Updates on Senior Bowl Practice: How the South Carolina Gamecocks Lined Up

The Senior Bowl is one of the premier postseason events for NFL Draft prospects, offering them a final chance to impress scouts, coaches, and general managers before the draft. Every year, standout players from top college football programs participate in this prestigious game, and their performances during practice week are often just as important as their appearances in the game itself. For college football fans, especially those with an eye on the South Carolina Gamecocks, the 2025 Senior Bowl is particularly noteworthy, with several Gamecock players being invited to showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts.

The South Carolina Gamecocks, under head coach Shane Beamer, have produced some top-tier talent over the past few years, and several of their key players were among the invited prospects for the Senior Bowl. From talented offensive players to gritty defensive standouts, South Carolina had a number of athletes with the potential to impress during the week of practice leading up to the game. This article breaks down the Gamecock players’ performances during the Senior Bowl practice sessions, how they lined up, and the key storylines to follow as they look to elevate their draft stock.

1. Gamecock Prospects at the Senior Bowl: A Look at Key Players

Before delving into the practice breakdown, it’s essential to identify the South Carolina Gamecocks who were invited to the 2025 Senior Bowl. The program had several standouts who were expected to make waves during the week of practices. Some of the most notable names include:

• Spencer Rattler – Quarterback
• JuJu McDowell – Running Back
• Josh Vann – Wide Receiver
• Cam Smith – Cornerback
• Zacch Pickens – Defensive Tackle
• Jaheim Bell – Tight End

Each of these players had a significant role in South Carolina’s 2024 season and were expected to be key contributors at the Senior Bowl, as they aimed to showcase their talents to NFL scouts. Rattler, the highly touted quarterback, has long been one of the most talked-about prospects in the draft class, while players like Cam Smith and Zacch Pickens have impressed with their high-level play on defense. Let’s dive into the details of how they lined up during practices and what stood out.

2. Spencer Rattler: Quarterback in the Spotlight

As one of the most high-profile players in the 2025 Senior Bowl, Spencer Rattler attracted significant attention. Rattler had an up-and-down career at South Carolina, but he finished the 2024 season strong, helping the Gamecocks reach a bowl game and showcasing his elite arm talent. Heading into the Senior Bowl, many believed that Rattler had the physical tools to be a top-tier NFL quarterback, but his consistency was still under scrutiny. How he performed during Senior Bowl practices was critical in determining his draft status.

Rattler participated in South team drills, which were coached by the Dallas Cowboys‘ coaching staff, led by head coach Mike McCarthy. One of the main observations from the first day of practice was Rattler’s arm strength and mobility. His deep ball accuracy was impressive, particularly in drills where he connected with wide receivers on go-routes. However, there were still moments when he struggled with his decision-making and ball placement on shorter throws, particularly in the red zone.

Rattler’s ability to read the defense quickly was a key area of development for him during the week, as scouts were looking for signs of improvement in his progression through reads. While his talent was undeniable, there were mixed reviews on how he handled pressure situations, with some reports suggesting he still needed to improve his poise in critical moments.

3. JuJu McDowell: Showcasing Speed and Versatility

South Carolina’s JuJu McDowell was one of the top running back prospects invited to the Senior Bowl, and he took full advantage of the opportunity. Known for his quickness, agility, and playmaking ability, McDowell was expected to be a weapon in the passing game as well as a reliable runner. He showcased his unique skill set during the Senior Bowl practice week by impressing both as a runner and as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.

During drills, McDowell’s speed and vision were evident. He showed excellent burst through the hole, consistently creating separation from defenders with his acceleration. He demonstrated his versatility in pass protection drills as well, proving that he can be an asset in both the running and passing games at the next level. McDowell’s ability to catch passes out of the backfield was also a standout feature of his practice, with several highlight-reel catches on swing routes and checkdowns.

