next level. 

🚨𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮: North Dakota State OL Grey Zabel was named @seniorbowl Overall Practice Player-of-Week today in poll of NFL executives from all 32 teams. 📈#BestoftheBest #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/giG6kRtLyp

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 1, 2025

[Feb 1, 2025 at 2:08 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Hello, everyone!

Welcome to today's coverage of the Reese's Senior Bowl.  This live blog will be more about educating fans on the prospects eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft rather than the snap-to-snap happenings from the game.