The rhythm of Senior Bowl week is hitting its stride, and for the American Team, that rhythm belongs entirely to the defense. Wednesday night’s full-padded session brought more proof that this group has turned effort into identity. From the first whistle, intensity was the standard — players flying to the ball, coaches demanding tempo, and sideline energy feeding off every rep.
It’s that blend of emotion and execution that’s defining the American roster midway through the week. They’re communicating, competing, and closing plays together. With the stands lined by scouts and decision-makers, the unit’s cohesion and energy stood out again — proving that this defense isn’t just reacting, it’s dictating.
Who Stood Out
Luke Altmyer / QB, Illinois
Luke Altmyer continues to look like the kind of quarterback who, in the right system, could quietly carve out an NFL future. His game isn’t built on flash but on function. In team drills, Altmyer showed steady control of the offense, maintaining rhythm through progressions and exhibiting poise when the pocket tightened.
He pairs quick processing with a compact release, delivering accurately on in-breaking routes and checkdowns. Coaches nearby noted his command and short-area touch. Altmyer’s measured approach makes sense for teams that value timing and reliability over chaos. He’s not grabbing headlines, but he’s earning credibility.
Zion Young / EDGE, Missouri
Missouri’s Zion Young had himself a strong Wednesday session, turning heads with his blend of strength and leverage off the edge. He exploded out of his stance, consistently compressing the pocket during 11-on-11s. His ability to maintain his balance during contact set him apart from many other linemen in drills.
Young showed improved hands and patience — a sign he’s focused on refining his technique. He’s got clear NFL size and violent intent, and the consistent disruption he caused Wednesday earned approving glances from scouts stationed behind the defensive line group.
Ted Hurst / OL, Georgia State
Ted Hurst came into the week as a bit of an unknown commodity, but he’s playing like a professional. The Georgia State lineman stacked two strong practices, showing the kind of technical awareness coaches love. During the second padded session, he anchored with discipline, absorbing rush power and repositioning without overextending.
Hurst’s footwork and ability to adjust mid-rep against speed rushers were particularly encouraging. He’s handled himself well against the American Team’s athletic edges and is quietly building a positive reputation among scouts tracking offensive line consistency across both squads.
4 STAR SPECIALS
Taylen Green / QB, Arkansas
The throw of the night — and maybe the week — belonged to Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green. Midway through team drills, the six-foot-six signal-caller unleashed a laser that traveled nearly 60 yards in the air, hitting his receiver perfectly in stride. It drew cheers from teammates and a collective “whoa” from scouts.
Green followed that moment with up-and-down stretches, including a few off-target throws and an interception. But the raw tools are unquestionable. His size, velocity, and arm talent give him a chance to develop into something special with the right coaching. In Mobile, that command-and-reaction ability matters, and Green continues to show flashes that make evaluators take notice.
Mike Washington Jr. / RB, Arkansas (via Kentucky)
Mike Washington Jr. keeps stacking quality days. The Arkansas running back demonstrated impressive route work on Wednesday, creating separation with quick breaks and showing soft hands in traffic. His combination of vision and power between the tackles continues to make him a tough assignment for linebackers during scrimmages.
Scouts are seeing a player who’s not only physically tough but mentally consistent. Washington’s balance of patience, intelligence, and versatility has made him a steady presence during an otherwise chaotic week of competition.
Fernando Carmona / OT, Arkansas (via Arizona)
Fernando Carmona turned in another technically sound evening of work on Wednesday. He held firm against power rushers, showing measured lower-body control and the ability to recompress when set points broke down. Coaches praised his composure during red zone drills when he recovered mid-rep to prevent a sack.
For a lineman facing one of the deepest defensive fronts in Mobile, Carmona’s steadiness has stood out. No wasted energy, no panic — just consistent, high-effort snaps built on fundamentals.
Cam Ball / DL, Arkansas
If there’s one constant for the American defense through two days, it’s been Cam Ball’s presence in the backfield. The Arkansas defensive tackle once again showed a full array of moves, using his hands violently and maintaining low pad level to win gaps. His foot quickness inside continues to give interior linemen fits.
Ball is producing every period — individual, half-line, or team — and his energy is infectious. He’s become the centerpiece of this defense, both vocally and physically, controlling the middle and giving his unit an edge.
Julian Neal / CB, Arkansas
Wednesday was redemption day for Arkansas cornerback Julian Neal. After a shaky first outing, Neal looked smoother and more confident in his movements. He mirrored routes effectively, using sharp footwork and controlled aggression to keep receivers in check. In team drills, he made a key pass breakup that set the tone for the defense’s late-session surge.
Neal’s improvement from Day One was exactly what scouts wanted to see: teachability translating directly into performance. His bounce-back effort showed mental toughness that always plays well in draft rooms.
Xavian Sorey Jr. / LB, Arkansas
Xavian Sorey Jr. spent most of Wednesday’s practice turning heads — and creating chaos. The Arkansas linebacker played with command and explosion, filling gaps violently and routinely beating blockers to spots. His timing on blitzes wrecked several run plays, and his pursuit speed across the field was elite.
Sorey looks like a player whose confidence is catching up to his athleticism, and that’s a dangerous combination. He played with control, energy, and leadership — exactly the ingredients that make week-long impressions on NFL personnel.
Keyron Crawford / EDGE, Auburn
Auburn’s Keyron Crawford continues to climb. Scouts who hadn’t circled his name entering the week definitely have now. The Memphis native flashed pure explosion again, shooting past tackles with quick hands and low bend. Wednesday’s practice saw him win multiple reps off the line with both speed and counter moves.
Crawford’s stock is clearly rising. His play strength, burst, and effort level all scream Day Two potential. The buzz around him grew even louder after practice ended, with several scouts mentioning his motor and demeanor in their notes.
Final Thoughts from Mobile
The American Team finished Day Two looking like a roster fully in tune with itself — physical, confident, and cohesive. The defense, anchored by Arkansas and Auburn representatives, continues to dictate tempo. Taylen Green’s arm talent made noise, Sorey and Ball controlled the trenches, and Crawford added another exclamation point with his relentless edge play.
The Arkansas core — Green, Washington Jr., Carmona, Ball, Neal, and Sorey — along with Auburn’s Crawford, have separated themselves as the pulse of this week’s practices. As Thursday’s sessions approach, all eyes remain on them. The southern toughness they’ve injected into this team isn’t just noticeable — it’s contagious.
