2026 Panini’s Senior Bowl-National Team, Day 2 recap, 1-28-26: Photo Gallery
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Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez (pictured middle) dances with teammates after recording an interception near the end of practice on Day 2 of the 2026 Senior Bowl.
The 2026 Panini’s Senior Bowl featured a spirited National team practice on Day 2 of its proceedings. In fact, there were several takeaways from each of the periods. Today, we break down notes from a few of the periods before concluding with our photo gallery.
OL vs. DL 1-on-1 Pass Rush…(some notes):
- Georgia Tech All-ACC OG Keylan Rutledge saw time at OC and impressed versus Minnesota DL Deven Eastern. Rutledge’s next rep at left guard was an over-set that allowed Eastern to counter on an inside club/outside arm-over
- A strong left-hand pole move from FSU DT Darrell Jackson forced Iowa OG Beau Stephens off his feet. Stephens retaliated on the next repetition to quick-set Jackson. The technique forced Jackson to lose his footing. Jackson -featured at the one-technique DT- used the left-hand pole to pierce back Kansas State’s Sam Hecht on another rep during the period
- Penn State DT Zane Durant gained an edge of Kentucky’s Jalen Farmer, then used his inside leverage to push the pocket. Farmer later (at RT) set his line in the sand when facing WMU’s Nadame Tucker out of his two-point LOLB spot. He did, however, hug Tucker on his swim move back inside
- Tennessee Bryson Eason’s hand activity (three-technique DT) frustrated Washington OL Carver Willis (aligned at the RG spot). Eason’s lower body strength powered through Willis’ wall technique. On his next snap at the three-technique, Eason forced Kansas State’s Sam Hecht sideways and drove him into the lap of the quarterback
- Maryland OT Alan Herron outside foot stepping forward shortens the corner, but he has solid tempo in his lateral kick-slide. Carries his hands low and Penn State DE Dani Dennis-Sutton countered him back inside with a spin as a result. Subsequently, Duke’s Vincent Anthony used a right-handed post at the LDE spot that forced him to drop his low back at right tackle. He did so effectively, and Anthony posted an illegal hands to the face as a result. Herron also flashed positive leg drive in a duo run blocking drill with Kentucky’s Farmer versus the aforementioned Eason. Herron took over the block -allowing Farmer to climb- and Eason could not re-square his frame
RB vs. LBs, 1-on1 Pass Routes…(some notes):
- Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez attempted to get physical against Clemson RB Adam Randall on an option route from the offset position. Randall separated from Rodriguez easily by stepping into a speed cut to catch a pass thrown behind him. On a subsequent rep versus TCU’s Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Randall ran an impatient option route back which Elarms-Orr broke up easily
- For a player with just 41 career receptions, FIU’s Kejon Owens impresses as a route runner. But he did not going against Elarms-Orr on an option route, when his inside move was stopped in transition
- Rodriguez came back to post a solid rep running stride-for-stride with Kentucky’s Seth McGowan on a wheel route
Here are a few of the other notes from practice in our photo gallery recap:
Former North Dakota State QB Cole Payton (6'2, 229) -a 2025 Walter Payton Award finalist- excelled in his first year as a starter for the Bison. Prior to that, he was a terror for defenses to prepare for in a secondary role. In 2023, the former Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year posted three 100-yard rushing games and 13 TDs on the ground as the team's No. 2 signal-caller.
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