2025 Senior Bowl: Former FCS Stars Continue To Shine On The Biggest Stage

Practices at the 2025 Senior Bowl concluded on Thursday as prospects showcased their skills in front of all 32 NFL franchises over the past three days.
Multiple former FCS players participated in this week's events, headlined by North Dakota State's Grey Zabel and Central Arkansas EDGE David Walker. Illinois State defensive back Keondre Jackson, Delaware running back Marcus Yarns, Alabama A&M offensive tackle Carson Vinson, and Sacramento State offensive lineman Jackson Slater were the other prospects representing the FCS.
William & Mary offensive tackle Charles Grant could not attend despite accepting an invite earlier this season.
Below is the latest news and updates from the full week of practices at the Senior Bowl for all six former FCS prospects.
North Dakota State OL Grey Zabel
North Dakota State's Grey Zabel checked all the boxes this week. Zabel showed his versatility, playing multiple spots along the line of scrimmage. He consistently shined during the 1-on-1 period, utilizing his strength and power to overwhelm defenders. During the team period, Zabel did an excellent job at working to the second level and helped create some explosive rushing plays. There is an argument to be made that no other player improved their stock more than Zabel over the past three days.
Couldn’t have been more impressed with @NDSUfootball OL Grey Zabel in the @seniorbowl 1-on-1s. Here are three good reps from him at three different positions (C, LG, RG)
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 28, 2025
Strong case for IOL1 in this draft, and a top 50 pick pic.twitter.com/qX2is4UXn6
Every 1-1 rep for Grey Zabel (NDSU) today.
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) January 28, 2025
Dominant is an understatement. pic.twitter.com/kiOcIRuXpb
.@NDSUfootball OL Grey Zabel has not lost a 1-on-1 rep all period…at multiple positions 👀 @seniorbowl
— Emory Hunt (@FBallGameplan) January 28, 2025
Only 3 players across both the FBS and FCS had fewer allowed Pressures than NDSU's Grey Zabel (7) 🛡️
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) January 29, 2025
🎥: @Marcus_Mosher pic.twitter.com/ENRlIIvD5f
Two fan favorites going at it during the competition period: DT Aeneas Peebles vs OL Grey Zabel
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 29, 2025
DL won most of the day, but not this rep. Zabel remains very impressive pic.twitter.com/ipxzh4OvvN
Alabama A&M OL Carson Vinson
Vinson arrived in Mobile, AL, with a chip on his shoulder as the only HBCU prospect at the Senior Bowl. He wasted no time making an immediate impact, defeating Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart in a 1-on-1 battle on Tuesday at the end of practice. Vinson has prototypical NFL size (6'6, 314), combined with the athleticism to handle quick, finesse edge rushers at the next level. Entering the week, Vinson was a projected late Day 3 pick or priority free agent, but most likely solidified his spot as a Day 3 pick with a stellar performance.
Alabama A&M’s Carson Vinson v Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M) to wrap up Day 1. pic.twitter.com/1iZ60htFXz
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) January 28, 2025
Only rep I got from Carson Vinson’s 1on1s, this is vs LSU’s Sai’vion Jones #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE #SeniorBowl #AAMU pic.twitter.com/FM35huVj27
— Collin Bentley (@CollinBentley_) January 28, 2025
.@AAMUBulldogs OL Carson Vinson has been one of the bigger stories of the week at @seniorbowl, repping #HBCUFootball very well. pic.twitter.com/UpRzVNqHQj
— Emory Hunt (@FBallGameplan) January 30, 2025
Sacramento State OL Jackson Slater
There should be no surprise here, but Sacramento State offensive lineman Jackson Slater was another FCS prospect whose draft stock soared this week. Slater started 40+ games at guard but showed plenty of promise at center against some of the best defensive tackles in the draft class. He was consistently one of the top linemen in 1-on-1's, but he shined in the scrimmage portions of practice. His ability to work to the second level and reach defenders is where Slater made a strong impression. If Slater can build on his performance in Mobile at the NFL Combine, he could slide into Day 2 conversations for the NFL Draft.
Strong day from Sac State OL Jackson Slater. Played with a really stout base in 1-on-1s pic.twitter.com/Y3yhQBrs2O
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) January 28, 2025
Sac St OL Jackson Slater is having a day
— Brad (@Graham_SFN) January 28, 2025
Great job getting to second level and finishing the block on the LB as RB runs right off his hip pic.twitter.com/HkbuatGio0
I really like Sacramento State iOL Jackson Slater.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) January 30, 2025
Scouts wanted to see the FCS talent step up vs. the competition at @seniorbowl.
