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 the most effective quarterback of the Senior Bowl, incomes recreation MVP honors by going 5-of-8 for 57 yards and an interception, though he scored a speeding landing and led one other drive into the tip zone. His interception additionally wasn’t fully his fault, with tight finish John Michael Gyllenborg permitting the ball to undergo his arms.
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 Cell, he made the most effective 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, may 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 likely to be unattainable to take off the sector.
Tucker was excellent within the defensive battle, ending the loss with two sacks and a compelled fumble. It was a significant assertion towards his NFL Draft friends.
American working backs could possibly be late-round steals
Contemporary off profitable a nationwide championship, former Indiana Hoosiers working again Kaelon Black led the American squad in speeding, gaining 45 yards on eight carries (5.6 yards per carry). He added two receptions out of the backfield, exhibiting good arms after not having many alternatives within the move recreation at Indiana.
The largest 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 faculty 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 observe.
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. He stonewalled defenders in pass-blocking conditions whereas driving them out of the play on run snaps. He even obtained out in house on Ott’s five-yard landing run. It was a dominant recreation for Iheanachor, who seemed like a future first-rounder.
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