Senior Bowl report dump. I'll post my thoughts later, just wanted to at least get this compilation of reports on White athletes posted.
Senior Bowl Notes
MOBILE, Alabama — The 2026 Senior Bowl is underway, and things are a bit different this year. For one, Mike Tomlin isn’t a prominent fixture of the event as he normally is on the practice field. In fact, there was very little visible Steelers representation compared to previous years. Omar Khan...
steelersdepot.com
Georgia Tech OG Keylan Rutledge had two or three pancakes. He was playing through the whistle so much that the coaches had to tell him to tone it down. That’s my kind of guard. He also took center snaps today.
Boise State OL Kage Casey had one of the better anchors of the National Team OL. He only weighed in at 309 pounds, but he anchors like a 320-pounder.
Miami C James Brockermeyer was one of the only interior OL that held up at all against this strong DL group. His anchor was impressive and he had good footwork to mirror movements.
SMU TE Matthew Hibner is a natural athlete with soft hands. He gets into DB’s and uses his big frame to get open. At the catch point, he displayed the ability to win contested catches.
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier had a solid day throwing on time and with accuracy. He has a quick release and hunts the middle of the field. There was some issues with footwork in individual drills and he looked frazzled at times, but this is some of his first action back from injury.
Illinois QB Luke Altmyer had a decent day. He showcased his high IQ with reading defenses well and delivering the ball on time. He had issues with accuracy, missing high on short throws and low on deep throws. He will be able to show off his athletic ability later in the week.
MOBILE, Alabama — Day 2 is always the longest day for everybody involved as players go through their normal daily schedule with an added media lunch interview session. Once that is out of the way, most players aren’t quite as chatty after practice unless they make a good play they want to talk...
steelersdepot.com
North Dakota State QB Cole Payton had some accuracy issues throughout the day. He was slightly behind his receivers and didn’t give them much opportunity for yards after.
Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez ended practice with a walk-off INT. That lands you a spot on the notes every time.
Texas A&M TE Nate Boerkircher runs good routes and has strong hands. He kept showing up in the receiving game today.
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier dropped a snap and had at least one easy throw that sailed high, but he was probably the most consistent of the bunch otherwise. His deep ball looks really good. I get these quarterbacks don’t want to make mistakes in front of scouts, but I wish they’d take some more chances with pressure in their face instead of just tucking the ball for a scramble.
SMU TE Matthew Hibner looked smooth for the second day in a row. Soft hands and a good route runner. He will need to show he can run block a little more.
Iowa OT Gennings Dunker had an inconsistent day. He struggled early on with hand placement but picked it up later in practice. He worked well on combination blocks, especially with teammate Beau Stephens.
OG Keylan Rutledge from Georgia Tech showed off his athletic ability in team periods, being one of the only offensive linemen that looked great today. He plays with good pad level and works well in space.
MOBILE, Alabama — The third and final day of Senior Bowl practices is now complete. All that’s left is the Senior Bowl game itself on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 PM ET. I give a lot of credit to the group of players this year. In the past, players have backed out after a practice or […]
steelersdepot.com
Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher has the quintessential linebacker build. He impressed me most in coverage with nice change of direction and hips.
Houston TE Tanner Koziol got way up in the air to secure a red zone touchdown toward the end of practice.
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier improved each day and finished with a pretty strong performance on Thursday. He throws a great ball and made his best throw of the week threading one in to his LSU teammate Barion Brown in the end zone.
Quarterbacks
Cole Payton/QB/North Dakota State: After a terrific senior season, his first as a full-time starter, Payton kept the momentum going all three days of Senior Bowl practice. He’s a large quarterback at 6-foot-2.5 and 229 pounds, yet he’s mobile and athletic. Payton is a strong-armed passer who accurately made all the throws in practice and easily got the ball downfield into receivers’ hands. His poise was exceptional, and coaches on the field commended Payton for the patience he displayed as the pocket collapsed around him. After entering the season as a free-agent prospect, Payton has moved into the middle rounds, and a Day 2 calling of his name is not out of the question.
