Senior Bowl Preview: My top prospects at each position and who I think will break through

Senior Bowl practices start on Tuesday, so let’s take a look at who you need to know down on the field in Mobile as we continue to get ready for the 2026 NFL Draft.

As always, don’t forget to sign up for my free NFL Draft newsletter and become a Diehard to get my Diehard Draft Guide, which contains in-depth profiles on over 200 players whose names will be called this April.

OK, onto the preview …

There’s a chance that some of these players drop out late (as is often the case at these events), but as of this writing, here is the roster:

QUARTERBACK

• My Top Prospect: Garrett Nussmeier (LSU)
  • My highest-graded quarterback entering the season, the fall did not go as planned for Nussmeier or the Tigers, largely due to injury. A competitive creator with solid physical tools and the ability to access every area of the field as a passer, Nussmeier is not an overwhelming arm talent, but the touch and accuracy are enough to set him apart. I think he can still become a starter in the NFL, but the medical evaluation looms large entering the spring.

• Who I Expect To Shine In Practice: Sawyer Robertson (Baylor)
  • I think Robertson is still aways away before he can be counted on to play meaningful snaps, but there are traits with him that I think can stand out in an environment like this. He has a quick release that will look cleaner than the other two passers he’s working with. He’s got a pretty good arm and pretty good touch. It wouldn’t shock me if he threw a couple of nice deep balls in team sessions that connect for big plays.

• Most To Gain: Taylen Green (Arkansas)
  • At 6-foot-6, 224 pounds, Green looks the part and is one of the most dynamic athletes at the position in this class. He is lethal on the move and he has a solid arm to go with it. If he can exhibit a bit more consistency with his touch and timing, I think there’s a lot to work with here.

• The Rest Of The Pack: 
  • Luke Altmyer (Illinois), Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt), Cole Payton (North Dakota State)

RUNNING BACK

• My Top Prospect: Jonah Coleman (Washington)
  • It’s not a phenomenal group of senior running backs this year in this class, but I do think Coleman is a useful player in an NFL backfield. An instinctive runner with a nose for the end zone, he has a compact, sturdy build with the ability to play through tackle attempts and force misses. I’m not sure he’s a starter, but I think he’s a solid fixture in a committee in the league.

• Who I Expect To Shine In Practice: Nicholas Singleton (Penn State)
  • I have a higher grade on Singleton’s teammate (who will also be in attendance), Kaytron Allen, but Singleton’s ability to impact third down will really serve him well down here. He should be one of the best pass protectors at the position, and he’s capable of making highlight grabs as well. I’m willing to wager he’s viewed as a ‘stock up’ player by many analysts coming out of the week.

• Most To Gain: Seth McGowan (Kentucky)
  • McGowan has taken the road less-traveled to get here, but he’s an explosive athlete with a competitive run style that coaches would love to add to their running back room. He has some off-field questions to answer (check out the Draft Guide for the full story there), but a good week down here would definitely help him.

• The Rest Of The Pack: 
  • Kaytron Allen (Penn State), Kaelon Black (Indiana), Rahsul Faison (South Carolina), Jam Miller (Alabama), Le’Veon Moss (Texas A&M), Jaydn Ott (Oklahoma), Kejon Owens (FIU), Adam Randall (Clemson), J’Mari Taylor (Virginia), Mike Washington (Arkansas)

WIDE RECEIVER

• My Top Prospect: KC Concepcion (Texas A&M)
  • A dynamic presence on the outside or in the slot, Concepcion has the ability to impact all three levels of the field. He has the speed to be very effective downfield. He’s got great YAC ability in the quick game and on gadgets. He has the route running chops to create separation at the intermediate area. He could be the standout of 1-on-1 drills at this position. Whispers point to Concepcion not being in Mobile this week as of this writing, but I couldn’t get conformation on it, so I will leave him in here (for now). The next-highest grade for me would be Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt.

