MOBILE, Ala. – About a week before the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl, Browns assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone spoke with head coach Kevin Stefanski and Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry.
He was preparing to head to Mobile, Ala. to serve as the head coach of the American team at the Senior Bowl. In that conversation with Stefanski and Berry, Ventrone said he spoke about wanting to coach the draft prospects the right way. So, he spent ample time with his roster to be as familiar with each of his players as possible. He watched their individual film and learned each of their names.
"Once I watched the film, I know exactly who that guy is," Ventrone said. "Like, I could just go back, and I could rattle off plays from every single guy on the team."
Ventrone coached the American team through a few days of practices at the Senior Bowl and will serve as the head coach during the Senior Bowl game on Feb. 1. At each practice, Ventrone was out on the field coaching his team with high energy and ended practice each day breaking down the huddle.
With the Browns, his focus is solely on the special teams units; in this setting, Ventrone said as he's gone through a structured practice week, he's had to focus on all three sides of the ball, create schedules and conduct meetings, practices and foster communication among his staff. It was an expanded version of his role, and provided insight into the nuances of head coaching.
The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl kicked off its first set of practices on Tuesday, Jan. 28. The National team took the field at Hancock Whitney Stadium in the morning before the American team practiced in the afternoon.
American Quarterback Jalen Milroe (4), Alabama, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Cornerback Upton Stout (24), Western Kentucky, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Defensive end Shemar Stewart (14), Texas A&M, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Quarterback Riley Leonard (13), Notre Dame, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Quarterback Jaxson Dart (2), Mississippi, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Defensive tackle Walter Nolen (2), Mississippi, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Quarterback Jalen Milroe (4), Alabama, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Quarterback Riley Leonard (13), Notre Dame, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Defensive end Shemar Stewart (14), Texas A&M, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Quarterback Jalen Milroe (4), Alabama, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Cornerback Upton Stout (24), Western Kentucky, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Tight end C.J. Dippre (81), Alabama, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Cornerback Upton Stout (24), Western Kentucky, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Cornerback Upton Stout (24), Western Kentucky, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Quarterback Jalen Milroe (4), Alabama, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Quarterback Riley Leonard (13), Notre Dame, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Quarterback Riley Leonard (13), Notre Dame, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Quarterback Jaxson Dart (2), Mississippi, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Quarterback Jalen Milroe (4), Alabama, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Safety Maxen Hook (25), Toledo, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Running back Donovan Edwards (7), Michigan, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery (69), Minnesota, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Running back Ollie Gordon II (0), Oklahoma State, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44), Bowling Green, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. (55), Oregon, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku (6), Boston College, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. (55), Oregon, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8), Oregon, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8), Oregon, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Offensive tackle Marcus Mbow (63), Purdue, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Defensive tackle Darius Alexander (9), Toledo, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo (6), Miami, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (2), Oregon, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (2), Oregon, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Defensive end Mike Green (15), Marshall, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44), Bowling Green, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo (6), Miami, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Offensive tackle Marcus Mbow (63), Purdue, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (2), Oregon, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. (55), Oregon, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo (6), Miami, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Running back Bhayshul Tuten (33), Virginia Tech, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8), Oregon, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Running back Donovan Edwards (7), Michigan, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Defensive end Shemar Stewart (14), Texas A&M, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8), Oregon, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Quarterback Tyler Shough (2), Louisville, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Defensive end Shemar Stewart (14), Texas A&M, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Tight end C.J. Dippre (81), Alabama, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (2), Oregon, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Quarterback Jaxson Dart (2), Mississippi, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Defensive end Shemar Stewart (14), Texas A&M, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo (6), Miami, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Cornerback Upton Stout (24), Western Kentucky, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Quarterback Riley Leonard (13), Notre Dame, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. (55), Oregon, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Quarterback Jalen Milroe (4), Alabama, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
National Offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery (69), Minnesota, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
American Quarterback Riley Leonard (13), Notre Dame, during the first day of practices before The 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 28, 2025.
Even just over the first few days of practice, Ventrone felt like his roster has developed into a team. He started the week with introductions of members of his coaching staff that were former players, and they shared their experiences of playing in the league. He also shared a message to his players.
"This is an All-Star game, so everyone's coming from different avenues, and everyone has played on different teams, so no one really knows each other like that," Ventrone said of his message. "I wanted us to try to make it feel as much of a team atmosphere as I could early in the week. I wanted us to have a good relationship. I wanted us to communicate. So, it's been good."
The Browns hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and have nine total picks. While other members of the Browns' front office and coaching and scouting staffs have been present at the Senior Bowl, Ventrone's presence at the Senior Bowl as a coach can prove beneficial throughout the draft process.
"It's a very beneficial tool and resource to be able to be in person, in the meetings, see and have the interactions with these players," Ventrone said. "I already have relationships with these guys, and it's only been a short time. I know everyone on the roster. I have watched
their film in detail. And then being able to see them, how they interact with each other in the meal room, in the meetings, how they take coaching, how they respond. We'll see today, like how they can apply corrections that are made the previous day. So, I think that those are a lot of big things. And obviously those are the things I'm looking for."
And Berry agreed. He said with Ventrone coaching the American team, and defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire serving as the defensive coordinator for the National team, they may get more insight into these players that will play into their ultimate evaluations.
Over the course of the practice days, players on the American team noted Ventrone's enthusiastic approach and contagious energy on the football field. From his explanations of special teams drills, to hyping up players when they made an offensive or defensive play to closing out the huddle each day, players witnessed his coaching style.
"He's definitely got really good energy," TE C.J. Drippe said. "He comes and always gets the guys fired up. Always wants people to have the passion for the game that he has."
His approach to coaching at the Senior Bowl has helped the draft prospects not only showcase their talent on the field but also shown them a glimpse into the NFL.
"Bubba has been so great," QB Jaxson Dart said. "It's been awesome to be around him. His energy is super contagious. I could definitely see him being a head coach one day. But it's a lot of fun, and it's wonderful to learn from him."
