NFL Mock Draft 2026: Edition 3 (Combine Edition)

Arvell Reese, Ohio State 

 1. Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

The Combine may have thrown much of the first round into disarray, but there's no question at the top. Fernando Mendoza didn't even work out in Indianapolis, but still remains the heavy favorite to be the No. 1 overall off the board in late April. It's starting to feel more like a question of what else the Raiders will do to surround Mendoza with the right pieces than whether the reigning Heisman winner will be on his way to Las Vegas.

2. New York Jets

Arvell Reese, DE/LB, Ohio State

Things get interesting with the Jets at the No. 2 spot. Their most obvious need remains quarterback, but there's nobody in this range that makes sense. So instead, pass rusher seems to be the consensus selection here, with Arvell Reese, David Bailey, and Rueben Bain Jr. the top candidates. Bailey was a sack machine at Texas Tech, but to me, Reese has the higher ceiling in what he can be as a pro. It's no surprise to me the Buckeye product had a superb Combine - he's a physical freak who still has time grow into his 6'4", 240-pound frame.

3. Arizona Cardinals

David Bailey, DE/LB, Texas Tech

It's an important offseason for the Cardinals, who have to find a way forward in an NFC West that includes three of not only the best teams in the conference, but the NFL. Offensive line is in consideration here, but it's hard to imagine Arizona being able to pass up a player like David Bailey in this spot. Bailey was the most dominant rusher in all of the land this past fall, notching 14.5 sacks, 19.5 TFL, and a 20.2% pressure percentage for the Red Raiders.

4. Tennessee Titans

Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami (FL)

March Madness 2026: Predicting the Entire NCAA Tournament Field One Month Out

March Madness 2026

Midwest Region (Chicago)

1 Michigan Wolverines (Top Overall Seed)

16 Howard Bison / Wright State Raiders

Notes: Between Arizona losing back-to-back games last week and Michigan further padding their resume with a win at Mackey Arena over Purdue, the Wolverines are the clear team to beat nationally as things stand in mid-February. Only one blemish is on the schedule: a shocking loss to Wisconsin in Ann Arbor. And, while surprising, it's certainly not a bad one for Michigan given the Badgers have been one of the hottest teams in the country over the last month. With plenty of opportunities to further bolster their resume down the stretch, the Wolverines are starting to feel like a lock on the one-seed line.

8 Auburn Tigers

9 NC State Wolfpack

Notes: Steven Pearl has taken his lumps in his first season as Auburn head man, with the Tigers sitting at 14-11 overall and 5-7 inside the SEC. However, wins over St. John's, Florida, and Arkansas keep the Tigers on the right side of the bubble. Only one ranked foe remains on the schedule, so there is little margin for error for this team over the next month.

5 Kentucky Wildcats

12 Belmont Bruins

Notes: Mark Pope's team keeps rising up the totem pole and lands at the five spot here, but the upset-minded Belmont Bruins would be a tough matchup. The Bruins have long been one of the most consistent mid-majors in the country, but Casey Alexander hasn't taken the program to an NCAA Tournament yet despite seven straight seasons of at least 20 wins. They are the clear favorite in the Missouri Valley, with a 14-3 conference mark with three regular season games remaining.

4 Virginia Cavaliers

13 East Tennessee State Buccaneers

Notes: Ryan Odom is in the running for National Coach of the Year with the job he's done in Charlottesville, with Virginia still in the ACC Title picture. The game against Duke on February 28 could very well decide the league. Even if UVA isn't able to down the mighty Blue Devils, they seem destined to land somewhere in the 3-5 range, assuming things don't fall off the rails down the stretch. North Carolina and Virginia Tech on the road remain their only two ACC losses.

6 Tennessee Volunteers

Big Ten Power Rankings 2025-26: Edition 2

Keaton Wagler, Illinois

 

(Updated through: morning of 2/10/26)

1. Michigan Wolverines

Previous Ranking: 1

Despite one of the most impressive starts to the season in program history, there was some question how Dusty May's Michigan Wolverines would respond when they did face adversity during the Big Ten schedule. The last month, we've gotten our answer. After dropping their first game of the season in a shocker to Wisconsin in mid-January, the Wolverines have simply ripped off eight straight wins, including a pair of them over Top 10 teams, and remain perched as the clear favorite in a loaded league. It hasn't been close wins either - of those eight straight victories, seven have been in the double digits. The race to the No. 1 overall seed come Selection Sunday is on, and this team has plenty of opportunities to pad their resume. Aside from road games with Purdue and Illinois, plus a date with Michigan State in Crisler Center, the non-conference battle with Duke in "The Duel in the District" looms as one of the most anticipated games of the year.

