The College Football Playoff is “must-see” viewing for NFL coaches and scouts searching for potential stars in the 2026 NFL Draft class. Although postseason contests are not supposed to carry more weight than regular-season games, the opportunity to watch “best on best” matchups with a collection of blue-chip prospects on the field gives evaluators a great chance to see how these prospects handle the pressure of playing under the bright lights on a big stage.
[Read more: College Football Playoff Predictions: First-Round Winners to The National Champion]
With coaches and scouts scribbling continuous of their notebooks throughout these upcoming contests, listed below are the 12 most intriguing prospects to observe within the School Soccer Playoff:
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The Heisman Trophy winner operates with surgical precision from the pocket as a traditional drop-back passer with excellent contact and timing. Mendoza effectively carves up opponents with a barrage of brief and intermediate throws that power opponents to defend each blade of grass from sideline to sideline. Whereas he lacks elite arm energy, he makes up for it with very good anticipation and ball placement. Mendoza routinely drops “dimes” on go-balls and back-shoulder fades by putting the ball in an indefensible spot for the cornerback. With the veteran additionally displaying very good contact and timing on pink zone throws, notably with the sport on the road, the Indiana standout is a clutch-time performer nobody desires to face.
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
The redshirt sophomore is the cell gunslinger each offensive coordinator covets on the collegiate {and professional} ranges. Measuring 6-foot-3, 206 kilos with A-plus arm expertise and athleticism, Moore can impression the sport as a standard drop passer or as a cell playmaker executing bootlegs and motion passes. The Oregon standout shreds opponents with pinpoint throws into tight home windows, displaying excellent contact, timing and anticipation on in-breaking routes. Regardless of his restricted expertise (18 profession begins), Moore directs the Geese’ offense like a franchise participant within the mould of Jayden Daniels.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The silky, easy playmaker may very well be the subsequent Ohio State wideout to take the NFL by storm. Earlier than he will get an opportunity to tackle that problem, he may have a chance to showcase his big-play skills in a match that would enhance his inventory as a WR1. Measuring 6-foot-3, 195 kilos, Tate is a long-strider with the pace to blow previous defenders on vertical routes, however he’s additionally an improved route-runner with a knack for locating open home windows at intermediate vary. With the junior cross catcher displaying excellent hand-eye coordination and ballerina-like physique management, Tate is a blinding playmaker with the potential to ship the explosive performs wanted to mild up the scoreboard at any stage.
Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
After surprisingly rising because the Crimson Tide’s No.1 receiver, Bernard has piqued the curiosity of scouts searching for a reliable complementary playmaker so as to add to the lineup. The 6-foot-1, 204-pounder is a artful slot receiver with the sticky fingers and reliable receiving expertise to flourish as a “chain mover” as a professional. Whereas his function has expanded past slot responsibility in 2025, he terrorized opponents between the hashes, whereas additionally exhibiting intriguing playmaking potential on fly sweeps and conventional handoffs from the backfield. As a flexible weapon with a enjoying type and expertise that translate effectively to the professional sport, Bernard may creep up draft charts with a stellar efficiency within the School Soccer Playoff.
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The ultra-athletic tight finish creates complications for defensive coordinators tasked with arising with sport plans to neutralize his impression as a giant play specialist. Regardless of being listed as a good finish, Sadiq is an offensive weapon who has been showcased as a “Y” (tight finish), “H” (H-Again), and slot receiver in a scheme that leverages his superior athleticism and playmaking expertise on the perimeter. The Oregon standout dazzles as a cross catcher, however may earn extra kudos as a dominant blocker on the level of assault. His measurement, energy and agility allow him to stonewall defenders on the line or knock linebackers and safeties out of the opening as a lead blocker.
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The three-year junior is a high-end deal with prospect with a mauler/brawler strategy that allows him to dominate defenders within the operating sport. He bullies defenders on the level of assault, using his superior measurement and heavy fingers to set the tone for a unit that takes delight in overwhelming opponents with physicality and power. Though the Miami product stays a piece in progress as a cross protector, he dominates his fair proportion of one-on-ones and possesses the quickness to adapt to hurry rushers on the subsequent stage. With the School Soccer Playoff offering Mauigoa a chance to showcase his expertise to the soccer world, the 6-foot-6, 315-pounder may solidify his spot at OT1 by the top of the match.
