The 2026 Panini Senior Bowl is in full swing amidst winter-like weather in Mobile, Alabama. Last year, the temps were in the upper 60s, and in full sun was shorts and flip-flop conditions. This year, although the daytime it is in the upper 40s, the wind chill has gotten into the 30s, but in sunny settings. Perfect football weather.
Players from all across the country are doing their best to impress the approximately 900 scouts and coaches, and about 1,500 full media. With the explosion of team podcasts,
this event has really exploded.
Every NFL head coach and his staff are here. All GMs are here. Scores of scouts are front and center. Media credentials can also be seen from CFL and UFL reps.
Wednesday’s practice held several players who were impressive and some not so much. But the game has multiple practice sessions coached by current NFL coaches from various teams in which an athlete can improve and show their skillset.
Revenge of the Birds staff writer Barry Shuck is at the Senior Bowl this week, taking notes and interviewing players. Keep in mind, the athletes he has his focus on are players that the Cardinals need position-wise and ranked close to where Arizona drafts in each round. Makes no sense to interview a guy that the Cards have no chance at getting.
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Quarterback
The mystery man coming into the Senior Bowl was QB Cole Payton from North Dakota State. They captured the 2024 D-2 National Championship with Payton under center. He is also left-handed. Very accurate passer, and all the SEC and Big-10 guys aren’t scaring him off. Exceptional runner, and has shown that off numerous times. His throwing motion is three-quartered with a big wind-up prior to his release, which takes some time to get used to. Average footwork, and he doesn’t always step into his throws. I guess that can be taught. Definitely a developmental guy, but looks really good so far and has a cannon for an arm.
QB Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt seems to have one issue that everyone goes to: his size. Short and light don’t seem to work in the NFL, but he seems hell-bent on going to a team, and he has shown really good things in both practices. He can really play ball and has shown pocket presence instead of being timid. If a team wants a tall quarterback, then summon QB Taylen Green from Arkansas. He stands 6’-6” and is a beefy 229 pounds. Solid player. Explosive in the open field and super athletic. Easily throws the deep ball, but struggles with turnovers. He seems to have good downfield vision, and his arm strength is his superpower because he can sling it. Kinda an angler passer. Nice kid and was a leader at the college level.
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier is the real deal. Strong arm and accurate. Playing here at the Senior Bowl is his first re-introduction in a few months because of a late-season injury, but he was in total control of the offense. Killed it in the 7-on-7 drills. Nothing big about his size-wise, but he is very cool under pressure and has an impressive touch on layering passes. And he is effective when looking downfield when flushed. Good legs and natural arm talent. Will need a year to season, but he should start for somebody sooner rather than later.
Tight end
Texas A&M TE Nate Boerkircher (6’-4”, 250 pounds) was a late addition to the game and made several good catches in the 7-on-7s. Fourth-round grade. He has some functional size for the NFL. TE Sam Rouch (6’-5”, 259 pounds) of Stanford is a good route runner and known for his blocking abilities. Soft hands in drills and did well in sideline passing drills.
Offensive Line
Dartmouth OT Delby Lemieux was also impressive. He looks lean for a tackle, but has bull strength. Played some center in practice, is 6’-5”, 305 pounds. Very physical player and allowed zero sacks this past season.
Georgia Tech OG Keylan Rutledge is blowing up with how good he looks. A lot of big guys look like tackles, but he looks the part of a guard with a low center of gravity and violent hands. This guy will be ready to start this year. Solid frame, exceptional arm length, and is able to redirect his defender in the 1-on-1s. He said he was a finisher, and he proved that over and over. He can play both guard spots and center. Solid third-round pick for a Day 1 starter.
Miami OT Markel Bell is a very huge man (6’-9”, 340 pounds) and was a late addition to this game. He is also a guy who can be fooled and pushed aside easily. Not impressed. Was completely run over by Michigan DE Derrick Moore. May develop over time, but has foot issues and will need patience.
Love the aggressiveness of Florida C/OG Jake Slaughter in 1-on-1 drills against the D-Line. He sets up a good anchor and locks onto his defender rather easily. He did not transition very well when placed at guard, so center seems to be his future. Another center, James Brockermeyer of Miami, had one of the best one-on-one reps of the afternoon. He stonewalled South Carolina DT Nick Barrett and didn’t give up any ground despite being one of the smallest offensive linemen at 6’-3”, 297 pounds.
Other notable offensive linemen who sparked were RT Dametrious Crownover of Texas A&M, Boston College OT Jude Bowry, OG Jeremiah Wright of Auburn, and the best offensive lineman here this week, Iowa OG Gennings Dunker.
Wide Receivers
Write this name down: Ted Hurst. He played for tiny Georgia State and is not a household name, but this dude catches everything thrown his way. Big guy (6′,3”) with nine-foot arms, it seemed at times, but has had a ton of buzz surrounding him. A lot of receivers will come from smaller schools like Jerry Rice, so no shocker here. Excellent route-running to boot. Second day impressive.
