Senior Bowl National Team Standouts: 4 Big Winners From Thursday

The 2026 Panini Senior Bowl held its third and final string of practices on Thursday. The National Team held the opening session with an evening practice to follow from the American Team. The Draft Network is in attendance to provide in-depth analysis from each practice session at this year’s premier pre-draft event.

Thursday’s National Team session had a sense of competitive urgency, given its nature. Some prospects who were quieter on Tuesday and Wednesday took advantage of their opportunity to increase their 2026 NFL Draft stock on Thursday. We've identified four winners from Thursday’s National Team practice.

Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston

Houston tight end Tanner Koziol has legitimate red-zone weapon size at 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds (verified). Those above-the-rim skills shined during Thursday's practice. Koziol climbed the ladder and made a terrific leaping catch with a midair adjustment for the touchdown.

The general public should quit sleeping on Koziol. The towering mismatch receiver produced a historic 94 receptions for 839 yards and eight touchdowns at Ball State throughout 2024. After transferring to a more competitive Houston program in 2025, he still managed 74 catches for 727 yards and another six touchdowns.

Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke

Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers was extremely competitive throughout one-on-ones. On one rep in particular, Rivers mirrored Tyren Montgomery’s route into the end zone and came away with the pass breakup. The Blue Devils standout has ball skills in abundance.

Rivers was the definition of consistency at Duke. He registered 50-plus tackles in four consecutive campaigns with 36 career passes defensed and seven interceptions. Rivers definitely has starting-caliber upside at the next level.

Caullin Lacy, WR, Louisville

Louisville wide receiver Caullin Lacy is incredibly shifty with excellent stop-start acceleration. During a one-on-one period in the red zone, Lacy absolutely left a cornerback going in the wrong direction after breaking out of his route. His elusiveness as a route runner will make him a difficult coverage assignment.

One of the older, more experienced wideouts in the draft, Lacy accumulated 3,349 receiving yards in six seasons at South Alabama and Louisville. He's also returned 85 career punts and 39 kickoffs for four total touchdowns. Lacy will make an impact as a special teams returner and wideout.

Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis has been flying around. Though undersized, Louis is rangy with sideline-to-sideline coverage ability. On Thursday, he also flashed his ability to throw a big hit that dislodged the football.

Louis was trusted to play the "STAR" and SAM positions in Pittsburgh's complex defense. He's performed like a mid-round value pick at the Senior Bowl. If Louis can consistently shed blocks, he'd possess three-down potential.