Senior Bowl: NFL Draft prospects from Florida to watch this week

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The road to the 2026 NFL Draft starts in earnest with the Senior Bowl, and several former Florida high school stars will be looking to make a big impression.

All-Americans R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma), Kaytron Allen (Penn State), Jake Slaughter (Florida), Hezekiah Masses (Cal) and Gabe Jacas (Illinois) headline the list of former Florida prep stars on the rosters.

Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor, who was one of the stars of the College Football Playoff and has emerged as a potential first-round pick, also will be in attendance.

NFL general managers, coaches and scouts will be in attendance for the during the week. Senior Bowl practices begin on Jan. 27, with the game being played on Jan. 31 in Mobile, Alabama.

Previous Senior Bowl MVPs include Justin Herbert (2020), Dak Prescott (2016), Derrick Brooks (1995), Thurman Thomas (1988), Dan Marino (1983) and Terry Bradshaw (1970).

Here's a closer look at the players from Florida high schools on the Senior Bowl rosters (Players are listed in alphabetical order):

Penn State RB Kaytron Allen (IMG)

Allen was a first-team All-Big Ten selection and second-team All-American in 2025 when he rushed for 1,303 yards and 15 touchdowns. Allen is the career record holder at Penn State for attempts (769) and rushing yards (4,180).

Florida OT Austin Barber (Trinity Christian)

Barber started all 12 games for the Gators in 2025 and was a third-team All-SEC selection. A Freshman All-American in 2023, Barber has started every game for Florida the past two seasons.

SMU WR Romello Brinson (Miami Northwestern)

Brinson, who started his career at Miami, caught 43 passes for 638 yards and three touchdowns in 2025. He finished his career with 84 catches for 1,204 yards and five scores.

Penn State DL Zane Durant (Lake Nona)

Durant recorded 25 tackles, four sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, broke up two passes and has an interception in 2025. He started 40 of the past 41 games for the Nittany Lions the past three seasons, recording 89 tackles and 22 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.

Georgia CB Daylen Everette

Everette had 50 total tackles, one interception and a fumble. A two-time All-SEC selection and member of the Bulldogs’ 2022 national championship squad, Everette recorded 107 tackles and five interceptions in his career.

Illinois EDGE Gabe Jacas (Fort Pierce Central)

Jacas earned All-Big Ten and All-American honors in 2025 when he has 43 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and a conference-best 11 sacks. Jacas finished his college career with 27 sacks, second most in Illinois history.

Cal CB Hezekiah Masses (Deerfield Beach)

Masses, who started his career at FIU, had an outstanding senior season. He led the ACC with 18 passes defended, was second in the league with five interceptions and was named to several All-American teams in 2025.

Toledo CB Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Lakewood)

McNeil-Warren earned All-American honors in 2025 when he recorded 77 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups and two interceptions. He had 214 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five interceptions, 13 passes defended and nine forced fumbles in his career.

Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor (Clearwater Academy International)

Mesidor, who started his career at West Virginia, earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2025 when he recorded 63 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. He had 52.5 tackles for loss and 35.5 career sacks.

Florida CB Devin Moore (Naples)

Moore started 11 games and recorded 35 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions and four pass breakups in 2025. He had 64 tackles and five interceptions in his career.

LSU EDGE/LB Jack Pyburn (Bolles)

Pyburn, who started his career at Florida, had 52 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery in 2025. He had 132 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in his career.

Florida C Jake Slaughter (Trinity Catholic)

Slaughter started all 12 games for the Gators in 2025, was a Rimington Award finalist and earned All-American and All-SEC honors. Slaughter started 33 games over the past three seasons.

Arkansas LB Xavian Sorey Jr. (IMG)

Sorey, who started his career at Georgia, started every game for the Razorbacks in 2025. He finished the season with 81 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Oklahoma EDGE R Mason Thomas (Cardinal Gibbons)

Thomas was a first-team All SEC selection and earned All-American honors in 2025 when he recorded 23 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. He finished his career with 25.5 tackles for loss and 17 sacks.

Texas Tech WR Reggie Virgil (Mount Dora Christian)

Virgil, who started his career at Miami (Ohio), caught 55 passes for 676 yards and six touchdowns in 2025. He had 98 passes for 1,554 yards and 16 touchdowns to go along with two rushing scores.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Akheem Mesidor, other NFL Draft prospects from Florida at Senior Bowl

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