Senior Bowl Standouts: Kyle Louis Shines, Quarterbacks Flash Potential, and Playmakers Emerge in Mobile
MOBILE, Ala. - The pads are off, the scouts are packing up, and the final whistles have blown on practice week at the 2026 Senior Bowl. While Saturday’s game will offer one last look at this year’s crop of NFL hopefuls, for most evaluators, the real work is already done. The practices - especially the one-on-ones and team periods - are where reputations are made, and this week in Mobile, a few prospects made sure their names will be remembered when draft boards start to solidify.
Let’s start with the player who might’ve made the loudest statement of all: Pitt linebacker Kyle Louis.
Kyle Louis: The Week’s Breakout Star
Every year, someone shows up to the Senior Bowl and flat-out dominates. This time, it was Louis.
The Pitt linebacker was everywhere on Thursday, capping off a week where he looked like a man on a mission. His three interceptions across the week weren’t just lucky bounces - they were the product of elite instincts, smooth coverage skills, and a nose for the football that had scouts buzzing.
Louis didn’t just flash in coverage, either. He held his own against the run, showing the kind of physicality and gap discipline that keeps you on the field all three downs.
Coming into the week, he was viewed as a late Day 3 guy. Coming out of it?
His stock is soaring. Don’t be surprised if he’s one of the biggest risers in the post-Senior Bowl draft chatter.
Quarterback Watch: Nussmeier Steady, Robertson Intriguing
In a quarterback class that’s still trying to find its identity beyond the top-tier names, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier stood out for one simple reason: consistency. He didn’t wow with jaw-dropping throws every rep, but he delivered the ball on time, made good decisions, and looked like a guy who could run an NFL offense.
On the flip side, Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson was more of a rollercoaster - but one with some serious upside. About 20% of his dropbacks ended in passes that weren’t close to catchable, but when he was on, he was on.
He can rip it to any level of the field and showed off mobility that surprised a few folks. He’s not a finished product by any means, but in a group lacking clear high-ceiling options, Robertson’s flashes were hard to ignore.
Bud Clark: Ballhawk with Bite
TCU safety Bud Clark came into the week with a reputation as a box safety who could hit. He’s leaving Mobile with a few more feathers in his cap - particularly in coverage. Clark capped off his week with a leaping interception to end a team period on Thursday, and it wasn’t his only splash play.
He consistently found himself around the ball, breaking up passes and blanketing receivers. The physicality was already part of his game, but now scouts have seen what he can do in space. That versatility could make him a valuable chess piece at the next level.
Wide Receivers Who Made Noise
It wasn’t just the defenders who impressed. A trio of wideouts made strong cases for themselves this week, each bringing a different flavor to the position.
- Cincinnati’s Cyrus Allen was a problem for defensive backs all week. Despite measuring in at just over 5-foot-11, he made a number of contested catches and showed the kind of suddenness off the line that separates good receivers from great ones.
- Georgia State’s Ted Hurst turned heads with his combination of size, strong hands, and burst. He consistently created separation and looked smooth in and out of breaks.
- LSU’s Chris Hilton, a late addition to the roster, wasted no time making his presence felt. He was dynamic in red zone drills and showed off the kind of footwork and route nuance that’ll play on Sundays.
Thaddeus Dixon: Sticky in Coverage
North Carolina cornerback Thaddeus Dixon had himself a quietly strong week, punctuated by a diving interception on Thursday. He was consistently solid in coverage, rarely giving up big plays and showing the kind of discipline that defensive coordinators love. His pick in a two-minute drill to close out a session was a clutch moment that won’t go unnoticed.
Caullin Lacy: A Surprise Spark
Louisville running back Caullin Lacy may not have been on many shortlists heading into the week, but he made sure to change that. His route running was electric - crisp, sudden, and deceptive.
He made linebackers look silly in space and gave quarterbacks a reliable target out of the backfield. In a league that values versatility and pass-catching backs more than ever, Lacy’s skill set is tailor-made for the modern game.
The Senior Bowl practices are where NFL dreams start to crystallize, and this week in Mobile gave us a clearer picture of who’s ready to take that next step. While the game on Saturday will offer one final showcase, for many of these prospects - especially the ones who made the most of their reps - the real statement was made long before kickoff.