The first phase of what folks like to call "the draft process" is now underway in Mobile, AL, where more than 100 top college players are displaying their talents ahead of Saturday's 77th edition of the Senior Bowl. Up next in February will be the NFL Scouting Combine, followed two months later by the NFL Draft, which this year will be held in Pittsburgh.
The all-star week of draft-eligible players started practice on Tuesday, which will lead up to the game, which will be broadcast on NFL Network and NFL+.
And as the players put on their pads, NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah dropped the first iteration of his list of the Top 50 prospects, along with his first mock draft -- where he has the Jets doing their Ohio State Buckeye thing taking edge Arvell Reese at No. 2 and WR Carnell Tate at No. 16 (a selection acquired from Indianapolis in the Sauce Gardner trade).
As practice got started on Tuesday, Jeremiah talked about two of the players among his top 50.
Get a peek at the action going on in Mobile, Alabama with the best photos Tuesday's 2026 Senior Bowl practice. Check out standout QBs Garrett Nussmeier & Deigo Pavia as they begin the road to the 2026 NFL Draft.
National Team quarterback Diego Pavia (2), of Vanderbilt, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team quarterback's Cole Payton (9), of North Dakota State, Sawyer Robertson (12), of Baylor, and Diego Pavia (2), of Vanderbilt run through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team defensive end Cian Slone (8), of North Carolina State, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team tight end Joshua Cuevas (80), of Alabama, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team quarterback Sawyer Robertson (12), of Baylor, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team defensive end Logan Fano (50), of Utah, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team linebacker Kyle Louis (31), of Pittsburgh, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team defensive tackle Deven Eastern (91), of Minnesota, during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team quarterback Diego Pavia (2), of Vanderbilt, during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team long snapper Luke Basso (43), or Oregon, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team quarterback Cole Payton (9), of North Dakota State, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team defensive tackle Caleb Banks (88), of Florida, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge (77), of Georgia Tech, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team offensive lineman Gennings Dunker (68), of Iowa, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team running back Seth McGowan (32), of Kentucky, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team linebacker Keyshaun Elliott (44), of Arizona State, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team defensive end Logan Fano (50), of Utah, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team quarterback Cole Payton (9), of North Dakota State runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team running back Kaytron Allen (11), of Penn State, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team wide receiver Barion Brown (6), of LSU, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team quarterback Taylen Green (10), of Arkansas runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team quarterback Luke Altmyer (9), of Illinois, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13), of LSU, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team defensive lineman Lt Overton (22), of Alabama, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team outside linebacker Keyron Crawford (24), of Auburn, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team defensive lineman Gabe Jacas (52), of Illinois, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team defensive end Quintayvious Hutchins (15), of Boston College, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team wide receiver Cyrus Allen (13), of Cincinnati, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
An NFL coach goes over plays with players as they run through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team linebacker Namdi Obiazor (10), of TCU, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
No. 16: Tennessee CB Colton Hood
Long (6-0) and lean (195), Colton Hood finished his college career with the Volunteers after playing a season at Auburn and one at Colorado.
"Well, he's one of a pair of corners [Jermod McCoy at No. 14 is the other], unfortunately, they didn't get a chance to play together due to injury, but I got two Tennessee corners going in the top 20. And when you look at Colton Hood, I start first of all with the toughness. When you're looking at corners nowadays, you better be able to fill and force against the run. He will do that. He can mirror and match you with his fluidity and movement skills, and he can find and play the football. I think he's a plug and play starter at the next level."
In his lone season with the Volunteers, Hood made 50 tackles (34 solo), had a forced fumble and 1 interception (a pick-6 against Mississippi State), a fumble recovery he returned 23 yards for a TD against Syracuse, and also 8 passes defended.
He's capable against the run and is not shy about taking on blockers. In pass coverage, he's comfortable up at the line of scrimmage, in the face of the receiver he's defending and generally wins more battles than he loses.
No. 26: Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter
Back in his hometown, Lee Hunter (6-4, 325) is Jeremiah's No. 1-rated defensive tackle. Hunter began his college career redshirted as a true freshman at Auburn, but did not play. He entered the transfer portal, spending three seasons at Central Florida, then his final season with the Red Raiders.
"Sometimes you got to plant your flag on a player and he's a statement player for me," Jeremiah said. "When I watched Lee Hunter, the first game that I watched as I got to him late in the process was the playoff game against Oregon, and it starts snap one in that game. You can see what he can do at 320-plus pounds, with the quickness, the ability to penetrate. He's going to be able to hold the point as a run defender, and then showing you some upside, a little wiggle as a pass rusher. So to me, this is a great opportunity for the hometown boy to have a very big week."
In 12 games, Hunter had 41 tackles (16 solo), a forced fumble, 2.5 sacks and 7.5 TFL.
Executive Director Drew Fabianich Is High on CB Group
In his first go-round as the Senior Bowl's executive director, Drew Fabianich brings a scouts eye to the annual talent showcase. He spent nearly four decades as a scout (in the NFL with the Cowboys) and as the GM at Auburn and West Virginia.
"It's a solid, solid roster, and there's some really big-time positions here that will show very, very well," he said.
He was particularly high on the group of cornerbacks assembled in Mobile for the game.
"I'm also looking forward to see in the corners, because I think the corners are kind of undervalued this year," he said. "I think there's some really solid players in that group. And I think the ones I brought in, and I brought in some monsters, so I have a bias. And there's a few smaller slot corners, but most of them are monsters. That's what I like, and I like long corners."
In addition to Colton Hood, that list includes Malik Muhammad (Texas), Chris Johnson (San Diego State), Davison Igbinosun (Ohio State), Ephesians Prysock (Washington), T.J. Hall (Iowa), Chandler Rivers (Duke) and Charles Demmings (Stephen F. Austin).
