The 2025 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Auburn linebacker Jalen McLeod plans on taking full advantage. McLeod recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
McLeod also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, his abilities at off-ball linebacker, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know McLeod 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?
Jalen McLeod: I was at the house because I didn’t have class that day. My coach called me and he played a joke on me, making it sound like I was in trouble or something (laughs). I pulled up to the facility and he handed me the Reese’s Senior Bowl box.
JM: That’s awesome. What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Jalen McLeod: I went to college in Alabama. The Senior Bowl is a big deal to us. The best prospects in the nation are going to be in attendance. It’s truly an honor to be considered worthy of being among the best of the best.
It’s an opportunity to display my skills in front of all 32 teams. I ’m embracing the competition.
JM: What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Jalen McLeod: I’m looking to prove that no matter my size, you can put me anywhere on the field. I’m going to play high-level ball no matter where you play me. I play the game the right way, the only way I know how to play it, and that’s with effort, physicality, and speed.
I want to prove that I’m a top-100 prospect in this class.
JM: We love that. How would Jalen McLeod write his own scouting report? Self-scout yourself for us. How would you describe your traits and abilities as a versatile linebacker?
Jalen McLeod: I’m extremely physical. I play with a high motor, with a ton of effort. I’m a sideline-to-sideline guy. I love chasing down a play. I understand how to diagnose the action. I know what’s coming.
The only knock people are going to have on me is my size. I don’t really look at size on that field. All of that goes out the window when I strap that helmet on.
JM: I love your mentality. You had like 24 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks over these past two seasons. Talk to me about the backfield production.
Jalen McLeod: It really comes from my preparation and my ability to read the game. If you prepare, you know what’s coming. It’s just about diagnosing the action. Watching film is a cheat code. If you’re not doing that, you’re not trying. That’s where the TFLs and sacks come from. I make plays.
It’s all about my training and my preparation to know what’s coming. I know what the offensive line is doing. I’m strong and explosive, and I play with a red-hot motor. I have that motor when I’m rushing the passer.
Sometimes, my first move doesn’t work. I may go almost the entire game without a sack. In the fourth quarter, I'm going to get a sack. I’m relentless. Whenever the team needs it, I’m going to make that game-changing play.
JM: Because you have that versatility, do you compare yourself to any linebacker-edge hybrids at the next level?
Jalen McLeod: I watch a lot of Zack Baun tape. He plays outside and inside like me. I like Shaq Barrett. We have very similar frames. I know how to stop the run as well. Haason Reddick, he’s probably a bit faster than me, but I can do everything he can do when it comes to rushing the quarterback and covering tight ends one-on-one.
I feel like I compare most to Zack Baun and Haason Reddick.
JM: Those are some great comps for your game. The jersey swap is a big deal at the next level, Jalen. Anyone you have your eyes on?
Jalen McLeod: I would have to say Brandon Graham from the Philadelphia Eagles. I’ve been watching him play since I was a little kid. He’s been playing the game for a long time. Myles Garrett, who wouldn’t want to swap jerseys with Myles Garrett?
I don’t think many people say Brandon Graham, but he’s been playing since I was in middle school. That’s pretty cool. Watching him play and be productive every year at his age, it’s incredible.
I hope Brandon Graham is still in the league when I get there.
JM: That’s a great choice. He’s a pro! This has been awesome. Your versatility is going to be on display in Mobile. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Jalen McLeod?
Jalen McLeod: It means I showcased I can play both inside linebacker and outside linebacker. It means I showed everyone I can set the edge in the run game. I’ve been polishing my pass-rush arsenal, my counter rushers. I always have a follow-up.
I want to show the scouts that I’ve been taking advantage of this pre-draft process to polish my game. I’ve gotten a lot better.
The scouts want to see me play inside linebacker. I’m going to show them I can do that. I can play anywhere inside the box, no matter what.
