Senior Bowl 2026 – Standouts over Practice Week
Frank Coyle & Staff @ draftinsiders.com
The week of practices at the Senior Bowl, was once again eye opening on several prospects. The one-on-one drills always reveal a player’s level of development and overall skill sets. We will have many insights of the Senior Bowl in our February Newsletter – out shortly.
Offensive Players
QB Taylen Green – Arkansas 6060 229
Long athletic passer improved significantly over the week. He has a strong arm and improved accuracy in key intermediate routes. His ability to scramble and make plays with his feet helped his cause.
QB Garrett Nussmeier – LSU 6010 202
Veteran was coming off an erratic final season due to injuries and inconsistent offensive supporting cast. He took command here and directed the offense well making crisp accurate throws. He is prepped for a strong game.
QB Diego Pavia – Vanderbilt 5097 198
Short savvy passer came to event like a business meeting. He can win with both his arm and feet and provides an attack a versatile weapon with unique skill set.
RB Kaelon Black – Indiana 5096 208
Compact tough runner is coming off a national title and hit the ground ready for the competition. He is an honest back who runs in a crouched style with the ability to make defenders miss or break tackles.
RB Seth McGowan – Kentucky 5115 215
Well rounded back displayed soft hands and the ability to move the pile. He may get a good portion of the running load on Saturday.
RB Jaydn Ott – Oklahoma 5107 202
Talented back has fallen through the cracks due to injuries and limited playing time. Compact frame with the burst to the hole to surprise along with sure hands as a receiver.
WR Malachi Fields – Notre Dame 6040 218
Imposing athlete stood out through the practices. Big body with agility, quickness and hands to impress scouts and rise up the charts.
WR Ted Hurst – Georgia State 6032 207
Long lean athlete stood out from practice day one with an acrobatic catch on a deep ball. Displays burst, long speed and leaping skills to develop into a legitimate deep threat.
WR Reggie Virgil – Texas Tech 6023 188
Athletic sure handed receiver is a rising prospect off a strong week in Mobile. Good route runner, sure hands and the quickness to get open and make plays.
TE John Michael Gyllenborg – Wyoming 6053 251
Long receiver displayed agility, sure hands and sound route running to be a weapon in a pro offense. Looks to be a big part in the passing game on Saturday.
TE Josh Cuevas – Alabama 6030 252
Versatile tough prospect filled a few roles effectively over the week. Reliable blocker and short zone receiver.
OT Max Iheanachor – Arizona State 6055 325
Huge athletic tackle is a rising prospect after very good week of practices while being tested by top edge rushers. Intriguing prospect with huge upside after further development.
OT Gennings Dunker – Iowa 6047 320
Rugged blocker comes from the Hawkeye program where technique is king. Uses his strong wide frame and hands well with the tenacity to finish and sustain.
OT Carver Willis – Washington 6045 305
Unheralded strong lineman lined up both inside and outside. He combines good functional strength with sound technique and is a prospect on the rise.
OT Trey Zuhn III – Texas A&M 6063 309
Big versatile lineman set up at a few positions. Used his length well with the ability to anchor and move along the line. Projects inside in the NFL.
IOL Jake Slaughter – Florida 6044 305
Savvy pivot man graded out well over the practices. High development of technique combined with good physical tools stood out over the matchups.
IOL Beau Stephens – Iowa 6050 310
Long versatile interior prospect with a high level of development to man all the interior positions. Sound technique with the physique ability to gain angles and finish.
Defensive Players
Edge T.J. Parker – Clemson 6035 263
Long quick edge rusher displayed an excellent burst off the edge with the hand use to keep blockers off his frame and the strength to separate and finish.
Edge Derrick Moore – Michigan 6034 254
Fast outside rusher was very impressive in one-on-one drills. Flashed a quick powerful surge to strike blockers and move them out of the way to complete the play.
DL Lee Hunter – Texas Tech 6034 320
Powerfully quick interior defender was a dominant force from the first practice. He combines a quick burst with top functional strength to wreck havoc on the interior.
DL Caleb Banks – Florida
Big athlete faced a critical week of practice after losing extensive time to injury. He responded with a strong performance in one-on-one drills to reestablish his status. NFL Combine could restore him to former status.
DL Rayshaun Benny – Michigan 6030 296
Quick interior lineman had an impressive week, winning several battles in the Pit vs top blockers. He helped vs cause and stood out vs top competition.
LB Jacob Rodriguez – Texas Tech 6011 233
Savvy veteran backer continued his outstanding final season with continuous big plays and overall production. His combination of instincts, smarts, athleticism projects him as an early NFL starter.
LB Kyle Louis – Pittsburgh 5116 224
Undersized explosive defender ran sideline to sideline making stops. He comes downhill and finishes consistently which drew the attention of many NFL scouts.
CB Chris Johnson – San Diego State 6002 190
Talented cover man excelled on a big stage. Combines fine triangle numbers with top technique and smarts for the position to rank with the top corners.
CB Thaddeus Dixon – North Carolina 6004 194
Long corner came up big in key spots on 7-on-7 drills in coverage and tackling. Player to watch in the game and NFL Combine which could elevate him from the 3rd day.
CB Julian Neal – Arkansas 6014 202
Athlete with excellent length and ball skills continues to rise up the charts. Picks up the ball quickly with the body control and reach to break up passes. Player to watch.
S Bud Clark – TCU 6010 185
Tough defender with good coverage skills to breakup passes and finish with strong tackles. Helped his cause with an impressive week and performed well vs top competition.
S Michael Taaffe – Texas 5115 193
Savvy centerfielder has improved with each game over his career. He picks up schemes and routes quickly and has the range and quickness to react to the ball and make plays.
