As the 2026 NFL Draft cycle heats up, the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama is once again shaping up to be one of the premier stages for draft hopefuls to make their case in front of NFL decision-makers. And this year, Penn State will be well-represented.
Running back Kaytron Allen is the latest Nittany Lion to accept an invitation to the prestigious postseason showcase, joining a growing list of Penn State standouts heading to Mobile. The announcement, confirmed via the Senior Bowl’s social media, adds another layer of intrigue to what’s already a strong class of Penn State prospects.
Allen’s inclusion is no surprise. The senior back capped off a stellar season by earning All-Big Ten first-team honors from both the media and coaches.
His production was nothing short of elite: 210 carries, 1,303 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns, and an eye-popping 6.2 yards per carry over 12 games (nine starts). He didn’t just put up numbers-he made history, finishing the regular season as Penn State’s all-time leading rusher with 4,180 career yards.
That kind of résumé gets attention, and now Allen will have a national platform to show NFL scouts that his game translates to the next level.
Allen won’t be alone in Mobile. Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton and defensive tackle Zane Durant have also officially accepted Senior Bowl invites. Safety Zakee Wheatley is listed as a participant on the event’s website, though a formal announcement hasn’t hit social media yet.
All four players were key contributors to Penn State’s 2025 campaign, and each will have a chance to raise their draft stock during the week of practices and the game itself, which kicks off at 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 31 at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of South Alabama. The week leading up to the game is arguably more important than the game itself, with NFL general managers, head coaches, scouts, and media descending on Mobile to evaluate players in a pro-style setting.
The Senior Bowl has long been a proving ground for top seniors, but in 2024, the NFL opened the door for draft-eligible juniors to participate as well. That rule change allowed cornerback Kalen King to take part last year, despite leaving Penn State with one year of eligibility remaining.
He was joined by Johnny Dixon, Adisa Isaac, and Theo Johnson in a strong 2024 group of Nittany Lions in Mobile. In contrast, no Penn State players participated the year before, as the team was busy making a deep run in the College Football Playoff.
As for this year’s group, Durant and Wheatley have already announced they won’t play in the upcoming Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson on Dec. 27.
Allen and Dennis-Sutton have yet to make their decisions public. With the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine looming, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more opt-outs in the coming days, especially with draft stock on the line.
Dennis-Sutton, a disruptive force off the edge, earned All-Big Ten third-team honors after a season that showcased his versatility and motor. He finished with 38 total tackles (24 solo), 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and added three forced fumbles, three pass breakups, and three blocked punts-yes, three. That kind of all-around production is exactly what NFL teams are looking for in a modern edge defender.
Durant, meanwhile, was a steady presence on the interior. He posted 25 tackles (14 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and even notched an interception-an impressive feat for a defensive tackle.
He also recorded three pass breakups, showing his ability to disrupt passing lanes from the inside. He earned All-Big Ten honorable mention and announced his bowl game opt-out on Dec.
Wheatley, a redshirt senior in his fifth year with the program, was one of the team’s most consistent defenders. He racked up 74 tackles (51 solo), two tackles for loss, one interception, one fumble recovery, and two pass breakups across 12 games.
He received All-Big Ten honorable mention and opted out of the bowl game on Dec. 10.
Allen, Dennis-Sutton, and Durant are all true seniors in their fourth year at Penn State, while Wheatley used his redshirt to extend his college career to five seasons. All four bring experience, production, and leadership-traits that will be on full display in Mobile.
Looking ahead, the 2026 NFL Combine is set for Feb. 23 through March 2 in Indianapolis, with the draft itself scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. In the meantime, the Senior Bowl offers these players a crucial opportunity to separate themselves from the pack.
Other postseason all-star games on the calendar include the Hula Bowl (Jan. 10), the Dream Bowl (Jan. 11), and the East-West Shrine Bowl (Jan. 27). But for many NFL evaluators, the Senior Bowl remains the gold standard.
Penn State’s presence in Mobile is already strong-and it may not be done growing. Expect more names to emerge as the pre-draft process unfolds.