TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo defensive backs Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Avery Smith were selected to the 2026 Senior Bowl Top 300 watch list on Wednesday.
 
The Rocket duo was selected among 300 draft-eligible seniors by the Senior Bowl scouting department, which is entirely comprised of NFL scouts. Toledo took two of 19 selections from Group of Five schools.
 
McNeil-Warren has also been named to the Shrine Bowl watch list and to Preseason All-MAC teams by Phil Steele and Athlon. He finished 2024 with 35 tackles. 1.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups and an interception before his season was cut short due to injury.
 
Smith was a Second-Team All-MAC selection a year ago, finishing second in the league in passes defended (16) and was second in the nation in pass breakups (14). He added two interceptions and totaled 58 tackles. Smith has also taken several preseason accolades including the Shrine Bowl watch list and Jim Thorpe Award watch list.
 
The Senior Bowl will be played on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. The game will be broadcast on NFL Network.
 
Toledo begins its season on Saturday, Aug. 30 at Kentucky and will open the home slate on Saturday, Sept. 6 against Western Kentucky in the "Biggest Party in Toledo."
 
Fans can purchase single-game and season tickets by visiting UTRockets.com/FBtix, visiting the Rocket Ticket Office in Savage Arena during business hours, or by calling 419-530-GOLD (4653).