The 2026 Panini Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to showcase themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Arkansas defensive lineman Cameron Ball plans on taking full advantage. Ball recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Ball also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, his selfless approach as a run stopper, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Ball better ahead of his journey to the Panini Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite, and what was your initial reaction?
Cameron Ball: I remember we had practice that day. I believe we were preparing for our last game. I was walking into the locker room after practice. I was taking off my equipment and getting ready to go home.
One of our assistants pulled me aside. They told me to head to the meeting room instead. I get to the meeting room and I see three of my teammates in there as well. One of our player personnel guys started reading off the invitation from the Senior Bowl.
He congratulated us all and told us we’d made it to the Senior Bowl. As soon as he said that, I lost my mind. My heart immediately dropped, man. I was so happy. The first thing I did was thank God.
I’ve dreamed of playing in the Senior Bowl since I was a kid. Honestly, my first reaction was to give all thanks to God.
JM: It sounds like that was a special moment for you. What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Cameron Ball: There’s a legacy behind the Senior Bowl. It’s an honor. It didn’t take any convincing to accept the offer. I grew up watching the Senior Bowl game as a kid. I watch it on TV every year!
The practices and the game itself give prospects an opportunity to improve their pre-draft stock. Your time in Mobile is special. My father and I used to watch it together. The Senior Bowl is where the best of the best compete. I feel like I belong in that category.
JM: We’re excited to watch you compete. What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Cameron Ball: I definitely want to prove that I can rush the passer. I’ve solidified myself as a pretty dominant player in the run game. I believe I have better versatility. I showed on film this year that I can play multiple positions across the defensive line.
Now I have to execute my versatility from a pass-rushing standpoint.
JM: How would you write your own scouting report? Self-scout yourself for us.
Cameron Ball: I’m a big, athletic guy. I’m a very physical player in the trenches. I handle double-team blocks well. I definitely need to improve as a pass rusher. I just need to be more consistent as a pass rusher. I’m a freak athlete, though.
My scouting report should say the sky’s the limit for that kid! (laughs).
JM: You’re very selfless as a run stopper. You’re not afraid to do the dirty work in the trenches. It doesn’t always come with credit on the stat sheet. What do you enjoy about doing that?
Cameron Ball: I love knowing that I’m making life easier for my teammates on the defensive line and our linebackers. They can shoot the gaps like they’re supposed to because I’m eating up those blocks.
You’re not always in the spotlight as a defensive tackle. I’m okay with that. If I can eat up double-team blocks and get some credit, I think that says a lot about you as a player.
I love to see my teammates make plays. I always know that my time in the spotlight will eventually come. Sometimes, it’s my turn to make a play. I just have to make the plays that come to me. I play within structure. I don’t deviate because I’m looking for credit.
I do my job at a high level.
JM: It’s obvious on tape. If you had to compare yourself to a current NFL defensive lineman, who would you choose and why? Anyone in particular you try to study and learn from?
Cameron Ball: I would probably say Derrick Brown. I’ve been watching him since his days at Auburn. I often compare myself to him. I even wore the same jersey number as him in college, that No. 5.
Derrick Brown is so physical and dominant on tape, especially in the run game. He’s a great pass rusher as well. He creates a lot of havoc up the middle. If I can mimic my pass-rushing ability after Derrick Brown, I’ll be trending in the right direction.
I would love to mold my game after Derrick Brown.
JM: That’s a terrific choice. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Cameron Ball?
Cameron Ball: We have three practices at the Senior Bowl. I want to dominate all three. I’m trying to put myself in the best position possible. I want to be at the top of the NFL draft boards for all 32 teams.
I’m also going to do extremely well in my team interviews at the Senior Bowl. I want all of the scouts to hear and understand my story, how I was raised, and my upbringing. The main thing at the Senior Bowl is to compete and have fun.
It’s going to be a great week for me down in Mobile.
