• QB Cole Payton, North Dakota State: Payton finished the 2025 season as the highest-graded FCS quarterback, earning a 95.8 PFF offense grade. Though he started for just one season at North Dakota State, he capitalized on that opportunity, delivering elite production as both a passer (94.5) and runner (90.0).

• CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F Austin: Demmings has posted back-to-back PFF coverage grades above 80.0 (81.6 in 2024 and 80.4 in 2025), and this past season he recorded four interceptions and six pass breakups while allowing an NFL passer rating of just 39.8 into his coverage.

• Everything you need to prepare for draft season: The PFF Senior Bowl Tool allows fans to view and compare participating players using their full 2025 PFF grades, wins above average (WAA) and measurements, while the 2026 Big Board and BigBoard Builder allow users to gauge the draft landscape and begin shaping their own evaluations. Fans looking to apply those evaluations can then explore outcomes through the PFF Mock Draft Simulator as the draft picture begins to take shape.

There is a saying that “the draft starts in Mobile,” and during Panini Senior Bowl week, every detail matters. From how prospects carry themselves and interact with teammates to how they listen to coaching and move on the field, nothing goes unnoticed. Talent evaluators, coaches and media members are constantly exchanging notes — comparing impressions, relaying conversations and stacking small observations that can ultimately reshape a player’s draft stock.

On a flight I had to Mobile one year, I observed a linebacker prospect immediately take out a whiteboard and start drawing up formations as soon as the plane took off. It impressed me that he loved football and was actively working to get better at it. I told NFL coaches and scouts what I saw, which I’m sure had no bearing on his draft stock (it was Eric Kendricks, and he went at No. 45 overall), but every little thing matters for these players during Panini Senior Bowl Week in Mobile.

The current landscape of college football and the prominence of the transfer portal have led many talented FCS players to leave for FBS opportunities and exposure. As hundreds of players now make this FCS-to-FBS jump each year, the talent pool of NFL-caliber prospects at the FCS level is getting smaller, and, therefore, the number of FCS players with Senior Bowl invites should also be shrinking moving forward.

This year, the Senior Bowl has only three players from the FCS level competing with and against the top FBS players in Mobile.

QB Cole Payton, North Dakota State

Payton finished the 2025 season as the highest-graded FCS quarterback, earning a 95.8 PFF offense grade. Though he started for just one season at North Dakota State, he capitalized on that opportunity, delivering elite production as both a passer (94.5) and runner (90.0).

The left-handed, dual-threat quarterback is currently the No. 217 prospect on the PFF Big Board, but a strong showing in Mobile could push Payton up draft boards. As is always the case during Senior Bowl week, everything is evaluated — and for Payton, the interview process with NFL teams may matter even more than what he shows on the field during practices or the game.

Those interviews will give NFL decision-makers a chance to pick Payton’s brain and evaluate the depth of his football knowledge after just 14 career starts, helping determine whether his football IQ warrants a late-round investment.

OL Delby Lemieux, Dartmouth 

Lemieux has continued to grow into his frame over the past few seasons, measuring in at 6-foot-5, 305 pounds at the Senior Bowl weigh-ins after being listed at 6-foot-4, 255 pounds when he arrived at Dartmouth in 2022.

Lemieux earned an 84.4 PFF grade in 2025 and made 25 career starts at left tackle, but NFL evaluators are likely to view his size and athletic profile as a better fit at center. Senior Bowl practices will give Lemieux a critical opportunity to prove he can handle the position switch against NFL-caliber interior defensive linemen.

CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F Austin

Demmings has logged 1,731 career snaps at outside corner and brings ideal NFL size and traits at 6-foot-1 with good length and athleticism, though he will need to add weight to his 191-pound frame. He is rumored to possess top-end speed, which should be confirmed at the NFL Combine.

Production has followed the tools. Demmings has posted back-to-back PFF coverage grades above 80.0 (81.6 in 2024 and 80.4 in 2025), and this past season he recorded four interceptions and six pass breakups while allowing an NFL passer rating of just 39.8 into his coverage.

Panini Senior Bowl Week presents a major opportunity for Demmings to prove he can match up with NFL-caliber wide receivers. A strong showing in Mobile could push him firmly up draft boards.

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