• Who I Expect To Shine In Practice: Ja’Kobi Lane (USC)
  • Lane has one super power, and it’s the jump ball. If he hits on one or two, it will be enough for people to continue raving about his NFL future. I do think he has to further expand his game, but the mercurial talent has the skillset that could get him some standout reps in practice.

• Most To Gain: Ted Hurst (Georgia State)
  • We just don’t see many smaller school players at these games anymore because of the Transfer Portal, but Hurst is a guy to watch. Georgia State plays at the FBS level, but they’ve been a downright bad football team, and Hurst has been one of the lone bright spots. At 6-foot-3 and a listed 195 pounds, he has a sillowy frame but he has a vertical dimension that could catch people’s eyes down here.

• The Rest Of The Pack: 
  • Cyrus Allen (Cincinnati), Aaron Anderson (LSU), Vinny Anthony II (Wisconsin), Lewis Bond (Boston College), Romello Brinson (SMU), Barion Brown (LSU), Deion Burks (Oklahoma), Josh Cameron (Baylor), Kevin Coleman JR (Missouri), Caleb Douglas (Texas Tech), Malachi Fields (Notre Dame), Jordan Hudson (SMU), Caullin Lacy (Louisville), Tyren Montgomery (John Carroll), Elijah Sarratt (Indiana), Reggie Virgil (Texas Tech), Devin Voisin (South Alabama), Harrison Wallace III (Ole Miss)

TIGHT END/FULLBACK

• My Top Prospect: Justin Joly (NC State)
  • Joly is a good athlete with the ability to be a problem in space for linebackers and safeties at 6-foot-3, 251 pounds. He’s not a dominant blocker, but he competes well enough that he can be an effective move blocker and, in my opinion, survive in 11 personnel as a team’s primary option at the position. I expect him to shine this week.

• Who I Expect To Shine In Practice: Tanner Koziol (Houston)
  • Early prediction: Thursday is red zone day in Mobile, as both squads install their red zone offense for Saturday’s game. Koziiol (6’foot-7, 250 pounds) will make a highlight grab in the end zone where he just goes up and over a defender. He’s been a touchdown maker throughout his college career at multiple stops.

• Most To Gain: Nate Boerkircher (Texas A&M)
  • Boerkircher was not really a factor as a pass catcher until this, his sixth season in college football, after spending five years at Nebraska. That’s going to be a red flag for people that worry about late breakouts. That said, he’s competitive, catches everything, has athletic traits and has a three-down skillset. I’d like to see the routes improve, but if he shows off competent pass catching ability down here, he could help himself in a deep tight end class.

• The Rest Of The Pack: 
  • Josh Cuevas (Alabama), John Michael Guyllenborg (Wyoming), Matthew Hibner (SMU), Will Kacmarek (Ohio State), DJ Rogers (TCU), Sam Roush (Stanford), Dan Villari (Syracuse)

OFFENSIVE LINE

• My Top Prospect: Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon)
  • A sixth-year senior with violent hands, a nasty demeanor and the ability to be a road grader in the run game. He’s a plug-and-play option inside at either guard spot and has the chance to go in Round One in April. I thought he was an easy evaluation.

• Who I Expect To Shine In Practice: Keylan Rutledge (Georgia Tech)
  • This guy’s tape just screams NFL starter. I don’t know how many Pro Bowls he will make in his career. But he’s tough, technically-sound, poised and has intangibles. He never looks stressed in pass pro on the inside. He’s a guard-only, and that may impact the draft value, but this is a really good player. 

• Most To Gain: Max Iheanachor (Arizona State)
  • At 6-foot-6, 325 pounds, this kid is a phenomenal athlete. I mean, like, rare kind of movement on tape for a guy that big. He’s very new to the game, still, having not played football until his arrival at Junior College. His tape is a bit up and down, for that reason, but if he has a good week, against THIS stable of pass rushers in attendance? Teams take that gamble in the Top 40. All. Day. Long.

