2025 Senior Bowl Recap - Running Backs and Tight Ends

Ourlads' scouts Dave Syversten and Hayden Russell attended the practices, and along with our other contributors, came away with notes on the players in attendance.

Jon Cooper, Dave Syversten, Hayden Russell, Gene Nudo and the rest of Ourlads' Staff
02/13/2025 4:56PM ET
Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

There were some outstanding performances as well as some disappointments. The game provided some clarification as some but not all of the good and bad performances carried over to the game. The players are listed in general how the scouts ranked them for the week.

Running Backs

Ollie Gordon ll - Oklahoma State

Tall running back prospect with long arms. He’s massive and intimidating but gets his feet off the ground well and can really pounce in space. Hard-nosed runner in between the tackles.  Caught the ball well too. Impressive catch away from his body, long arms, create a large catch radius.  Uses strength to win in pass protection, but heavy feet could be an issue and ends up on the ground a lot. Needs some runway to really get going. If he needs to adjust quickly, he appears off balance.

LeQuint Allen - Syracuse

Biggest riser of the group. He was excellent in all areas and plays the urgency you want out of a back. Explosiveness out of his stance is top-tier. He can run away from defenders. Violent pass protector looking to make contact. Struggles to locate hole right away on outside zone. A little delayed there.

Trevor Etienne - Georgia

Short compact frame. Patient behind the line waiting for lanes to develop. Has a feel and vision to find a crease. He hits the hole with impressive burst, and can separate at the second and third level. Has an elusive running style in space. Could have been better as a blocker, could not latch on and he stopped moving his feet. Not sure about the long speed.

Bhayshul Tuten - Virginia Tech

Notably short, compact, thick frame with massive legs and good muscle definition. High effort pass protector who plays bigger than his size. Soft hands in the passing game to make catches away from his body. Explosive when he hits the gap. One of my favorite players at the event; despite his size, he does everything right.

RJ Harvey - UCF

Notably thin frame. Shifty but controlled and compact. Has an efficient style and he’s stronger than he looks. Advanced route runner who can stack a linebacker and take it to the house. Presses backer before snapping off route to create separation. Elusive in space. Great effort and loose hips/lateral agility to scrape and leverage the ball carrier on special teams; one of the standouts on special teams. Gets beat in pass pro a lot. Catch radius looks a little small.

Devin Neal - Kansas

Thick upper body with thin legs. Runs hard in between the tackles and will fight for yards-after-contact. Seemed to know how to play the position the best just when it came to vision, timing, pressing the line, and blocking. Sturdy and balanced build. Short strider that looks a little awkward running in space. Elusive grade is just OK, lacks some hip fluidity. Route running needs some improvement, a little bit of stiffness.

Woody Marks - USC

He does everything well. Balanced guy that plays tough and hardnosed. Lacks a true standout trait. Soft hands in the passing game with impressive ball tracking ability in the air. Needs to use active feet in protection.

Brashard Smith - SMU

Patient to allow the crease to open up before committing. Loved his game as a receiver the most. Will catch everything underneath with soft easy hands. Excellent after the catch. Sudden burst and twitchy reactions. Slight build and lacks lower body power on contact for an inside ball carrier

Jarquez Hunter - Auburn

Excellent muscle mass on a burly frame. Thick below the waist. Straight line burst is impressive and he runs low to the ground. Tough runner in between the tackles. Showed soft hands on downfield throws and caught everything underneath. Tight when he needs to be shifty and elusive, won’t miss a lot of contact with tacklers.

Damien Martinez - Miami

Thick and powerful he was heavy on contact. He knocked some guys back- violent player. Explosive runner at the second and third level who could break away with speed. Heavy feet when he needs to adjust laterally and runs high sometimes. Dead feet and bad technique and pass protection.

Donovan Edwards - Michigan

Solid frame but lacks muscle definition in his arms and legs. Seems a bit hesitant and soft as an inside runner. Not sure he can see things quick enough. Caught some balls away from his body – excellent body control and ability to adjust. Route running could be better. Active feet and sturdy base and pass protection; some of the best pass protection reps from the group. 

Marcus Yarns - Delaware

Solid size, but slim muscle mass throughout. Easy speed – accelerates well and can outrun most guys there. Caught the ball well and had some slot receiver looks in his route running. Non factor as a blocker and he did not run between the tackles with any success beyond one play.

Tight Ends

Elijah Arroyo - Miami

Well-built tight end prospect with long, muscular arms, and an athletic build. Sudden route runner with stop/start quickness.  He also uses head fakes to separate from defenders. Very good ball skills in all areas. Best athlete of all the tight ends in this group.

Mason Taylor - LSU

Does everything well without one outstanding trait. Was a standout on day one. Short area and intermediate route running was on display as he was consistently open. Soft hands as he caught everything. Flashed solid position blocking skill as an attached tight end.

Harold Fannin - Bowling Green

Huge tight end with notable route-running skills. A little segmented in movements but just gets open. Day three of the practice week was by far his best day and showed his true potential with consistent wins in one-on-ones and team periods. Willing blocker, but gets little movement. Asked to block Landon Jackson multiple times and held up. Struggles to settle down and sit on hitch routes. Seemed to disappear at times. Dropped wide open pass in 7-on-7.

Jake Briningstool - Clemson

Showed solid route running skill all week and flashed ability to make tough catches. Hands were somewhat inconsistent as there were some drops. Showed vertical speed in one on ones. Held his own inline but not an elite blocker. 

Terrance Ferguson - Oregon

Was dominating the competition all day on Wednesday. Presses the defender before making sharp breaks to create separation in the passing game. Really solid movement traits and size, a matchup nightmare that can get open and finish. 

Thomas Fidone - Nebraska

Interesting combination of size, straight line speed, and hands. Caught everything. Won contested catches with toughness and arm length. Outstretched his long arms, and made eye opening catches away from his body.

Jackson Hawes - Georgia Tech

Not an elite pass catcher, but he could be a threat in the underneath game.

Moliki Matavao - UCLA

Solid mover in space and solid change of direction skills. Some difficulties making catches through contact.

Gavin Bartholomew - Pitt

Short tight end prospect lacking muscle definition, and average arm length. Average route running and change of direction.