‘It’s kind of crazy.’ At the Senior Bowl, longtime rivalries are set aside
For the last 133 years, the state of Alabama has been split in two.
You either like the University of Alabama or Auburn University. There’s no “playing both sides.” No rivalry abstinence. And no non-participation. You pick a side then you stay there.
Very few places allow for the Tigers and Rolling Tide to not just coexist but also support one another. The Senior Bowl, however, just happens to foster that sort of environment.
“It’s kind of crazy,” Auburn offensive lineman Jeremiah Wright admitted. “Just coming out here being able to compete with the best of the best and also just guys on the offensive line, getting some great work, building our relationship and bond. You never know who’ll be your teammate.”
Since the teams were announced in mid-January, the Senior Bowl has forced players to briefly put aside their rivalries. They all have the same goal – impress scouts and make it to the NFL – and the way that each prospect pushes each other speaks to a very visceral support of their respective journeys.
“You know what it is when we’re going against each other but when we’re with each other, it’s all love,” Alabama defensive tackle Tim Keenan III said.
That’s not to say that said rivalries don’t play a part in Mobile. In fact, coaches sometimes use it to pull a little something extra out of their players, like when they lined up Wright against Alabama defensive lineman LT Overton in for a one-on-one at the end of practice. Wright came out on top, the video of which has done rounds on social media.
“It wasn’t even that new to me,” Wright said, explaining that the situation mirrored the 2025 Iron Bowl, a close 27-20 contest in which Alabama came out on top. “I just went back to my details playing against him in the season.”
More often than not, however, they just try to keep it cool. In DJ Rogers’ case, he certainly will not ruffle any feathers.
“Sawyer is the quarterback, so I want to get the ball,” the Texas Christian tight end quipped, referring to his National teammate and Baylor signal caller Sawyer Robertson. “Everybody wants to be nice to the quarterback so they get the ball.”
The same is true for even the newfound rivalries. Less than two weeks ago, Indiana not only won the first national championship in school history but did so in what was essentially a home game for the Miami Hurricanes. Hoosier running back Kaelon Black, Indiana’s sole representative, had every opportunity to talk some trash to the two Hurricanes in attendance, offensive linemen Markel Bell and James Brockermeyer.
Black, however, took the high road.
“No, I haven’t talked any trash,” Black said with slight smirk. I can only imagine how they're feeling after that. I just leave them alone.”
With the NFL Combine less than a month away, these guys will certainly see each other again. Football, at the end of the day, happens to be one big fraternity – similar to the split sides of the Iron Bowl, it’s blood-in, blood out. Put differently, the rivalry pales in comparison to that of every individual’s hard work to chase their dreams.
That, more than anything else, matters most.
“We need each other,” Rogers said, alluding to the very real fact that everybody’s success is interconnected for the weekend. “What I love about this team and this whole experience is there’s no one who’s selfish out here. At the end of the day, if you’re selfish, and you only care about yourself, the team’s going to look back.”
Added Wright: “Just me being from Alabama, it’s a hate thing. We hate Alabama. They hate us. But also, I feel like it’s just love on both sides. Just getting to meet them, getting to know them, no hard feelings. But it’s still War Eagle.”
