Multiple cornerbacks stand out during 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl prospects that showcase the sheer depth in this class

Practices for the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl have been completed. Watching the week of practice gives you a lot of information on what prospects will be moving forward. With that said, the big thing with these practices is to give context on each player for when you go back and cross-check the tape. This is […]

Tyler Forness NFL & College Football News Writer
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Louisville Cardinals defensive back Quincy Riley (3) runs the ball down the field during their game against the Austin Peay Governors on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Ky.
Clare Grant/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Practices for the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl have been completed. Watching the week of practice gives you a lot of information on what prospects will be moving forward.

With that said, the big thing with these practices is to give context on each player for when you go back and cross-check the tape. This is especially important for players who played at a lower level of competition, as this will even things out.

The cornerback group was really solid all week long and arguably was the first time in a while that they were better collectively than the wide receivers. These players stood out in a major way heading into Saturday's game.


Louisville CB Quincy Riley

At this point, it's no surprise to anyone how much I like Riley. His profile as a man coverage cornerback is excellent. Standing at 5', 10 1/2" tall, Riley is a maven when it comes to man coverage. He attacks relentlessly and has great instincts when it comes to going for the football.

Down in Mobile, they used him both as an outside cornerback and a nickel defender. Not only was Riley good in both spots, he thrived as well, displaying an excellent amount of patience before attacking the ball in the air. Riley certainly did a good job in making himself some money this week.


Florida State CB Azareye'h Thomas

Going into the week, this group was very talented, but there wasn't a single player that was a bona fide first-round pick. Thomas was one of those players who was viewed as a fringe first-round pick, but he arguably solidified his stock.

Thomas thrives in press coverage and did so down in Mobile. The only player that gave him issues was Oregon WR Tez Johnson who was using elongated releases, that won't translate to the National Football League, from the slot, a spot Thomas likely won't be playing. His ability to remain sticky in coverage along with attacking the ball in the air has raised his stock.


Western Kentucky CB Upton Stout

Every year, a small school player stands out in a major way. In the defensive back room, that is Stout. 

A very small cornerback at just over 5', 8" tall, Stout is a vert aggressive player in the slot. He didn't let players that had size on him hinder his ability to attack the football. Stout was sticky and a major pest from the slot, something that you want your slot corners to be. This, paired with potential special teams acumen will allow him to stay in the league for awhile.


UCF CB Mac McWilliams

McWilliams was a player I didn't know too much about coming into the week. He played at Central Florida and thrived on the outside for the Golden Knights. Once he got to Mobile, he took a step forward.

McWilliams was excellent in one-on-ones during the week, even having a streak of five-consecutive wins over the wide receiver group. With good testing come March at the NFL Scouting Combine, McWilliams could make a run into the middle of day two.