Arkansas Football Stars Shine at Senior Bowl

Quarterback Taylen Green and running back Mike Washington Jr. boost NFL Draft stock with standout performances

Jan. 29, 2026 at 11:07am

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Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green and running back Mike Washington Jr. have been impressing scouts at the 2026 Senior Bowl, boosting their NFL Draft stock. Green's athleticism and arm strength have him positioned as a potential late Day 2 pick, while Washington's blend of size and speed has him building momentum as a draft prospect.

Why it matters

With Arkansas not having any prominent NFL prospects heading into the draft, Green and Washington have emerged as the Razorbacks' top draft hopefuls. Their strong showings at the Senior Bowl could significantly improve their draft positioning and provide a boost to the Arkansas football program.

The details

Green has particularly turned heads at the Senior Bowl due to his athleticism and physical attributes, with NFL.com analysts projecting him as a likely late Day 2 pick. Washington has also impressed with his speed and ability to make plays as both a runner and pass-catcher, building momentum as a draft prospect.

  • The 2026 Senior Bowl is taking place this week.
  • Green and Washington are participating in the Senior Bowl practices and drills.

The players

Taylen Green

Arkansas quarterback who opted to return for a fifth year after a strong 2025 season, and is now boosting his NFL Draft stock with a standout performance at the Senior Bowl.

Mike Washington Jr.

Arkansas running back who had his first career 1,000-yard season in 2025, and is impressing scouts at the Senior Bowl with his blend of size and speed.

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What they’re saying

“[Taylen Green] has the arm strength to make explosive throws and can gobble up yards outside the pocket with his long strides. With a strong finish to the week, he has a chance to position himself as a likely late Day 2 pick.”

— Lance Zierlein and Eric Edholm, NFL.com analysts

“In this year's draft, there won't be many running backs who offer the blend of size and top-end speed that Washington brings to the table... Washington popped at practice on Tuesday with a quick, downhill cut that led to a long gain on an outside zone run. On Wednesday he had a few of those runs again, but he also made plays as a pass-catcher in one-on-one drills. He's built some momentum at the outset of the draft.”

— Lance Zierlein and Eric Edholm, NFL.com analysts

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in late April, where Green and Washington will look to solidify their draft positioning with continued strong performances leading up to the event.

The takeaway

Green and Washington's standout showings at the Senior Bowl have provided a much-needed boost to the Arkansas football program, which was lacking in high-profile NFL prospects heading into the draft. Their performances have positioned them as potential mid-round draft picks, giving the Razorbacks a chance to have multiple players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.