Senior Bowl 2026 Recap: Who Stood Out?

The 2026 Senior Bowl is in the books. Plenty of players made their mark in Mobile over the three days of practice. Offensive players showed out with big plays and consistency, as did defensive players all over the field.

Who are some of these players to know, though? Who took steps to stand above the rest of their peers? Let us find out! It is time to dive into some Senior Bowl standouts.

2026 Senior Bowl Standouts

Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois

Luke Altmyer was consistent during a week when that was very hard to find at the quarterback position. Altmyer’s footwork was smooth, his mechanics were easy and repeatable, and he knew exactly what he was looking at. More than that, he was accurate and decisive with his throws, displaying some nice touch and accuracy on multiple occasions.

Altmyer attacked the middle of the field well and operated in the red zone. He was not uncomfortable and had the ability to place throws exactly where he needed them. 

Draft Outlook

Altmyer is not a quarterback with a sky-high ceiling, or really even a starter’s ceiling right now. Yet, in a league desperate for floor players at the quarterback position, the Illinois product showed that he can bring that to the table at the NFL level. He is a player a team should likely be comfortable with in the middle rounds.

Jaydn Ott, RB, Oklahoma

Ott looked dynamic as a pass-catcher, using his skill to win on routes consistently. He was fluid, explosive, and showed impressive body control as a route runner.

As a ball carrier, Ott showed strength and explosiveness. He was a force during practices and carried it over into looking like the best player at his position during the game. The running back lowered his shoulder into defenders and displayed the vision that helped him become a star at Cal.

Most impressively, Ott shone as a blocker. The running back did not wait for contact, but rather delivered it to defenders, stopping them in their tracks to have great reps. 

Draft Outlook

Figuring out the reality of Ott’s problems at Oklahoma and Cal will likely be a huge factor in how NFL teams grade the running back in this year’s class. Additionally, his health will likely be scrutinized at a position that absorbs so much contact. But if he can do what he did at the 2026 Senior Bowl consistently, Ott could be one of the steals of the class.

Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame

Thanks to his performance in the 2026 Senior Bowl, Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields is a player who should see his draft stock rise.

Possessing a big frame, Fields won with smooth route running and quickness over the course of the week. He displayed his ability to get vertical with speed, snapped routes off at the right time, and showed the ability to play through contact. Fields not only had arguably the catch of the week, but was one of the most consistent players from Day 1 through the game.

When it comes to bigger wideouts, you want to see them not just rely on contested catches and overpowering defenders. Fields, despite some mistakes, showed that he can win in a variety of ways through his overall body of work i Mobile. 

Draft Outlook

Fields would be a great option in round two or three. He fits that prototypical “X” receiver mold, having the overall skillset to work alongside shifty wideouts or simply be a key piece in an NFL offense. Fields does have some room to grow, but he is the type of player worth adding at the next level.

Joshua Cuevas, TE, Alabama

In a solid tight end group, Joshua Cuevas stood out at the 2026 Senior Bowl.

As a blocker, the effort and grit Cuevas brought to the table was fantastic. The tight end was physical and had multiple solid reps, with his best coming in the run game. Cuevas truly shone as a pass catcher, though.

The Alabama product was efficient with his routes, creating separation despite being hit by players on his routes. He also played through contact at the catch point well, including an extremely impressive touchdown on a pass from LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.

Draft Outlook

Cuevas has shown that he can produce in a wide variety of ways at the tight end position. From standing out as a blocker to having one of his best receiving seasons in 2025, the Alabama product has the potential to contribute at the next level.

It may take him a bit of an adjustment period, but Cuevas is the type of player who could have a solid role in the NFL for years to come.

James Brockermeyer, IOL, Miami

Coming off of playing in the National Championship game, James Brockermeyer did not miss a beat at the Senior Bowl. The center for “The U” was stout in 1-on-1s all week, showcasing great footwork and technique against a wide variety of defensive linemen.

