Five Prospects to Watch at the 2026 Senior Bowl - and Why the Steelers Should Be Paying Close Attention
With the East-West Shrine Bowl now in the rearview mirror, the spotlight shifts to Mobile, Alabama, for one of the most important scouting events on the NFL calendar: the Senior Bowl. For teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers - who enter this draft cycle armed with 12 projected picks, including five in the top 100 - this week is more than just a meet-and-greet. It’s a proving ground.
Under the guidance of new head coach Mike McCarthy, Pittsburgh’s brass has consistently leaned into the Senior Bowl as a key scouting opportunity. History tells us they’re not shy about drafting players who show out in Mobile. So, with that in mind, here are five prospects who could make serious noise this week - and potentially land on the Steelers’ radar.
Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
If you’re a small-school receiver looking to make a big impression, the Senior Bowl is your stage. And Ted Hurst is stepping into the spotlight with something to prove.
At over 6-foot-3 with 33-inch arms, Hurst brings a frame built for contested catches and red zone mismatches. He’s racked up nearly 2,000 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in his career - most of them coming on vertical routes where he showcases excellent ball-tracking and body control. Simply put: he plays big.
This week is huge for Hurst. He’s not just competing - he’s auditioning against top-tier defensive backs, and if he consistently catches the ball cleanly in drills and one-on-ones, his stock could skyrocket.
His game draws some comparisons to George Pickens - a big-bodied receiver with a knack for winning downfield. If he flashes that same kind of upside in Mobile, teams will take notice.
Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
The 2025 season didn’t go as planned for Caleb Banks. A foot injury limited him to just three games, but if you rewind to his 2024 performances against LSU and Ole Miss, you’ll see why scouts are still buzzing.
Banks is a rare blend of raw power and refined technique. He can forklift interior linemen off their spot and also understands how to manipulate leverage as a pass rusher.
That’s a dangerous combo at the next level. As a run defender, he’s disruptive - whether he’s blowing up blocks at the point of attack or knifing into the backfield to make plays outside his assigned gap.
With limited recent tape, this week is all about showing he’s still that same physical force. If he dominates drills and reminds teams of his 2024 form, he could be back in the early-round conversation.
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
Let’s not sugarcoat it - Garrett Nussmeier’s final season at LSU was rough. But in a quarterback class still sorting out its pecking order behind the top two names, someone’s going to rise into that QB3 spot. Nussmeier has a shot.
There’s a coach’s son polish to his game - not surprising, considering his father Doug was on Mike McCarthy’s staff in Dallas. That background shows up in his pre-snap command, footwork under pressure, and ability to work through progressions post-snap. He’s not the biggest or most physically gifted passer in the class, but he’s smart, composed, and fundamentally sound.
This week is his opportunity to show consistency - in accuracy, decision-making, and leadership. If he does that, he could separate himself from the crowded middle tier of quarterbacks and start building momentum toward Day 2.
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
“Safe” isn’t always sexy, but in the NFL, it often means “reliable.” And that’s exactly what Chris Johnson is - a cornerback who does just about everything well.
Johnson’s versatility is one of his calling cards. He’s comfortable in press or off coverage, with sharp footwork and the ability to close quickly on the ball. His zone awareness is strong, and he’s always looking to make plays - whether that’s breaking up passes (9 PBUs), picking off throws (5 INTs), or contributing on special teams, where he’s a standout.
He’s also an excellent tackler in space, which adds to his value as a plug-and-play contributor. Johnson may not have the flashiest tape, but he checks a lot of boxes. Expect his name to gain steam as teams get a closer look at how well-rounded his game really is.
Genesis Smith, FS, Arizona
Every year, there’s a safety who shows up in Mobile and reminds everyone just how valuable range and instincts are in today’s NFL. This year, that could be Genesis Smith.
Smith’s ability to cover ground is special. He reads route combinations like a veteran, flips his hips with ease, and has the speed to erase deep threats. He’s not just a centerfielder, either - he can hold his own in man coverage, whether it’s mirroring receivers or matching up with tight ends.
Now, he’s not a finished product. His run defense still needs work - improving his angles, tackling form, and physicality will be key. But when it comes to limiting explosive plays and creating turnovers, Smith brings tools that are hard to teach and even harder to find.
The Bottom Line
The Senior Bowl isn’t just about the top names - it’s about who rises. For a team like the Steelers, with a deep war chest of picks and a front office that values what happens in Mobile, these practices matter.
Whether it’s a high-upside WR like Ted Hurst, a bounce-back DT like Caleb Banks, or a polished QB like Garrett Nussmeier, the talent is here. And by the end of the week, we’ll likely be talking about a few of these names as real fits for Pittsburgh - and maybe even future starters in the NFL.