10 NFL Draft prospects to watch in Oregon vs Penn State

By Jack Brentnall

This Saturday night, the NFL Draft world turns its attention to Happy Valley for one of the biggest regular season games of the year – a top-10, White Out showdown between Oregon and Penn State.

This isn’t just a rematch of last year’s Big Ten Championship – it is a critical proving ground for more than a dozen prospects hoping to hear their name called in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Both teams are stocked with NFL talent, so this list is by no means comprehensive. Instead, I’ve tried to pick out the 10 names I am most interested to watch. For the sickos among you, I’ve included a long list of honourable mentions below.

Kenyon Sadiq - TE, Oregon (6-3, 245, Junior)

If you are looking for the best prospect on the field this weekend, it very well may be Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.

The true junior has rapidly ascended to a key role in the Ducks’ offense this season, averaging over 17 yards per catch and scoring three touchdowns. He offers elite speed and exceptional creativity after the catch, making him an immediate mismatch weapon for the Penn State secondary. 

Sadiq hasn’t been a high-volume option so far this season, but he feels like a player on the verge of a huge performance. A breakout game against Penn State’s talented defense would solidify his status as a top-tier tight end prospect.

Dante Moore - QB, Oregon (6-3, 210, rs-Sophomore)

There is nobody I’m more excited to watch in this game than Oregon quarterback Dante Moore.

A former five-star recruit, Moore struggled as a freshman at UCLA, before transferring to Oregon and backing up Dillon Gabriel in 2024. He’s emerged as the starter this season and through four games has been excellent.

His blend of accuracy, decision making, and processing has been a key part of Oregon’s early success. Scouts will be keen to see how he handles the step up in competition and whether he can maintain his poise in a high-pressure environment. A big game here would be huge for Moore’s stock.

Drew Allar - QB, Penn State (6-5, 236, Senior)

Allar is a big name in the 2026 class and one that will have plenty of eyes on him this weekend. 

It is easy to see why some are so excited about him as a prospect. At 6’5” and 236 lbs with a rocket arm and strength in the pocket, he has the prototypical tools for an NFL quarterback. He has underwhelmed so far this season though, with his issues with accuracy and lack of creativity when pressured rearing their heads once again.

One of the biggest criticisms of Allar has been his struggles in big games against quality opposition. He desperately needs to prove that his early season struggles are behind him and that he is capable of elevating the offense against top competition. Nobody has more riding on this game.

Nick Singleton - RB, Penn State (6-0, 220, Senior)

Singleton is one of the most high profile prospects that will take the field this weekend, and for good reason. 

He has been an impact player for the Nittany Lions since his true freshman season, clocking almost 4,000 total yards and 45 touchdowns. At 6’0” and 220 lbs he has NFL-ready size, which he pairs with serious home run speed and some of the best pass protection ability in the class.

The question for evaluators is whether Singleton has the creativity and vision to be a true alpha runner. He has consistently struggled to elude defenders and create his own yardage, and that has been an issue again this season, with just three forced missed tackles on 41 carries. Singleton needs a signature, tone-setting performance.

Dani Dennis-Sutton - EDGE, Penn State (6-5, 265, Senior)

Penn State has a long track record of churning out big, hyper-athletic edge rushers, and Dennis-Sutton is the latest in that production line.

He has excellent size, which he pairs with some of the best get-off in the class. He also showcases great hand strength at the point of attack and is a very effective edge-setter against the run.

Dennis-Sutton has started off the 2025 season strong, with nine pressures and six defensive stops. However, he was held in check the last time these two teams faced, generating just two pressures. His highly anticipated matchup with Isaiah World is one of the game’s determining factors, and a dominant outing here would bolster his draft stock.

Isaiah World - OT, Oregon (6-5, 321, rs-Senior)

On the other side of the trench battle is Oregon tackle Isaiah World. The former Nevada man has been solid through his first four games with the Ducks, allowing a single pressure.

I was very excited about World’s potential when scouting him over summer. He offers a rare blend of size and quick feet, something that bodes very well for playing tackle at the NFL level. His technical issues have been what has held him back so far, evidenced in the fact he has 10 penalties since the start of last season.

World had a good test in Week 3 against Northwestern’s Anto Saka, but Dani Dennis-Sutton offers a challenging blend of speed and power. Keep your eyes peeled for this critical one-on-one battle.

AJ Harris - CB, Penn State (6-0, 184, Junior)

For my money, the best secondary talent on either team is Penn State’s AJ Harris. 

The former Georgia corner has the height and length to translate to the NFL level and he is comfortable working in press coverage. Pair that with some good run defense and tackling ability and there is reason for excitement.

Harris has barely been tested so far this season, with just one target in three games. This weekend, however, he will be tasked with locking down Oregon’s star receivers, Dakorien Moore and Malik Benson. How he performs should provide a great indication of whether he has what it takes to be a starting boundary corner at the pro level.

Bryce Boettcher - LB, Oregon (6-2, 230, rs-Senior)

In a battle littered with five-star talent, Boettcher is a little different. A former three-star recruit from Eugene, he chose to walk on at his home town school. He made his name on the Ducks’ baseball team and was drafted by the Astros in the 2024 MLB Draft.

He gradually earned a role on the football team too, becoming a key player in 2024 and earning a Second Team All-Big Ten selection. While he is a little undersized, his combination of explosiveness, ball skills, and a relentless motor will have scouts excited.

Penn State’s unique offense and talented backfield duo will challenge Boettcher’s discipline in space and coverage integrity. This game is a massive opportunity for him to prove he belongs in the conversation as one of 2026’s top linebackers.

Matayo Uiagalelei - EDGE, Oregon (6-5, 270, Junior)

If I was picking out Oregon’s best defensive player through the first four weeks of the season, Uiagalelei would certainly be in the conversation.

The younger brother of former college quarterback DJ, Matayo is a big-bodied edge rusher with great length and physicality at the point of attack. Through four games he has shown his disruptive potential, recording 12 pressures and six defensive stops.

Uiagalelei had some nice moments against Northwestern tackle Caleb Tiernan in Week 3, but scouts will want to see him genuinely take over a game to prove he can be a game-wrecking edge. If he can have that sort of impact against Penn State’s Drew Shelton, he’ll be a real riser.

Makhi Hughes - RB, Oregon (5-11, 210, rs-Junior)

Coming into the season, I was very excited about what Makhi Hughes could be for Oregon. The former Tulane back was my RB2 in summer scouting, behind only Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love.

However, the early returns have been distinctly underwhelming. Reports have raised questions about Hughes’ effort and familiarity with the playbook, and he has recorded just 70 yards on 17 carries through four games.

There is still plenty of time for Hughes to show what he can do, but with each week that passes scouts are likely to have more and more concerns. A big game this weekend would really help him to calm some early-season nerves.

Honourable mentions

  • Kaytron Allen – RB, Penn State

  • Zane Durant – IDL, Penn State

  • Olaivavega Ioane – IOL, Penn State

  • Iapani Laloulu – IOL, Oregon

  • Jerry Mixon – LB, Oregon

  • Drew Shelton – OT, Penn State

  • Dillon Thieneman – S, Oregon

  • Zakee Wheatley – S, Penn State

  • Noah Whittington – RB, Oregon

JACK BRENTNALL

HEAD OF NFL DRAFT CONTENT

Previously the founder of The Jet Sweep, Jack joined The Touchdown as head of Draft Content in 2024. A Scouting Academy alumnus, Jack has been Covering the NFL Draft since 2020. Follow him on Twitter @Jack_Brentnall.

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