How did Oregon football stars Dillon Gabriel, Jeffrey Bassa perform at Senior Bowl?

Posted by author February 1, 2025 Football

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Several Oregon football standouts had good days Saturday afternoon at the 2025 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, where the American team beat the National team, 22-19.

Six Ducks formally accepted invites to participate in practices, but just three ultimately played in the game in quarterback Dillon Gabriel, offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. and linebacker Jeffrey Bassa. All three played for the National team.

Gabriel led two drives and started the game for the National team, with the game’s opening drive resulting in a touchdown and two-point conversion. He completed 4 of 6 passes for 28 yards and connected with Elijah Arroyo, who played college ball at Miami, for a successful two-point try.

“It’s been difficult at times, but all positive in terms of getting around new people and learning new stories and all about them,” Gabriel said during a sideline interview on NFL Network. “There are growing pains with that, but we’ve just been having fun while doing it … we’re trying to enjoy it all.”

Conerly played consistently throughout the game at left tackle while Bassa anchored the National team defense at linebacker, totaling four tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss.

Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson, defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell and receiver Tez Johnson all participated in practices leading up to the Senior Bowl but didn’t play in the game Saturday.

Offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius and defensive lineman Jordan Burch were invited to the Senior Bowl but withdrew and did not attend practices or the game.

The Senior Bowl, now in its 76th year, is a showcase for elite college players to get in front of NFL scouts and front-office staffs as the offseason builds toward the NFL Draft, which will take place April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Jeffrey Bassa, Josh Conerly Jr., Tez Johnson among standouts at Senior Bowl practices

Though Johnson didn’t play in the game and reportedly had to leave town early for unspecified reasons, he was a standout and social media darling during the practices leading up to the Senior Bowl.

The two-year Oregon star was nearly unguardable during individual drills, and despite being weighed at 156 pounds and standing 5-foot-9, is receiving higher draft grades because of the week of practice he had in Mobile.

Elsewhere, Oregon’s Bassa was named the top linebacker on the National squad in a vote conducted by offensive linemen, tight ends and running backs during the Practice Player of the Week awards ceremony. Oregon’s Conerly was named the top offensive lineman on the National team in a vote conducted by the defensive line and linebacker position groups.

Next up for Oregon’s draft eligible players is the NFL Combine, which will begin Feb. 27 in preparation for the NFL Draft.

Alec Dietz covers University of Oregon football, volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball for The Register-Guard. You may reach him at adietz@registerguard.com and you can follow him on X @AlecDietz.