Miami Hurricanes Send Two to Senior Bowl

Markel Bell and James Brockermeyer represent the U as top prospects skip the event

Jan. 27, 2026 at 2:55pm

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The University of Miami will have just two players - left tackle Markel Bell and center James Brockermeyer - participating in the upcoming Senior Bowl, as several top Hurricanes prospects have opted to skip the all-star game. Edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akeem Mesidor, as well as defensive backs Keionte Scott and Jakobe Thomas, will not be in Mobile, Alabama for the showcase event.

Why it matters

The Senior Bowl is a crucial opportunity for NFL draft prospects to showcase their skills in front of scouts, coaches and executives. While Miami is sending two solid offensive linemen, the absence of their top defensive stars like Bain and Mesidor is notable, as they could have used the event to solidify their draft stock.

The details

Bain and Mesidor, who formed a dominant pass-rushing duo for the Hurricanes in 2025, have already been graded as potential first- or second-round picks. Defensive back Keionte Scott, who had a breakout season with 42 solo tackles, 5 sacks and 2 pick-sixes, and safety Jakobe Thomas, who led the team with 5 interceptions, also opted out of the Senior Bowl. The quartet recently played in the National Championship Game and are likely focused on preparing for the NFL Combine.

  • The Senior Bowl is taking place this week in Mobile, Alabama.

The players

Markel Bell

A left tackle who will represent Miami at the Senior Bowl.

James Brockermeyer

A center who will represent Miami at the Senior Bowl.

Rueben Bain Jr.

A Miami edge rusher who has been graded as a potential first-round NFL draft pick but will not participate in the Senior Bowl.

Akeem Mesidor

A Miami edge rusher who has been graded as a potential first- or second-round NFL draft pick but will not participate in the Senior Bowl.

Keionte Scott

A Miami defensive back who had a breakout 2025 season with 42 solo tackles, 5 sacks and 2 pick-sixes, but will not participate in the Senior Bowl.

Jakobe Thomas

A Miami safety who led the team with 5 interceptions in 2025, but will not participate in the Senior Bowl.

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The takeaway

While Miami is sending two solid offensive linemen to the Senior Bowl, the absence of their top defensive stars like Bain, Mesidor, Scott and Thomas is a missed opportunity for those players to boost their draft stock ahead of the NFL Combine. However, the Hurricanes' strong 2025 season and the high draft projections for many of their top prospects suggest the program is in good shape heading into the next phase of the draft process.