MOBILE, Ala. — The scouting report on new Miami Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley has been released by two of his former Boston College players participating in this week’s Senior Bowl. And Dolphins fans will be happy to hear the report is good. The consensus is that Hafley is a “player’s coach” and a “smart coach” who has “love for his players.”
“I think he was a very smart coach,” said offensive tackle Jude Bowry, who is projected as a mid-round pick in the April 23-25 NFL draft. “He was very well aware of situational football and just kind of teaching the X’s and the O’s. Definitely on the defensive side, too. More so on the defensive side. But he knew offense pretty well. So I think overall he was a great coach for me.”
Hafley was named the Dolphins’ coach on Jan. 19 after serving as the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator for the previous two seasons. Hafley was Boston College’s head coach from 2020-23.
“He’s not a big yeller, he’s more of a coacher,” said wide receiver Lewis Bond, Boston College’s leader in career receptions (213) and single-season receptions (88 in 2025).
“He likes to teach football. Sometimes he’ll try to teach the offensive side of football through the defensive mind. So you can definitely learn from it if you’re willing to learn.”
Bowry, a swing tackle who primarily played left tackle, said his Senior Bowl interview with the Dolphins “went pretty well.” Bowry added that Hafley’s personality works in his favor.
“It was definitely a bonus,” he said. “He definitely connected with my family well, especially at home visits and stuff like that. I think he’s a good person overall.”
Bond, a Day 3 draft prospect who said he had a “general interview” with the Dolphins at the Senior Bowl, said Hafley will “succeed with whatever he does.”
Bond said player relations is among Hafley’s strengths.
“I think he’s a player’s coach,” Bond said. “His love for his players, how he had our backs no matter what. I think that’s one of his biggest strengths. Also, his defensive mind, his ability to coach the DBs (defensive backs) up and the defense in general.”
Deerfield Beach product staying aggressive
California cornerback Hezekiah Masses, a FIU transfer who attended Deerfield Beach High School, is projected as a mid-round pick, and he’s living up to that billing, which might interest the Dolphins.
Masses (6 foot, 180 pounds), who had five interceptions and 13 passes defended in his only season at Cal, is a long player who excels at press man coverage but also can play zone and nickel/slot.
“I’m trying to show them that I can move,” he said regarding what he wants to show NFL scouts. “Show them that I’ve got good feet and good hand placement.”
Masses plays an aggressive style. He gave up a deep pass Tuesday but overall he’s had a good showing and he’s staying aggressive, a style that paid off Wednesday as he displayed blanket coverage all day.
“I’m definitely taking the ball away,” he said. “I look for the interception for sure, but I’m just an all-around guy.”
Banks having a good week at DT
Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks, a projected first-round pick who also could interest the Dolphins, has been a standout. Banks (6-5, 330), who is long-armed and athletic, has been effective against double teams and has had success rushing the passer this week.
“A lot of people say I’m a freak athlete,” said Banks, who played only three games due to a foot injury. “So I’m trying to just showcase that and let everybody know I’m a good player.”
By the way, if Banks tells you he’s an animal lover, believe him.
“I’ve got two snakes, I’ve got a chameleon, I’ve got a dog,” he said, later adding, “I want some birds, but that’s a story for another time.”
Dolphins eyeing mauler from Georgia Tech at Senior Bowl
Observations
Central Florida edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly (6-5, 250), a Miami transfer and Dillard High product, has grabbed attention for his high-motor pass rush. Kelly, who had 5.5 sacks in 2024 and 3.5 sacks last season, has used his speed to flash this week. …
Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood, projected as a low first-round pick, continues to show good hands and feet as well as aggressive play at the line of scrimmage. He’s been a standout but he’s like not an option for the Dolphins unless he improves greatly for Miami’s No. 11 pick or falls slightly to an early second-round prospect. …
Penn State running back Kaytron Allen, projected as a Day 2 pick, had a 40- or 50-yard nice burst off the right side behind Maryland tackle Alan Herron and Iowa guard Dunker Gennings, who continues to impress. …
Keep an eye on Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas, who had 11.0 sacks and three forced fumbles last season. He’s bendy and aggressive and has been harassing quarterbacks. …
Nebraska safety Deshon Singleton (6-2, 212), considered as a top 10 safety in the draft, had a nice run stop for no gain during 11-on-11 drills. Singleton, who projects as a Day 3 pick, and has been low-key productive this week. …
SMU tight end Matthew Hibner, a Michigan transfer who had 31 receptions for 436 yards and four touchdowns last season, showed nice, but not elite skills with hands, feet and route-running. He’s worth watching as someone who could go from undrafted to Day 3 draftee. …
Miami Hurricanes center James Brockermeyer has had moderate success. Brockermeyer, who has been solid against the run and pass in 11-on-11 drills, was seen faring well in 1-on-1 drills against South Carolina’s Nick Barrett and Arkansas’ Cameron Hall. …
Miami left tackle Markel Bell (6-9, 340) has been OK, not great. He seemed to give up a sack in 11-on-11 drills and had a standoff with Alabama’s L.T. Overton in 1-on-1 drills but he’s been tough to get around. …
Florida offensive tackle Austin Barber (6-6, 318), a projected mid-round pick, has been effective. He had a good play against Gators teammate Tyreak Sapp, a St. Thomas High product, and another against Auburn’s Keyron Crawford, who is having a good week.
Sapp, who had 7.0 sacks and 13 tackles for losses in 2024, and 1.0 sack and three tackles for losses in 2025, been disruptive at times, especially against the run.