2025 NFL Draft: Trey Amos headlines Senior Bowl cornerback group who could rise into first round mix with a good NFL Combine
The 2025 NFL Draft has not been viewed as one that is completely stacked with first round top tier cornerback talent. Yes, Travis Hunter (Colorado) and Will Johnson (Michigan) may both go inside the top ten picks, but heading into the Senior Bowl there was certainly a perceived gap after those two (and perhaps Shavon […]
The 2025 NFL Draft has not been viewed as one that is completely stacked with first round top tier cornerback talent. Yes, Travis Hunter (Colorado) and Will Johnson (Michigan) may both go inside the top ten picks, but heading into the Senior Bowl there was certainly a perceived gap after those two (and perhaps Shavon Revel Jr. of East Carolina).
The Senior Bowl featured an incredible mix of the tier two or three cornerbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft class, all looking to prove themselves worthy of first round consideration with a good week and a strong NFL Combine. A few of them may have just done that.
Trey Amos, CB Ole Miss
Trey Amos had already been a rising name in NFL mock drafts for weeks prior to the Senior Bowl, but he helped himself out by sticking like glue to wide receivers on both of the first two days of practice.
I caught up with him on the Wednesday of Senior Bowl practice, talking through his transitions at three different programs, his ability to learn quickly, and some of the coaches who helped him the most.
Trey Amos allowed a completion rate of just 43% throughout his career, so it's no surprise he was a lockdown cornerback at the Senior Bowl. He got a bit dinged up with what seemed to be an ankle or foot injury on Wednesday, so he did not continue on Thursday, but he told me he was quite alright. Amos didn't need to prove anything else on Thursday anyway. He was rising near the Top 50 overall prospects already. Amos might push for first round capital with a strong NFL Combine.
Azareye'h Thomas, CB Florida State
Azareye'h Thomas was perhaps the most impressive cornerback at the Senior Bowl from the beginning of day one to the end of day three of practices. Yes, he struggled on a couple reps against the speedy Tez Johnson (Oregon) on the first day, but that's to be expected in one-on-ones that favor the twitchy wide receivers.
I caught up with him after the first day of practice and he told me that he specifically wanted to match up with Tez Johnson to challenge himself as he's always looking to improve on techniques against certain wide receiver types. It didn't matter who he faced most all week. Thomas won the vast majority of his reps, including this ridiculous one-handed interception in coverage against Kyle Williams (Washington State).
Azareye'h Thomas was already firmly considered a Top 50 (if not Top 40) overall prospect. Now all he has to do is post some decent speed numbers to go with his length at the NFL Combine and teams likely push him into first round discussions.
Maxwell Hairston, CB Kentucky
Maxwell Hairston measured in below 180 pounds ahead of Senior Bowl week leading some to question Hairston's shot at early round 2025 NFL Draft capital, but he quickly silenced any doubters in practice action.
Here he is fighting through the strong hands of Jack Bech (a contested catch artist), then finishing with a diving pass deflection on the first day of Senior Bowl practices.
Hairston made plays like that multiple times throughout the week of practice, consistently showing requisite physicality to win despite his leaner build. Hairston was going consistently in the 30s of multi-round mock drafts until recently where he saw a slight dip. After a strong week he may start rising again towards the first round.
It's becoming abundantly clear that the 2025 NFL Draft class has a ton of cornerback depth. In fact, the early concerns about the lack of elite options might be completely misplaced given the surging depth of potential stars at the position.
Beyond the aforementioned trio of emerging early round cornerbacks, Quincy Riley (Louisville), Upton Stout (Western Kentucky), and Jacob Parrish (Kansas State) all emerged as players who may rise into significantly earlier draft capital conversations too. The 2025 NFL Draft might surprise with a wild number of "hits" at cornerback after all given what the Senior Bowl just showed us.
We'll be back with more NFL Draft coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
