* Underclassmen.
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
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Miami |
vs |
 |
Ohio State |
December 31st (Wed) - AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Miami Players:
Up and down career with a lot of wins on highly ranked teams. Has been inconsistent in big games but no denying his ability to perform at a high level and throw the ball with accuracy to all three levels.
One of the bigger running back prospects with intriguing foot quickness and runaway speed. Consistently averages about five yards per carry. Has eligibility remaining but in a below average running back class, overall he has standout traits.
Possession receiver with some of the best hands in the nation capable of the spectacular, highlight-reel grab down the field. Dealt with an injury late in the year but is set to return.
The team’s top offensive prospect by a longshot. A move inside is possible where his power is most effective while hiding some lateral movement shortcomings.
Has been a dominant force in the Hurricanes defense playing the run and collapsing pockets. His versatile skill set projects well to the NFL.
Under the radar prospect who has been a force inside as part of a rotation of Hurricane interior defenders. Has been a major factor inside rushing the passer.
Transfer from Louisiana Tech who has been part of the interior rotation. Plays mostly on early downs and has been solid playing the run.
Normally plays opposite Bain on the edge and has been very productive rushing the passer. Has the size NFL teams look for in a two way defender.
Versatile player with experience in a wide variety of coverage playing at three schools. Has been an excellent two-way nickel back with playmaking skill.
Other players to watch:
Wesley Bissainthe - LB
Damari Brown - CB
Anez Cooper - OG
James Brockermeyer - OC
Mohamed Toure - LB
Ohio State Players:
An oversized short yardage back that led the team with ten touchdowns and has 40 over his career. Transferred over from West Virginia last offseason who best fits in a specific role.
Had to wait his turn behind multiple future pros while also sharing the receiver room with 2027 top prospect Jeremiah Smith but has had a breakout year. Put together a season with an incredibly rare contested catch rate and has yet to drop a pass.
A redshirt junior transfer from Purdue who was limited in an offense with so many other weapons. He heated up down the stretch with two of his best games over the final five weeks and projects to the starter-level.
Former guard who made the transition to left tackle in a downfield-passing offense ended up being their most consistent lineman. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Position aside, Downs is considered one of the top defensive players in the country. He’s a versatile Swiss army knife who can make an impact playing deep safety or close to the line as a nickel.
Reese has the size, explosiveness and speed to excel as a versatile NFL linebacker. As the season has progressed he’s developed into a dominant player both as a stack linebacker and pass rushing edge defender. He could be a top ten pick before it’s over.
Styles is another Buckeye that’s just gotten better as the season has progressed. He has what you look for in a run stuffing inside backer and he’s also developed solid cover skill making him a coveted three down linebacker.
McDonald is a rare combination of size, power and athletic ability that excels as a run stuffer. He makes plays clogging up running lanes but rushing the passer is a work in progress.
Big, physical corner that excels in press man and run support. His good football IQ shows in zone concepts seeing and reacting to multiple threats.
He’s a first year starter with size and length to go with power playing the run and rushing the passer. At his best against the run setting the edge and has flashed pass rush skill.
Other players to watch:
Tywone Malone Jr. - DT
Jermaine Mathews Jr. - CB
Lorenzo Styles Jr. - NB
Caden Curry - Edge
Rose Bowl
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Alabama |
vs |
 |
Indiana |
January 1st (Thu) - Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Alabama Players:
Projected by many as a top ten quarterback in the draft. His performance has been inconsistent and he struggled at times against Georgia in the SEC championship. There is the thought that he may return for another year and his performance in the playoffs could be a part of that decision.
Proctor is one of the top offensive tackle prospects and looks to solidify his status. As a junior he has options to consider but as a likely first round pick scouts will have their eyes on him in the post season.
Bernard has been a go-to receiver for the Crimson Tide and could be a late first day or early second day pick. He’s missed some time with injuries but has been healthy of late.
He’s one of the top centers eligible for the 2026 draft and with continued quality play could be a solid second day pick. As a red-shirt junior he’s likely to declare for the draft with continued excellent play in the post season.
Alabama’s leading rusher has been out with a leg injury and missed the SEC championship game. He returned against Oklahoma and performed well in limited duty.
He has what you look for in an NFL tight end but has been slowed by injury and missed the SEC Championship Game. He returned for the playoffs and was solid against Oklahoma. He looks to build on that.
Has been injured but has returned healthy and dressed for games. It appears he’s lost his spot to sophomore Wilkin Formby.
He missed the SEC championship game and first round of the playoffs but is hopeful to play in the Rose Bowl. Overton has the size you look for on the edge and can be a force, but has not been as productive as hoped in 2025.
