Senior Bowl Journal: 5 Colts Prospects to Watch

With numerous faculty All-Star occasions kicking off, it’s formally the beginning of the NFL Draft season.

Whereas the East-West Shrine Bowl started its festivities this previous weekend and the Hula Bowl doing so the week earlier than that, the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl kicks off this week, which is actually a end result of mentioned All-Star occasions.

The scene in Cellular, AL, can be suffering from NFL basic managers, teaching staffs, and scouting departments so far as the attention can see. These Senior Bowl rosters will embrace expertise from practically each stage of faculty soccer, offering a possibility for small-school guys to show themselves in entrance of the decision-makers of their future.

Whereas most individuals will, at some stage, discuss with all 32 NFL groups, the Indianapolis Colts, below GM Chris Ballard, have confirmed to worth the upcoming week as 30/74 draft picks (40.5%) throughout his tenure have been Senior Bowl individuals. Equally to current journeys, they’re nearer to the product than most this yr. The Colts have 4 employees members set to educate on the Senior Bowl:

Matt Raich, American Workforce Defensive Coordinator, Colts Sr. Asst. DL Coach

Brent Jackson, American Workforce DBs Coach, Colts Def. High quality Management

Chris Watt, Nationwide Workforce TEs Coach, Colts Asst. OL Coach

Kalon Humphries, American Workforce LBs/EDGE Coach, Colts Tony Dungy Teaching Fellow

Senior Bowl practices are every of the subsequent three days (1/28-1/30) with the sport itself serving because the week’s conclusion on Saturday. Under are 5 individuals who I consider the Colts can be closely watching all through the week.

Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina

Picture by Brian Bahr/Getty Photographs

Knight Jr. could be precisely what the Colts are in search of in a linebacker subsequent to Zaire Franklin. Whereas 2nd-year LB Jaylon Carlies is about to show himself for the spot in query, this staff wants so as to add competitors to as many place rooms as attainable, and linebacker isn’t any completely different.

He can be 25 years previous on draft day, which can possible preserve him from being a Prime 50 draft choice; nevertheless, if there’s anybody to wager on regardless of their age, it’s the athletic linebacker who sits at 6’1”, 246 lbs and has an unbelievable backstory that retains him going.

Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

#FSU CB Azareye’h Thomas is the Senior Bowl participant I am most excited to observe.

Definition of a press-man specialist. Fluid athlete with unreal physique management & cod at 6’2″, 195 lbs. 20 y/o prospect.

A true lockdown CB that was treated as such — only targeted 33 times in ’24. pic.twitter.com/dRyXMPPpqU

— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) January 24, 2025

With JuJu Brents’ sturdiness changing into an actual concern as of late, the Colts could be clever to look within the route of Azareye’h Thomas. Positive to be a excessive riser after the Senior Bowl, Thomas is a press-man specialist who’s poised to make some noise this week, particularly in 1-on-1 drills. At 6’2”, 195 lbs, Thomas is sure to showcase his lockdown traits in Cellular.

Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Inexperienced

Picture by Michael Chang/Getty Photographs

There’s no denying that Fannin Jr. is a unbelievable receiving tight finish who boasts top-tier run-after-the-catch potential. The MAC product completed the yr main the FBS in each receiving yards (1,555) and whole receptions (117), changing into the primary tight finish in CFB historical past to attain such a feat.

However will Fannin Jr. be capable of thrive as an in-line tight finish? At 6’3”, 231 lbs, Fannin Jr. initiatives as an F-type transfer tight finish that can be utilized extra as a receiving choice versus your conventional TE utilization. Solely time will inform, however the Senior Bowl will provide Fannin Jr. the chance to place any doubts to relaxation in the case of his receiving potential towards the most effective competitors.

Aeneas Peebles, iDL, Virginia Tech

Picture by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs

After a failed FA try at signing iDLs Tayven Bryan and Raekwon Davis to function depth behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, it’s time to alter issues up. Aeneas Peebles could be a enjoyable challenge to slate behind Buckner and Stewart as he’s a powerful cross rusher with serviceable, at worst, run-defense traits.

Though a bit undersized for an inside defender at 6’1”, Peebles led all FBS defensive linemen in cross rush win charge whereas proving to be a dependable run defender at 290 lbs.

Gunner Helm, TE, Texas

Aaron Meullion-Imagn Photographs

Helm has flown below the radar in an ultra-deep tight finish class. At 6’5”, 250 lbs, Helm definitely has the body to challenge as an NFL in-line tight finish. Don’t get it twisted although, Helm is a formidable athlete who would mesh completely throughout the Shane Steichen RPO offense.

Forgoing high draft capital to take a shot on Helm late on Day 2 or early on Day 3 could be music to some Colts followers’ ears, given the protection because it stands is a far-from-finished product.