The 2025 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. plans on taking full advantage. Mondon Jr. recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Mondon Jr. also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, his traits and abilities as an explosive off-ball linebacker, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Mondon Jr. 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?
Smael Mondon Jr.: We had just got out of practice. I was thrilled when Georgia's coaching staff handed me my invite.
JM: What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Smael Mondon Jr.: I felt like it was a no-brainer. It's a big opportunity for me. I've seen many of my teammates attend the Senior Bowl over the years. I was excited to get that same opportunity.
JM: What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Smael Mondon Jr.: I want to prove that I'm a damn good football player. That's really the main goal.
JM: How would Smael Mondon Jr. write his own scouting report? Self-scout yourself for us. Are you an athlete linebacker who wants to cover sideline to sideline, or are you a downhill thumper?
Smael Mondon Jr.: I would say I'm a versatile athlete. I'm very effective in space. I think this past season, I showed a lot of development inside the box. This was probably my best season playing near the line of scrimmage, especially when I came back late in the season after the few games I missed.
I feel like I'm great in space. I'm a good coverage linebacker in man-to-man coverage. I'm still getting better inside the box. I'm growing in that area, making strides.
JM: Would you compare yourself to any linebackers in the league? Anyone you enjoy studying and learning from?
Smael Mondon Jr.: I wouldn't necessarily compare myself to anybody. Of course, there are guys I watch, guys I'd love to play like someday. I wouldn't compare myself to them though.
I watch Fred Warner. I watch a lot of my old teammates at Georgia as well. Quay Walker, Roquan Smith, Nakobe Dean.
I like watching the dude from the Cleveland Browns as well, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah as well. His game is cold, man. I watch a lot of him.
JM: Those are great ‘backers to study. The jersey swap is a big deal at the next level, Smael. Anyone you’re looking forward to adding to your collection?
Smael Mondon Jr.: Probably just somebody from Georgia like Quay Walker. He's one guy I'd love to swap jerseys with.
JM: What does Smael Mondon Jr.’s pre-game playlist look like?
Smael Mondon Jr.: You're putting me on the spot (laughs). I have some Chief Keef and Big Scarr on there. There's a lot rap from the south, Georgia rap on there, Gucci Mane, 21 Savage.
JM: We’ve appreciated your time. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Smael Mondon Jr.?
Smael Mondon Jr.: It means I went out there and played to my potential. I feel like if I go out there and do everything I'm capable of doing, that's all I could ask for.
