Senior Bowl takeaways: Top QB, risers ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

A week of Senior Bowl action wrapped on Saturday with the American and National teams facing off in a 17-9 American win.

Here are four takeaways from the first leg of the 2026 NFL Draft season.

Garrett Nussmeier shakes off disappointing 2025 season

It wasn't a clinic, but the former LSU quarterback did what was needed to emerge as the best quarterback of the Senior Bowl, earning game MVP honors by going 5-of-8 for 57 yards and an interception, although he scored a rushing touchdown and led another drive into the end zone. His interception also wasn't entirely his fault, with tight end John Michael Gyllenborg allowing the ball to go through his hands.

The overall performances of quarterbacks left plenty to be desired, with no one else leading a touchdown drive until North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton, the National team's player of the game, on the second-to-last possession of the game. We're not sure how much Nussmeier (6-foot-1, 202 pounds) raised his stock, but of the quarterbacks in Mobile, he made the best argument for being the first off the board.

The rise of Nadame Tucker

Before transferring to Western Michigan, Tucker, playing for the National team, could hardly get any playing time at Houston. But following a massive 2025 season and week at the Senior Bowl, the reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year might be impossible to take off the field.

Tucker was outstanding in the defensive battle, ending the loss with two sacks and a forced fumble. It was a major statement against his NFL Draft peers.

American running backs could be late-round steals

Fresh off winning a national championship, former Indiana Hoosiers running back Kaelon Black led the American squad in rushing, gaining 45 yards on eight carries (5.6 yards per carry). He added two receptions out of the backfield, showing nice hands after not having many opportunities in the pass game at Indiana.

The biggest revelation, however, was former Oklahoma Sooners back Jaydn Ott. He had eight carries for 42 yards, 26 fewer than he had all season in 2025. He once looked like a future college football phenom at Cal, where he rushed for 1,315 yards as a sophomore, but injuries stalled his progression. Saturday showed he's back on track.

Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor plays himself into Day 1 conversation

Iheanachor (6-foot-5, 325 pounds) was a mauler Saturday, controlling the line of scrimmage with numerous plays that jumped off the screen. He stonewalled defenders in pass-blocking situations while driving them out of the play on run snaps. He even got out in space on Ott's five-yard touchdown run. It was a dominant game for Iheanachor, who looked like a future first-rounder.