Welcome to the thick of the pre-draft process. With under one week until practice kicks off in Mobile, Alabama, we'll be providing layered analysis of each positional group set to compete at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl. The Senior Bowl is the draft cycle’s premier showcase, allowing prospects to don their respective college helmets one final time.
Let’s get rolling with a peek into the headlining players set to compete at cornerback and safety.
Keionte Scott, CB, Miami
Miami cornerback Keionte Scott made a name for himself throughout the College Football Playoff. He's a highly energetic defensive back who generates turnovers and creates impact plays. Scott's willingness to participate in Mobile after suffering heartbreak in the National Championship Game speaks volumes about his compete level.
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
NFL scouts are projecting Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood to be a first-round pick. Hood possesses ideal size for the position. The Volunteers' standout plays with confidence and aggression when aligned in man coverage. He's explosive, making it difficult for wide receivers to create separation. He should thrive in one-on-ones.
Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun is a physical boundary corner with elite NFL size. He clicks and closes in coverage with intent. A high football IQ paired with disciplined eyes helped Igbinosun record four interceptions and 19 pass breakups across 2024-25.
Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
Will Lee III is another shutdown coverage cornerback who should thrive in Mobile's competitive practice environment. The former JUCO product possesses an incredibly long and athletic frame that helped him make a seamless transition to Kansas State and eventually the SEC. Lee has the size, speed, and athleticism the NFL covets in corners.
Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
Chandler Rivers is among the more experienced and seasoned cornerback prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Duke cover-man enters the draft with four campaigns of legitimate tape and production for the Blue Devils. Rivers is a man-coverage corner through and through.
Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
NFL scouts want to see Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette play with better technique and patience. Size, length, deep speed, and foot quickness helped Everette thrive in man coverage for the Bulldogs. Instincts and eye discipline are a work in progress.
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
San Diego State cornerback Will Johnson is arguably the best "small school" prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Johnson possesses a legit shot to be a top-40 pick. A technique-forward corner, he's well-developed in both man and zone coverage. The Eastvale, California native is instinctual and athletic with terrific size. It'll be fascinating to watch him in Mobile.
Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina
Thaddeus Dixon transferred from Washington to North Carolina ahead of 2025. Dixon has the ideal length and frame to compete at boundary corner. His size should be an asset throughout practice reps, though his patience will be tested by smaller, speedier receivers.
Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
Julian Neal has a bit of a tight-hipped frame at a listed 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds. He transferred from Fresno State to Arkansas for his senior season and logged career highs in tackles (55) and pass breakups (10). Neal's transitional quickness will be under a microscope in one-on-ones.
Hezekiah Masses, CB, Cal
Cal cornerback Hezekiah Masses displayed elite ball skills in 2025. The Florida International transfer thrived in a new environment, registering 12 pass breakups and five interceptions for the Golden Bears. Masses is lean, but also long and physical in man coverage.
Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
Ephesians Prysock is a taller cornerback who is an efficient mover for his size. He may be versatile enough to earn reps at safety, something he occasionally did at Washington. Prysock's long speed and change-of-direction transitions will be monitored closely.
TJ Hall, CB, Iowa
TJ Hall stepped into a bigger role for Iowa this past season and recorded 47 tackles and 10 pass breakups. Hall is physical in coverage and has shown a willingness to trigger downhill and tackle in the run game. Technique and movement skills typically allow him to remain competitive in man looks.
Jalen McMurray, CB, Tennessee
The other Tennessee cornerback opposite Colton Hood, Jalen McMurray, will receive an opportunity to continue improving his pre-draft stock in Mobile. He made a nice transition from Temple to Tennessee. In his second season with the Vols, McMurray notched 56 tackles and five passes defensed. His frame is lean, but he was excellent at nickel this past campaign.
Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
Tacario Davis was once viewed as a potential first-round selection. He transferred from Arizona to Washington and has struggled to match his previous form. Davis is high-hipped and a little tight, but also uses his rare size and length to be a physical disruptor in press-man coverage.
Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin
Small-school cornerback Charles Demmings had four interceptions at Stephen F. Austin this past season. Demmings is an absolute dog on tape with 35 career pass breakups. Don't underestimate the former 0-star recruit who didn't begin playing football until his senior year of high school.
Collin Wright, CB, Stanford
Collin Wright was a four-year cornerback at Stanford. He saw considerable playing time, accumulating 144 tackles, 33 combined pass breakups/passes defensed, and five interceptions. Wright is aggressive in coverage, and he's excited to be healthy heading into Mobile after dealing with injuries this past season.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, SAF, Toledo
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is arguably the premier prospect coming out of the MAC this year. The Rockets standout is a hard-hitting safety who sets a physical tone. McNeil-Warren is athletic enough to match tight ends in coverage, and his natural instincts led to him generating 13 career turnovers.
Bud Clark, SAF, TCU
TCU safety Bud Clark will possess one of the more energetic personalities in Mobile. A ball-hawk with dynamic abilities, Clark recorded 15 career interceptions and 20 pass breakups. He'll be among the oldest prospects at the Senior Bowl after spending six seasons at TCU.
Michael Taaffe, SAF, Texas
Texas safety Michael Taaffe has on-field and off-field leadership qualities. The hard-hitting defensive back is a sound tackler and makes seamless transitions with good closing speed. Taaffe is rangy and disruptive with playmaking abilities. He also projects as an excellent special teams player.
VJ Payne, SAF, Kansas State
Kansas State safety VJ Payne is a strong communicator who helps organize the defensive backfield. Payne is a bigger safety who plays with length and physicality. Scouts appreciate his durability, as he appeared in 52 games for Kansas State, tied for 11th-most in program history, including 41 consecutive starts to conclude his career.
A.J. Haulcy, SAF, LSU
Safety A.J. Haulcy was a high-profile transfer from Houston to LSU this past season. Haulcy projects as a high-energy box safety in the NFL with three individual seasons of 80-plus tackles in college football. His ball skills are underrated, displaying versatility through 10 career interceptions.
Kamari Ramsey, SAF, USC
Kamari Ramsey will be among the more instinctual safeties at this year's Senior Bowl. The Trojans standout and former UCLA transfer is versatile enough to thrive as a nickel or in two-high approaches. Ramsey reads and reacts with impressive attention to detail.
Wydett Williams Jr., SAF, Ole Miss
Wydett Williams Jr. notched 100 tackles and three interceptions at Louisiana-Monroe in 2024. He transferred to Ole Miss for 2025 and logged another 73 tackles and three more interceptions. Williams will create havoc around the line of scrimmage in Mobile.
Zakee Wheatley, SAF, Penn State
Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley was constantly around the football in 2024-25, logging 169 combined tackles. Wheatley is super instinctual. He flows around the defensive backfield naturally with the range required to track the ball and make plays.
Jalon Kilgore, SAF, South Carolina
Jalon Kilgore is being listed as a safety by the Senior Bowl despite playing some nickel corner at South Carolina. A full-time transition to safety increases his potential at the NFL level. Kilgore is a physical and willing run defender who triggers toward the action.
DeShon Singleton, SAF, Nebraska
Nebraska safety DeShon Singleton racked up 136 tackles throughout 2024 and 2025. He's a little high-hipped and lean on tape, so his athleticism will be tested in the Senior Bowl's competitive environment. Singleton is draftable, but his performance in Mobile will help determine his true pre-draft stock.
Late Additions:
- Fred Davis II, CB, Northwestern
- Skyler Thomas, SAF, Oregon State