Three Oklahoma Players to Showcase Talents at 2026 Panini Senior Bowl

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The 2026 Panini Senior Bowl, a key event in the NFL Draft process, will feature three players from the University of Oklahoma - linebacker Owen Heinecke, defensive lineman Gracen Halton, and running back Jaydn Ott. The annual all-star game provides college football players one final opportunity to showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts before the draft.

Why it matters

The Senior Bowl has long been an important platform for NFL prospects, with over 100 players from last year's game being selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. For the Oklahoma Sooners, having three players participate in this year's event underscores the program's continued ability to develop NFL-caliber talent. The performances of Heinecke, Halton, and Ott could significantly impact their draft stock ahead of the upcoming selection process.

The details

Owen Heinecke, a 6-foot-1, 227-pound linebacker, was second on the Sooners in tackles in 2025 with 74 total stops, along with 12 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 4 pass breakups, and a forced fumble. Gracen Halton, a defensive lineman, had a career-high 33 tackles and 7 tackles for loss in 2025, adding 3.5 sacks, 30 pressures, a forced fumble, and a fumble return for a touchdown. Running back Jaydn Ott, after a disappointing season in Norman, will look to boost his draft stock through his Senior Bowl performance, having caught the attention of scouts during practice sessions.

• The 2026 Panini Senior Bowl will take place on Saturday, January 31 at 2:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. CT.

What’s next

The 2026 Panini Senior Bowl will be televised on the NFL Network, and fans can also listen to the game on Fox Sports Pensacola 101.1FM / 1450AM and Sirius XM. Tickets are available for purchase on-site at the University of South Alabama's Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.