Tuesday's top performance belonged to Cole Payton (North Dakota State). The lefty passer had two of the most impressive throws of the day, the best coming off a bootleg on a deep ball to Caleb Douglas (Texas Tech). Having played in under-center at North Dakota State, Payton looked comfortable taking snaps and making throws from multiple pre-snap platforms. Even though he has a bit of an elongated and loopy throwing motion, it didn't have a negative effect on his timing.
The expectation on Day 2 of the Senior Bowl is for quarterbacks to settle down and gain chemistry with wide receivers they've known for 48 hours. Cole Payton (North Dakota State) once again stood out from the competition on Wednesday after being highlighted by Jordan as the top quarterback on Tuesday. Payton doesn't have the smoothest operation, with a looping, left-handed throwing motion, but he was the most consistently accurate quarterback of the six passers I saw.
The 6-foot-2, 229-pound Payton has solid arm talent, but what most impressed me was his ability to put the ball on his man despite not having fully developed the trust and feel with the wideouts he's working with. Payton remains a late-round prospect on my board, but he's trending up while standing out among a crowd of passers that were all ranked ahead of him when the week began.
Payton displayed his accuracy and mobility in multiple sessions. Payton suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand during the Bison's loss in the FCS playoffs. He showed no signs of that injury. Payton carries grades as early as Round 4, as he's a big athlete that some teams have mentioned as a project worth selecting on Day
I liked what LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier did on Tuesday. He hadn't played ball in a few months due to an injury, but he looked rejuvenated and was in total control of the offense. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a Senior Bowl offense look like, well, a bad word. But, Nussmeier had the offense in control. Timing was on point. He made sure everyone was lined up perfectly. Then, he threw it fairly well throughout the day.
The most impressive QB on Tuesday, in my opinion, was Illinois QB Luke Altmyer. He ripped throws when needed, threw with touch when necessary and completed nearly every pass throughout team periods. The best throw he made was a fastball to USC WR Ja'Kobi Lane on a deep dig route. That ball was SAUCED UP and he put it on the money for a first down. He threw on the run on bootlegs well. Then after practice, he came up into the stands and hugged his girl and his dog. Okay, I'm sold.
A couple of articles on Nussmeier who by all accounts was the most consistent QB at the Senior Bowl. Sounds like LSU misdiagnosed his injury during the season and has finally discovered the actual issue and while still injured is rehabbing correctly. His lost season was more the fault of the program than his ability.
The New York Jets are keeping a close eye on LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who is quickly stealing the show at the Senior Bowl this offseason.
thejetpress.com
By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor MOBILE, Alabama - LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has entered the "Medical Transfer Portal," one might say, after playing the 2025 season in pain from what LSU doctors - he believes - incorrectly told him was an abdomen injury. Through three days of...
www.tigerrag.com
Luke Altmyer drew praise from ESPN's Jordan Reid for his strong play in practice on Thursday. "At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Altmyer has not only shown that he's reliable attacking the middle of the field, but his touch on deep passes has remained consistent," Reid said.
The poise and accuracy of Luke Altmyer (Illinois) were constant features during the final practice day. Hanging tough in the pocket, he made several good throws over the middle. At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Altmyer has not only shown that he's reliable attacking the middle of the field, but his touch on deep passes has remained consistent. During the red zone 11-on-11 period, he lofted a beautiful throw in the back of the end zone to tight end Dan Villari (Syracuse).
Altmyer has received mostly mid-to-late Day 3 grades but could be picked as high as the fourth round. Teams that incorporate West Coast offense concepts or a quick passing game are likely to value Altmyer as a long-term backup
Cole Payton, a left-hander with a looping throwing motion, has turned in strong performances in practice that drew notice from Matt Miller of ESPN. "The 6-foot-2, 229-pound Payton has solid arm talent, but what most impressed me was his ability to put the ball on his man despite not having fully developed the trust and feel with the wideouts he's working with," Miller said.
