Garrett Nussmeier - Quarterback
Nussmeier experienced a somewhat uneven start to practice, missing on a few early throws, but his performance steadily improved as the session progressed. By the end of the day, he looked far more comfortable and in rhythm, showing flashes of the quarterback he can be at his best.
Physically, Nussmeier remains limited. At roughly six foot one and just over 200 pounds, he does not have the ideal build teams typically covet. The size constraints showed up in live situations, including an 11 on 11 rep where he was stripped from behind after holding the ball too long. That play highlighted a recurring issue: moments where he struggles to see or trust developing concepts over the middle of the field.
At his best, Nussmeier wins with anticipation and timing. When he trusts his read and delivers the ball on schedule, the results are impressive, with several well placed throws arriving exactly where they were designed to go. Those reps stood out as clean, decisive, and well executed.
The inconsistency came from chemistry and familiarity. Working with new receivers, there were times when timing was slightly off or when Nussmeier hesitated, unsure where his target would break. That hesitation led to extended plays and unnecessary exposure in the pocket.
Overall, the practice reinforced both sides of Nussmeier’s profile. His processing and anticipation can elevate an offense, but his margin for error is smaller due to size and durability considerations. Continued comfort within the offense and improved trust with his receivers will be critical to maximizing his effectiveness.
Cole Payton - Quarterback
Payton was one of the more intriguing quarterbacks to evaluate. Earlier in his career, he showed significant production as a runner, including a season with double digit rushing touchdowns, before eventually taking over as the primary starter. That background shows up in his game, as he profiles as a dynamic dual threat with legitimate athletic ability.
From a passing standpoint, Payton has a strong arm and can make throws at all levels, but his mechanics remain a work in progress. His footwork can be inconsistent, and his release is on the looser side, which leads to variability in timing. These are areas that would require patience and coaching at the next level.
Because of that, Payton fits best as a draft and stash type of prospect. In the middle to late rounds, he makes sense for a team with a quarterback coach capable of refining mechanics and slowing the game down. While he may come off the board earlier than the sixth round, a selection in the fifth or sixth range would align with his developmental profile.
In terms of competition adjustment, Payton held up reasonably well. The jump in speed was noticeable, but he did not look overwhelmed. Unlike some small school quarterbacks in past settings who appeared completely out of sync early, Payton showed poise, flashed a few quality throws, and generally maintained solid ball placement. Overall, he remains a developmental quarterback with tools worth investing in, provided the environment is patient and structured.
Diego Pavia - Quarterback
From the national practice, there were no major takeaways that significantly shifted evaluations. Pavia stood out primarily from a size perspective. Even without official measurements, he appeared noticeably undersized when standing alongside other prospects, looking closer to the five foot nine range.
He did connect on one deep throw to Josh Cameron, though that rep drew mixed reactions. The pass felt more like a heave than a controlled, repeatable deep ball, reinforcing some of the existing questions about consistency and projection rather than providing a clear statement moment.
Seth McGowan – Running Back
There were a couple of key takeaways worth noting. The clip we shared of McGowan confirmed what shows up consistently on tape: his movement skills translate cleanly in person. He looked just as smooth and fluid in live reps as he does on film, reinforcing confidence in that aspect of his profile.
Another important point was his comfort catching the football. That element stood out as something to monitor closely, and McGowan showed natural hands and ease working through the catch. For a player whose value can be elevated by versatility, that reliability as a receiver is a meaningful box to check.
Malachi Fields – Wide Receiver
From an evaluation standpoint, this was a player who immediately passed the eye test. There was a noticeable level of juice in his movement that went beyond what consistently shows up on tape, suggesting more athletic upside than previously credited.
Another key factor in his appeal is his blocking. That element of his game adds real value, particularly for offenses that prioritize versatility and physical execution. For coaches in systems like Kyle Shanahan’s or Sean McVay’s, where depth players are expected to contribute in multiple phases, that blocking ability makes him an attractive developmental option and elevates his overall projection.