2. Illinois Fighting Illini

Previous Ranking: 6

Several teams have been vying to be the greatest threat to Michigan inside the Big Ten, but it's Illinois alone as second in the conference at 11-2 as things stand today. The loss over the weekend to Michigan State snaps a 12-game winning streak, but it's hard to take any major conclusion aways from that game. The Illini shot the ball poorly, at just 37% from the field, and still took the Spartans to overtime in East Lansing. The difference for this Illini team over the past month has been freshman phenom Keaton Wagler, who has been one of the best players in the country in recent weeks. The 46-point outburst to beat Purdue was the main highlight, but Wagler hasn't slowed down. In fact, his performance against Nebraska may have been even more impressive, as he not only dropped 28 points, but added five assists and five boards. His play has completely overshadowed the fact Illinois has been without steady lead guard Kylan Boswell for the past month, who is recovering from a broken hand. The expectation is that Boswell is going to return over the next couple weeks, further bolstering a team that seems to be getting better each and every week. Boswell's return is going to be huge down the stretch not only because of his experience, but his defense. As good as Wagler has been and as good as Andrej Stojakovic can be, the Illini really need his perimeter defense if this is the year they finally make a March run.

3. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Previous Ranking: 3

2026 Minnesota Gopher Football Schedule Breakdown

P.J. Fleck, Minnesota

In the wild world of modern college football, the Minnesota Golden Gophers head into 2026 with an uncommon sense of stability. P.J. Fleck will enter his tenth season on the sidelines in Dinkytown, with much of his coaching staff intact and a roster that returns key contributors across the board. The personnel, beyond the high-profile transfer of star safety Koi Perich, also brings continuity. Quarterback Drake Lindsey will be back for a second season as starter, Darius Taylor will spearhead the backfield, and notable names like Anthony Smith and Kerry Brown headline the defense.

With that foundation in place and the 2026 schedule released this week, we have a very early idea of what next fall will look like for the Gophers. The schedule offers plenty of tough matchups and potential landmines – meaning Fleck and company will have to have the team ready to go if they want to improve on last season’s eight win campaign.

 

September 3 vs. Eastern Illinois

It will be the Eastern Illinois Panthers who kick off Minnesota’s season at Huntington Bank Stadium. It will be the 14^th season in a row the Gophers kick off their fall on the first Thursday night of FBS football.

It was a rough 2025 campaign for the once-proud Panthers, as they fell to 3-9 and a lowly 2-6 inside the Ohio Valley Conference. The only FBS comparison we can make isn’t a super helpful one – the Panthers went on the road to Alabama this last November and were dominated to the tune of 56-0. A Tide rushing attack that struggled all season ran for 270 yards and a staggering eight touchdowns.

 

You have to believe the plan for the Gophers is for this to essentially act as a preseason game. Drake Lindsey and the rest of the key players will get their reps in the first half, but it’s likely we see them move down their depth chart in the second. It should give us a chance to learn more about what this backfield looks like beyond Darius Taylor, as the Gophers will almost surely take advantage of their size and physicality in the trenches.

Way, Way Too Early Score Prediction: Minnesota, 49 Eastern Illinois, 7

 

September 12 vs. Mississippi State

It’s not too often we see SEC teams travel this far north in the early non-conference, so Minnesota – Mississippi State will be an intriguing one. Jeff Lebby has gone just 7-18 since taking over in Starkville, but the program has made real strides. They played in a bowl game this past fall, coming up short in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

2026 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25

Bo Jackson, Ohio State

1. Ohio State Buckeyes -- As disappointing as the end of this season was, is there any doubt Ryan Day's Buckeyes are going to be back with a vengeance in 2026? They're likely to have the top two non-quarterbacks taken in the upcoming NFL Draft, plus a host of other contributors. Yet, the most important pair is going to be back in quarterback Julian Sayin and wide out Jeremiah Smith. There may be extra motivation next fall for Sayin after coming up short in the Heisman race in 2025, while it still feels like Smith may be able to reach another level in what is sure to his final season of college ball. Bo Jackson emerged as the top option on the ground down the stretch and will play a key role in 2026 keeping defenses honest, all behind a well-stocked offensive line. The defense is where the heavy losses will be, including safety Caleb Downs, who operates as the quarterback of this unit. Yet, this is Ohio State, so we know they will have talent ready to step up for coordinator Matt Patricia. The Buckeyes strategically filled holes through the early portion of the transfer portal process, with Earl Little Jr. (Florida State) and Terry Moore (Duke) bolstering the back-end, and Qua Russaw (Alabama) helping reinforce the front alongside returnee Kenyatta Jackson. Christian Alliegro could be the most underrated addition of the bunch, as he showed ample potential at Wisconsin and now enters the ideal situation for a breakout in Columbus. 

