The 2025 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Western Kentucky defensive back Upton Stout plans on taking full advantage. Stout recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Stout also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, his versatility as a defensive back, going to Mobile with a chip on his shoulder, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Stout better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Upton Stout: I was at the facility. I believe we were preparing for our game against Liberty. I was in the locker room and my DB coach [Da’Von Brown] told me the head coach [Tyson Helton] wanted to see me in his office. I was like damn, I didn’t do anything wrong?!? (laughs).
I was nervous as hell walking into that office (laughs). I walked in and he had the biggest smile on his face. He handed me the [Reese’s Senior Bowl] box and I was like oh, damn, that’s what you called me in here for! (laughs).
JM: That’s a great story. That must have been a lot of fun (laughs). What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Upton Stout: It’s all about the competition for me. Coming from Western Kentucky, we had opportunities to play against top competition, but I know that standing out at the Senior Bowl could really help my draft stock. I’m just excited to get around the top prospects in the nation.
Western Kentucky has a great record at the Senior Bowl. Malachi Corley, Bailey Zappe, and DeAngelo Malone all had a lot of success in Mobile. That really helped them put their names on the map.
Being the player that I am, believing in my abilities, I know the Senior Bowl can do the same thing for me.
JM: You’re right about that. It sounds like you’re going in with a chip on your shoulder.
Upton Stout: I most definitely am. Every day I wake up, the goal is to prove myself at that level. I’m excited to prove that I belong, quote-unquote, alongside the top prospects in the nation. I always have that chip on my shoulder.
I’m coming to Mobile with a huge chip on my shoulder. All 32 teams are going to be in attendance. They have the top prospects on their radar. My goal is to put myself on their radar as well. I’m ready to go out there and showcase whatever God has in store for me.
JM: Most specifically, what are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Upton Stout: I want to prove that I have a lot of range on the back end. I also want to show that I’m versatile enough to play multiple positions. I can play man coverage, I can play zone. I can come downhill and hit. I practice like I play, at full speed.
I’m extremely coachable with a high work ethic. I’m a great teammate. I love being around the guys. I’m ready to show the scouts who I am as a person. I can’t even pinpoint just one thing. I want them to get a complete feel for me.
JM: Building on that, how would you write your own scouting report? Self-scout yourself for us.
Upton Stout: I’m extremely feisty and competitive. I can play every position. I can do everything a 6-foot-2 cornerback can do even though I’m not 6-2 myself. I can come downhill and play zone coverage. I can play the ball in the air because I’m a playmaker. I can blitz.
I can literally do anything you need me to do. I played every position in college. I’ve played inside the box near the line of scrimmage. I can play cornerback or single-high safety. I can definitely play the nickel.
Just call me a Swiss-army knife.
JM: We love your confidence. Do you think you’ll be playing all of those positions at the Senior Bowl? Boundary corner, nickel, maybe a little safety?
Upton Stout: That’s up to the Senior Bowl and the coaching staff in attendance. I saw Jim Nagy tweet about me playing the nickel position. I’m pretty sure I’ll play a lot of nickel, but if I just keep God’s plan, I can excel at whatever positions they play me at. I’m happy to show the scouts whatever they want to see from me.
My main two positions are probably nickel and safety. My four years in college, before I even started playing nickel this past season, I played a lot of cornerback. They can throw me at corner if they’d like.
JM: Is nickel your best fit at the next level?
Upton Stout: I feel like my best fit is on the field (laughs). I don’t feel like I have a better opportunity at this position or that position. My best opportunity is whatever it takes to get me on the field. I can play nickel. I can play wide corner or safety as well.
I’ll find a way to dominate if you just put me on the field.
JM: I want to talk about your ball production. You had six interceptions and 17 pass breakups in your past three seasons.
Upton Stout: I put in work understanding how to get myself in great positions to make plays on the ball. Teams really weren’t trying to throw the ball in my direction, especially when we played man coverage. We ended up playing a lot more zone coverage.
When teams took their shots at us in man coverage, we tried to capitalize on those opportunities.
JM: Is there a defensive back you’d compare yourself to at the next level?
Upton Stout: I don’t try to emulate anybody specifically, but I take bits and pieces. I love how versatile Budda Baker is. Tyrann Mathieu makes a ton of plays. Amik Robertson is very sticky in coverage. I can go down the line.
I can even name a few bigger corners like Jalen Ramsey. He locks down his side of the field. I feel like I can do that as well, I can lock down one side of the field. I’ve shown that multiple times against some top competition I’ve played against.
JM: Those are some great shouts. Fun question before we let you go. What’s on Upton Stout’s pre-game playlist?
Upton Stout: It has to be Scrilla or Lil’ Baby. Those are the main two artists I listen to. By the time I’m done listening to them on the pre-game playlist, it’s time to go out there and ball (laughs).
JM: We appreciate your time today. This has been awesome. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Upton Stout?
Upton Stout: It means I went out there and showcased myself. I’m going to have a lot of fun with my teammates and coaching staff. I’m going to make plays. I’m a playmaker. I’m going to bring the energy.
I want to put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces. That’s just who I am.
