Senior Bowl week has officially ended, and with that, we can start looking at some prospects that stoodout throughout the event. The New Orleans Saints have a reputation for selecting players from the Senior Bowl,
and this year should be no different.
QB Garrett Nussmeier
I have to start with this prospect. Former LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier was the Senior Bowl MVP, and he is the son of current Saints OC Doug Nussmeier. The family link provides a clear connection between the player and the team, but being the Senior Bowl MVP is also a big factor for the Saints. In the past four years, the Saints have drafted the MVPs, who were QBs Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.
Now, of course, the Saints already have their QB with Tyler Shough, but if Garrett Nussmeier’s stock does not skyrocket, which it very well could, he will be targeted by this team. Going further, if the Saints trade away Rattler, they need to get a backup, and that could be Nussmeier (again, if his stock does not rise too much).
DT Lee Hunter
Another standout prospect was Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter. This year’s Senior Bowl had many standout defensive linemen, but Hunter may have been at the top of the list. He was beating offensive linemen with ease and dominating the run game. Even when he struggled, which did happen, he listened to his coaches with intent and fixed what he was doing. Hunter may have played himself out of the second round, but if he is available at the Saints’ second round selection, it makes too much sense for New Orleans to go with the big DT.
Also, he grew up as a Saints fan, which always helps.
LB Kyle Louis
Sticking with defense, the linebackers also had a great week. The list of prospects I could have chosen was long, but for the Saints, former Pitt LB Kyle Louis brings something the Saints do not have. During the Senior Bowl, Louis looked like a DB playing in the middle of the field. He was an interception machine, breaking up a good number of passes. While some LBs may be much worse against the run and tackling if they are great at coverage, that’s not Louis. He was excellent at getting in the backfield to blow up runs.
His main issue is size, but from what he showed at the Senior Bowl, Louis is a difference-maker on defense.
EDGE T.J. Parker
Going back to the defensive line, former Clemson T.J. Parker was one of, if not the, best edge rusher in the Senior Bowl. Entering the CFB season, Parker was projected to be a top 5 pick in the 2026 draft, but a quiet season with Clemson changed that. During practices and the Senior Bowl game, Parker proved why that projection made sense. He beat tackles with length, speed, and power in pass rush. Against the run, he was also excellent.
For the Saints, if they do not go with EDGE at pick #8, Parker may be their top choice in the second round. The question is whether he will still be available.
