CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone will get an inside look at the top quarterbacks and other prospects in the NFL Draft later this month.
He’s been selected to coach the American team at the 76th Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, while Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will coach the National team. The Browns have the No. 2 overall pick and the Giants have No. 3.
In addition, Browns defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire will serve as defensive coordinator of the National team.
“We’re excited to be getting two outstanding coaches with such great reputations leading our teams this year,” Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy said in a statement. “I was part of the Patriots scouting staff that drafted Bubba Ventrone back in 2005 so I know how smart and competitive he is. Mike Kafka has already had numerous head coaching interviews over the past couple hiring cycles and many people I’ve talked to around the league believe it’s only a matter time before he gets one of those jobs. Our players will leave Mobile as better players than when they arrived after spending the week with these two men and their respective staffs.”
It’s a big year for the Browns at the Senior Bowl considering they’ll strongly consider a quarterback at No. 2, and some of the top ones will participate, including Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, and Ohio State’s Will Howard.
“It’s truly an honor to be a part of the premiere college all-star game and I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to coach this extraordinary group of seniors,” Ventrone said. “I watched the Senior Bowl Roster Reveal show on NFL Network this morning and I couldn’t believe how many great prospects were committed to the game. My staff and I will have these guys ready to roll!”
Kevin Stefanski, who will have a new starting quarterback in 2025 and probably two new backups with Deshaun Watson likely to be on an injury list for much or all of the season, is eager for Ventrone to get an up-close and personal look at some of the top prospects in the draft. The Browns have nine picks overall, including an extra third-rounder from the Amari Cooper trade with Buffalo.
“Bubba is an incredible coach who has immediate credibility with his players due to his decorated playing career,” Stefanski said. “As the special teams coordinator, he does an outstanding job coaching all of the players on our roster in the special teams phases. He’s a master motivator and he gets the most out of every player. He will do a great job leading the American squad in this year’s Senior Bowl.”
The game is Feb. 1 at Hancock Whitney Stadium at the University of South Alabama. It will be aired live on NFL Network at 2:30 p.m. In addition, all three days of practice, Jan. 28-30, will be televised on NFL Network and ESPN.
It’s the third year of the Senior Bowl’s “Coach Up” format where coordinators and assistant coaches are given a chance to coach in an elevated role. Head coaches and general managers from all non-playoff teams and wild card round participants had the opportunity to nominate assistant coaches, with positions being filled by the General Managers Advisory Committee. At least one coach from 13 teams were selected.
In addition to the head coaches, the following assistants were selected as coordinators for the American and National squads:
American
Offensive coordinator: New York Giants running backs coach Joel Thomas
Defensive coordinator: Indianapolis Colts senior assistant DL coach Matt Raich
Special teams coordinator: San Francisco 49ers special teams quality control coach August Mangin
National
Offensive coordinator: Green Bay Packers pass game coordinator Jason Vrable
Defensive coordinator: Cleveland Browns defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire
Special teams coordinator: Tennessee Titans coaching assistant Perry Carter
The Reese’s Senior Bowl is coming off four consecutive drafts with at least 100 players selected, which has represented over 40 percent of the entire past four draft classes. Last year’s game featured a record 110 drafted players, including 10 first-rounders and 45 of the top 100 picks.
Recent alums include some of the NFL’s biggest stars, including: QB Justin Herbert (Chargers), WR Cooper Kupp (Rams), WR Brandon Aiyuk (49ers), QB Jalen Hurts (Eagles), OLB Jonathan Greenard (Vikings), WR Terry McLaurin (Commanders), OL Chris Lindstrom (Falcons), QB Jordan Love (Packers), WR Deebo Samuel (49ers), OL Elgton Jenkins (Packers), RB Tony Pollard (Titans), WR Khalil Shakir (Bills), DL Montez Sweat (Bears), OL Landon Dickerson (Eagles), RB Najee Harris (Steelers), WR Nico Collins (Texans), WR Devonta Smith (Eagles), OL Creed Humphrey (Chiefs), OG Trey Smith (Chiefs), DS Kerby Joseph (Lions), DS Jalen Pitre (Texans), LB Terrel Bernard (Bills), TE Trey McBride (Cardinals), WR Puka Nacua (Rams), RB Chase Brown (Bengals), LB Daiyan Henley (Chargers), WR Rashee Rice (Chiefs), WR Tank Dell (Texans), OLB Byron Young (Rams), DE YaYa Diaby (Buccaneers), DL Keeanu Benton (Steelers), LB Ivan Pace Jr. (Vikings), WR Jayden Reed (Packers), Braden Fiske (Rams), Bo Nix (Broncos), Michael Penix Jr. (Falcons), Quinyon Mitchell (Eagles), Dominick Puni (49ers), and WR Ladd McConkey (Chargers).
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