Senior Bowl Standouts: Defensive Playmakers Shine, WRs Make Their Case, and Nussmeier Shows Poise
MOBILE, Ala. - Practice week at the Senior Bowl is always a proving ground, and while a few top prospects opted out this year, there was still plenty to see in Mobile. Wednesday’s sessions for both the American and National teams gave us a clearer picture of who’s rising - and who’s still got something to prove.
Let’s start with the quarterbacks - because, well, that’s where most draft conversations tend to begin. This year’s group in Mobile isn’t exactly loaded with first-round buzz, and frankly, it showed. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier is the headliner among the passers here, currently projected as a second-round pick, while the rest of the QB crop looks more like Day 3 material.
Now, Nussmeier didn’t light up the field with jaw-dropping throws or eye-popping velocity. He’s still working his way back from an injury that hampered his final season at LSU, and he admitted before practice that he’s not quite 100%. But what stood out wasn’t his arm - it was his head.
The son of Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, Garrett looked every bit the coach’s kid. When things broke down around him - and that happened more than a few times - he stayed composed.
While other quarterbacks forced throws under pressure or panicked when their first read wasn’t there, Nussmeier played within himself. The only turnover he was involved in came after the ball reached his receiver, who then had it stripped by defenders.
That kind of decision-making doesn’t always wow in practice settings, but it matters - especially in the eyes of NFL scouts looking for poise under pressure. His full evaluation will have to wait until he’s 100%, likely at the NFL Combine, but Wednesday was a solid showing in terms of football IQ and situational awareness.
Defense Dominates the Day
If the quarterbacks were trying to find rhythm, the defenses had no problem setting the tone. Across both practices, defensive players were flying around, creating turnovers, stuffing run plays, and generally making life miserable for the offenses.
Oregon linebacker Bruce Boettcher made a statement with a textbook forced fumble during a team run period, lowering his helmet right on the ball to jar it loose. It was the kind of physical, heads-up play that shows up on film and in draft meetings.
Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez followed that up with a diving interception that ended a team period - and he let everyone know about it with a celebration that matched the moment. That kind of energy is infectious, and it’s the kind of play that sticks in a scout’s mind.
Oregon State safety Skyler Thomas added his name to the turnover party with a leaping interception, showing off his range and ball skills in a way that could boost his stock among teams looking for a playmaking safety.
Up front, the big men weren’t to be outdone. Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant and Missouri’s Chris McClellan both showcased their ability to control the line of scrimmage, blowing up run plays and collapsing gaps. Durant, in particular, had a few reps where he simply overwhelmed his blocker and made the backfield his home.
And don’t overlook Pitt linebacker Kyle Louis. There have been questions about whether he has the size to stick at linebacker, but he answered some of those with a sharp, downhill run stop that showed he’s got the instincts and quickness to make plays in traffic.
Receivers Flash in a Big Way
While the defense stole the spotlight overall, a few wide receivers made sure they weren’t forgotten.
Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields had one of the most polished performances of the day. At 6-foot-4 and 218 pounds, he’s one of the bigger receivers in this class, but he’s not just a jump-ball specialist. Fields consistently found soft spots in zone coverage and showed a veteran’s understanding of how to get open.
One of his best moments came in a one-on-one rep to close out practice. With the stadium watching, Fields didn’t go for the flashy deep route.
Instead, he ran a crisp comeback, got separation, and made the catch for a first down. It was a subtle play, but it spoke volumes - he knew what the offense needed and executed.
That kind of situational awareness and maturity will play well in NFL meeting rooms.
Missouri’s Kevin Coleman Jr. also turned heads. Though he didn’t arrive in Mobile with a ton of buzz, he quickly proved he belonged.
Simply put, he was uncoverable. Route after route, rep after rep, Coleman found ways to shake defenders and make himself available.
His stock is rising, and for receiver-needy teams - like, say, the Steelers - that’s good news.
A Rare Backs-on-Backers Highlight
One of the more old-school moments of the day came during the American Team’s showcase session: a one-on-one pass protection drill between running backs and linebackers - a drill that’s become increasingly rare in today’s NFL.
Oklahoma running back Jadyn Ott, not typically known for his pass protection, stood tall and stoned Arkansas linebacker Xavian Sorey in a clean rep. It was a small moment, but a meaningful one. For backs trying to carve out a role on Sundays, showing you can protect the quarterback might be just as important as what you do with the ball in your hands.
Bottom Line: Wednesday in Mobile was a reminder that the Senior Bowl isn’t just about the big names - it’s about opportunity. And while the quarterback group may not be the strongest we’ve seen, there were plenty of defensive playmakers and wide receiver risers who made the most of their reps.
With a few more practices and the game still to come, there’s plenty more to evaluate. But for now, the defenders have the edge - and a few wideouts are making strong cases to climb draft boards.