Senior Bowl Day 1 Takeaways: 10 Standouts Turning Heads in Mobile
MOBILE, Ala. - The 2026 NFL Draft season is officially heating up, and the Senior Bowl is where the temperature starts to rise. With more than 100 of the top draft-eligible seniors gathered in Mobile, Tuesday marked the first day of padded practices - and the first real chance for prospects to make a statement in front of scouts, coaches, and executives from across the league.
Here are 10 players who made the most of their opportunity on Day 1 at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
There was a time when TJ Parker’s name was penciled into top-10 mock drafts.
A tough 2025 campaign dimmed that early shine, but Tuesday’s practice was a reminder of why he was so highly regarded in the first place. Parker looked explosive off the edge, showing the kind of bend and burst that make offensive tackles uncomfortable in a hurry.
If he keeps stacking performances like this, he won’t be waiting long to hear his name called in April - and he might just climb out of reach for teams sitting in the back half of the first round.
Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
Every year, a small-school star crashes the party in Mobile.
This year, that guy might be Ted Hurst. The former Valdosta State transfer made the play of the day - a jaw-dropping one-handed touchdown grab on a deep ball that had scouts buzzing.
Hurst may not have the pedigree of some of the Power Five receivers, but he’s got the hands, body control, and ball-tracking skills to make an NFL offensive coordinator very happy. He’s a Day 2 name to circle.
Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
Texas Tech’s defense got a lot of love in 2025, mostly thanks to edge rushers David Bailey and Romello Height.
But Lee Hunter reminded everyone on Tuesday that he’s a force in his own right. Hunter was a nightmare for interior linemen, routinely collapsing the pocket and blowing up run plays before they could get started.
He looked unblockable at times - and that’s not hyperbole.
Zane Durant, DT, Penn State
Lined up next to Hunter at times, Zane Durant created a two-man wrecking crew that gave the National team’s offensive line fits.
Durant had a strong 2024 before a quieter 2025, but Tuesday felt like a return to form. He was shedding blocks with ease and showed off quick hands and a low center of gravity that allowed him to stay disruptive throughout the session.
Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
If you’re looking for a highlight-reel moment, Derrick Moore delivered it.
During one rep, Moore absolutely bulldozed Miami tackle Markel Bell, drawing audible reactions from the sideline. Moore’s power rush was on full display, and when he gets rolling downhill, it’s over for whoever’s in front of him.
That kind of physical dominance doesn’t go unnoticed.
Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
At 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds, Malachi Fields looks like a tight end until he starts running routes.
On Tuesday, he used that size to his full advantage, especially in short and intermediate routes where he simply overpowered defensive backs. Fields was a matchup nightmare in one-on-ones, using his frame to box out defenders and create easy throwing windows.
He’s the most physically imposing wideout in Mobile - and he’s playing like it.
Kevin Coleman, WR, Missouri
Coleman had an up-and-down 2025 season, with some quiet games and some explosive ones.
On Tuesday, we saw the explosive version. Working out of the slot, Coleman made defenders look silly with sharp cuts and quick acceleration.
He’s got the kind of twitch and route-running savvy that can carve up zone coverage and create separation in tight man situations. When he’s on, he’s a handful.
Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt
Known for his backfield production - 24 tackles for loss over the past two seasons - Kyle Louis showed a different side of his game in Mobile.
His coverage skills stood out on Tuesday, particularly when matched up against running backs in space. Louis fits the modern mold of a hybrid linebacker who can stay on the field in sub-packages and hold his own in coverage.
That versatility is going to make him a valuable chess piece for an NFL defense.
Keylan Rutledge, IOL, Georgia Tech
This year’s interior offensive line group isn’t the deepest, but Keylan Rutledge made sure his name stood out.
He brought a physical edge to the National team’s practice, finishing blocks with authority and even delivering a couple of pancakes that drew cheers from teammates. Rutledge plays with a nasty streak - the kind of tone-setter you want anchoring your line.
He’s a mauler, plain and simple.
Nadame Tucker, EDGE, Western Michigan
Tucker led the FBS in tackles for loss this past season with 21, and it didn’t take long to see why.
On Tuesday, he split a pair of blockers and knifed into the backfield for a would-be sack in team drills - the kind of explosive, instinctual play that’s become his calling card. He may come from a smaller program, but Tucker’s game is built for Sundays.
The Senior Bowl is just getting started, but these 10 prospects wasted no time making their mark. With two more days of practices and Saturday’s game still to come, there’s plenty of opportunity for others to rise - but if Day 1 was any indication, these players are already separating themselves from the pack.