The American team’s first practice in Mobile felt less like an introduction and more like a declaration. The pace was hot from the opening horn, the physicality was real, and by the end of the session, a clear set of early winners had emerged. While the practice told one story about the American roster as a whole, a second, parallel story was unfolding with a very specific cast: the 4 Star Specials.
Setting The Tone: American Team Brings The Juice
From the stretch to the final whistle, the American squad operated with a professional edge. There was very little easing in. Install periods moved quickly, coaches demanded tempo between stations, and players either matched the urgency or got exposed.
The defensive front kept things honest. If you spotted a Michigan helmet in the drill, you knew the energy was about to spike. Wolverines in the front seven flew off the ball, popping pads in one‑on‑ones and setting a physical bar that everyone else had to meet. In team periods, they squeezed the pocket, collapsed run lanes, and forced the offense to earn every completion.
At quarterback, Illinois’ Luke Altmyer offered a steadying presence. He worked with quiet confidence, keeping his base under him and rarely looking rushed, even when the rush won out. His deep ball was a bright spot: several vertical throws dropped in with enough touch and timing to let receivers finish the play, not fight the ball. It wasn’t flashy, but it looked like an NFL‑style operation on Day One — and that matters in this setting.
Across the board, you could feel the stakes. Receivers finished through contact, backs fought for extra yards in an inside run, and defensive backs competed at the catch point instead of just playing through the rep. It wasn’t perfect football, but it was serious football, and for a first day under a new staff, that’s a strong opening note.
The 4 Star Specials: Fayetteville’s Focus Group
Inside that broader context, the 4 Star Specials carved out their own storyline — a tighter lens on a group of players carrying Fayetteville’s attention all week.
Taylen Green – Owning The Moment
Taylen Green didn’t ease into the week; he started it in command. Running with the ones, he looked comfortable in the huddle and confident at the line of scrimmage. The first thing that jumps out remains the same: the ball absolutely jumps out of his hand. One of his signature throws came on a laser to Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields, a tight‑window shot that demanded both trust and timing.
What elevated his day beyond arm talent, though, was how under control he looked. On rollouts and movement throws, he reset his base, kept his shoulders quiet, and delivered on time. For a quarterback stepping into a new system in front of a sea of scouts, Day One felt less like a feeling‑out process and more like a player ready to stack days.
Washington Jr. – The Back Everyone’s Talking About
If there was a quiet hum around one offensive player, it was Mike Washington Jr.; he moved like a back who understands that every rep is an audition. His route running out of the backfield was as clean as advertised, including one of the sharpest angle routes of the day — plant, snap, hands, turn upfield. No wasted motion.
What makes him stand out is how smooth he is for his size. He doesn’t look labored in space, and his hands are natural. The word circulating along the sideline was simple: riser. When evaluators start talking about a back potentially climbing boards after the first practice, you’ve done your job.
Carmona – Quietly Winning In The Interior
Fernando Carmona’s work wasn’t loud, but it was the kind that holds up on film. Slotted at left guard, he showed good balance in one‑on‑ones, anchoring against power and battling back when defenders tried to walk him into the pocket. In team, he looked like a player who understood the structure of the play, not just his assignment — passing off games, staying square, and giving his quarterback a firm interior to work from.
For an interior lineman, Day One is about not giving evaluators a reason to circle your number for the wrong reasons. Carmona passed that test and added a few positive notes on top.
Ball – Edge And Attitude Inside
On the other side of the ball, Cam Ball brought exactly what you want from an interior defender trying to stand out: attitude. In one‑on‑ones, he got great drive off the snap, leveraging under pads and walking linemen back with a strong lower half. His hands were active and heavy, helping him shed and generate pressure rather than just stalemating blocks.
“Nasty in the trenches” fits him well. The tape from this first session will show effort, knock‑back, and a willingness to finish plays. That’s a strong base to build on as the week goes on.
Sorey Jr. – Range With Room To Grow
We saw Xavian Sorey Jr. turn heads early in movement periods. His work in cone drills showed off loose hips, light feet, and the kind of range that lets a defense stay flexible with its personnel. When team periods started, he didn’t sit back — he triggered downhill, attacked run fits, and brought some bite to his finishes.
The next piece of his puzzle comes in the form of coverage. Coaches and scouts will want to see how he handles depth, landmarks, and pattern recognition when the ball is in the air. If he can pair his obvious athleticism and aggression with clean coverage work, his week can take off quickly.
Neal – A Day To Learn From
For Julian Neal, the opening practice was more of a test than a showcase. He was beaten by Ted Hurst on a vertical and had a few reps in team, where he lost at the top of the route and couldn’t quite recover. That happens here — you’re facing nothing but dudes — but it does put the spotlight on how he responds.
The opportunity is clear: correct the technique, reset the confidence, and turn Day One into a foundation rather than a verdict. For some players, the story of the week is written in how they rebound. Neal has that chance in front of him.
Crawford – Speed And Edge Discipline
Keyron Crawford, the defensive end from Auburn, delivered the kind of opening practice you want from an edge player, trying to solidify his stock. In team drills, he did an excellent job setting the edge, using quick hands to engage, lock out, and keep outside leverage against quality tackles. He didn’t just flash; he showed he could do the dirty work that wins early downs.
In cone and “Titan” drills, his speed and fluidity through change of direction confirmed the athletic profile. It was a complete day: traits in drills, production in the team, and effort throughout. That’s how you force your way into notebooks.
One Practice, Two Stories – Both Just Beginning
Day One for the American team told two stories at once. The first was about a roster practicing with urgency: Michigan defenders popping pads, Altmyer quietly stacking solid quarterback reps, and a unit that looked ready to operate like pros from the start. The second was about the 4 Star Specials — Green’s command, Washington Jr.’s buzz, Carmona’s steadiness, Ball’s nastiness, Sorey Jr.’s range, Neal’s looming response, and Crawford’s complete edge performance.
Both stories are far from finished. The installs will deepen, the pads will only get louder, and the margin for error will shrink as the week goes on. For now, the opening chapter is written — and 4 Star Sports Media will be there as the plot thickens in Mobile.
4 Star Sports Media is proud to partner with the Chris Hope Foundation for all written coverage of the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl.
This collaboration supports CHF’s ongoing mission to provide hope and assistance to families facing serious illness, while spotlighting the nation’s top college football talent in Mobile, Alabama. Together, we’re uniting purpose and passion—celebrating excellence both on and off the field throughout Senior Bowl week.