WR Vinny Anthony II of Wisconsin had a very good day. There is a Vincent Anthony in this game as well, but he plays DE for Duke. The receiver Anthony is a return man as well. LSU WR Aaron Anderson is short and light and perfect for the slot. 4.34 speed, and he knows how to shift into another gear when he needs it. Precision route running with natural hands. His college teammate, Baron Brown, had some good contested catches but then had foot issues with sideline routes. A minor coaching fix.
Already discussed WR Tyren Montgomery of John Carroll, but the dude is a player and is catching everything despite being from a D-3 school. Everyone has been scrambling to find any kind of scouting on him. He has a good combination of elite athleticism and natural instincts. Is catching balls that aren’t thrown to be caught. Another impressive pass catcher is USC’s Kobe Lane. Very strong route-runner who acts like he knows he is going to get the ball, especially when the coverage is tight. This guy will cause problems for many a defensive back. Long reach and was very physical today.
Baylor WR Josh Cameron is very fluid and makes great cuts, but lacks the skill to make adjustments on poorly thrown balls. Knows what to do with the rock once he catches it, though, and extends the field vertically.Will be a serious deep threat.
Running backs
Are the Cardinals thinking about a running back in the draft this year? If so, Indiana RB Kaelon Black has shown quite a bit this week so far, showing good balance and getting skinny to slip through small creases on the offensive line. Quick feet and lateral agility to jump cut and exchange gaps. Seems to be a willing blocker, as today was the first scrimmage in pads with live hitting. Threw to him quite a bit coming out of the backfield and has been open quite a bit with delayed routes.
Impressive for two days has been RB Mike Washington, Jr. of Arkansas. Very muscular and hits the open hole quickly. High motor with top-end speed. He will hit defenders because of his good size (6’-2”, 235 pounds) and displays quick twitch/stop/start ability. Decides his hole and then scoots. He is really a brute.
Linebackers
Pitt S Kyle Louis played college at safety, but they have him at linebacker here. And he is adjusting quite well, but only sitting at 224 pounds. He is already good in coverage and showed that with an interception running the rail with the tight end. He will hit anyone.
The best linebacker here is LB Jacob Rodriquez from Texas Tech. Instincts are off the charts. His pursuit is sideline-to-sideline and has shown that he can shed blockers once he fills a gap. Natural timing and was all over the field in the 11-on-11s with great anticipation, being a former high school quarterback. Sure tackler with high production (128 tackles this year, 127 in 2024). Pair him with Carson Schwesinger and watch the fireworks.
BYU LB Jack Kelly was the dominant player in every one-on-one drill, especially with blocking tight ends. He has a great first burst despite his meaty 246-pound frame. LB Bryce Boettcher of Oregon is going to make a fine pro. He fought off most guards and will provide a huge tackling presence.
Defensive line
DE Max Llewellyn of Iowawas equally impressive in the 3-technique and 5-technique. The defensive end can win to the outside with ease due to quickness, long physical arms, and legs. Michigan DE Derrick Moore is lean (254 pounds) but quick as well. Runs a 4.65. He has done an excellent job using his length and has an amazing physique. Relentless motor so far. Will become a great pickup in Round 3. On the surface, DT Zane Durrant of Penn State doesn’t look like an interior defensive lineman at 290 pounds, but he has quickness that really stood out. He wins with leverage and is all muscle.
Most impressive was Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter for the second day in a row.In the one-on-ones, most drills he swished around his O-line counterpart. Is just a strong guy who will bull rush and has good consistency. He is clearly a special talent and stated that his best feature was run-stopping. Dominate in the 1-on-1s and 11-on-11s. Will go in the second round and be worth it. Another good middle player is DT Caleb Banks of Florida. Did well in drills against the offensive line because he is a massive guy at 330 pounds, but he surprised with a great first step, which has overwhelmed a few offensive guard prospects, but he has an injury history. Ranked #16 overall and will be a Day 1 starter.
Clemson DE T.J. Parker remains the best D-lineman here as discussed yesterday. He can be found at the bottom of Round 1 or at the top of the second-round, but is a baller. Good day of practice for EDGE Nadame Tucker of Western Michigan. Had 14 sacks this past season so he knows how to use his hands well and gets a great first step every time the ball is snapped. Lines up as a stand-up rusher and has an impressive number of wins. More pass rusher than run stopper, though.
Defensive backs
CB Malik Muhammad of Texas looked great in the receiver/DB drills and was beaten only once. No size to him, though, as he is just 183 with a full backpack on. Quick as crap, though, like shot out of a gun quick. He seems to be able to sniff out passing plays and was seen cheating in that direction before the throw. Very aggressive. Not sure if he is a willing tackler.
The most impressive performance of the day can be bestowed on S Bud Clark of TCU. He will likely be more of a deep back player and has good recovery speed and the ability to see how the play is unfolding. Sticky in man coverage, and shone in the 1-on-1s with a defensive back paired with a receiver. And has 4.48 speed for a center fielder, which is rare. Great acceleration and is known for being a solid tackler. Two-time Captain in college.
