Senior Bowl Day 1 Risers

Day 1 of the Senior Bowl is in the books. Who improved their draft stock in the first day of practices with NFL coaches and scouts eagerly watching...

Summarized by AI ⓘ

What is the story about?

Lee Hunter, NT, Texas Tech

Lee Hunter came to Mobile for one thing and one thing only, to take the souls of the poor interior Offensive Linemen who decided to still go to Mobile this year. Whether it was in drills or on 11 on 11s, Hunter was not contained on double teams at the Senior Bowl.

Some very impressive wins against the run and the pass, Hunter’s power and fluidity for his size are a treat to watch. Hunter was widely

expected to be a top 50 pick, but with a dominant Senior Bowl start he could be getting some Round 1 consideration.

Gabe Jacas, DE, Illinois

Jacas was one of the more dominant DEs of the day in a practice session filled with edge rushers. His 1 on 1 reps inside and outside were fun watches, getting the better of one of the best interior OL of the day in Florida’s Jake

Slaughter.

He also had a strip sack in 11 on 11s against Nussmeier. While Defensive Linemen were instructed to not hit or sack QBs in practice for this all star game, Jacas found a loophole by hitting the ball out of his hands (and only making contact with the ball) mid-throwing motion. Strip sacks aren’t just a random occurrence for Jacas either, as he had 3 in 2025 and 6 in his career, thriving at attacking the ball. Winning on with the bend and flexibility he showed on that practice rep for a player his size (270 lbs.) is not as common, so it was fun to see his playmaking ability in person.

Jacas’ versatility could help separate him from some of the other many Day 2 Defensive Ends in the class; likely earning him Early Round 2 consideration after a strong day of practice.

DE Quintayvious Hutchins, DE, Boston College

Perhaps the winner of the funniest rep of the night: Qunitayvious Hutchins snatched Austin Barber’s ankles and got an untouched rush on 11 on 11s.

Besides that rep, the 230 lb. Hutchins also beat his Boston College teammate Jude Bowry around the edge to force a QB step up as well. There were some flashes of run stopping ability as well, with Hutchins shooting through gaps low to make a stop or two in the backfield. He even wrapped up some Tight Ends in coverage, keeping with them well and contesting some catches.

His size and lack of sacks (5.5 last 2 years) will turn some teams away, but with his speed and burst flashing on tape the last two seasons and interesting coverage ability will appeal to 3-4 scheme teams looking for a rotational speed rusher who can potentially drop into coverage on Day 3.

Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa

Gennings Dunker was one of the few Offensive Linemen who consistently shined on Day 1 against the waves of talented Defensive Linemen in Mobile. One of his biggest questions heading into the week was how he would look when lined up inside, as some analysts and scouts question if he should shift inside to Guard due to his shorter arms.

Safe to say scouts are pleased with his interior reps from this practice, doing an excellent job against Penn State’s Zane Durant. He also showed impressive mauling ability in the run on 11 on 11s, opening up lanes for several backs in practice as well.

Dunker’s versatility could be an asset if he keeps stacking these practices that could net him a Round 1 draft pick in 2026.

Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

If there was a drill play of the day, it was Ted Hurst’s one handed TD snag on 1 on 1s.

Hurst’s combination of size, deep speed, aggressiveness at the catch point, and fluidity for his size were well known to scouts since his Valdosta State days, but getting to see him stack Corners vertically in person was a treat.

On 11 on 11s he also had a nice Yards After the Catch play by making a defender miss, showing off the YAC ability he was able to display in 2025 (improved to a career high 5.3 after the catch with an expanded role and route tree). Hurst might have been just outside of my initial top 100 rankings (was 103 Overall), but he is making a strong case for Day 2 consideration in Mobile if he continues to put up highlights against some tougher Corners.

Nadame Tucker, DE, Western Michigan

Nadame Tucker had a strong day, winning with power and explosiveness off the edge and displaying a nice anchor against the run despite his smaller stature. Tucker’s ability to get to the outside shoulder and win with bend and some finesse counter moves was well established, but the 250 lb. DE showed off more power for his size than expected and is causing scouts to revisit his breakout tape with the Western Michigan Broncos.

Tucker went from being a backup in Houston struggling to earn playing time to a 14.5 sack pass rusher in Western Michigan this past year, including 2.5 sacks in the conference championship win over Miami (Ohio). With a Round 4-5 grade analysts have questioned his ability to win against better competition than the MAC, but Nadame’s speed and power combination has won consistently in Mobile, entering him into potential Day 2 discussions if it continues.

Kyle Louis, LB/S, Pitt

One of the more fun players to watch in drills and on 11 on 11s in Day 1, Pitt’s Kyle Louis made 1 pick in drills and a forced a fumble on 11 on 11s. His speed, range, and versatility were on full display, lining up at Safety and Linebacker.

Louis could shift to Safety or Slot to help him avoid trying to block shed versus Offensive Linemen, his biggest weakness on tape. His Coverage instincts, backpedal fluidity and range, as well as ball skills are very apparent, and he is able to win by getting around blockers in space vs the run.

Dunker was one of the best OLs of the day, but Louis was able to get a rare win against him for a run stop today. Louis’ just under 6 foot and 224 lb. frame makes him a weapon to get underneath tackles downhill if he can evade their hands, and a team needing WILL LB/Strong Safety help would appreciate his speed and coverage skills.

Jake Slaughter, C, Florida

Slaughter was the most impressive Center prospect of the day, opening up some nice interior run lanes on 11 on 11s and winning a vast majority of his reps in 1 on 1 drills. He was able to hold off Alabama’s Tim Keenan III and his teammate Caleb Banks on 1 on 1s, with Keenan’s power and Banks’ length providing tough challenges on tape in 1 on 1s.

Slaughter did get beat by Oklahoma’s Gracen Halton once on 1 on 1s, but other than that Slaughter had a nice day that should keep him as one of the top Centers of the class.

Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana

Kaelon Black was the most consistent RB in the drills and on 11 on 11s at the Senior Bowl, ripping off some nice big runs and showing smart vision, balance, and agility in forcing missed tackles and bad angles in the run. He also was one of the tougher blockers in drills for the running backs in blitz simulations, showing a nice anchor and quick feet to stay in front of LBs/Safeties and not lose ground. The Hoosiers RB could have opted out of the Senior Bowl like every other Hoosier invitee and like most Miami players after playing in the National Championship game, but his willingness to compete and make a strong impression on scouts was very admirable with such a quick turnaround.