The scoreboard read 17-9 in favor of Team American, but for scouts and fans from the state of Alabama, the 2026 Senior Bowl wasn't about the final score. It was about a series of violent, highly skilled collisions in the trenches that felt like a miniature Iron Bowl played out in Mobile.
The Sacks: Speed vs. Power
Saturday's game became a showcase for the state's edge rushing talent. Both programs saw their premier pass rushers get home.
LT Overton capped off his Alabama career with a signature bull-rush sack. Representing Team American, Overton collapsed the pocket early in the second quarter, showing the same relentless motor that made him a force in Kalen DeBoer's "Swarm" defense. His week in Mobile has likely cemented him as a Day 2 lock, with some scouts whispering about the late first round.
Not to be outdone, Auburn's Keyron Crawford flashed his elite bend. Just minutes after Overton's play, Crawford dipped under a tackle's punch to record a sack of his own for Team American. Crawford, an Arkansas State transfer who became a bright spot in a tough year for Auburn, proved that his athleticism translates against elite competition.
The Battle of the Week: Wright vs. Overton
While the game had the stats, the real story of the week happened during the Day 2 and 3 practices. In 1-on-1 drills—the most scrutinized portion of the Senior Bowl—Alabama's Overton and Auburn's Jeremiah Wright squared off in a rep that had scouts buzzing.
Overton attempted an inside swim move, but the 340-pound Wright anchored instantly, stoned the rush, and tossed the Alabama defender aside. It was a massive win for the Auburn lineman, who has faced questions about his technique despite his immense physical gifts.
"That rep was money," an NFC South scout told Iron Bowl History. "Wright showed he can handle NFL power. That's what you come to Mobile to see."
Brailsford Solid, Nussmeier MVP
Alabama center Parker Brailsford continued his quiet dominance. Though undersized by NFL metrics, his snapping was flawless, and his ability to reach the second level in the run game sparked Team American's only two touchdown drives.
The game's MVP honors went to LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier, who threw for the game-sealing score. But for the Iron Bowl faithful, the lasting image of the week will be the battles in the trenches—proof that even in an all-star game, the rivalry never truly sleeps.