Now that the college football season has wrapped up, the stage is set for the next generation of stars ready to enter the NFL. The 2025 NFL Draft is scheduled for April, but first comes Reese’s Senior Bowl — an excellent platform for prospects to impress scouts. Scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 1, at 2:30 p.m. ET, it is right around the corner.
What Is the Senior Bowl?
The Senior Bowl has existed since 1950 and is one of the top all-star games for college football. It is held every year in late January or early February in Mobile, Alabama. This postseason event gathers the best college seniors from around the country to show off their skills.
But there’s more to it than football. The game is organized by the non-profit Mobile Arts & Sports Association and has raised over $7.8 million for local and regional charities. It is sponsored by Reese’s, televised by the NFL Network, and is among the must-watches for football fans and scouts alike.
In 2021, the Senior Bowl introduced American and National team designations, each led by NFL staff from different teams. The league provides training, video, and equipment staff, along with Legends Captains, to amp up the game even further. This event is attended by general managers, head coaches, assistants, and scouts from all 32 NFL teams.
The Senior Bowl Selection Process: Scouting Future NFL Stars
The Senior Bowl showcases a mix of standout college players and NFL prospects with a minimal emphasis on players’ backgrounds. According to the Senior Bowl, the player selection involves an extensive eight-month process. Executive Director Phil Savage starts by compiling a list of eligible college seniors and creating a 400-player watch list in August.
From September to November, Savage and his team visit campuses, attend games, and consult with NFL contacts to evaluate talent.
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Invitations are sent out in stages: 20 “automatic” invites at the end of October, 40 “priority” invites a few weeks later, and another 40 “in-season” invites by Dec. 1. There are emergency invites that are used to fill the roster gaps due to injuries.
Over its 76-year history, the Senior Bowl has showcased 53 Pro Football Hall of Famers like Joe Namath, Joe Greene, Walter Payton, and Dan Marino. More recently, stars like Aaron Donald, Von Miller, Bobby Wagner, and Russell Wilson have taken the field. With such a legacy, you can’t help but wonder: will this year’s game continue the tradition of greatness?
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