The NFL's conference title games are in the rear-view mirror, and that means a week off before the Super Bowl and all eyes converging on Mobile, Alabama, for the Senior Bowl.
The annual showcase includes three full practice sessions for both the American and National teams prior to the game on Saturday. Players will also meet with teams for scouting interviews. The New Orleans Saints will also get a particularly good look at the American team roster, with Joel Thomas serving as head coach, and fellow assistants Scott Tolzien, Peter Sirmon and Kyle Wilber serving as coordinators for offense, defense and special teams, respectively.
The weather has thrown a bit of a curveball, with chilly temperatures expected -- though no major precipitation -- at Hancock Whitney Stadium throughout the week. As of Monday there were 34 Senior Bowl commitments who did not show up for the event.
With all that in mind, here are the players WWL Radio college and football analyst Mike Detillier is keeping a close eye on when they take the field this week. The group includes nine offensive players, nine defensive players and a special teams ace (as well as a handful of breakdowns for the no-shows):
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OFFENSE
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
Nussmeier passed up an opportunity to possibly be a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to return for one final season at LSU. He completed 64.2% of his throws that year for 4,052 yards and 29 TDs against 12 interceptions.
The success wasn’t there to be found in a disappointing 2025 season. That was due at least in part to an abdominal injury that bothered him all year long, with the Tigers’ lack of a run game also creating problems for the entire offensive attack.
While Nussmeier is a bit of a streaky passer, he’s accurate with a quick release. He finds secondary targets quickly downfield and has a strong arm for the deep throws.
The Senior Bowl will be an important week for him to bounce back and showcase to the scouts that he’s healthy and back on track. He can start by showing that extra zip on his throws that didn’t always seem to be there over the past year.
Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State
Singleton was one of the top backs in the country in 2024, rushing for 1,099 yards (6.4 yards per carry) and scoring 12 TDs. He also caught 41 passes coming out of the backfield and has good skill as a receiving option.
Like Nussmeier, Singleton’s struggles in 2025 coincided with a highly touted roster falling well short of expectations and his head coach getting fired midseason.
Singleton is a powerfully built back with great straight-line speed. He’s also a patient runner. He runs hard and through would-be tacklers after the initial contact.
Le’Veon Moss, RB, Texas A&M
A Highly recruited prep back coming out of Istrouma High School in Louisiana, Moss signed on with Texas A&M and flashed an elite skillset when he wasn’t beset with injuries..
Moss rushed for 1,767 yards (5.5 yards per carry) with 22 TD across 32 games with the Aggies.
He’s a strong inside runner with the ability to break away from defenders after initial contact. The 5-11, 212 pounder is also effective bouncing plays to the outside and cutting the edge.
He’s worked hard at improving as a pass-catcher, but scouts will closely monitor his receiving skills at the Senior Bowl. Health is key for Moss. because when he’s healthy he’s a load to bring down.
Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
Played in the shadow of one of the best players in college football in WR Makai Lemon, but Lane is a talented player in his own right.
He was productive as a big-man receiver (6-3.5, 208 pounds), catching 92 passes for 1,270 yards (13.8 yards per catch) with 16 TDs over the past two seasons at USC.
Lane has excellent size, first-rate balance control skills and can make contested catches in heavy traffic. He seems to understand positioning and excels at putting himself between the defender and the ball.
While not a one-step super fast guy, he’s very effective running in the open field and is sure-handed.
Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
Fields was a QB in high school before transitioning to wide receiver and he began his career at Virginia before transferring to Notre Dame.
Another big man WR. (6-3.5, 220), Fields caught 165 passes throughout his college career.
That included 36 catches for 630 (17.5 yards per catch) and 5 TDs for the Irish in 2025.
A huge target with sure hands, and he has the ability to adjust well to balls thrown his direction. He really runs well with the ball after the catch, though he is still learning the finer points of route running. Needs to get out of his cuts and breaks quicker, but I really like his skillset.
Justin Joly, TE, N.C. State
A former UConn transfer player who has really put up some impressive numbers as a receiving TE.
