The McShay Show — Episode Summary

Episode: “Nussmeier’s Hand Size and Other Senior Bowl Numbers to Know. Plus, Sam Darnold Scouting Redemption.”
Date: January 27, 2026
Hosts: Todd McShay, Matt Mensch
Location: Mobile, Alabama (Senior Bowl Week)

Episode Overview

This episode of The McShay Show dives deep into the first day of the 2026 Senior Bowl week, highlighting player weigh-ins and critical measurements, the prospects to watch, and the ever-present debate over how numbers, environments, and systems affect draft stock. Todd McShay and Matt Mensch have their usual banter but are laser-focused on arming listeners with insight into who’s rising, who might be dropping, and which under-the-radar names NFL scouts are buzzing about. The episode closes with a fiery conversation on Sam Darnold's unlikely Super Bowl run, including reflections on draft process narratives.

Senior Bowl Week: Context and Big Picture

[00:06 - 03:31]

• The episode opens with the hosts fresh in Mobile, Alabama, where all NFL eyes are on the Senior Bowl. Most teams’ seasons are over, so the draft focus is peaking.
• Weather and Logistics: Strange weather disrupted travel for players and scouts; some prospects from the National Championship did not make it to the Senior Bowl, notably top-end talents like Ruben Bane (Miami, EDGE), Akeem Mesidor (Miami, EDGE), and Elijah Surratt (Indiana, WR).
• Quote:
  • “The good thing about Mench is he doesn’t get nervous about travel, doesn’t get nervous about weather.… We’ve had a nice start to the trip.” — Todd McShay [00:53]

Key Weigh-In Takeaways and Measurement Standouts

[04:05 - 18:31]

1. Process Changes and Accuracy Questions

• This year’s “rolling” weigh-ins (done during check-in versus all at once) made things easier for players, but accuracy concerns exist, especially since Combine numbers often differ.
• Quote:
  • “Are you nervous though? …The numbers at the combine were far different than the numbers here.” — Matt Mensch [06:39]
  • “A lot of them became... negative numbers here. Shorter arms, smaller hands, not as tall.” — Todd McShay [06:46]

2. Notable Measurement Red Flags

• Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt, QB):

  • Under 5’10”, 198 lbs — “shorter than Kyler Murray…& about nine pounds lighter.”
  • “You love the bravado…but I think a lot of GMs are going to look at that number and say, I’m going to have a hard time projecting him as a quarterback in the NFL.” — Matt Mensch [08:09]

• Garrett Nussmeier (LSU, QB):

  • 6’1”, 202 lbs, 8⅓ inch hands (below the 9” threshold)
  • “Some guys it works, some guys it doesn't...His was 8 1/3 inch...Rain, precipitation, gripping the ball, ball security—these are things that will be scrutinized.” — Todd McShay [08:36]

• Romello Height (Texas Tech, EDGE):

  • 6’2”, 234 lbs, 32¾” arms — undersized for an edge.
  • “The tape is going to be better than the measurables...it’s going to scare off some teams.” — Matt Mensch [10:05]

3. Positive Standout Measurables

• Taylor Greene (QB):

  • 6’6”, 229 lbs, 10” hands.
  • “We knew he was big…legit 6’6”, legit 229, legit 10 inch hand span. This guy’s a big dude.” — Todd McShay [10:54]

• Jennings Dunker (Iowa, OT):

  • 34” arm length; could play tackle or guard.
  • “If he can develop as a pass blocker, I now know that he has the length maybe to play outside.” — Matt Mensch [11:58]

• Big Wide Receivers:

  • Jacoby Lane (USC): 6’4”, 196 lbs, 10⅜” hands, 32⅝” arms
  • Malachi Fields (Notre Dame): 6’4”, 218 lbs, but with small hands (8¾”)
  • “Tall, big hands, length, contested... only 49 catches last year but 745 yards.” — Todd McShay [14:00]

• Texas A&M OTs:

  • Demetrius Crownover: Just under 6’7”, 331 lbs, 35⅝” arms
  • Trey Zuhn: 32⅞” arms, likely kicking inside to guard
  • “If you’re not going to be an elite athlete … that length can really come into play for you.” — Matt Mensch [15:54]

• Chris McClellan (Missouri, DT):

  • 6’3⅜”, 315 lbs, hands almost 11”, 34” arms — “a dream at defensive tackle.” — Todd McShay [18:31]

• Julian Neal (Arkansas, CB):

  • 6’1¼”, 202 lbs, 33⅛” arms
  • “He’s a Legion of Doom kind of player... the way he reaches in and breaks up passes...” — Matt Mensch [19:21]

Roster Overview & Under-the-Radar Talent

[20:12 - 34:50]

• McShay runs through historical “weak” draft classes that ultimately produced studs.

• “Don’t get caught up about who’s not here.” — Matt Mensch [21:30]

• The hosts each list players to watch:

  • Lee Hunter (Texas Tech, DT): “30 tackles for loss…that kind of production is rare for a guy who’s [over] 6’3”, 320 lbs, 34¼” arms.” — Matt Mensch [22:09]
  • Derrick Moore (Michigan, EDGE): “10 sacks this year…that length is encouraging and impressive.” — Matt Mensch [22:17]
  • Sawyer Robertson (Baylor, QB): “He’s gonna get some attention this week. Six, three and a half, 221 [lbs], nine and a half inch hand span.” — Todd McShay [26:28]
  • Caleb Banks (Florida, DL): “35 inch arms. Did not play much this year, foot injury. …Teams are going to be super excited about what this kid can do.” — Matt Mensch [26:43]