Keenan has been a force that has anchored the interior of the Alabama defense. He’s a likely second day pick with continued solid play.
Junior prospect who has come on during the season, putting himself in the conversation as a second or third day pick.
Physical strong safety who could up his draft status with a strong post season. Likely a third day pick at this point, he has options as a junior.
Physical in run support, Hubbard has moved up the board as a potential early third day or higher draft pick.
A highly regarded transfer from USC, his play has been marked by inconsistency and his playing time has diminished.
Other players to watch:
Justin Jefferson - LB
DeShawn Jones - CB
Cam Calhoun - CB
Indiana Players:
Heisman Trophy winner who took his game to another level after transferring over from California. A strong candidate to be the number one quarterback taken in the 2026 Draft.
Transfer from Maryland ended as the team’s leading rusher. He was not used as a receiver as much in 2025 but the three seasons prior he combined for 112 catches.
Transferred to Indiana from James Madison to join Cignetti. A sixth-year senior who led the team in explosive runs and split carries with Hemby.
Another transfer from James Madison who was the team’s number one receiver in 2024 but suffered a hamstring injury week ten and missed two-plus games. Possession receiver who can play strong and physical, finishing third in the nation with 12 touchdown catches.
Had a breakout season, finishing as the team’s number one receiver as a junior and was one of the most dynamic players in the nation after the catch.
Has one year left of eligibility but does have three seasons of starting experience at left tackle with notable improvement each year. He earned All-America honors and won the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year Award.
A transfer from Notre Dame who has started at multiple interior positions in multiple offensive schemes. Considered the emotional and IQ leader of the offensive line, a semifinalist group for the Joe Moore Award.
One of many James Madison transfers, Ponds is a high energy but undersized corner that just makes plays. What he lacks in height and length he makes up for with excellent technique, footwork and overall athleticism.
Fisher is a technique sound linebacker that went from James Madison to Indiana to become the leader of the Indiana defense. His value is beyond defense as he also is outstanding on special teams furthering his value to an NFL team.
Has the size teams look for to go with solid technique vs. the run and pass. He consistently reads and reacts to route combinations in the deep zones and can track downhill in run support making tackles near the line.
Lacks the height and length of a typical elite edge defender but his athleticism, explosiveness and production can’t be ignored. Another James Madison transfer that has been a huge contributor at Indiana.
Tucker is another James Madison transfer that doesn’t have the measurables but is a playmaker. Quick at the snap he’s disruptive against the run and provides an inside pass rush.
Other players to watch
EJ Williams Jr. - WR
Kahlil Benson - OT
Stephen Daley - Edge
Jamari Sharpe - CB
Louis Moore - S
Devan Boykin - NB
Capital One Orange Bowl
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Oregon |
vs |
 |
Texas Tech |
January 1st (Thu) - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Oregon Players:
Widely considered a top ten prospect and contender for the number one overall pick. Has not yet made a decision regarding the NFL but his arm talent is among the best in the nation.
Sixth-year senior who fought through injuries over his career while competing for touches with future pros. Breakout season in 2025 where he led a crowded backfield in yards and receptions.
Big play threat and team’s leading receiver who is always one of the fastest players on the field. Dropped just one target all year and showed the ability to win in contested situations.
Likely to finish as the consensus number one tight end has quickly gone from raw talent to every-down threat with and without the ball. Led all tight ends nationally with eight touchdowns.
Leveled up from Nevada and got better as the season went on. Prototype size and foot speed but his play started to fall off late in the year.
A transfer from Texas State who had an up and down season due to athletic limitations.
Wide and long-framed, experienced interior-only lineman with the power to create movement off the line consistently. Has not allowed a sack since 2022.
Three-year starter and emotional leader who has played both guard and center. Will have a decision to make as he has another season of eligibility remaining.
Solid in all areas playing the edge but lacks any one elite trait. That said, he’s been productive with solid numbers to go with the size NFL teams look for on the edge.
Highly regarded prospect who excels in the deep zones as a free safety. Not quite as good in run support but improving and an ascending player.
Massive defensive tackle who has been a physical run stuffer. Improving as a pass rusher and could move up the board.
Has played at three schools and started the year as a backup after transferring. Has a solid skill set for the interior but his play has been somewhat inconsistent.
Other players to watch:
Gary Bryant Jr. - WR
Bryce Boettcher - LB
Theran Johnson - CB
Texas Tech Players:
A fourth-year starter who broke out in 2025, bringing his game to another level across the board. His 112.4 passer rating was fifth best in the Power Four despite spending the majority of the season fighting multiple lower body injuries, including a hairline fracture to his shin.
