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 quarterback and tight end.
Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton enters the Senior Bowl as a one-year starter. The Omaha, Nebraska native produced 29 touchdowns this past season as a dual-threat passer and runner. Payton is a tough, strong, and athletic quarterback whose strong arm should impress in Mobile.
Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was a huge get for the Senior Bowl. Forever a Vandy legend, Pavia threw for 29 touchdowns and rushed for 10 more while positioning the Commodores in College Football Playoff contention. His athleticism, creativity, mobility, and compete level make Mobile the perfect environment to display his skill set.
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was once considered a potential No. 1 overall selection. As a junior in 2024, Nussmeier threw for 29 touchdowns and looked like a first-round pick. His senior season was derailed by injury and LSU's dysfunction. A team may get a franchise quarterback outside the opening 32 selections.
Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer is another creative dual-threat signal caller. Altmyer makes throws from different arm angles and platforms. He developed as a passer in 2025, posting a personal best in completion percentage (67.4%) while tying his previous career-high in touchdown passes (22).
Sawyer Robertson, QB, Baylor
Sawyer Robertson was a high-volume passer in Baylor's offense, tossing 59 touchdowns across 872 attempts in 2024 and 2025. Robertson is a pure pocket passer who may end up being the most accurate quarterback in Mobile. He possesses a strong presence in the pocket while calmly going through his progressions, but arm strength and velocity are a question for scouts.
Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas
Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green is an incredibly athletic and elusive runner. Scouts want to see more refinement as a passer. Accuracy issues routinely show up on tape, and Green threw 35 interceptions throughout his final four seasons of college football.
Justin Joly, TE, NC State
Justin Joly may be the highest-drafted tight end participating in Mobile. The NC State standout is a flat-out playmaker with three straight seasons of 489-plus receiving yards. Joly has a nose for getting in the end zone, with 11 touchdowns for the Wolfpack in 2024-25 after transferring from UConn.
Nate Boerkircher, TE, Texas A&M
Nate Boerkircher is a primary blocking tight end. The former Nebraska transfer never registered more than 198 receiving yards in any of his five seasons in college. Boerkircher is a physical blocker who thrives when attached to the offensive formation at the line of scrimmage.
John Michael Gyllenborg, TE, Wyoming
Wyoming tight end John Michael Gyllenborg is an athletic pass catcher in space. He's still developing as an in-line player, but scouts appreciate his ability to create mismatches against safeties and linebackers. One of the non-Power-4 prospects to receive an invite, Gyllenborg enters the Senior Bowl with something to prove.
Matthew Hibner, TE, SMU
Matthew Hibner was limited to special teams work at Michigan, so he transferred to SMU ahead of the 2024 season. The Burke, Virginia native took full advantage of his new opportunity. Hibner took a step forward in 2025, recording 31 receptions for 436 yards while enjoying his second consecutive season with four touchdowns.
Dan Villari, TE, Syracuse
Syracuse tight end Dan Villari stepped into a starring role after backing up Oronde Gadsden II last season. Villari was impactful, registering 39 receptions for 412 yards. He's among the more underrated tight ends in the class heading into Senior Bowl week.
DJ Rogers, TE, TCU
DJ Rogers' numbers improved every single year at TCU. Rogers is a nuanced route runner who consistently creates separation and makes himself available to his quarterback. He displays excellent body control to adjust mid-flight.
Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
Stanford's Sam Roush is a massive prospect, listed at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds. Roush was effective as a receiver, posting 49 catches for 545 yards and two TDs, and also thrived as a multifaceted tight end, serving as an impactful in-line blocker. As a pass catcher, he possesses enough speed and acceleration to threaten the seam.
Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston
Tanner Koziol is among the most productive tight end prospects in college football. He followed up a 94-839-8 campaign at Ball State in 2024 with a 74-727-6 stat line at Houston in 2025. Koziol is a legitimate mismatch weapon as the "BIG SLOT" with towering size and well-developed ball skills.
Joshua Cuevas, TE, Alabama
It's been a winding road for Joshua Cuevas, who started at Cal Poly and finished at Alabama with a brief stint at Washington sandwiched in between. He's a polished route runner who produced 411 receiving yards for the Crimson Tide in 2025. He'll get drafted on day three.