Saturday’s Senior Bowl featured two teams of NFL hopefuls who had their first opportunity to showcase their ability directly to NFL scouts and coaches. The game looks as it typically does, like 4th quarter preseason football, with the collective of players and coaches having worked together for only about a week.
Although wind gusts of 40 MPH made for even sloppier play, it didn’t stop several athletes from showcasing their ability to the NFL world. Here are 5 NFL hopefuls who made an impression at the Senior Bowl.
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
- 6’1″, 202 pounds
- 23 years old
- Father is Saints Offensive Coordinator
- 4,052 yards, 64.2%, 29 TDs, 12 INTs in 2024
- Projected 1st round pick after 2024 season
- 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl MVP
- Injury-plagued, 2025, missed time and played hurt
Nussmeier appeared healthy and crisp on his way to Senior Bowl MVP honors on Saturday. Despite poor passing conditions, he threw the ball well, completing passes with zip and accuracy – on time and efficiently. His best ball of the day was a perfectly layered pass on a seam route, which bounced off the receiver’s hands and into the defenders’ for an INT.
I expect Nussmeier’s stock to rise considerably throughout the draft process. Once projected as a first-round pick, his stock fell after an injury-plagued 2025 season. In a weaker QB class, teams will be looking for gems deeper in the QB ranks this year – they may need to look no further than Garrett Nussmeier.
Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon
- 6’2″, 225 pounds
- 23 years old, Senior
- “Burlsworth Trophy” winner in 2024 (Top CFB walk-on)
- Drafted by the Houston Astros in the 13th round of the MLB Draft
- 136 tackles, 1 sack, 6 PDs, 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles in 2025
Boettcher made immediate waves during Senior Bowl week by causing a skirmish after an aggressive shoulder tackle in a practice setting.
Boettcher brings an aggressive, hair-on-fire playstyle that many want in an inside linebacker. He’s a natural leader who called the Oregon defense as their “green dot” in 2025. He’s slightly undersized at 225 pounds, but makes up for it with tenacity. He’ll likely earn a look from NFL scouts as an immediate special teams contributor who will have to work and grow his way into a defensive contributor.
Max Llewellyn, EDGE, Iowa
- 6’5″, 258 pounds
- 23 years old
- 64 tackles, 20.5 TFLs, 14.5 sacks, 10 PDs, 3 FFs, 2 FRs
Llewellyn earned a starting role on the Hawkeyes defense in 2025 after serving as a rotational player prior. He led the team in sacks and forced fumbles in his lone starting season in 2025. He’s a high motor, disciplined player with the build to project into an NFL career.
He will likely have to earn a roster spot by showing well on special teams, but could blossom into a rotational edge player on defense. He showed his discipline and ability in a single play at the Senior Bowl by shedding a block, chasing down a QB on a bootleg, and deflecting the pass for an incompletion. That kind of play will surely get noticed by NFL scouts
Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa
- 6’5″, 315 pounds
- 2nd Team All Big Ten in 2024
- 1st Team All Big Ten in 2025
- 80.6 PFF Grade in 2026 (17th of OTs)
- Positional versatility (OT & OG)
The Iowa Hawkeyes were well represented at the Senior Bowl, and for good reason. Dunker is yet another disciplined and physical Hawkeye with NFL ability. Lining up at RT in the game, he dominated pass rushers consistently by absorbing and controlling them effortlessly. He uses his thick frame and strength to anchor in pass protection, and quick get off to move bodies in the run game.
Dunker projects as a day-two selection in the 2026 draft, but helped himself last week at the Senior Bowl. He fits into the offensive tackle class that has a cluster of talent within his projected draft range. He could hear his name called earlier than expected, being that teams will value his positional versatility, effort, and likable personality.
Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt
- 5’10”, 198 pounds
- 23 years old
- New Mexico Military Institute ’20 & ’21
- New Mexico State ’22 & ’23
- Vanderbilt ’24 & ’25
- 2025 First Team All-SEC
- 2025 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
- 2025 2nd in Heisman voting
Pavia showed off his skills at the Senior Bowl, executing offense on time and moving around to find throwing lanes. He took a couple of questionable sacks, but he largely impressed in his action for NFL scouts. His ability is undeniable, but it’s his size that does not project well for the pros.
Pavia will earn the chance to prove himself due to his productive college career and good showing at the Senior Bowl. His size is a significant disadvantage at the next level, but he could contribute in an offense designed to get the QB “off the spot” with play action, bootlegs, waggles, and shotgun passing. I expect him to be in a training camp this summer, whether his name is called on draft day or not.
After the Senior Bowl
The Senior Bowl concludes these prospects’ collegiate football careers and serves as their first glimpse of NFL action. Now, having worked with NFL coaches, they move into the next phases of their pro football dreams. The NFL combine and the gauntlet of Pro Days and team visits will be next.
Blitz will have extensive coverage of the NFL draft process with prospect profiles, draft boards, mock drafts, and more.
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