Tyren Montgomery – Wide Receiver
Another wide receiver who stood out was Montgomery from John Carroll, one of the later additions to this year’s Senior Bowl roster. Entering the week, he was not a player I had spent time evaluating, largely due to the timing of his addition. That changed quickly.
Montgomery immediately drew attention with a high point catch over Marcus Allen, a play that sparked widespread reaction and prompted many evaluators to revisit his tape. That moment alone signaled that there may be more to his game than his small school background initially suggested.
Physically, Montgomery checks the prototypical boxes at approximately six feet and 190 pounds. Beyond the frame, his route running was what truly stood out. He executed a sharp comeback route against Colton Hood, a corner I view as a potential first round talent. Hood is known for his physicality, though his hip stiffness can show at times, and Montgomery capitalized on that by snapping off the route cleanly and creating separation with quick, controlled footwork.
Montgomery’s movement skills were impressive throughout the session. He showed light, choppy feet, smooth hip transitions, and the ability to decelerate and reaccelerate without losing balance. Those traits consistently allowed him to create space, even against quality competition.
One day of practice does not define a prospect, but Montgomery has already provided compelling reasons to go back and study his film in depth. Based on this performance alone, he has undoubtedly helped his draft stock and positioned himself as a name to monitor closely as the week progresses.
Ted Hurst – Tight End
One of the players I was most eager to evaluate was Ted Hurst, the Valdosta State transfer now at Georgia State. He entered the event with intriguing tape and solid production, but the lingering question centered on level of competition. This setting provided the opportunity to see whether his traits would translate against stronger opposition.
Hurst answered that question convincingly. He flashed a highlight one handed catch that drew immediate attention, but more importantly, he showed the same after the catch ability that appears on film. His movement skills stood out throughout the session, both within his routes and when working in space across the field.
Physically, Hurst also impressed. He weighed in at 205 pounds and looked noticeably more filled out, an encouraging development for a receiver who wins vertically and challenges defenders downfield. That added mass should help him handle contact and maintain effectiveness against physical coverage.
His forced missed tackle production now makes more sense in this context. Some of that was driven by necessity, given inconsistent quarterback play at Georgia State, where quick throws and bubbles became a way to get the ball into his hands. In this environment, however, Hurst was able to operate as a true receiver, showing nuance in his routes, fluidity in his breaks, and explosive change of direction.
Overall, this was exactly the type of barometer test evaluators wanted to see, and Hurst rose to the occasion. He displayed more explosiveness and polish than expected and emerged as one of the standout performers in the second practice. At this point, he is firmly on the radar as a receiver worth deeper evaluation.
Keylan Rutledge – Offensive Line
Another offensive lineman worth noting is Rutledge. He made an immediate impression with his physicality, to the point that coaches stepped in early to ask him to dial it back. That edge and intensity are central to his game and stand out in a setting where many linemen are still feeling things out.
From an athletic standpoint, Rutledge does have some limitations, particularly in space. His profile fits best within a gap based scheme where power, leverage, and finishing ability are prioritized over lateral range. In that context, his strengths become assets rather than concerns.
Rutledge looks like a natural fit for a team that values physical offensive line play, and Baltimore immediately comes to mind. His demeanor, play style, and strengths align closely with what the Ravens have traditionally sought in interior linemen. For a Ravens fan base accustomed to tough, tone setting guards, Rutledge projects as the type of player who could quickly earn a role and carve out a future on the interior.
Demetrius Crownover – Offensive Line
Another prospect worth mentioning is Crownover, the right tackle from Texas A&M. From a physical standpoint, he looks like a player designed to play offensive tackle. He has the arm length, size, and adequate foot quickness teams look for at the position.
The long standing concern has been consistency. On a game to game basis, something has often been missing, and his tools have not always come together at the same time. That inconsistency has kept expectations in check entering this setting.