The final day of Senior Bowl practices wrapped up Thursday in Mobile, and for NFL hopefuls, it was the last real chance to make a statement before the game itself. Day three always carries weight-by now, coaches and scouts have seen who can handle the grind, who can adjust, and who rises when the spotlight is brightest. A few players took that challenge personally and delivered their strongest outings yet.
Let’s take a closer look at five prospects who made the most of their final audition and should absolutely be on the radar for teams like the New Orleans Saints heading into draft season.
Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati - Route Running Clinic
The wide receiver group at this year’s Senior Bowl has been deep, and yet, Cincinnati’s Cyrus Allen managed to carve out his own spotlight on Thursday. After two solid but unspectacular days, Allen turned up the volume with a dominant showing in one-on-ones. His route running was surgical-crisp breaks, deceptive pacing, and a knack for creating separation regardless of who lined up across from him.
What stood out was the consistency. Allen didn’t just flash once or twice-he strung together rep after rep of clean wins.
He may not be a household name yet, but Thursday's performance likely sent scouts back to the tape. He’s the kind of receiver who can sneak up on a draft board and suddenly find himself in early Day 3 (or even late Day 2) conversations.
Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina - Lockdown Mode Activated
North Carolina’s 2025 season didn’t go as planned, but cornerback Thaddeus Dixon is doing his best to flip the narrative. After a quiet start to the week, Dixon came alive on day three, showcasing the kind of sticky coverage that defensive coordinators dream about. He was physical at the line, fluid in transition, and capped off his day with an interception that had scouts buzzing.
Dixon’s performance wasn’t just about the pick-it was about how consistently he blanketed receivers. He played with confidence and discipline, two traits that often separate late-round fliers from long-term contributors. If he wasn’t on teams’ radar before, he is now.
Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt - Versatility on Full Display
At 5'11", 224 pounds, Kyle Louis doesn’t fit the mold of a traditional linebacker. But in today’s NFL, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
On Thursday, Louis showed why his hybrid skill set could be a major asset. He played fast, instinctive football, thriving in coverage and reading plays with the kind of anticipation you can’t teach.
What makes Louis intriguing is his ability to function like a box safety while still bringing linebacker toughness. He was constantly around the ball, disrupting passing lanes and making life difficult for tight ends and running backs. He may be scheme-dependent at the next level, but for the right team, he could be a steal.
Caleb Banks, DT, Florida - Size, Power, and a Whole Lot of Upside
At 6’6” and 330 pounds, Florida’s Caleb Banks already looks like an NFL lineman. But on Thursday, he played like one too.
After two relatively quiet practices, Banks erupted with a dominant performance. He combined raw power with surprising quickness, routinely collapsing the pocket and winning with violent hands and a refined pass-rush plan.
Banks wasn’t just overpowering blockers-he was outsmarting them. His ability to string together moves and adjust mid-rush was impressive for a player of his size.
He came into the week with first-round potential, and Thursday’s showing only solidified his standing. He’s now firmly in the mix to be one of the top interior defensive linemen off the board.
Bud Clark, S, TCU - The Ball Hawk Strikes Again
Bud Clark didn’t just have a good day-he had the kind of day that gets front offices talking. The TCU safety has been steady all week, but Thursday was his exclamation point.
Known for his ball-hawking instincts (15 career interceptions), Clark was everywhere. Quarterbacks learned quickly that testing him was a bad idea-he got his hands on everything.
What separates Clark isn’t just his ability to create turnovers-it’s how he positions himself to make plays. He reads quarterbacks like a seasoned vet and closes with authority.
His range, instincts, and production all scream “impact player.” Of all the prospects in Mobile, few boosted their stock more over the course of the week than Clark.
Final Thoughts
Day three of the Senior Bowl is often where the cream rises to the top, and this year was no exception. Whether it was Allen’s precision, Dixon’s lockdown coverage, Louis’ versatility, Banks’ dominance, or Clark’s playmaking, these five prospects made the most of their final reps in front of NFL evaluators. For a team like the Saints, who could use help at multiple levels, each of these names is worth a long look as draft season heats up.