Transfer from Florida who has been a downfield threat his entire career with his smooth and elegant footwork and long strides. Dropped a lot of balls in 2025 but scored six touchdowns over the last six games.
Transfer from Miami (OH) who the coaches call their most explosive playmaker. Has also proven to be an excellent special teams defender early in his career.
Bailey has become an accomplished pass rusher with the quickness, athletic ability and a variety of moves needed to be an impact player at the next level. He may lack the size of an every down defender but he can rush the passer.
Height is over-aged and undersized but he has outstanding pass rush tools. It took him some time to develop into a productive player but teams looking for a rotational pass rusher will look hard at him.
Hunter is a big physical run stuffer that is adept at holding the point of attack. He flashes pass rush using his hands and pushing the pocket but may lack the range to be an impact in that phase.
Rodriguez has a storied career lining up at several offensive positions at Virginia including quarterback, wide receiver, running back and tight end. At Texas Tech he has developed into one of the top linebackers in the country winning the Butkus award in 2025.
Ascending junior prospect with the size NFL teams look for. He shows instincts playing the run and solid cover skill. Had two interceptions against BYU in the Big 12 Championship game.
Undersized but highly productive interior defender at Northern Illinois both playing the run and rushing the passer. Transferred to Texas Tech in 2025 and started well but his season was de-railed by an ankle injury in October. He’s hopeful to return for the playoffs.
Other players to watch:
Johncarlos Miller II - TE
Terrance Carter Jr. - TE
Howard Sampson - OT
Davion Carter - OG
Cole Wisniewski - S
Brice Pollock - S
All State Sugar Bowl
 |
Missisippi |
vs |
 |
Georgia |
January 1st (Thu) - Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Mississippi Players:
Currently awaiting NCAA decision regarding an extra season of eligibility to remain in school for the 2026 season. Proved to be one of the breakout performers in 2025 as a dual threat.
A sure-handed possession receiver with good size who produced at three different programs. Has not had a drop since the end of September.
The team’s leading receiver and go-to option in big moments. Transferred in from Penn State and had a career year.
Led the country in yards after the catch per reception as he proved to be a big play threat. Thick-framed, versatile tight end who can line up in multiple spots and more than hold his own.
Extreme athlete but undersized for the NFL on the edge. Has been effective both rushing the passer and dropping in coverage.
Long edge defender who’s been part of a rotation and productive as a pass rusher. Has another year of eligibility and could return.
Tall, lengthy interior defender who’s played 0 to 3 technique. He’s inconsistent but has flashed dominance against the run and shows pass rush potential.
Third school in three years, he became a full time starter at Mississippi and shows upside. Still raw in some areas and lacks ideal build and length.
Other players to watch
Kapena Gushiken - S
Da’Shawn Womack - EDGE
Diego Pounds - OT
Jayden Williams - OT
Cayden Lee - WR
Georgia Players:
A junior who burst on to the scene with USC in Caleb Williams’ final year as an explosive gadget player and returner. The primary weapon in their passing game has twice as much production as the number two guy.
A strong and thick receiver who has been used in a variety of ways, including over 50 career carries. There is a unique blend of tools to work with but has struggled to develop the complete skill set at receiver.
A transfer from Texas A&M who struggled to get looks in the run-heavy offense but brings the kind of size and speed that teams will want to develop.
Questionable to return, as he has been out since breaking his leg week eight. He was their number two receiver at the time and has attractive height, weight, and speed metrics.
A four-year contributor who never took the jump many around the program thought he would but has turned out to be a steady, reliable player who can wear several hats and fill multiple roles.
Will have a decision to make, as he has another year of eligibility remaining. He brings a rare blend of physical tools and ability in addition to being one of the most improved offensive linemen in the SEC from 2024.
A redshirt junior who has a good chance at returning to school in 2026, as he missed a handful of games this season due to a lingering, recurring back injury. Has experience on both sides.
Somewhat lacking in length, Allen makes up for it with hyper athleticism. Extremely quick reacting, he has outstanding range in pursuit to go with excellent cover skills.
Miller has the size and athletic tools to develop into a top-flight interior defender. He can make plays along the line of scrimmage but must develop consistency in gap integrity and rushing the passer.
Effective press corner with mirror ability throughout the route tree. Has NFL size and speed but needs to continue improving in zone coverage.
Thorson is the Ray Guy award winner and a consensus All-American. Thorson has a strong leg with several games averaging well over 50 yards a kick.
Other Players to watch:
Raylen Wilson - Edge
JaCorey Thomas - S
Gabe Harris Jr. - Edge
Xzavier McLeod - DT
Cash Jones - RB
Lawson Luckie - TE
Micah Morris - OG