• The Rest Of The Pack: 
  • Austin Barber (Florida), Markel Bell (Miami), Jude Bowry (Boston College), James Brockermeyer (Miami), Fernando Carmona JR (Arkansas), Kage Casey (Boise State), Demetrious Crownover (Texas A&M), JC Davis (Illinois), Gennings Dunker (Iowa), Jalen Farmer (Kentucky), Alex Harkey (Oregon), Sam Hecht (Kansas State), Alan Herron (Maryland), Delby Lemieux (Dartmouth), Ethan Onianwa (Ohio State), Drew Shelton (Penn State), Jake Slaughter (Florida), Beau Stephens (Iowa), Logan Taylor (Boston College), Carver Willis (Washington), Jeremiah Wright (Auburn), Trey Zuhn (Texas A&M)

EDGE RUSHER

• My Top Prospect: TJ Parker (Clemson)
  • Had Rueben Bain JR come through, then he would have had this spot. But with him pulling out of the game in the middle of the week, this spot goes (back) to Parker. A physical pass rusher with a well-rounded skillset, he could really earn some money with a big week. People had high hopes for him coming into this season that were not quite realized. 

• Who I Expect To Shine In Practice: Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State)
  • The senior has great size, looks the part, plays like a madman and can win with snap timing and power. I’m hoping to see him tap into the latter during the week of practice, and if he does I think there’s enough there where he keeps that tackle group guessing throughout the week, stacking up some impressive wins in the process.

• Most To Gain: LT Overton (Alabama)
  • I like Overton. He’s probably a bit more sizzle than substance right now and reliant on splash plays as opposed to down-to-down consistency, but he has a skillset that can translate if he realizes his potential. A big, powerful rusher who can kick inside and rush against guards, teams love guys that are capable of winning from multiple techniques. A big week would do wonders for his draft stock.

• The Rest Of The Pack: 
  • Vincent Anthony (Duke), Keyron Crawford (Auburn), Logan Fano (Utah), Romello Height (Texas Tech), Quintayvious Hutchins (Boston College), Gabe Jacas (Illinois), Nyjalik Kelly (UCF), Max Llewellyn (Iowa), Derrick Moore (Michigan), Jack Pyburn (LSU), Tyreak Sapp (Florida), Cian Slone (NC State), Nadame Tucker (Western Michigan), Zion Young (Missouri)

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

• My Top Prospect: Caleb Banks (Florida)
  • Banks is a stout run defender and the arrow seemed to be pointing up with him as a pass rusher in the latter stages of 2024. Unfortunately, a foot injury late that season sent him spiraling for the next 12 months, as he barely saw the field this fall. He’s got a ton to prove this week just as far as reminding people of the first-round-caliber talent he has working for him. Being out there all three days, and dominating, would really help solidify his chances at the first round.

• Who I Expect To Shine In Practice: Chris McClellan (Missouri)
  • A Florida transfer who has first-step quickness, McLellan has flashed since first stepping on the field in the SEC. He had his best season this year for the Tigers, and has the ability to continue building momentum through this event. Scouts in that area speak highly of his ability. 

• Most To Gain: Zane Durant (Penn State)
  • Durant is undersized but he’s explosive. He can get upfield as well as anyone. This is a group that has more run stuffers that penetrators on the interior, so if he can stand out here and show everyone what he can do as a disruptor, it will serve him very well after a fairly non-descript senior year.

• The Rest Of The Pack: 
  • Cameron Ball (Arkansas), Nick Barrett (South Carolina), Rayshaun Benny (Michigan), Bryson Eason (Tennessee), Deven Eastern (Minnesota), Gracen Halton (Oklahoma), Lee Hunter (Texas Tech), Tim Keenan (Alabama), Jeffrey M’ba (SMU)

LINEBACKER

• My Top Prospect: Keyshaun Elliott (Arizona State)
  • Elliott profiles really well as a MIKE linebacker in the NFL and a player who could wear the green dot on defense and get everyone lined up. The athleticism is going to be a question for some, but I think he moves well enough to stick out there for all three downs. If he gets exposed in space this week, my opinion could change on that, but that’s how I view him at this stage of the process.

