Get Ready for the 2026 Senior Bowl: The Quarterback Showcase
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, the Pittsburgh Steelers are keenly observing the college quarterback scene. With a pressing need to strengthen their roster and facing a draft class that has not lived up to expectations, they are preparing to scrutinize the QB prospects closely during this vital pre-draft event, taking place at the end of January.
Our dedicated team will deliver in-depth analysis on each player, complete with scouting reports starting now and continuing until the NFL Draft on April 24. Additionally, two of our analysts will be on-site, capturing detailed insights from all three practices at the Senior Bowl and conducting several interviews with players throughout the week.
In advance of this significant event, let's take a closer look at some of the standout quarterbacks from the Steelers' perspective.
Quarterbacks to Watch
There are six quarterbacks expected to participate in this year’s Senior Bowl, and each offers unique skills and stories.
1. Luke Altmyer - Illinois
- Age: 23.2
- Year: 5
- Height/Weight: 6-2, 215 pounds
- PFF Position Rank: 10th (202nd overall)
Starting his college journey at Ole Miss, Altmyer spent two years there, including time as a backup to Jaxson Dart. Despite being a four-star recruit, he transferred to Illinois before the 2023 season seeking a starting role. Over three seasons, he consistently improved and concluded his 2025 campaign with an impressive 3,007 passing yards and 22 touchdowns, leading the Fighting Illini to a solid 9-4 record. Overall, his career stats show 660 completions out of 1,036 attempts for 7,924 yards, along with 60 touchdowns and 24 interceptions, complemented by 318 rushing attempts yielding 744 yards and 14 more touchdowns. A multi-time honor roll student and team captain, Altmyer etched his name as one of the most distinguished quarterbacks in Illinois history, receiving an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2025.
2. Taylen Green - Arkansas
- Age: 23.2
- Year: 5
- Height/Weight: 6-6, 235 pounds
- PFF Position Rank: 12th (206th overall)
Green stands out physically among his peers, boasting a combination of size and athleticism at 6-6 and 235 pounds. His speed is evident on film, allowing him to extend plays or execute designed runs effectively. While his arm strength is formidable, he has been labeled as somewhat erratic, reflected in his 35 career interceptions. Throughout his college career, he completed 715 passes on 1,190 attempts for 9,662 yards, with 59 touchdowns and those 35 interceptions. He also amassed 2,405 rushing yards on 459 carries, scoring another 35 touchdowns. Green has the potential to impress during practice sessions and the combine, if he participates, but he must address the challenges posed by a disappointing 2-10 record in his final year at Arkansas.
3. Garrett Nussmeier - LSU
- Age: 23.9
- Year: 5
- Height/Weight: 6-1, 205 pounds
- PFF Position Rank: 4th (83rd overall)
In a landscape where player movement is common, Nussmeier is unique for having spent all five of his collegiate years with LSU. He first became a full-time starter in 2024, leading the SEC in completions, attempts, and interceptions, finishing with 4,052 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. Hailed as a potential first-round pick entering 2025, his final season was marred by injuries, including a torso strain and an ankle injury, which affected his performance—resulting in only 1,927 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions in nine games. Now, with ample time to recover, he could emerge as a surprise contender in the pre-draft evaluations. An honor roll student and a college graduate, Nussmeier also served as team captain in 2025.
4. Diego Pavia - Vanderbilt
- Age: 23.9
- Year: 4
- Height/Weight: 6-0, 207 pounds
- PFF Position Rank: 9th (178th overall)
After transferring from New Mexico State, Pavia thrived at Vanderbilt, showcasing remarkable growth against tougher opponents. His stellar final season saw him finish second in Heisman voting while leading the SEC in completion percentage, touchdowns, yards per attempt, and passer efficiency rating. In total, he recorded 766 completions out of 1,232 attempts for a staggering 10,255 yards, 88 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions. His rushing stats were just as impressive, with 628 attempts resulting in 3,094 yards and 31 touchdowns. Pavia directed Vanderbilt to a strong 10-3 record, narrowly missing the chance for the College Football Playoffs. As a team captain, he won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year.
5. Cole Payton - North Dakota State
- Age: N/A
- Year: 5
- Height/Weight: 6-3, 233 pounds
- PFF Position Rank: 13th (209th overall)
Choosing North Dakota State over more prominent programs like Iowa State, Payton remained committed to NDSU for all five years of his college career, primarily serving as a backup until 2025. He recorded 198 completions on 282 attempts for 3,188 yards, with 21 touchdowns and six interceptions. His rushing ability is notable as well, with 1,918 yards on 287 carries, adding 31 touchdowns to his collegiate achievements. Throughout his time at NDSU, he received numerous academic accolades.
6. Sawyer Robertson - Baylor
- Age: 23.0
- Year: 4
- Height/Weight: 6-4, 220 pounds
- PFF Position Rank: 11th (204th overall)
Robertson's journey took him from Mississippi State to Baylor, where he excelled as a passer in his final season. He achieved incredible stats with 504 completions on 304 attempts for 3,681 yards and 31 touchdowns, leading the Big 12 in all these categories, coupled with 12 interceptions during the 2025 season. Across his career, he completed 605 of 1,000 attempts for 7,639 yards, with 61 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. Additionally, he contributed 316 yards and eight rushing touchdowns on 156 attempts. Recognized as the 2025 Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, he also became a finalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy. With ideal size for a traditional pocket passer and steady improvement throughout his college tenure, Robertson is poised to capture attention at the Senior Bowl.