2. Oregon Ducks -- Could 2026 be the year Oregon finally climbs the mountaintop and wins their first National Title in program history? The return of quarterback Dante Moore, who passed on an opportunity to likely be the No. 2 overall selection this spring, has Ducks fans thinking big. Moore will have a new play-caller after OC Will Stein took the Kentucky job, but he'll benefit from a loaded roster around him. The projected pass-catcher group is especially exciting - while star tight end Kenyon Sadiq is off to the NFL, sophomore Dakorien Moore is on the cusp of superstardom, and Evan Stewart is slated to return after missing the entirety of 2025. There is turnover on the staff defensively, too, as Tosh Lupoi left for his alma mater, Cal. But Dan Lanning has built a machine here in Eugene, and the cupboard is far from bare. Bear Alexander and Matayo Uiagalelei both held off on their NFL ambitions to run it back for Oregon up front, and cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. has a chance to be special after earning Freshman All-American honors this past fall. Add in names like Koi Perich, who comes over from inside the Big Ten after two superb years at Minnesota, and the Ducks have all the tools to complete their quest towards a National Title. After coming close the last couple years, it feels like only a matter of time before Lanning and the Ducks finish the job.

3. Georgia Bulldogs -- It felt like Georgia overachieved a bit in 2025 given the youth on this roster, which is great news for their 2026 fortunes as they look to stay atop the SEC. Gunner Stockton isn't the most talented QB Kirby Smart has had here in Athens, but he's one of the most clutch, and he answered a lot of questions in his first year as starter. Stockton will benefit from an improved ground game taking some of the heat off of him, as Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens have a chance to be the best Georgia backfield duo since Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. The defense had some uncharacteristic struggles this past fall, but gained valuable experience. Linebackers Raylen Wilson and Chris Cole will be the key pieces up front, while I've been long awaiting K.J. Bolden's eventual breakout at safety. Beyond Bolden, however, the secondary has significant turnover and was hit hard by portal defections. How youngsters like Rasean Dinkins play could be the make or break between Georgia merely being Playoff good and bringing home a third National Title for Smart. 

4. Texas Longhorns -- Do not be surprised if, for the second straight year, Texas heads into the fall as the

2025-26 College Football Playoff National Championship Prediction

Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

Following months of action, the 2025-26 college football season concludes Monday night with a pair of teams hoping to end the year as National Champions. The top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers were dominant throughout the fall, but have turned it up a notch in the College Football Playoff, pummeling Alabama and Oregon to get to this stage. Now, they square off with the last remaining "underdog" Miami Hurricanes, who have upset Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss in a row. For the 'Canes, it's a chance to showcase a return back to being one of the top brands in the sport on the national stage. For Indiana, they're hoping to put the finishing touches on one of the greatest turnarounds in sports history. Who comes out on top in Miami Gardens?

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has already racked up a long list of accolades over the course of

Big Ten Power Rankings 2025-26: Edition 1

Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

 1. Michigan Wolverines

Previous Ranking: N/A

Dusty May's Michigan Wolverines have been a machine over the first two months of the college basketball season, perched not just as the best in the Big Ten, but the nation's No. 1 team. They've been absolutely decimating their competition, including wins over San Diego State (by 40), Auburn (by 30), Gonzaga (by 40), and now USC inside the league (by 30). It's rare to see this complete of a team playing this well at this point on the calendar, but I am curious to see how the Wolverines fare once the competition is turned up a notch inside Big Ten play. Their schedule remains fairly light throughout most of January, but the end of the month and into February will give us a great example of what this team is capable of. Michigan State, Nebraska, Purdue all await in the next month-and-a-half, along with a non-conference date with Duke in the "Duel in the District" on February 21.