• Malik Muhammad (Texas, CB): “Just under 6ft, 32 inch arms…He’s a talented corner man.” — Matt Mensch [27:30]

• Nicholas Singleton (Penn State, RB): “Just kind of fell off the map…He’s the better player, better prospect [than Catron Allen].” — Todd McShay [28:20]

The Running Back Group Is Special

• Top names: Singleton, Catron Allen, Adam Randle, Rashul Faison, Jamari Taylor, Kalon Black, Mike Washington.
• “This running back group might be…the most impressive we've ever seen here.” — Todd McShay [30:46]

Cornerbacks & Defensive Standouts to Watch

[31:41 - 34:50]

• Chris Johnson (San Diego State, CB):

  • “It’s time now…Now you got to put your money where your mouth is and we’ll see what happens.” — Matt Mensch [31:50]

• Colton Hood (Tennessee, CB):

  • “Maybe there’s two or three [corners] who are second rounders by end of the week, and we’re all like, yeah, they’re going first round.” — Todd McShay [32:35]

• TJ Parker (Clemson, EDGE):

  • “He’s powerful, he’s physical. …I want him to come in and kick some offensive tackles' asses…” — Todd McShay [33:31]
  • “If he can have a couple of those moments where he shows up...it’ll start to right the ship for him.” — Matt Mensch [34:18]

Sam Darnold: Redemption, Scouting Lessons, and Quarterback Narrative

[41:07 - 53:56]

The Darnold Discourse & Draft Lessons

• McShay revisits his grades on the famous 2018 QB class: “Gave a 94 grade to Sam Darnold. …Josh Allen…Baker Mayfield…Josh Rosen…Lamar Jackson.”
• “One of those five guys has now reached a Super Bowl. Sam Darnold.” — Todd McShay [42:43]
• On system fit and prospects’ destiny:
  • “I am so sick and tired of the lazy television take…‘We can’t really evaluate a quarterback until we know the system’ …No, like, no kidding.” — Todd McShay [43:58]
• Development is critical—but so is resilience
  • “That doesn’t mean they can't get themselves out of the situation…It takes certain something special…Sam Darnold is now going to the Super Bowl…he had this resiliency in him.” — Todd McShay [47:03]

Memorable Darnold Quotes and Moments

• On the infamous “seeing ghosts” moment:
  • “Is it that bad of a thing to say? ...I’m not seeing it. I’m seeing ghosts right now.” — Matt Mensch [50:01]
• “He could have doubted himself then again. And instead of doing that, he goes to Seattle, and now he’s going to the Super Bowl.” — Matt Mensch [49:21]
• “I just kept waiting...There’s no chance that Sam doesn’t get out of this game without making that one mistake he always makes. It’s pretty cool for Sam to be in this spot, kind of shove it, you know, right where it belongs.” — Todd McShay [50:10]

Final Thoughts on Draft Process

• McShay rails against “lazy” fit talk; stresses real scouting involves evaluating talent and makeup.
• “Let's keep in perspective...where guys go. But let's not make this scouting process about where guys go. This is about who they are, what they are, what they can bring if developed properly.” — Todd McShay [50:54]

Closing and Outlook for the Week

*[53:55+]

• Reminders about daily YouTube and Instagram coverage throughout Senior Bowl week.
• “This is going to be a fun group...The quarterbacks are going to grow on us as the week goes. I think the running backs are outstanding. The wide receivers are big. The cornerbacks are big and good...Defensive tackle group...edge group is the best of all of them.” — Todd McShay [35:11]
• Light encouragement for listeners to join the McShay Report newsletter for daily inside scoops.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps (Highlights)

• “We knew he was big…legit 6’6”, legit 229, legit 10 inch hand span. This guy’s a big dude.” — Todd McShay [10:54]
• “That kind of production [30 tackles for loss] is rare for a guy who’s 6’3, 320 pounds.” — Matt Mensch on Lee Hunter [22:02]
• “I am so sick and tired of the lazy television take when it comes to this next three months...‘don't ask me what he's going to be until you tell me where he's going to go.’” — Todd McShay [43:58]
• “...it is our job to evaluate: A, the talent; B, what’s inside of that guy. So it’s my little reminder this week...” — Todd McShay [47:54]
• “He could have doubted himself then again. And instead of doing that, he goes to Seattle, and now he’s going to the Super Bowl.” — Matt Mensch [49:21]
• “Let’s not make this scouting process about where guys go. This is about who they are, what they are, what they can bring if developed properly.” — Todd McShay [50:54]

Summary of Key Draft/Evaluation Insights

• Weigh-in numbers matter—sometimes as much for perception as reality.
• Length (arm/hand measurements) and positional measurables still dominate conversations, even as hosts admit there are exceptions every year.
• The running back class at the Senior Bowl is deeper than in most years due to evolving eligibility rules.
• System and fit do matter, but the player’s inherent traits, adaptability, and resilience are what ultimately define careers, as illustrated by Sam Darnold’s journey.
• The week ahead at the Senior Bowl promises viral moments, with size, length, and “who shines away from their college systems” as themes to watch.

For Listeners: Essential Stories and What’s Next

• Follow McShay and Mench on YouTube and Instagram (tmcsha13; @yougoodmensch) for instant practice takes and updated prospect buzz.
• Watch for measurement overreaction (especially on QBs) and see which perceived “tweeners” or underdogs flip the narrative with their on-field work this week.
• The episode ends on a high-energy note, capturing the anticipation among scouts, coaches, and draftniks — and a reminder that the Senior Bowl is just the start of the real draft process.

Summary prepared for The McShay Show by an expert podcast summarizer, preserving energy, expertise, and colorful football banter.