Not many players escalated their draft stock more in the past five months more than Nadame Tucker.
The 6’2”, 246 pound edge rusher arrived to Kalamazoo as the ultimate hidden gem. Tucker spent the first two years of his college career navigating the JUCO route before landing at Houston prior to the 2022 season. In three seasons with the Cougars, Tucker totaled 10 tackles and never registered a sack, but suddenly, all of that potential was unlocked at Western Michigan.
It was clear from Tucker’s 2025
debut vs. Michigan State — which featured three sacks — that the Broncos were dealing with star power on their defensive line. The sixth-year senior continued the rampage and led the entire FBS with 14.5 sacks and 21.0 tackles for loss in a breakout campaign for the ages, instantly rising from obscurity to a lofty position on NFL Draft boards. He won the MAC’s MVP award (Vern Smith Leadership Award) as well as the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year honors, serving as the defensive anchor behind Western Michigan’s MAC championship season.
As a result of his 2025 dominance, Tucker secured a ticket to the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL, and his stock only continued to elevate while observed under hundreds of microscopes over the weekend. He was the lone Mid-American Conference player to earn an invite to the Senior Bowl.
On Saturday, Tucker’s Team National defeated Team American, 17-9, in a low-scoring defensive bout, and the Western Michigan defensive end was one of the key contributors to the victory. He produced five tackles (tied for second on Team National), a game-high two sacks, a team-high three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. His main highlight transpired in the fourth quarter when he dipped and flew past Boston College offensive tackle Judy Bowry around the edge, subsequently landing a strip-sack on Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green.
Outside of Saturday’s contest, Tucker also thrived during the drills and practice periods throughout the week, frequently becoming a problem for opposing offensive tackles.
Although the NFL hasn’t released the full list of invites to the upcoming Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, one can expect Tucker’s name to appear on the list after an All-American season and an excellent Senior Bowl performance. The Western Michigan standout aims to extend his alma mater’s streak to six-straight seasons with at least one draft selection.
