The 2026 Panini Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to showcase themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Boise State offensive lineman Kage Casey plans on taking full advantage. Casey recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Casey also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, displaying more positional versatility by playing multiple positions in Mobile, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Casey 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?
Kage Casey: I was actually doing some NFL Combine training with O-Line Masterminds in Dallas, Texas. I was sitting in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber when I got a call from my agent (laughs). He informed me I was getting that Senior Bowl invite.
I couldn’t move around too much in that chamber; I was basically zipped up into a little bag (laughs). I was so excited, very stoked to get the invite. I ended up calling my wife and my entire family to give them the news.
JM: That sounds like a good time (laughs). What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Kage Casey: I know what the competition is all about at the Senior Bowl. I love the way they promote competition. It’s the best environment for me to highlight how dominant of a player I can be.
JM: What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Kage Casey: I just want the scouts and coaches to see what I’m all about, who I genuinely am as a person. I don’t have to exaggerate anything for them to see what I’m capable of. I think they’re going to like what they see.
My work ethic will speak for itself. Who I am on and off the field is going to shine through. I think it’s going to be pretty obvious.
JM: We’re excited for you to make a good impression at the Senior Bowl. You played a lot of left tackle at Boise State. Are you trying to prove you can play that spot at a high level?
Kage Casey: I definitely want to prove that I can play left tackle at the next level. I’ve also been getting a bunch of reps at right tackle throughout this pre-draft training process. I’m also taking reps at guard to prove I can be versatile.
I want to prove I can be elite at all five offensive line positions.
JM: How would you write your own scouting report? Self-scout yourself for us. What are your standout traits and abilities as an offensive lineman?
Kage Casey: I would start by saying I’m a dominant player. I’m a technician first and foremost. Everything I do is based on having good fundamentals first and foremost. I take great pride in playing within my technique.
I refuse to be outleveraged. I use technique to outleverage and overwhelm defenders. They may be stronger than me on the bench or squat [press], but I can still win the leverage battle.
I’m very disciplined. I only got whistled for two penalties throughout my entire college football career. I’m a physical player and a competitor. You can ask any of my coaches. You can watch my film or talk to the scouts who have spoken with my coaches.
My work ethic is second to none. I out-work guys. That’s just what I do.
JM: I absolutely love that answer. Would you describe yourself as more of a mauler in a phone booth, then, or an athletic blocker out in space?
Kage Casey: I love playing out in space and displaying my athleticism. I also love a good deuce [combo] block though (laughs). When I’m getting in there with my guard and just executing a good double-team block, or even if I’m by myself in a duo scheme.
I love down blocking a guy right there. I’m ready for whatever. However, I can showcase my abilities. I think I’ll be ready to fully unleash my skill set.
JM: You’re so much fun to watch on tape. If you had to compare yourself to a current NFL offensive lineman, who would you choose and why? Is there anyone in particular you try to study and learn from?
Kage Casey: That’s a great question. I watch a few guys in the NFL. Someone I tend to watch on tape more than anybody else recently is Laremy Tunsil. Watching Tunsil helps me figure out how to improve my pass set and play within techniques.
You watch Tunsil on tape, especially in the passing game. I pay attention to how square his [pass] set is. He’s just so technically sound throughout his set and run blocks. You look at Tunsil and say he’s the ultimate technician. That’s exactly how I want to be at the next level.
JM: That’s an excellent choice. We’ve appreciated your time today. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Kage Casey?
Kage Casey: It means I went out there and dominated. In the film room, in NFL meeting rooms, I’m always going to bring that same attitude in practice to the games. I’m excited to show these NFL teams that I have the football IQ to learn a playbook inside-out.
I’ll know the assignments of every position on the field. I read defenses at a high level. I’m always going to go out there and execute on the field. I want to win reps, whether I work at guard or tackle.