NFL Scouts Praise Rising Stars After Senior Bowl Shakes Up Draft Boards

A standout group of overlooked and emerging prospects used Senior Bowl week to make their mark-and catch the attention of NFL scouts.

Every year, the Senior Bowl serves as a proving ground for NFL draft hopefuls looking to separate themselves from the pack. It’s a week where pads pop, scouts take notes, and players can make real money by climbing draft boards with strong performances against top-tier competition. And this year in Mobile, a number of prospects did exactly that - turning heads in practice and interviews, and in some cases, rewriting their draft narratives entirely.

Based on conversations with multiple NFL scouts and front office personnel, here are 20 players who helped their draft stock during Senior Bowl week. They’re listed alphabetically, and where applicable, we’ve included their CBS Sports prospect rankings (up to No. 150).


Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati
CBS Sports Ranking: N/A

Allen didn’t just flash on the field - he impressed in the meeting rooms, too. Scouts noted his poise and polish during interviews, which often matter just as much as on-field reps during this week.

He came in under the radar but left with some buzz.


Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
**CBS Sports Ranking: No.

31**
Banks reminded everyone why he’s one of the more intriguing defensive linemen in this class.

His combination of size, athleticism, and raw power overwhelmed offensive linemen throughout the week. And the fact that he’s coming off an injury makes his dominant showing even more impressive.

He wasn’t winning with finesse - he was simply too much to handle physically. That’s the kind of profile NFL teams covet.


Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana
Black’s reps were limited as he split time with Roman Hemby, but he made the most of them.

He’s a tough, scrappy back who consistently finds ways to maximize his skill set. He may not be a high pick, but he’s the kind of player who sticks on a roster because he refuses to be outworked.


Bud Clark, S, TCU
CBS Sports Ranking: N/A

Clark stood out with his ball skills and ability to hold up in man coverage - two traits that are increasingly valuable in today’s pass-heavy NFL. His instincts and range showed up consistently in drills.


Jalen Farmer, OG, Kentucky
CBS Sports Ranking: N/A

Farmer showcased serious raw strength and the kind of anchor ability that offensive line coaches love. He even flashed some versatility, showing he might be able to kick out to right tackle if needed.

That kind of flexibility can be a draft-day tiebreaker.


Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
CBS Sports Ranking: N/A

Fields made at least one highlight-reel catch each day, earning praise for his hands and body control. He’s the type of receiver who can make the tough grabs look routine - and that’s going to get him noticed.


Gracen Halton, DL, Oklahoma
CBS Sports Ranking: N/A

Halton’s quickness was on full display in one-on-one pass rush drills. His spin move and interior burst stood out, giving offensive linemen fits.

He’s not just a space-eater - he’s a disruptor.


Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
**CBS Sports Ranking: No.

56**
Hood’s competitiveness and movement skills popped all week.

He played with confidence and had a productive week in coverage. Just as importantly, he handled himself well in interviews, which only helped solidify his rising stock.


Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech
**CBS Sports Ranking: No.

36**
Hunter is a big-bodied nose tackle who’s surprisingly nimble for his size.

He consistently held his ground and showed he can move better than you'd expect from a man his size. That blend of power and agility is rare - and valuable.


Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
**CBS Sports Ranking: No.

19**
At 6'6" with long arms, Iheanachor has the kind of frame that scouts drool over.

He showed he can extend the pocket and anchor against power rushers. His performance throughout the week confirmed what many already suspected: he’s a high-upside tackle with Day 1 potential.


Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
**CBS Sports Ranking: No.

103**
Jacas brought the physicality.

He was consistently winning with strength, putting offensive linemen on the ground more than once. Whether it was setting the edge or rushing the passer, he showed the kind of power that translates on Sundays.


Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
**CBS Sports Ranking: No.

107**
Louis showed off his athleticism and versatility, getting his hands on the football and making plays in space.

He’s the kind of modern linebacker who can cover, hit, and play sideline to sideline.


Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll
CBS Sports Ranking: N/A

Montgomery came into the week as a relative unknown, but he’s leaving Mobile with scouts digging deeper into his tape. He made plays throughout the week and proved that the jump in competition wasn’t too big for him.

He’s a name to watch moving forward.


Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
**CBS Sports Ranking: No.

150**
This year’s quarterback group wasn’t the strongest, but Nussmeier stood out as the best of the bunch.

While he’s not in the Day 1 conversation, there’s a real chance he hears his name called on Day 2. He looked healthier than he did during the season, and that version of Nussmeier was significantly sharper.

The gap between his 2024 and 2025 tape is noticeable - and Mobile helped tip the scales in his favor.


TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Parker brought the energy.

His motor never stopped, and he approached the week like a job interview - which, in many ways, it is. His physicality and effort level were exactly what teams want to see from a young edge rusher trying to make his mark.


Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
**CBS Sports Ranking: No.

125**
Rodriguez didn’t need to do anything flashy - he just kept making plays.

He’s a steady, instinctive linebacker who always seems to be around the football. That kind of consistency is hard to ignore.


Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech
**CBS Sports Ranking: No.

66**
Rutledge showed a high motor and held his own in pass protection throughout the week.

He’s a tough, technically sound interior lineman who could carve out a long NFL career.


Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
Slaughter impressed with his instincts and polish. He’s a strong, savvy center who understands leverage and angles - the kind of cerebral lineman who can be a tone-setter in the middle of a line.


Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
Washington brings that classic height-weight-speed combo and showed he can hit the home run. His tape already hinted at that, and he backed it up with a strong showing in Mobile.


Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
Young is a big, long 4-3 defensive end with the strength to set the edge. His size and physicality stood out, and he looked comfortable in his role throughout the week.


Bottom Line:
The Senior Bowl once again proved to be a crucial showcase for draft prospects looking to boost their stock.

Whether it was a small-school receiver making a name for himself or a top-50 talent confirming his status, these 20 players made the most of their opportunity in Mobile. NFL teams took notice - and come April, we’ll likely see the impact of this week reflected on draft boards across the league.