University of Louisville wide receiver and return specialist Caullin Lacy has accepted an invitation to play in the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl, the premier college football all-star showcase announced this week. The game is scheduled for Jan. 31 at 2:30 p.m. EST at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, and will air live on NFL Network.
Lacy becomes the 41st Louisville player in school history selected for the Senior Bowl and the seventh in the last three seasons. He is the program’s second wide receiver chosen since 2023.
A Mobile native, Lacy will return to his hometown after emerging as one of the nation’s most dynamic punt returners in 2025. He tied for third nationally with a 20.0-yard average per return and was one of only five players with multiple punt-return touchdowns. He also became the first player in Louisville history to record two punt returns of 75 yards or more in a single season.
Lacy added production as a receiver, earning honorable mention honors after catching 54 passes for 547 yards and two touchdowns.
The Senior Bowl annually features top senior players and NFL Draft prospects, divided into National and American teams coached by full NFL coaching staffs. It is widely regarded as the most prestigious postseason all-star game for draft evaluation.
For Lacy, the event offers both a national stage — and a homecoming.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