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The huge blind aspect deal with has an opportunity to be the primary left deal with off the board, if he can show “franchise” potential as a cross protector all through the match. The previous five-star recruit possesses the instruments evaluators covet (measurement, size and agility), however his movie is suffering from sacks allowed and inconsistent play. Whereas coaches will watch the postseason to see if his flaws are correctable, scouts will monitor his competitiveness, resiliency and feistiness to see if he possesses the core traits and mentality to emerge as a “dawg” on the subsequent stage.
Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
As an explosive athlete with hybrid expertise as a delegated cross rusher and center linebacker, Reese is a premier prospect for groups searching for a disruptive playmaker to construct round. The Ohio State star is a speed-rushing specialist who can produce sacks from a three-point stance or a standup place. Moreover, Reese can assault the center of the pocket as a blitz specialist, blowing by way of creases on the level of assault. With the third-year junior displaying excellent vary as a sideline-to-sideline defender, the School Soccer Playoff may flip right into a showcase occasion for the ultra-explosive playmaker.
CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
In case you are searching for a throwback linebacker with a numbers-to-numbers vary and distinctive diagnostic expertise, Allen is the defender to observe within the School Soccer Playoff. The Georgia standout controls the field as an instinctive defender with excellent consciousness. He rapidly tracks down operating backs and quarterbacks, displaying elite pace, burst and vary for a second-level defender. Whereas Allen appeals to traditionalists who favor old-school linebackers with “thump” and toughness, the 6-foot-1, 235-pounder flashes the athleticism and explosiveness to deal with a number of the unique duties in protection. Given an opportunity to showcase his expertise on the largest stage, the scouting group may achieve a larger appreciation for Allen by the top of the playoffs.
Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
The rugged defensive finish overwhelms defenders together with his energy and explosiveness. Bain terrorizes quarterbacks off the sting, exhibiting distinctive first-step quickness and shutting pace whereas turning the nook. Though his stellar traits haven’t become elite manufacturing, Bain’s excessive motor and relentless spirit make him an ideal complementary participant reverse an elite rusher on the subsequent stage. Within the School Soccer Playoff, scouts will research his sport to see if he has the potential to play the lead function as a delegated cross rusher or is greatest suited to a complementary spot. How effectively he fares in his one-on-ones in opposition to elite opponents may considerably impression his draft inventory in April.
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The speed-rushing phenom dominated Massive 12 competitors together with his explosiveness and go off the sting. Bailey’s distinctive first-step quickness and relentless pursuit overwhelmed blockers on the line, with few cross protectors able to shadowboxing with the 6-foot-3, 250-pounder. Although he must refine his signature strikes (dip-and-rip, bull rush and spin transfer), the fourth-year senior possesses the instincts and motor to develop right into a monster as a professional. As coaches and scouts spend the subsequent month assessing his work within the School Soccer Playoff, evaluators may view Bailey as a top-10 expertise with untapped potential.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Safeties are hardly ever touted as franchise gamers, however Downs is a unicorn with “take over the sport” potential as a third-level defender. The previous five-star recruit transforms the protection together with his distinctive instincts, consciousness and playmaking expertise. Whether or not positioned close to the field or stationed within the deep center, Downs has the inexperienced mild to assault the ball from wherever on the sphere. Whereas his freelancing is inspired within the Buckeyes’ NFL-like scheme, the All-American routinely makes “splash” performs throughout the protection’s construction or on educated guesses outdoors the system. Given how these celebrity privileges helped the Buckeyes’ protection crush opponents, scouts will tune in to see if Downs continues to ship game-changing performs within the postseason.
Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities. He additionally breaks down the sport for NFL Community and as a cohost of the “Transferring the Sticks” podcast. Observe him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.
