The Panini Senior Bowl is set to take center stage this weekend in Birmingham, and Notre Dame will be well-represented as two of its veteran transfers look to make a final statement before the 2026 NFL Draft. Wide receiver Malachi Fields and defensive back Jalen Stroman are both suiting up with hopes of turning heads-not just during the game, but throughout a week of practices that often carry just as much weight with NFL scouts.
Let’s be clear: this is more than just an all-star exhibition. The Senior Bowl is a proving ground.
Every rep, every one-on-one drill, every snap is a chance to climb draft boards-or slip down them. And for Fields and Stroman, both of whom took unconventional paths to South Bend, this is the kind of stage that can define their professional futures.
Malachi Fields: A Reliable Target Looking to Raise His Ceiling
Fields arrived at Notre Dame after four seasons at Virginia, and while his lone year in South Bend didn’t rewrite the record books, it showed plenty of what makes him intriguing to NFL teams. In a run-heavy Irish offense, Fields still managed to haul in 36 catches for 630 yards and five touchdowns-good enough to finish just behind Jordan Faison as the team’s second-leading receiver in 2025.
What stands out about Fields is his ability to produce without being the focal point of the offense. He’s not the flashiest receiver in this draft class, but he’s dependable, physical, and has a knack for finding soft spots in coverage.
That consistency could make him a valuable mid-round pick. Right now, he’s projecting anywhere from late day two to early day three-think second to fourth round-but a strong week in Birmingham could solidify his status as a top-100 prospect.
Scouts will be watching closely to see how he handles press coverage in one-on-ones and whether he can create separation against NFL-caliber defensive backs. If he shows he can win those matchups consistently, he’ll have answered one of the biggest questions about his game.
Jalen Stroman: Versatile Defender with Something to Prove
On the other side of the ball, Jalen Stroman is walking into the Senior Bowl with a chip on his shoulder-and rightfully so. Like Fields, Stroman transferred to Notre Dame for his final collegiate season after four years at Virginia Tech. Under defensive coordinator Chris Ash, Stroman delivered his most productive year yet: 37 total tackles, 30 of them solo, to go with two pass breakups, one interception, and even a sack.
Listed as a safety, Stroman brings positional flexibility that NFL coaches love. He’s capable of playing deep, sliding into the box, or even covering the slot. That kind of versatility can be a ticket to a roster spot, especially for teams looking to bolster their secondary depth on day three of the draft.
Right now, Stroman is probably sitting on the bubble between being a late-round pick and an undrafted free agent. But the Senior Bowl is tailor-made for players like him-guys who may not have generated a ton of national buzz but have the tools to make an impact if given the right opportunity. If he can flash in coverage drills and show some range on the back end, he could easily work his way into the draft conversation.
Why This Week Matters
For both Fields and Stroman, this week is about more than just the game itself. NFL evaluators spend just as much time watching practice reps as they do game tape. They want to see how players respond to coaching, how quickly they pick up new schemes, and how they compete against top-tier talent from across the country.
It’s also a chance for players to show who they are off the field-in interviews, in meetings, in the way they carry themselves around NFL personnel. For mid-round prospects and fringe guys alike, that can be the difference between getting a call on draft day or waiting for a training camp invite.
Notre Dame’s duo may have taken different paths to get here, but they share a common goal: prove they belong at the next level. And if they can rise to the occasion in Birmingham, they’ll be one step closer to doing just that.