Which players in action during the second 12-team College Football Playoff will soon have a similar winning impact on an NFL team?
There will be many standout future pros in action, several of them playing for the odds-on favorite team to beat, Ohio State.
Here's looking at the prospects NFL fans should get excited about most for making the jump into the 2026 draft class:
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1. Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (6-3, 275 pounds)
Bain seems best suited to dominate as a defensive end in the NFL because of his size and power built to stop the run well. That's beyond his obvious pass-rush juice and drive to blow up plays in the backfield. He can also slide inside to tackle to create mismatches inside.
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2. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (6-5, 225 pounds)
Mendoza has drawn comparisons to recent strong pocket passers such as Matt Ryan and Matthew Stafford with his size, arm strength and downfield accuracy. He also has a great understanding of situational decision-making and standing in there to deliver in the face of pressure. He will be the first QB off the board with a chance to go No. 1 overall.
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3. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State (6-4, 243 pounds)
Reese has shot up boards with his terrific season as a full-time starter making plays for the Buckeyes, including 6.5 sacks going into the playoffs. He is a unique force who has the quickness to shoot upfield and the relentless strength to finish plays. He has the potential to be the next Micah Parsons.
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4. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon (6-3, 206 pounds)
Moore isn't all that flashy but he has a lot of substance with the confidence and intangibles needed to thrive leading an NFL offense. He can make all the throws when protected well in the pocket and has a pleasing fluid delivery. Moore's natural accuracy for now has him tabbed to go after Mendoza at the position.
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5. David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (6-3, 250 pounds)
Bailey adds to the great pass-rush riches early in this draft class. Linebacker teammate Jacob Rodriguez might be the defensive headliner going into the playoffs, but Bailey is the more inriguing all-around prospect because of a rare combination of dominant pass-rush ability and fine coverage skills.
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6. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (6-0, 205 pounds)
Downs was part of the Buckeyes' new-look dominant defense with his playmaking all over the field. He's an absolute ballhawk in coverage, strong like an extra linebacker vs. The run and also a capable blitzer. When called upon, he can even be a difference-maker in the return game.
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7. Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M (6-2, 248 pounds)
Watch out for Howell putting in a high effort to help the Aggies advance. Although some would consider him undersized, he plays much bigger than his frame in quickly getting to quarterbacks with devastating speed, power and savvy. He will be productive with immediate impact in the NFL.
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8. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (6-3, 245 pounds)
Sadiq should be the latest mismatch-creating wide receiver to go in the high first round at the position. He is a smooth route runner who gets open everywhere on the field in any alignment and uses his size and quickness well to finish drives in the red zone.
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9. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (6-3, 195 pounds)
While NFL teams wait for the dynamic Jeremiah Smith to be the latest Buckeyes wideout standout, Tate has emerged as another great early draft target. He's a big, strong receiver with soft hands who can go up and get the ball all the way through the red zone in the Tee Higgins mold.
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10. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (6-4, 243 pounds)
Styles is the son of Super Bowl champion Rams linebacker Lorenzo Sr. And teammate of cornerback brother Lorenzo Jr. Sonny does everything on the field with the coverage skills of a safety and the pass rush skills of a defenseive end. He's a rangy athlete who just makes a lot of cltuch plays.
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