FAYETTEVILLE - Two Razorbacks are heading to Mobile, and they’ve earned every bit of it.
Arkansas defensive tackle Cam Ball and running back Mike Washington have accepted invitations to the 2026 Senior Bowl, a premier pre-draft showcase where top NFL prospects get the chance to prove themselves in front of scouts, coaches, and executives from all 32 teams. The game is set for January 31 at Hancock Whitney Stadium and will be broadcast on NFL Network.
For Ball, this is the culmination of a steady, hard-nosed career spent entirely in Fayetteville. The veteran defensive lineman brought consistency and toughness to the Razorbacks' front, racking up 138 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles over 50 games.
He started 31 of those contests, showing the kind of reliability and motor that NFL teams value in the trenches. Ball isn't flashy, but he’s the kind of interior defender who does the dirty work - eating up blocks, holding the point of attack, and letting the linebackers roam free.
His invite to Mobile is a testament to years of grinding in the SEC.
Then there’s Mike Washington, who made the most of his lone season in Fayetteville after transferring from New Mexico State. Talk about impact - Washington exploded for 1,068 rushing yards on 168 carries, finding the end zone eight times on the ground.
He also added 28 receptions, chipping in a receiving score, showing off his versatility as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. His quick adjustment to SEC speed and physicality speaks volumes about his football IQ and work ethic.
For a guy who only had one year in Arkansas red, he made it count in a big way.
This marks the second straight year Arkansas will be represented by multiple players at the Senior Bowl. Last year, defensive end Landon Jackson and wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa suited up in Mobile, and now Ball and Washington will get their shot to boost their draft stock on the same stage.
The Senior Bowl isn’t just another game - it’s a critical part of the pre-draft process. Practices are often more important than the game itself, with NFL personnel watching every rep, every drill, and every interaction. For Ball and Washington, it’s an opportunity to showcase their skills against elite competition and prove they can translate their college production to the next level.
For Arkansas fans, it’s also a moment of pride. These are two players who’ve taken different paths to get here - one a multi-year SEC grinder, the other a breakout transfer - but both now stand on the doorstep of the NFL. And come late January, all eyes in the scouting world will be on them.