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
Scouts were eager to see LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier in Mobile’s environment. Thursday was arguably his best practice. Nussmeier completed several passes during the final two-minute drill and successfully clocked the ball to set his team up for a field goal. He flawlessly executed an NFL two-minute offense.
Nussmeier is the true wild-card of this quarterback class. He looked like a legitimate first-round pick as a junior in 2024 before his senior season was derailed by injuries and inconsistencies. Nussmeier could be this draft's Tyler Shough.
Offensive Line
Trey Zuhn III/OL/Texas A&M: Zuhn did a terrific job at both tackle and center during the first day of Senior Bowl practice, blocking with great patience, technique, and intensity. A four-year starter for A&M, he did a terrific job in one-on-one drills at left tackle, displaying the ability to slide off the edge and handle speed rushers. At the same time, he squared off against defenders when lined up at center, the position he’s very likely to play on Sundays, and kept them from the action. Intelligent and well-spoken, offensive line coaches will fall in love with Zuhn as we move towards draft weekend.
Two of the stoutest reps from offensive linemen on Day 1 belonged to American Team center James Brockermeyer, who was one of two OL from the national runner-up Miami Hurricanes in Mobile (also T Markel Bell). Both occurred in 1-on-1 pass rush drills with the sun setting on the Gulf Coast. On one, Brockermeyer walled off Alabama nose tackle Tim Keenan, chopping his feet and keeping Keenan in front of him without giving up much ground for 4.5 seconds. On another rep, Brockermeyer reset his hands in the middle of a pass rush and stole eyes in the stands, initially dispatching a swim move by South Carolina NT Nick Barrett and then lowering his mass for better leverage and fending off an attempted bull rush, protecting the QB (a coach holding the snap) for about 5 seconds. FYI, Brockermeyer's father Blake was drafted in the first round in 1995 by Carolina and started 103 games for the Panthers across nine seasons; the NFL.com editorial crew wrote the younger Brockermeyer "made himself money," following Day 2. Although Brockermeyer measured in a few pounds under 300, he never played fazed by anyone outsizing him (Keenan, for instance, outclassed him by 35 pounds and Barrett 18). Brockermeyer's background and diverse scheme exposure — he spent 2021-23 at Alabama and 2024 at TCU before he anchored the Canes on their way to the College Football Playoff title game — are notable.
Florida OC Jake Slaughter seemed very comfortable at center with his two one-on-one pass rush reps, including one of them against his ballyhooed Florida teammate DL Caleb Banks. Slaughter anchored well against Banks' power and locked him up rather easily. The stellar Florida center wasn't near as comfortable at guard when he did a little cross training throughout the drill but he's a center in the future.
Iowa OT/OG Gennings Dunker has the build of a lumberjack - thick legs and trunk and a head full of long red hair. He's a powerful guy and he had a few solid reps in one-on-ones. He's more mauler than he is a technician/athlete, but he has promise to evolve into a quality NFL OL in the future.
Tough guy OG/OC Keylan Rutledge from Georgia Tech plays exactly like I thought he would. He's a little all over the place with his hand placement, aiming points, etc…but he's going to FIGHT on every rep. He did some cross training throughout the day - center and guard, and he has a future at one of the positions in the NFL. His toughness might be his best asset and teams will feel as if that's a great starting point with an interior player.
After playing guard exclusively during his career at Georgia Tech, the 6-foot-4, 320-pound Rutledge took snaps at center throughout practice Tuesday. Rutledge showed comfort with snapping the ball and demonstrated that he can play any spot along the interior, answering one of the biggest questions scouts had about him entering the Senior Bowl. -- Reid
Georgia Tech OG Keyland Rutledge
Rutledge is a people-mover in the trenches, which we already knew. He earned a 76.8 run-blocking grade this past season, but many might be surprised to see his 85.4 run-blocking grade on outside zone blocking concepts. This hinted that he's a good athlete as well, which showed up when run blocking and in pass protection work this week. He was also one of the most outwardly competitive players at the event, consistently playing through the whistle and not backing down from any one-on-one rep.
