Per week of Senior Bowl motion wrapped on Saturday with the American and Nationwide groups going through off in a 17-9 American win.
Listed below are 4 takeaways from the primary leg of the 2026 NFL Draft season.
Garrett Nussmeier shakes off disappointing 2025 season
It wasn’t a clinic, however the former LSU quarterback did what was wanted to emerge as one of the best quarterback of the Senior Bowl, incomes sport MVP honors by going 5-of-8 for 57 yards and an interception, though he scored a dashing landing and led one other drive into the top zone. His interception additionally wasn’t totally his fault, with tight finish John Michael Gyllenborg permitting the ball to undergo his palms.
The general performances of quarterbacks left loads to be desired, with nobody else main a landing drive till North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton, the Nationwide staff’s participant of the sport, on the second-to-last possession of the sport. We’re undecided how a lot Nussmeier (6-foot-1, 202 kilos) raised his inventory, however of the quarterbacks in Cellular, he made one of the best argument for being the primary off the board.
The rise of Nadame Tucker
Earlier than transferring to Western Michigan, Tucker, enjoying for the Nationwide staff, might hardly get any enjoying time at Houston. However following a large 2025 season and week on the Senior Bowl, the reigning MAC Defensive Participant of the 12 months is perhaps not possible to take off the sphere.
Tucker was excellent within the defensive battle, ending the loss with two sacks and a compelled fumble. It was a serious assertion towards his NFL Draft friends.
American operating backs may very well be late-round steals
Contemporary off successful a nationwide championship, former Indiana Hoosiers operating again Kaelon Black led the American squad in dashing, gaining 45 yards on eight carries (5.6 yards per carry). He added two receptions out of the backfield, displaying good palms after not having many alternatives within the move sport at Indiana.
The most important revelation, nonetheless, was former Oklahoma Sooners again Jaydn Ott. He had eight carries for 42 yards, 26 fewer than he had all season in 2025. He as soon as seemed like a future school soccer phenom at Cal, the place he rushed for 1,315 yards as a sophomore, however accidents stalled his development. Saturday confirmed he is again on monitor.
Arizona State offensive deal with Max Iheanachor performs himself into Day 1 dialog
Iheanachor (6-foot-5, 325 kilos) was a mauler Saturday, controlling the road of scrimmage with quite a few performs that jumped off the display screen. He stonewalled defenders in pass-blocking conditions whereas driving them out of the play on run snaps. He even received out in area on Ott’s five-yard landing run. It was a dominant sport for Iheanachor, who seemed like a future first-rounder.Â