• Who I Expect To Shine In Practice: Kyle Louis (Pitt)
  • A hybrid linebacker/safety, depending on who you talk to, Louis is undersized but a dynamite athlete. He can impact the game in a lot of ways. These practices definitely can benefit space players, especially with so many eyes peeled during one-on-one drills. If Louis can make some splash plays, with his speed? People will be glowing about him.

• Most To Gain: Kendal Daniels (Oklahoma)
  • Like Louis, Daniels is a bit of a ‘tweener’ who is proving that he can make the full transition from safety to linebacker. He began his career as a safety at Oklahoma State and has since made the transition to a hybrid role where he does a little bit of everything. At 6-foot-5, 242 pounds, he runs really well. If he shows a good grasp of playing close to the line of scrimmage this week, he could really help himself.

• The Rest Of The Pack: 
  • Bryce Boettcher (Oregon), Kaleb Elarms-Orr (TCU), Owen Heinecke (Oklahoma), Jack Kelly (BYU), Namdi Obiazor (TCU), Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech), Xavian Sorey JR (Arkansas), Scooby Williams (Texas A&M)

CORNERBACK

• My Top Prospect: Malik Muhammad (Texas)
  • Muhammad is going to be one of the smaller corners in attendance, but he makes up for it with toughness, instincts and ballskills. He screams long-term NFL starter to me. I think he’ll look good in drills down here. How he times in Indianapolis will be the bigger question for his profile.

• Who I Expect To Shine In Practice: Chandler Rivers (Duke)
  • An undersized corner who has played both inside and outside, Rivers – like Muhammad – is my kind of guy. He’s feisty, instinctive and has good ballskills. He’ll see most of his work in the slot, if I had to imagine (based off the rest of the roster), but I expect to see him around the ball a lot this week.

• Most To Gain: Julian Neal (Arkansas)
  • A player who I watched relatively late in the process, I think Neal’s a bit underrated right now in the media space. A big corner with surprising speed, a good week down here with his frame could get the hype train rolling for him.

• The Rest Of The Pack: 
  • Fred Davis II (Northwestern), Tacario Davis (Washington), Charles Demmings (Stephen F Austin), Thaddeus Dixon (North Carolina), Daylen Everette (Georgia), TJ Hall (Iowa), Colton Hood (Tennessee), Davison Igbinosun (Ohio State), Chris Johnson (San Diego State), Will Lee (Texas A&M), Hezekiah Masses (Cal), Jalen McMurray (Tennessee), Ephesians Prysock (Washington), Keionte Scott (Miami), Trey Stukes (Arizona), Collin Wright (Stanford)

SAFETY

• My Top Prospect: Zakee Wheatley (Penn State)
  • Emmanuel McNeil-Warren from Toledo held this spot until recently, when I got word that he would not be attending the event. Wheatley is a big, physical presence downhill in the run game. I really like the way he plays. He’s pretty instinctive as a zone coverage defender in the middle of the field. The big question with him is the athleticism and ability to play in space. Can he match up against tight ends? That will be put to the test this week. If he passes, I think he has a chance at Day 2.

• Who I Expect To Shine In Practice: DeShon Singleton (Nebraska)
  • I’m going off the radar a bit here. Singleton isn’t a widely-discussed name, but he has real coverage chops at the safety spot. I think he can be a matchup piece against the tight end in the league. This is a great proving ground for that projection down here in Mobile.

• Most To Gain: Jalon Kilgore (South Carolina)
  • Kilgore has a similar skillset to Singleton, but I think Singleton is just a better player at this stage. Kilgore is younger, however, and if he can outperform the senior here in Mobile it will help him in the eyes of teams.

• The Rest Of The Pack: 
  • Bud Clark (TCU), AJ Haulcy (LSU), VJ Payne (Kansas State), Kamari Ramsey (USC), Genesis Smith (Arizona), Jalen Stroman (Notre Dame), Michael Taafe (Texas), Jakobe Thomas (Miami), Skyler Thomas (Oregon State), Wydett Williams JR (Ole Miss)