Senior Bowl Standouts Ben Johnson And Bears Coaches Will Pound The Table For

The Chicago Bears are out in force at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Most agree that the event is the single most effective at helping teams identify future pro players, even over the scouting combine. GM Ryan Poles has a history of leaning heavily on it to help set his draft board in April. However, this year will involve head coach Ben Johnson and his staff as well. All of them must work together to put forth another strong draft like the one they managed in 2025.

After watching three days of practice, here is a list of prospects that stood out. I’ve connected each of them to a coach on the staff who will most likely pound the table for them when the Bears are on the clock this spring.

Ben Johnson: Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas

We’ve established by now that Johnson wants to run the football. Two traits he looks for in his running backs are speed and contact balance. Washington displayed both at Arkansas and through the first two days in Mobile. He’s 6’2, 205 lbs, and amassed almost 1300 total yards last season with nine touchdowns. There is no doubt Johnson could find all sorts of uses for such a talent.

Declan Doyle: Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston

Doyle was a tight ends coach before taking over as offensive coordinator in Chicago. It would make sense he’d keep an eye on that position. Koziol is the only tight end who has stood out thus far this week, and that isn’t a surprise. He was highly productive in his college career, amassing 237 catches for 2,234 yards and 24 touchdowns. His blocking isn’t overly great, but he’s a huge target with pass-catching savvy.

Antwaan Randle El: Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati

People will knock Allen for being only 5’11 and 180 lbs. Players who are that thin often run the risk of injury problems. That said, the kid is an incredibly skilled route-runner, creating separation against almost any coverage. Perhaps what makes him even more enticing is his nose for the end zone. He scored 13 touchdowns last season, and not solely through big plays. He earned most of them.

Dennis Allen: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

Allen has a specific type when it comes to defensive linemen. While size is always a big part of it, more than anything, he likes power. Nobody has demonstrated more of it so far than Hunter. He has been bullying offensive linemen all week, showcasing his surprising athleticism at 330 lbs, along with excellent upper- and lower-body strength. The Bears need to shore up their middle, and Hunter would help that.

Dan Roushar: Gennings Dunker, IOL, Iowa

Allen isn’t the only one who likes them thick and strong. Roushar proved in New Orleans that he loves big, nasty blockers. Dunker is another in a long line of Hawkeyes who fit that profile. While not the quickest afoot, he’s a bruiser who can create movement on the ground almost at will. He’s also a smart guy, demonstrating awareness and technique in protection. Moving inside will help him.

Al Harris: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State

If you go back over the long track record Harris has built as a defensive backs coach, he desires two things: length and ball skills. Igbinosun really came into his own the past two years, collecting four interceptions and helping the Buckeyes with a national championship. He’s 6’2, 195 lbs, and more than athletic enough to hang with any receiver he lines up against. The fact that he’s compared to Charvarius Ward, whom Harris coached in Kansas City, only hammers it home further.

Ryan Poles: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

While Ben Johnson may have significant say in personnel decisions, Poles is still the GM. Every year, he tends to fall in love with at least one prospect. Don’t be shocked if Iheanachor is that guy this year. He’s making waves in Mobile with his mix of athleticism, size, and nastiness. He’ll remind people a lot of Darnell Wright, who also happened to win Poles over at the Senior Bowl in 2023. If the Bears want some insurance at tackle, this is the guy you need to remember.