The Panini Senior Bowl wrapped up its 2026 iteration with the All-Star game on Sunday. Prior to the contest, the National Team and American Team held six competitive practices. It offered scouts a fantastic opportunity to assess the quarterbacks in attendance.
The 2026 NFL Draft features an intriguing class of quarterbacks. Some of the signal-calling prospects in Mobile separated themselves from the pack. TDN spent the week at the Senior Bowl scouting the quarterbacks.
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
LSU's Garrett Nussmeier was easily the best quarterback in attendance. That was the expectation heading into Mobile and it was proven correct. The MVP of Saturday’s game, Nussmeier completed five-of-eight passing attempts for 57 yards and rushed for the game’s opening TD.
Nussmeier was consistently poised and accurate. He displayed the capability to command an NFL offense with calmness and precision. Nussmeier achieved his pre-draft goals in Mobile, and scouts left impressed.
Cole Payton, North Dakota State
North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton arrived in Mobile as a one-year starter. That inexperience and rust were evident throughout the early practices. By the final session, Payton had settled in nicely, showing why he's considered a draftable talent.
Payton produced 29 touchdowns this past season as a dual-threat passer and runner. Payton is a tough, strong, and athletic quarterback. He proved why he's a worthwhile developmental option in the draft.
Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
Like most quarterbacks in Mobile, Baylor's Sawyer Robertson was inconsistent. Accuracy, timing, and anticipation were recurring issues. By the final session, Robertson had shown some progress by having better chemistry with his wide receivers.
NFL scouts appreciate Robertson's volume as a passer. He threw 59 touchdowns across 872 attempts in 2024 and 2025. Robertson will get drafted sometime on day three.
Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia lost the weigh-in process. NFL scouts knew he was undersized, as it was painfully obvious on tape. The official measurements on Pavia arrived at 5-foot-9 and 197 pounds. That's significantly smaller than what Vanderbilt listed him at.
Pavia was arguably the most impressive quarterback early, but he didn't maintain that form through all three practices. Pavia's timing as a thrower waned on Wednesday and Thursday. There's no denying his playmaking potential, but going undrafted feels within the realm of potential outcomes.
Luke Altmyer, Illinois
Illinois' Luke Altmyer was another quarterback who initially struggled to acclimate to his surroundings. That's typically an annual occurrence, as QBs familiarize themselves with the Senior Bowl playbook and new wide receivers. Altmyer got better as the week progressed.
Altmyer developed nicely at Illinois this past season. He set career highs as a passer in 2025, posting a personal best in completion percentage (67.4%) while tying his previous career-high in touchdown passes (22). Altmyer is probably a late-round draft pick.
Taylen Green, Arkansas
Arkansas' Taylen Green has moon-shot arm talent. He's also an underdeveloped quarterback who prefers to tuck and run as opposed to calmly going through his progressions. The physical tools are present, but technical refinement is needed.
Green threw 35 interceptions throughout his final four seasons of college football. The elusive scrambler also rushed for 35 career touchdowns. A team will draft Green and stash him as a developmental talent.