How about this rep vs Ole Miss' Walter Nolen? 👀
Slater played G in college, but scouts nearly unanimously agree he'll be best-used at C. pic.twitter.com/VP9D0xPujQ
This is one of many impressive reps for small-school standout center Jackson Slater (Sacramento State) vs. 1st round DT prospect Walter Nolen (Ole Miss). Slater is working his way up the board towards mid-round status with the way he’s performing here in Mobile. @ScoutsIncMuench… pic.twitter.com/xMSnvdlMgc
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) January 29, 2025
Central Arkansas EDGE David Walker
There was some concern for Central Arkansas' David Walker, who arrived in Mobile under 6-foot-1, but he quieted the noise with a dominant performance on Thursday. He consistently flashed his power in 1-on-1s, utilizing his leverage against bigger offensive tackles. Despite a lack of height, there is no question that Walker has the physicality and power to play on the edge at the next level. This was on full display on the final day of practice, where Walker may have been the most impressive edge rusher of the day.
Central Arkansas EDGE David Walker easily knocked Marcus Mbow off his base pic.twitter.com/uDnLug2Dcr
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) January 28, 2025
David Walker from FCS school Central Arkansas did exactly what small school players have to do at the Senior Bowl: Kick ass and standout against competition they haven’t played against. Showed off his power all week. pic.twitter.com/FvPVhvk0Kd
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) January 30, 2025
Central Arkansas EDGE David Walker having another strong day #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/orn80qex17
— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) January 30, 2025
Explosiveness + Power = Central Arkansas EDGE David Walker… can be overwhelming from a wider alignment. Has flashed the speed to power the first two days. pic.twitter.com/lhdo6qWS4F
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) January 30, 2025
Delaware RB Marcus Yarns
Yarns is one of the most intriguing FCS prospects of this year's cycle. He turned heads with his performance in 1-on1s, beating linebackers with his agility and quickness, while also exhibiting his ability to be a receiving threat out of the backfield. Yarns showed patience and excellent acceleration throughout the week. He was one of the most explosive athletes at the running back position, which could make him a key player to watch at the NFL Combine in a few weeks.
.@Delaware_FB RB Marcus Yarns looking shifty out there 👀
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 29, 2025
📺: Reese's Senior Bowl -- Saturday, 2:30pm ET on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/YGZs8lrNNi
Senior bowl day 1 practice CJ2k standouts!!!
— Chris Johnson (@ChrisJohnson28) January 29, 2025
1. MARCUS YARNS from Delaware was cooking all day in 1 one 1’s keep an eye out for this guy!!
2. RJ HARVEY from UCF show off his route running ability and have soft hands definitely opened some scouts eyes
3.BRASHARD SMITH from SMU…
Delaware RB Marcus Yarns showing some nice route-running. pic.twitter.com/QjfRQw3ZqV
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) January 30, 2025
Illinois State DB Keondre Jackson
Illinois State's Keondre Jackson was a late addition after a stellar performance at the Hula Bowl and he continued to improve his stock this week. He showed excellent acceleration and range in the secondary, flashing his fluidity in the open field. Jackson has the prototypical NFL size (6'1, 211) and showed the ability to play both safety spots, along with the flexibility to step into a nickel role. Jackson was overlooked entering the draft process, but has entered Day 3 conversations after a solid week of practices.
Illinois State’s Keondre Jackson (SAF) with a GREAT pass breakup in the end zone 🔥#SeniorBowl #NFL pic.twitter.com/5oflJmaL7n
— Roundtable Sports (@RoundtableSN) January 30, 2025
Illinois State’s Keondre Jackson with a nice breakup on the sideline. #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/fDbtDcqW6F
— William Herman (@_williamherman) January 29, 2025
Fastest players (MPH) during Senior Bowl practices (via Zebra Sports):
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 29, 2025
21.61 - CB Jaylin Smith
21.36 - WR Kyle Williams, CB Dorian Strong
21.26 - CB Darien Porter
20.84 - SAF Jonas Sanker
20.64 - WR Tez Johnson
20.45 - CB Keondre Jackson
20.39 - SAF Sebastian Castro
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