2. Purdue Boilermakers

Previous Ranking: N/A

Aside from a home loss to Iowa State in early December, there's not a blemish on Purdue's record after entering the season as the preseason No. 1 in the country. They've carried their superb play through the early portion of the Big Ten schedule, handling Rutgers, Minnesota, and Wisconsin all with ease en route to a 3-0 start. In addition to the success in the win-loss column, Purdue has a player chasing history in veteran floor general Braden Smith, who set the Big Ten career assists record this past weekend in the Wisconsin win, surpassing Michigan State's Cassius Winston. With his pace, he's in shouting distance of the all-time leader in Division I basketball in Bobby Hurley, with 1,076 being the number to beat. With Smith pacing this offense, Fletcher Loyer emerging as their go-to scoring option, and Trey Kaufmann-Renn and Oscar Cuff on the block, Purdue have all the looks of the greatest threat to Michigan inside the league. Their date on February 17 could be the game of the year, not just in the conference, but college basketball as a whole.

3. Nebraska Cornhuskers

College Football Transfer Portal 2025-26: Ranking the Top 10 Available Quarterbacks (So Far)

Josh Hoover, TCU

The 2025-26 college football season may not yet be officially done, but the transfer portal has created an early offseason full of activity in recent weeks. Quarterbacks who have fallen out of favor at their most recent stops, or see an opportunity to land significant NIL money elsewhere have entered the portal and begun a recruitment process that is going to have a huge impact on the National Title race. More dominoes will fall in the coming weeks but with most of the big names already in the portal, these are the ten to keep a close eye on as the offseason marches on.

1. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State to TBD

(2025 Stats: 1,628 passing yards, 306 rushing yards, 15 total TD, 3 INT)

The 2025 campaign wasn't quite the encore Arizona State was hoping for after breaking through and reaching the College Football Playoff in 2024. Yet, the Sun Devils still managed to go 8-4 overall and 6-3 in a vastly improved Big 12, despite suffering through injuries all season long. Among those injuries was quarterback Sam Leavitt, who was shut down for the season in early November for foot surgery. Even with the lingering health questions, which are likely to keep him sidelined through the spring, Leavitt has drawn the attention of some of the sport's top programs, including several currently in the College Football Playoff. Originally beginning his career at Michigan State, Leavitt took off in the Sun Devil offense last fall, throwing for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns, along with five more on the ground. His numbers understandably took a dip this past season with how much time he missed, but he's proven he can make pro-ready throws and command a top offense. The expectation is that the 2026 season will be his last, as he hopes to play for a National Title contender before heading off to the NFL. Being an Oregon native and with the Ducks likely shopping for a Dante Moore replacement, they appear to be the early frontrunner. However, teams like Miami, LSU, and Texas Tech are also likely to be in the mix in his recruitment process.

Transfer Prediction: Oregon

2. Josh Hoover, TCU to TBD

(2025 Stats: 3,472 passing yards, 31 total touchdowns, 13 INT)

College Football Playoff 2025-26 Prediction

Gunner Stockton, Georgia

First Round

Byes: (1) Indiana Hoosiers, (2) Ohio State Buckeyes, (3) Georgia Bulldogs, (4) Texas Tech Red Raiders

(9) Alabama Crimson Tide @ (8) Oklahoma Sooners

It's a rematch in the first game of the 2025-26 College Football Playoff. Oklahoma outlasted the Crimson Tide the first time the two met in mid-November, in a game that essentially vaulted them into the field. Now, Alabama is looking for vengeance on the road in Norman. 

Contrary to what we became so accustomed to during the Lincoln Riley years, it's the defense that sets the tone for this Sooners team. They allow just under 14 points per contest, and have the nastiest front seven in the country. But, can the offense do enough to beat Alabama for a second time? Amazingly, Oklahoma came out victorious despite just 212 yards of total offense and after going 3-13 on third down. John Mateer has not been himself since his thumb injury, but the ground game too has lacked the bite necessary to complement the defense.

Three turnovers are what doomed Alabama during the first matchup, but they looked the better team. It will be interesting to see how they respond after the SEC Championship Game loss, a game that wasn't very competitive. Was that the type of loss that will serve as an extra layer of motivation for a Playoff run, or an indication this team has completely faded down the stretch? I find myself leaning towards the former, because this team is far too talented to go down without a fight. Oklahoma may be able to muck this one up, but it's tough to beat any team twice during a season in this modern age of college football.

