2026 Senior Bowl Overview: Quarterbacks
As the Pittsburgh Steelers delve into the college quarterback scene this season, their search is driven by a pressing need for a standout player. Despite facing a draft class that has proven to be less robust than anticipated, the Steelers are determined to evaluate the quarterback prospects thoroughly during the pre-draft period. An early and significant opportunity for this assessment will take place at the 2026 Senior Bowl, set to unfold in Mobile, Alabama, at the end of January.
Our dedicated team is committed to providing detailed analyses of each player, complete with scouting reports, leading up to the NFL Draft scheduled for April 24. Additionally, we will have two representatives on-site to gather comprehensive notes from all three Senior Bowl practices and conduct interviews with several players throughout the week.
In preparation for this event, we will examine some of the key quarterback prospects that hold particular interest from the Steelers' perspective.
Quarterback Profiles:
Illinois QB Luke Altmyer
- Age: 23.2
- Year: 5
- Height/Weight: 6-2, 215 pounds
- PFF Position Rank: 10th (202nd overall)
Altmyer began his college journey at Ole Miss, where he spent two years, including a season as a backup to Jaxson Dart. The former four-star high school recruit found himself overlooked for the starting role when Dart transferred from USC, prompting Altmyer to enter the transfer portal ahead of the 2023 season in search of a starting position. He found that opportunity at Illinois, where he excelled over three seasons. His performance peaked in 2025, amassing 3,007 passing yards and throwing 22 touchdowns, contributing to the Fighting Illini's impressive 9-4 record. Over his entire career, Altmyer completed 660 passes out of 1,036 attempts for 7,924 yards, with a total of 60 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. Additionally, he showcased his versatility with 318 rushing attempts, yielding 744 yards and 14 touchdowns. A multi-time honor roll student and a team captain, he left a significant mark on the program, earning an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2025.
Arkansas QB Taylen Green
- Age: 23.2
- Year: 5
- Height/Weight: 6-6, 235 pounds
- PFF Position Rank: 12th (206th overall)
Green stands out as one of the most physically impressive quarterbacks in attendance. At 6-6 and 235 pounds, he possesses remarkable athleticism, complemented by his ability to extend plays and execute designed runs. His powerful arm is notable, though it comes with the caveat of having thrown 35 interceptions throughout his career. In his final season, Green recorded 715 completions on 1,190 attempts, totaling 9,662 yards, 59 touchdowns, and 35 interceptions. He also contributed significantly on the ground, rushing for 2,405 yards and scoring another 35 touchdowns. There is anticipation surrounding his potential to impress in practice and during the combine, should he participate in various drills. However, he will need to overcome the challenge of a disappointing 2-10 record in his last year at Arkansas.
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier
- Age: 23.9
- Year: 5
- Height/Weight: 6-1, 205 pounds
- PFF Position Rank: 4th (83rd overall)
Nussmeier represents a unique case in modern college football, having spent all five years of his collegiate career at LSU. He became a full-time starter in 2024, leading the SEC in completions, attempts, and interceptions while achieving 4,052 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. Heading into the 2025 season, he was regarded as a prospective first-round pick, but his performance faltered due to injuries, including a torso strain and an ankle issue, which impacted his stats significantly—he recorded merely 1,927 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions across nine games. With time to recover, Nussmeier is positioned to potentially surprise scouts and elevate his draft stock.
An honor roll student and graduate, he took on the role of team captain during the 2025 season.
Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia
- Age: 23.9
- Year: 4
- Height/Weight: 6-0, 207 pounds
- PFF Position Rank: 9th (178th overall)
Pavia made the leap to Vanderbilt following two successful years at New Mexico State. Despite facing stronger competition, he elevated his game significantly during his final season in the SEC, finishing as a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. In 2025, he led his conference in completion percentage, touchdowns, yards per attempt, and passer efficiency rating. Across his college career, he completed 766 of 1,232 passes for 10,255 yards, 88 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions. His rushing ability was equally impressive, with 628 attempts resulting in 3,094 yards and 31 touchdowns. Pavia guided Vanderbilt to a commendable 10-3 record, just shy of College Football Playoff contention. He served as a team captain, received the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year.
North Dakota State QB Cole Payton
- Age: N/A
- Year: 5
- Height/Weight: 6-3, 233 pounds
- PFF Position Rank: 13th (209th overall)
Payton opted for North Dakota State over other notable programs such as Iowa State and remained with the Bison throughout his five-year collegiate career, despite serving primarily as a backup until the 2025 season. He completed 198 passes out of 282 attempts for 3,188 yards, 21 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Additionally, he was effective as a rusher, accumulating 1,918 yards and scoring 31 touchdowns on 287 carries. Payton consistently earned academic accolades during his tenure at NDSU.
Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson
- Age: 23.0
- Year: 4
- Height/Weight: 6-4, 220 pounds
- PFF Position Rank: 11th (204th overall)
After beginning his college career at Mississippi State, Robertson transferred to Baylor, where he had a breakout final season, completing 504 passes on 304 attempts for 3,681 yards and 31 touchdowns—leading the Big 12 in all these categories. He also recorded 12 interceptions in 2025. Throughout his college career, he completed 605 of 1,000 attempts for 7,639 yards, 61 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions, additionally rushing for 316 yards and eight touchdowns on 156 attempts. Robertson was honored as the 2025 Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year and was a finalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy, showcasing his dual excellence in academics and athletics.
With his ideal dimensions for a pocket passer and a noticeable improvement in performance over his college years, Robertson is certainly a player to keep an eye on during the Senior Bowl.
