Caullin Lacy might not have had the career-defining stint at Louisville that many hoped for, but if this week in Mobile is any indication, he's reminding scouts exactly why he was such a coveted transfer back in 2024. The former Cardinal wideout is flashing serious potential at the Senior Bowl, putting his elite speed and short-area quickness on full display - and making a strong case to hear his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Lacy is Louisville’s lone representative at this year’s Senior Bowl, becoming the 41st player in program history to earn an invite - and the seventh since Jeff Brohm took over in 2023. And while the game itself kicks off Saturday afternoon at Hancock Whitney Stadium, Lacy is already making noise during the lead-up practices.
At 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, Lacy isn’t the most physically imposing receiver on the field, but he’s been one of the most dynamic. In one-on-one drills, he’s been consistently winning his matchups with smooth, sudden route-running that translates especially well in red zone situations. One standout rep saw him shake an Iowa defensive back with a nasty whip route that left him wide open - the kind of move that makes evaluators take notice.
This is the version of Caullin Lacy that Louisville fans were excited about when he transferred in from South Alabama. While his time with the Cardinals didn’t quite match the production he put up in the Sun Belt, that had more to do with injuries and inconsistent quarterback play than any drop-off in talent. Lacy missed most of the 2024 season after getting hurt early, and in 2025, he played second fiddle to Chris Bell in a passing game that never fully found its rhythm.
Still, Lacy made an impact. He hauled in 60 catches for 635 yards and two touchdowns last season, but perhaps more impressively, he finished third in the nation in punt return average (20.0 yards per return) and was one of just five players in the country to return multiple punts for touchdowns. That kind of versatility - as both a receiver and a return specialist - gives him added value heading into the draft process.
His résumé at South Alabama was even more eye-popping. Over four seasons with the Jaguars, Lacy racked up 208 receptions for 2,518 yards and 13 touchdowns. His final two seasons there were particularly strong: in 2022, he posted 65 catches for 813 yards and six scores, and in 2023, he exploded with 91 receptions (eighth in the nation) for 1,316 yards (seventh nationally) and a career-high seven touchdowns.
That production didn’t fully carry over to his time at Louisville, but the talent never went anywhere - and now, under the bright lights of the Senior Bowl, he’s proving it. The quickness, the shiftiness, the ability to separate - it’s all there. And with NFL teams always on the lookout for players who can contribute in multiple phases of the game, Lacy’s stock is trending in the right direction.
Saturday’s game will be another chance for him to showcase what he can do, but even before kickoff, Caullin Lacy is already making his mark in Mobile.