Joly caught 92 passes for 1,150 yards and 11 TDs over the past two seasons for the Wolfpack.
A sure-handed target who knows how to find the weak spots in a defense. Good route runner and runs with power after the catch.
Reminds me of a bigger version (6-3, 255) of former Bowling Green All-American and current Cleveland Browns TE Harold Fannin, Jr..
Will Kacmarek, TE, Ohio State
Kacmarek (6-5.5, 255 pounds) is a former prep defensive lineman who converted to TE.
He began his his career at Ohio University before transferring to the Buckeyes.
Kacmarek looks to be a hybrid FB/TE. He can be an elite blocker in the run game and in pass protection.
A physical player who can be a big target downfield. He caught 65 passes for 765 (11.7 yards per catch) and 4 TDs during his college career.
Jake Slaughter, IOL, Florida
One of my favorites at the center position, also featuring some guard flex.
The 6-4, 312-pounder is an experienced center who is tough, smart and a team leader. He’s also super efficient as a run blocker and pass protector.
Technically strong and has been a two-time First Team All-SEC center.
Keylan Rutledge, IOL, Georgia Tech
Had 17 starts at Middle Tennessee before transferring to Georgia Tech.
Rutledge has been a two-time All-ACC performer for Georgia Tech. A rugged interior lineman who is a power player as a run blocker and moves the pile with his drive blocks.
He’s gotten better with his footwork and hand placement skills as a pass protector. The 6-3.5, 325-pound guard who reminds me a lot of another Georgia guard Tate Ratledge, a second-round pick of the Lions in 2025.
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DEFENSE
Here are Mike D's top players to watch on the defensive side of the ball, with several of the top names that had accepted invitations, including a pair of premier Miami edge rushers, not arriving in Mobile.
TJ Parker, DE, Clemson
A very talented edge pass rusher who had a disappointing 2025 season – but that was the case for much of Clemson’s roster.
The 6-3, 265-pounder was a highly productive college player, racking up 144 tackles, 41.5 tackles for losses, 21.5 sacks and six forced fumbles.
He features a super quick initial step off the edge and has good football instincts. He also possesses first-rate closing speed to the ballcarrier. TJ is outstanding in the chasedown mold.
Needs to do a better job move/countermoving bigger opponents at the point of attack on running plays directed at him.
Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois
A super productive college player for the Illini. The 6-2.5, 265-pounder totaled 183 tackles, 35.5 tackles for losses, 27 sacks and he forced seven fumbles in college.
Jacas is a speed/power performer who has a super-quick initial step off the snap and excellent diagnostic skills. He knows how to use his arms and hands well, especially with a hard inside counter move.
Jacas must hold his ground better when running plays are directed at him.
Caleb Banks, NT/DT, Florida
A mammoth interior player who started out at Louisville before transferring to Florida.
Banks is quite athletic for someone listed at 6-5.5, 332 pounds. He has power/speed flashes from the inside and can forklift guys into the launch pad of a QB.
He does a nice job clogging up and tying up multiple blockers at the point of attack. Has some versatility to his game and can be moved across the defensive line.
Consistency is an issue and there are plenty of ups and downs in his overall play. He’s seemed to wear down at points during games and must improve his overall stamina.
Lee Hunter, NT/DT, Texas Tech
Hunter will be a highly coveted interior player and was a big-time player for the Red Raiders in 2025.
Hunter, who played at Auburn and UCF before landing at Tech, registered 41 tackles, 10.5 tackles for losses and 2.5 sacks in 2025.
A deluxe run stuffer, he just implodes the interior of an offensive line. Hunter is a power player and has very good short-range footspeed. Consistently not only ties up multiple blockers, but also makes plays with his power and athleticism.
Needs some work with his pass rush skills and techniques.
Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
There are LBs that are bigger, faster, stronger and more nimble in reverse, but Jacob’s instincts and playmaking skills are at the highest level. He played at Virginia before transferring to Texas Tech.
Rodriguez was in on 255 tackles over his last two seasons in Lubbock, with 21.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 10 forced fumbles and five interceptions. He won the Lombardi, Butkus, Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik awards in 2025.