Miami OC James Brockermeyer had one of the best one-on-one reps of the day when he completely stoned an SEC DL on a pass rush rep. Then, he completely stoned South Carolina DT Nick Barrett on a similar rep a few plays later. He's one of the smallest OL in Mobile, but he was outstanding holding up against stout/HUGE interior rushers.
C James Brockermeyer, Miami
C Sam Hecht, Kansas State
This duo separated itself by avoiding bad reps more than stacking dominant ones. Brockermeyer consistently controlled the interior—landing inside early, staying attached and recovering when initially displaced. Hecht stood out during National practices as the only lineman who consistently stayed functional across all three days.
Both players had moments where they gave ground or were tested, particularly as the week progressed. Neither experienced extended breakdowns or stretches where losses began to compound.
Kansas State center Sam Hecht had two solid days in a row and is catching my eye as a potential midround steal in this class. Hecht's hand placement, power and agility have the look of a potential early starter in the NFL. He's marked on my notes as a player to dive in deeper on following this week.
Kansas State C Sam Hecht
Hecht stood out from the very first practice and made some money for himself this week from how consistent he was. The true senior this past season earned an 80.0 overall grade, starting in the last 25 games of his college career. His natural leverage, great footwork and lower body control, paired with vice grip hands, allows him to be quick and strong while neutralizing rushes from all different types of pass-rushers. His performance this past week gives him a case to be one of the top centers – maybe the top one – in the class.
Offensive linemen usually start Senior Bowl week slowly while defensive linemen explode onto the scene with speed and power. It's best to allow offensive linemen to settle in, and that's what happened with Beau Stephens (Iowa). The guard prospect had a rough rep against Hunter early before settling down and winning with leverage and power against Zane Durant (Penn State) and others in one-on-ones. Stephens is a Day 3 prospect but showed impressive poise Tuesday.
Gennings Dunker is the next in a long line of talented Iowa offensive linemen, and I liked what I saw from him in pass protection Tuesday. Dunker showed good lateral agility and the length to ward off edge rushers, plus a toughness and finish on his reps (as well as an off-the-charts mullet). He's another Day 2 prospect for me.
Tight End
The National Team offense ended the practice week Thursday punching in a couple scores from the low red area, including a show-stopping scene courtesy Houston tight end Tanner Koziol, who shot his 34-inch arms skyward and hauled in a beautiful fade pass from North Dakota State QB Cole Payton. It was a pinpoint throw, no doubt. And no question the 6-foot-6 ½ Koziol had a size discrepancy over Stephen F. Austin CB Charles Demmings (6-1). But those facts don't minimize the acrobatics displayed by Koziol, who paced the Big 12 conference last season with 74 catches — one year after recording 94 at Ball State.
In a world constantly asking, "What have you done for me lately?" Koziol has done the absolute most — 237 catches for 2,234 yards and 24 TDs over four college crusades and 49 games. Go ahead and add his sky-scraping catch for six on Day 3 of practices at the Senior Bowl to his list of ladder-climbing highlights.
On the National Team, Texas A&M's Nate Boerkircher played well all week and is a good in-line tight end at 6'4 and 7/8 inches, 247 pounds with 32 and ¾ inch arms. He showed excellent hands and the ability to make plays down the field, as well. Houston Tanner Koziol is more of a receiving tight end with a slender build at 6'6 and a half inch and 245 pounds. He made a great jumping catch in the corner of the end zone for a score on Thursday.
Southern Methodist tight end Matthew Hibner caught a tough seam pass over the middle in traffic for a big gain. Syracuse tight end Dan Villari had a pair of touchdowns in team red zone drills.
