Senior Bowl week is officially over and with that we can begin to look at some prospects who stood out throughout the event. The New Orleans Saints have a reputation for drafting players from the Senior Bowl, and this year should be no different.
QB Garrett Nussmeier
I have to start with this perspective. Former LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier was the Senior Bowl MVP, and he is the son of current Saints OC Doug Nussmeier. The family connection establishes a clear connection between the player and the team, but being the Senior Bowl MVP is also a big factor for the Saints. Over the last four years, the Saints drafted the MVPs, which were QBs Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.
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Now, sure, the Saints already have their QB in Tyler Shough, but if Garrett Nussmeier’s stock doesn’t skyrocket, which very well could, he will be this team’s target. Going further, if the Saints trade Rattler, they need a replacement, and that could be Nussmeier (again, if his stock doesn’t rise too much).
DT Lee Hunter
Another notable prospect was Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter. This year’s Senior Bowl had many standout defensive linemen, but Hunter may have been at the top of the list. He beat offensive linemen with ease and dominated the running game. Even when he struggled, which he did, he listened carefully to his coaches and corrected what he was doing. Hunter may have played himself as early as the second round, but if he’s available in the Saints’ second-round selection, it makes too much sense for New Orleans to go for the big DT.
Plus, he grew up as a Saints fan, which always helps.
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LB Kyle Louis
Sticking with the defense, the linebackers also had a great week. The list of prospects I could have picked was long, but for the Saints, former Pitt LB Kyle Louis brings something the Saints don’t have. In the Senior Bowl, Louis looked like a DB playing in the middle of the field. He was an interception machine, breaking up a good number of passes. Even though some LBs can be much worse against the run and tackles if they’re great in coverage, that’s not Louis. He was great at getting into the backfield and blowing up runs.
His main issue is size, but based on what he showed at the Senior Bowl, Louis is a difference maker on defense.
EDGE TJ Parker
Getting back to the defensive line, former Clemson TJ Parker was one of the best, if not the best, in the Senior Bowl. Entering the CFB season, Parker was projected to be a top-five pick in the 2026 draft, but a quiet season with Clemson changed that. During practice and the Senior Bowl game, Parker proved why that projection made sense. He beat tackles with length, speed and power in the pass rush. Against the run he was also excellent.
For the Saints, if they don’t select EDGE at pick No. 8, Parker could be their first pick in the second round. The question is whether it will still be available.
