It’s the opposite of “senior skip day,” that trope from coming-of-age movies. Rather, the upperclassmen are showing up for extra work … on a Saturday, no less.

The 2026 Senior Bowl gets moving in Mobile. NFL hopefuls can showcase their skills. NCAA stars can bid farewell to the college game. Here’s what to know before the cameras roll and the scrimmage starts.

How to watch the 2026 Senior Bowl

This installment gets billed as “The Panini Senior Bowl.” The title sponsor, Panini America, is a sports card and memorabilia dealer … though it sounds like a sandwich society or some ciabatta-based advocacy group. No matter its name, Senior Bowl stakes are clear. A whopping 50 of last year’s participants were picked within the first three NFL Draft rounds, which was 47 more than any other all-star game.

The Senior Bowl was established in 1950. Television broadcasts began in 1958, and sellout crowds were logged by 1965, thanks to the star power of Alabama quarterback Joe Namath. Back then, rosters were split geographically into North and South squads.

Modern Senior Bowls are divided between National and American teams, with an official committee sending invites after a long evaluation process. The executive director, Drew Fabianich, was an NFL scout with the Dallas Cowboys and an NCAA one at Auburn and West Virginia.

This year’s practices were held Tuesday through Thursday. Tyren Montgomery, a wideout from Division III program John Carroll, was among the risers from earlier this week. Though power conferences dominate these rosters, the Senior Bowl can be a cool discovery site for diamonds in the rough.

“Seemingly every year, at least one small-school prospect bursts onto the scene at the Senior Bowl and becomes a big part of the draft conversation. Last year, North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel helped cement himself as a first-rounder, and Northern Iowa’s Trevor Penning did the same in 2022,” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler and Zac Jackson wrote earlier in the week.

The American team is led by Joel Thomas, an associate head coach for the New Orleans Saints. Fellow Saints staffers serve as his lead coordinators, with Scott Tolzien (QBs coach) on offense and Peter Sirmon (linebackers coach) on defense. The National team matches with Clint Hurtt, the Philadelphia Eagles senior defensive assistant. Jemal Singleton (Eagles RBs coach) calls the offense, and David Overstreet (Cowboys secondary coach in 2025) is the DC.

Diego Pavia, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, is one of several QBs eager to impress in Saturday’s action. The Vanderbilt slinger has been all over the news of late. He sued the NCAA for expanded eligibility, as his lawyers challenged redshirt rules and junior college criteria. Meanwhile, Pavia’s Senior Bowl height measurement came in at 5 feet, 9 7/8 inches. Vanderbilt listed him at an even 6 feet.

Other quarterbacks include LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, a preseason Heisman candidate before the Tigers collapsed, and Illinois’ Luke Altmyer, who originally transferred from Ole Miss. According to Brugler, The Athletic’s draft guru, there’s a lot of talent at pass rush. Gabe Jacas (11 sacks for Illinois), Derrick Moore (10 for Michigan) and Zion Young (6 1/2 for Missouri) fly off the edge come Saturday. The full list of 139 players can be seen here.

The NFL Network broadcast features Rhett Lewis on play-play, with Daniel Jeremiah and Charles Davis providing analysis. Tom Pelissero will also be reporting from the sideline. NFL general managers, coaches, scouts and other personnel are expected to be in attendance.

Though the Senior Bowl is a consequential part of the pre-draft process, it also brings some post-graduation lightness to the screen:

Getting Senior Bowl players to sign embarrassing throwback pics 😂#TheDraftStartsInMobile pic.twitter.com/WyCZ7xALbs

— Panini Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 30, 2026

Notable Senior Bowl MVPs
2020 — Justin Herbert, Oregon QB
2016 — Dak Prescott, Mississippi State QB
2010 — Brandon Graham, Michigan DE
2008 — Matt Forte, Tulane RB
2004 — Philip Rivers, NC State QB
2001 — LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU RB
1995 — Derrick Brooks, Florida State LB
1988 — Thurman Thomas, Oklahoma State RB
1983 — Dan Marino*, Pittsburgh QB
1978 — James Lofton, Stanford WR
1970 — Terry Bradshaw, Louisiana Tech QB
1958 — Jim Taylor, LSU RB

* co-MVP

Streaming and ticketing links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process, and do not review stories before publication.