Utilizing that technique, Brockermeyer also showed powerful hands and grip strength. When the Miami offensive lineman got his hands on a player, it was all but over for them. This performance also translated over to the game, and 11-on-11 reps. Brockermeyer not only held his own but was rarely beaten and stood out as one of the more consistent players along the unit.

Draft Outlook

The center position is a sneaky strength for this class, and Brockermeyer is among one of the better players at the position. He will likely not be an early-round pick, but in the mid-rounds of the draft, the Miami product is a solid option that should provide a nice floor for a team.

T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

T.J. Parker, showed out at the 2026 Senior Bowl. The edge rusher displayed the skill and ability that caused him to have so much hype entering the 2025 season.

Parker was a force as a pass rusher. Using impressive power and burst to keep tackles guessing, Parker won rep after rep after rep. He not only found ways to rip past offensive linemen, but also go straight through their chest with power. As a run defender, Parker displayed an impressive anchor and constantly darted into the backfield to make plays. Just as he did as a pass rusher, Parker used his strength and powerful hands to make big things happen on a play-by-play basis. 

Draft Outlook

Parker possesses nice upside as a pass rusher, as he showed primarily in 2024 for the Clemson Tigers. Parker also brings a high floor as a run defender, which he has shown every season of his career. At the very worst, he should stick in a rotation, but there’s also a chance Parker can be a great NFL player. 

Gracen Halton, DL, Oklahoma

Throughout the week, Gracen Halton shone as a pass rusher and run defender. Halton showed the power on countless run defense reps throughout the week, using his hands to found ways to rip past offensive linemen. The real show for Halton was as a pass rusher, though.

In addition to power, Halton won with speed, burst, and a wide array of pass rush moves, including a spin. The offensive line struggled with him all week, and even with adjustments, Halton continued to wreck shop.

Draft Outlook

This is a player who can play a role on Day 1. If Halton lands in a spot where he can cut loose and roll in the trenches, the impressive burst and pass-rushing arsenal should be on display pretty early on in the defensive tackle’s career.

Ephesians Prysock, DB, Washington

Standing out as a defensive back can be tough at all-star games, but Washington’s Ephesians Prysock did just that at the 2026 Senior Bowl.

Playing nickel in Mobile after a college career in which he frequently played outside corner, Prysock showcased great movement against a wide variety of receivers. He flipped his hips well and stayed connected down the field consistently. Prysock not only prevented receivers from making plays on the ball, but he also closed off quarterbacks from challenging him down the field. The Washington product was not perfect, but he repeatedly put great play on display.

Draft Outlook

Prysock is not only a plus in coverage, but also in the run game. Throughout his career, the defensive back consistently displayed physicality in the run game year after year. Heading to the next level, Prysock should provide a nice floor for a secondary in the NFL. 

Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt

As a run defender, Kyle Louis was a missile downhill. The Pitt linebacker understood the run concepts, darted past blockers, and blew up plays consistently. If contact was fully live, Louis would have had some big hits, too.

As a pass defender, Louis was a menace. Even among defensive backs, he made the most big plays of any player at the event. The instincts, speed, and overall athleticism were incredible. Combined with the linebacker’s football IQ, which stood out in a big way, it felt like Louis was always a step ahead of his opposition. It truly was an amazing week for the linebacker. 

Draft Outlook

He is a bit undersized, but make no mistake, Louis is going to make plays at the NFL level. He is someone who would immediately elevate the playmaking ability of any defense he joins, no matter what position he plays. Louis is a winner regardless of the position.

Caleb Banks, DL, Florida

Caleb Banks had himself a great week at the 2026 Senior Bowl. Finally looking healthy, the former Gator was a force in 1-on-1 drills, tossing offensive linemen aside like it was nothing to him.

Banks dominated as a run defender, making plays in the backfield after using his strength to stymie blockers. As a pass rusher, Banks translated his strength into wins by attacking downhill and aggressively. Banks used his full array of moves to keep offensive linemen on the backfoot and win multiple reps. 

Draft Outlook

Between his injury history and some inconsistencies on film, Banks may not be a “slam dunk” for all teams. But make no mistake, he will be a contributor at the professional level.