With Senior Bowl practices in the books and the game officially wrapped up, the week in Mobile, Ala., did exactly what it’s designed to do: separate prospects. Some players elevated their stock, some held steady, and others struggled under the spotlight. When the lights were brightest on game day, these five prospects stood out the most, turning strong weeks of practice into statement performances.
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
The easy and clear choice atop this list is Garrett Nussmeier, who walked away with Senior Bowl MVP honors. Nussmeier set the tone early, leading touchdown drives on his team’s first two possessions and finishing the game 5-of-8 for 57 yards. He added a rushing touchdown and delivered a clutch two-point conversion pass to Notre Dame wideout Malachi Fields.
More than the box score, Nussmeier showed the timing, confidence, and poise that made him such a highly regarded prospect heading into 2025. Ultimately, the fifth-year senior finished the season with a 75.9 score per PFSN’s QB Impact Metrics, which ranked No. 110 among college quarterbacks.
Perhaps most encouraging was how healthy he looked at the Senior Bowl. The injury concerns that lingered earlier in the year seemed to fade as he flashed arm strength and mobility throughout the week. Currently ranked QB6 on the PFSN Consensus Big Board, Nussmeier’s stock feels poised to rise after a performance like this, both in practices and when it counted most.
Cole Payton, QB, NDSU
Let’s stay on the quarterback theme, because let’s be honest, that’s where the attention always goes. Cole Payton was a clear winner from the game, even in a losing effort, earning Offensive MVP honors.
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Payton showcased the full skill set that makes him intriguing, ripping off a 19-yard run and completing passes of 24, 22, and 14 yards. He displayed arm talent, decision-making, and dynamic rushing ability that set him apart from more traditional pocket passers. In a draft class with only two quarterbacks currently ranked in the top 100 on the PFSN Consensus Big Board, Payton made the most of his opportunity. This was a big week at exactly the right time.
Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon
Few defenders were more active in the Senior Bowl game than Bryce Boettcher. The Oregon linebacker led all players with 10 tackles, five more than anyone else on the field, while also breaking up a pass for the National Team defense.
That production is especially impressive in an all-star setting where snaps are limited and rotations are heavy. Boettcher was constantly around the ball, playing with urgency, physicality, and range. His coverage ability stood out throughout the week, matching the intensity he brought downhill against the run. A leader on an Oregon defense that posted an 86.5 score in PFSN’s CFB Defensive Impact Metrics, Boettcher reinforced why scouts view him as more than just a high-motor player; he’s a difference-maker.
Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech
Keylan Rutledge entered the game with momentum from practices. The Georgia Tech guard was a tone-setter up front, stacking pancakes and opening lanes with ease in the run game.
Rutledge plays with a nasty edge; he’s a true road grader with the strength and demeanor teams covet on the interior. Beating him one-on-one is a tall task, especially when he’s firing off the ball in a power-based run scheme. A classic Brent Key lineman, Rutledge looked right at home bullying defenders and making life easier for the backs behind him.
Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
Rounding out the list is Zion Young, the game’s defensive MVPÂ and one of the most productive defenders all week. The Missouri edge rusher filled up the stat sheet with a fumble recovery, key tackles, and multiple pressures that forced quarterbacks to speed up their internal clocks.
Young’s impact went beyond splash plays; he consistently disrupted the pocket and set the tone physically. While some may be surprised by the attention he’s gaining, the numbers back it up. Missouri finished the 2025 season with a top-10 PFSN CFB defensive impact grade, and Young was a major reason why. His Senior Bowl performance only reinforced that his production translates against NFL-caliber competition.