The Pick: Alabama, 27 Oklahoma, 20

(10) Miami Hurricanes @ (7) Texas A&M Aggies

Two teams playing in their first ever College Football Playoff, these two programs are eager to prove themselves on the grand stage. A&M suffered quite the hiccup with a loss to Texas on Black Friday in a game that exposed some notable flaws. The Aggies struggled to run the ball, couldn't stop the Longhorns the other way, and weren't as physical as they needed to be.

Miami suffered a few rough moments themselves in the middle part of the season, but the season-opening Notre Dame win and four straight victories to conclude the year was enough for them to gain entry into the field. This is a team with a clear X-factor: quarterback Carson Beck is going to make or break their fortunes. He threw six interceptions in their two losses this year, which came by a combined nine points. If he can't take care of the ball in this one, the Aggies are most certainly the type of opportunistic team that will capitalize on those mistakes.

For A&M, the offensive story has been an inconsistent one. Marcel Reed has plenty of moments of brilliance and the receivers are an explosive group, but there remains plenty of streakiness in his game. I also worry about this offensive line facing down the fearsome Hurricane defensive front, with Rueben Bain Jr. and company ready to show out. You also have to wonder how the staff shakeups are going to play out for the Aggies. Offensive coordinator Colin Klein is staying on through the Playoff after accepting the head coaching job at his alma mater, Kansas State. The same is true of defensive coordinator Jay Bateman. But, you have to think the fact both have one foot out the door is going to have an impact, and it's not a challenge the Hurricanes are dealing with.

The Pick: Miami, 31 Texas A&M, 28

(11) Tulane Green Wave @ (6) Ole Miss Rebels

Much like Texas A&M, these two teams are in major transition mode. Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall is officially moving on to Florida, but he's always sticking around for the College Football Playoff. The same can't be said of Lane Kiffin, who is officially gone and has taken several members of the Ole Miss staff with him. 

Despite the turnover in Oxford, we do have a clear picture of what this Rebel team will look to do on Saturday. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss leads a high-flying offense that includes star tailback Kewan Lacy and an abundance of options on the perimeter. Even without Lane in town, this is a group that has looked the part all season long and has to be eager to show out against a good Tulane defense - but one that ultimately is a Group of Five defense.

Springing an upset of the 11-1 Rebels will require some magic from the Green Wave and BYU transfer Jake Retzlaff at quarterback. The team leader in passing and running, Retzlaff has been a major addition to the roster after coming over late in the offseason. Retzlaff has a deep group of receivers to throw the ball to, with five different players eclipsing 300 yards on the season. But, it's an offense that lacks a ton of star power, and you do wonder whether Retzlaff is going to have the support he needs to make something happen.

This is a game that is also a rematch - with Ole Miss winning the first meeting in dominant fashion, 45-10. Tulane will have an opportunity to right their wrongs and will have more time to prepare, but there's such a difference on the depth chart between these two. Perhaps this stays close into the second half, but I still see Ole Miss running away with it eventually.

The Pick: Ole Miss, 41 Tulane, 21

(12) James Madison Dukes @ (5) Oregon Ducks

NFL Mock Draft 2026: Edition 2 (Early Edition)

Dante Moore, Oregon

 1. Tennessee Titans

Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

Surrounding Cam Ward with more talent to work with would be the traditional route for a team like the Titans, but I figure the franchise would be hard-pressed to pass up on a talent like Arvell Reese near the top of the Draft. It's not often you see a player at 6'4", 245 pounds move the way Reese does, and he's set the tone for a historically good Ohio State defense all season long. Already Reese is in good position to be the first player off the board next spring, and he's almost sure to blow folks away with his physical gifts in the pre-Draft process.

2. New York Giants

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

It's the Buckeyes going 1-2 here, as the Giants shore up their secondary with safety Caleb Downs. Downs was a high-profile recruit who began his career at Alabama and he played from Day One. Yet, he's elevated his play since arriving in Columbus, demonstrating jaw-dropping range, elite closing speed, and a high football IQ. He's one of the best safety prospects we've seen in a long, long time.

3. New Orleans Saints

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Tyler Shough has performed better than expected since taking over as the starting QB for the Saints, but is the 26-year old really the face of the future for New Orleans? It feels like the Saints will invest in a new signal-caller early on next spring, and Fernando Mendoza fits the bill. He's got the collegiate production to back it up, with a Heisman likely coming his way, and at 6'5" with a strong arm, he has the physical tools. 

4. Las Vegas Raiders

Dante Moore, QB, Oregon