Nate Boerkircher, TE, Texas A&M
Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher arrived in Mobile with very little passing game production under his belt. In five seasons at Nebraska and College Station, Boerkircher totaled just 38 career receptions for 417 yards and four touchdowns. In the first National Team practice, he appeared to possess some untapped potential. Boerkircher drew comparisons to Dalton Schultz. A physical blocker first and foremost, he could carve out a nice career for himself if there's more passing-down production to explore than his raw numbers indicate. Boerkircher was a National Team practice winner.
Linebackers
Owen Heinecke/LB/Oklahoma: Heinecke is not a physically impressive defender, as he measures just 6-foot-1, 224 pounds and does not look especially athletic on the field. Yet his brain moves a mile a minute, and his instincts are off the charts, something he put to good use today. Heinecke was all over the field making positive plays, especially in run defense, and tackling ball handlers in the backfield or out in space. His ability to diagnose plays before they unfold was incredible, and he would often hit the hole before ball carriers arrived. Heinecke’s measurables and athleticism will push him deep into the draft, yet his ability to play the run and line up on special teams will be attractive to teams at the next level.
Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher, was also impressive all week. Unlike Louis, Boettcher was a hard hitter around the line of scrimmage, punishing running backs and receivers that went over the middle. He forced at least one fumble and recovered another. At 6'0 and 7/8 inches and only 227 pounds with 31 and 5/8 inch arms, Boettcher plays bigger than his size. He does not play nearly as well in space as Louis, but his instincts to read and react the offensive play and quickly insert in the right area to make key spots was impressive.
* Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke had a similar impact on the National Team on Thursday. At 6'1 and 1/8 inches and 224 pounds with 30 and 3/8 arms, he was all over the field, knocking away a pass and ranging to the sideline to track down a running back. He also got into the backfield for a tackle for loss. Like Louis, he is not the biggest player and probably fits as an old school 4-3 weakside linebacker that doesn't have to take on blockers, but that position isn't used by a lot of teams in the modern NFL with nickel becoming a common base defense.
Oklahoma LB Owen Heinecke
Heinecke is the kind of football player coaches will pound the table for on Day 3 of the draft. He’s undersized at 6-foot-1 and 224 pounds, but he plays with his hair on fire at all times. He was a constant force defending the run during the team portions of Senior Bowl practices, which should have been no surprise, as he earned run-defense grades above 70.0 in each of the last three seasons, including a career-best 78.8 this past season. Add his name to an already very deep linebacker class.
Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher caught my eye on multiple occasions during the team period of practice. He was able to stop multiple runs behind the line of scrimmage by aggressively attacking downhill. He came into Mobile known for his instincts and run-stopping ability, which have remained consistent through two practices. Boettcher is viewed as a midround pick, but he stood out in a deep linebacker group.
Linebacker is considered to be one of the deepest positions in this year's draft and Thursday's practices showed exactly why. While Louis' name has repeatedly shown up in our recaps this week, Rodriguez and Bryce Boettcher (Oregon) are two others who have frequently flashed. All those prospects have helped boost themselves in what's considered to be a cluster of linebackers in Round 2-4.
Defensive End
Max Llewellyn/DE/Iowa: Llewellyn is a bit frustrating to scout. He’s an explosive athlete with a frame that measures 6-foot-5 ¼ and 255 pounds, who quickly moves around the field, showing no stiffness at all. He flashes the ability to dominate opponents who are often 60 pounds heavier than him, something he did multiple times on Friday. He explodes up the field and easily changes direction to make plays behind the line of scrimmage, which is something he also did multiple times on Friday. Yet for all his physically dominant skills, Llewellyn is more flash than steady production. He finished the 2025 season with 26 tackles and 6.5 sacks, which are pedestrian numbers. Yet scouts had to be impressed with his performance on the field Friday, and the upside is incredible.
steelersnow.com
www.draftcountdown.com
succeedinfootball.com