Smart, instinctive, rarely out of position and a sure openfield tackler. He won’t be a workout warrior, but he’s a football player.
Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin
An excellent football player who is a long, lean athlete with quick feet. He plants and drives hard to the football.
Demmings had 35 career passes defensed at SFA and intercepted 4 passes in 2025.
He still needs some refinement with his footwork and learning to take better angles to the ball, but Demmings is a really good cornerback prospect.
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
One of the most underrated players in this draft class, but don’t expect that tag to last for long..
Johnson was the 2025 Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
He has good size and he plants and drives hard to the football. Finds the ball quickly in flight and he plays the ball like it’s thrown to him.
Chris was in on 49 tackles, three tackles for losses, had nine passes defensed and four interceptions in 2025.
Michael Taaffe, S, Texas
A true walk-on for the Longhorns. Just a tough, smart, gritty player who is a really good athlete.
Was in on 148 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 4 interceptions over the past two seasons.
Taaffe is a super instinctive player and was the leader and communicator for Texas in the secondary. He’s also been an excellent special teams performer, which will help him get on the field early in his NFL career..
Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
A versatile performer who could project to strong or free safety. Wheatley is a very physical player who comes up the seam fast in run support.
His instincts are elite when it comes to reading a receiver’s route downfield and a sure openfield tackler.
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SPECIAL TEAMS
Aaron Anderson, WR/KR, LSU
Anderson is a small player (5-8, 185 pounds) but he’s an electrifying playmaker with the ball in his hands.
A highly recruited prep player at Edna Karr High School and started out at Alabama. He transferred to LSU and was used a lot on WR screens and jet sweep plays.
Anderson catches the ball clean out front with his hands and he’s super elusive in the open field. He caught 94 passes for 1,282 yards and 5 TDs the last two seasons at LSU.
NFL scouts want to see him as a punt and kickoff return man.
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NO SHOWS
These are players that were on Mike D's initial list but did not appear in Mobile despite accepting invitations.
Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami
Mesidor grew up in Ottawa and transferred to Clearwater Academy International before his senior year year. He began his college career at West Virginia before transferring to Miami. Quickness and agility is Mesidor’s game. He’s very agile athlete with outstanding bend ability and knows how to use his arms and hands well to fight off would-be blockers. Mesidor logged 12.5 QB sacks, 17.5 tackles for losses and had four forced fumbles in 2025. Akheem is so aggressive at times to get up the field that he’ll take himself out of position vs the run. Needs to hold his point better when running plays are directed at him. He’s an older prospect and will turn 25 years old in April. Doctors will also want to get a look at how he’s fared after foot surgery in 2024.
Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon
A massive interior offensive lineman who played at Wyoming and USC before transferring to Oregon. Has been a full-time starter since his redshirt freshman season at Wyoming. The 6-5, 325-pounder is a very good run blocker and he gets a strong push with his drive blocks. He’s gotten steadily better with his pass protection techniques and footwork as a pass blocker. Impressive big man athlete as an offensive guard.
AJ Haulcy, S, LSU
Haulcy played for New Mexico and Houston before transferring to LSU. A true intimidating presence in the secondary, Haulcy plays the run well and gets up the field fast. He’s also a good open field tackler. A First Team All-American and First Team All-SEC performer for the Tigers. Really has improved his pass coverage skills and taking better angles to the ball in flight, and he’s always been a ballhawk. Haulcy was in on 88 tackles, 4 PBUs and had 3 interceptions in 2025. An outstanding safety prospect and top of the line physicality.
Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
Thompson is one of the fastest players in his draft class of 2026. He began his career at Texas and spent time at Oklahoma before transferring to Mississippi State to finish his college career. This past season he Caught 57 passes for an eye-popping 18.5 yards per catch and scored 6 TDs. Seven of those receptions went for over 40 yards. He has elite breakaway speed to pull away from defenders and has improved as a route-runner and catching the ball out front with his hands. Thompson looks to have a similar skillset as former Saints WR Rashid Shaheed