As Senior Bowl week rolls into its grand finale in Mobile, Alabama, a pair of homegrown talents are soaking in every moment-and bringing their own cheering sections along for the ride.
Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter, a former Blount High School standout, has drawn plenty of eyes from NFL scouts during practices this week. And when the 77th annual Panini Senior Bowl kicks off Saturday afternoon, he won’t just be playing for draft stock-he’ll be playing for his city.
“I got like 30 to 40 people coming out to see me,” Hunter said. “The city of Mobile loves me, and I enjoy putting on for my hometown and just doing what I love to do best.”
Hunter’s path to this moment has been anything but linear, and in many ways, it reflects the evolving landscape of college football. After a standout high school career that earned him the 2020 Class 6A Lineman of the Year award, Hunter started his college journey at Auburn.
He spent one season on The Plains before transferring to UCF, where he played three years. He wrapped up his college career with Texas Tech in 2025, showcasing the kind of power and burst that’s now catching NFL attention.
He’s not the only Alabama native getting a hero’s welcome this week.
Quintayvious Hutchins, a defensive end from Boston College and former Bessemer City High School star, is also relishing the chance to play in front of familiar faces.
“It felt good to be back in the home state, playing in front of the fans,” Hutchins said. “It just gives me the courage to play fast and free.”
Hutchins is expecting a crowd of 31 supporters-25 family members, plus some friends and “homeboys,” as he put it. And like Hunter, he’s one of 17 players with ties to Alabama high schools or colleges participating in this year’s Senior Bowl.
But while Hutchins took the traditional route, spending all five of his college seasons at Boston College, most of the Alabama-connected players in Mobile this week took a more winding road. In fact, 12 of the 17 played for more than one college program on their way to the Senior Bowl.
That list includes:
- Aaron Anderson, now an LSU wide receiver, who started at Alabama in 2022.
- James Brockermeyer, an offensive lineman for Miami (Fla.), who played three seasons at Alabama (2021-2023) before transferring to TCU in 2024.
- Keyron Crawford, now at Auburn, began his college career at Arkansas State in 2022 and 2023.
- Josh Cuevas, a tight end for Alabama, played at Cal Poly (2021-2022) and Washington (2023).
- Fred Davis II, a cornerback at Northwestern, had stops at Clemson (2020-2022), UCF (2023), and Jacksonville State (2024).
- Romello Height, an outside linebacker at Texas Tech, previously suited up for Auburn (2020-2021), Southern Cal (2022-2023), and Georgia Tech (2024).
- Colton Hood, Tennessee’s quarterback, played at Auburn in 2023 before transferring to Colorado in 2024.
- Caullin Lacy, a wide receiver at Louisville and former Faith Academy standout, played at South Alabama from 2020 through 2023.
- Jeffrey M’ba, a defensive tackle now at SMU, had stints at Auburn (2022) and Purdue (2023-2024).
- LT Overton, a defensive tackle for Alabama, began his career at Texas A&M (2022-2023).
- Scooby Williams, a linebacker at Texas A&M and Ramsay High School alum, played at Florida from 2021 through 2023.
That kind of movement has become more common in today’s transfer portal era, where players are increasingly looking for the right fit-whether that’s for playing time, scheme, or opportunity.
Still, a few players stayed the course with one program throughout their college careers. That includes:
- Tim Keenan III, a defensive tackle at Alabama and Ramsay High School product.
- T.J. Parker, a defensive end at Clemson who starred at Central High School in Phenix City.
For all 17, Saturday’s game is more than just a showcase-it’s a culmination. Years of work, countless hours in the weight room, film sessions, and early morning practices have led to this moment. And for players like Hunter and Hutchins, it’s also a chance to put on for the hometown crowd one more time.
Kickoff for the Panini Senior Bowl is set for 1:30 p.m. CST Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile. The game will be televised on NFL Network, giving fans-and NFL front offices-a close look at some of the most intriguing prospects in the 2026 draft class.
And if the energy from the local fan sections is any indication, a few of these Alabama products are ready to make a statement.