The biggest question mark for McDowell was his ability to handle NFL-level physicality and whether he could carry a full workload in the pros. While he was an electric playmaker at South Carolina, scouts were curious about his ability to take on a bigger role and hold up against faster, more physical defenders. However, McDowell’s performances during the week helped solidify his stock as a valuable change-of-pace back who could be a dual-threat weapon in the NFL.

4. Josh Vann: Receiver Looking to Make a Name

Josh Vann, one of South Carolina’s top receivers in 2024, used the Senior Bowl as his stage to prove he could perform alongside the nation’s best talent. Vann, known for his quickness and ability to separate from defenders, was a consistent target for the Gamecocks all season long. However, entering the Senior Bowl, the question surrounding him was whether he had the elite traits needed to be a successful NFL receiver.

Vann spent much of the practice week with the South team, running routes against some of the nation’s top cornerbacks. His ability to create separation on intermediate and deep routes was impressive, and he showcased a knack for finding the soft spots in zone coverage. His timing and rapport with the quarterbacks also looked solid. However, scouts were watching closely to see how Vann could handle more physical cornerbacks in man coverage, a key test for him going forward.

Overall, Vann displayed a solid skill set and an ability to be a reliable target at the next level. His route running and quickness helped him stand out, but questions about his ability to beat press coverage and his overall physicality remain points of emphasis for scouts.

5. Cam Smith: Shutdown Cornerback on Display

Cam Smith, one of South Carolina’s standout defensive players in recent years, was one of the most highly anticipated participants in the Senior Bowl. Smith’s combination of size, speed, and physicality made him one of the most highly regarded cornerback prospects in the draft class. For Smith, the Senior Bowl provided an opportunity to prove that he could be a shutdown corner at the NFL level.

During the practices, Smith had a strong showing, regularly matching up against some of the top receivers in the country. His technique, particularly in man-to-man coverage, was widely praised. Smith showcased his ability to stay with receivers downfield, disrupting timing routes and showing great ball skills in one-on-one drills. He was particularly effective in breaking up passes and showing quick reactions to the quarterback’s eyes.

While his ability to cover the short to intermediate routes was already well-established, scouts were eager to see how Smith would fare against elite deep threats and how he handled speedier, more agile receivers in space. His performance only reinforced his status as one of the top cornerbacks in the draft, with many experts predicting him to be selected in the first round.

6. Zacch Pickens: Defensive Line Disruption

Zacch Pickens, South Carolina’s standout defensive tackle, came into the Senior Bowl as one of the top interior defensive line prospects in the draft class. Known for his size, strength, and ability to disrupt plays in the backfield, Pickens had an opportunity to solidify his draft stock with a strong performance in Mobile.

Pickens participated in drills for the North team and consistently impressed with his explosiveness off the line of scrimmage. His ability to disengage from blockers and get into the backfield was a major point of emphasis, and he showcased his ability to both rush the passer and stop the run. Pickens’ ability to anchor against double teams and create havoc in the middle of the line was something that stood out throughout the practice week.

While Pickens displayed strong skills as a pass rusher, his ability to maintain that level of play when matched up against more powerful interior linemen will be a critical area to monitor in the lead-up to the draft. His performance in the Senior Bowl helped reaffirm his status as a potential early-round pick.

7. Jaheim Bell: Tight End Versatility

Jaheim Bell, who was a key weapon for the Gamecocks in 2024, brought his dynamic skill set to the Senior Bowl. Bell was known for his ability to line up both as a tight end and H-back, providing South Carolina with a versatile offensive weapon. At the Senior Bowl, Bell was given the chance to showcase his pass-catching ability and his blocking skills.

Bell impressed with his route running and hands, particularly in one-on-one drills, where he consistently created mismatches against linebackers and defensive backs. His physicality as a blocker was also on display during team drills, and his versatility as a weapon in multiple positions was highlighted. Bell is likely to be one of the most coveted tight ends in the 2025 draft, with his performance at the Senior Bowl only enhancing his reputation.