Week 11 SCOUTING NOTEBOOK: Mendoza delivers, Emmett Johnson and more

By Jack Brentnall

Week 11 did not lack defining moments. Several prospects were tested under real pressure, some reinforcing their draft credentials while others revealed new wrinkles in their game. From late-drive execution to emerging physicality in the trenches, it was the kind of week that sharpened evaluations heading into the final stretch of the season.

Here’s what stood out on tape.

Mendoza delivers late but battles inconsistency

Indiana kept its unbeaten streak alive with a narrow win over Penn State, sealed by a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza earned the headlines, though this was one of his more uneven performances of the season.

The usual Mendoza hallmarks were present – sharp far-hash accuracy, strong rhythm throws, and moments of advanced processing against a blitz-heavy defense. When Penn State sent pressure, he often found the right outlet and kept the offense on schedule.

Still, the pressure clearly got to him at times. He had multiple snaps where he failed to climb or reset in the pocket, and his off-script work looked tentative. A nearly costly fourth-quarter interception in plus territory underlined the volatility of his day.

Mendoza’s tendency to take bad sacks also reappeared. His 16.7% pressure-to-sack rate was respectable, but the three he took were avoidable: one after bypassing an open target, another from bailing on a clean pocket, and a third from turning down a checkdown.

If that had been the final note, we’d be revisiting questions about his top-10 draft billing. Instead, Mendoza answered emphatically with a statement drive that showcased exactly why he remains a premium prospect. He ripped a 22-yard seam throw to Omar Cooper, followed with a pinpoint pass to Riley Nowakowski on a post route, and then hit a contested sideline ball to move the Hoosiers into the red zone. He finished the drive with a spectacular touchdown strike to Cooper with two defenders in his face.

The drive was a masterclass in poise and big-moment execution, and Mendoza has now delivered late-game heroics in both of Indiana’s toughest road tests – at Oregon and now at Penn State. That track record of clutch production under pressure will resonate in NFL scouting rooms.

Emmett Johnson’s breakout keeps Huskers rolling

With Dylan Raiola sidelined, Nebraska leaned on Emmett Johnson, and the redshirt junior delivered. He carried 28 times for 129 yards and a score, but it was his work as a receiver that defined the night.

In the second quarter, Johnson turned a screen into a 56-yard touchdown, showing active hands and exceptional acceleration in space. In the third, he struck again on a 40-yard wheel route, showcasing his open-field speed.

That performance extends a dominant stretch for Johnson, who has topped 120 rushing yards in four of his last five outings. On the year, he has 1,131 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 203 carries, plus 300 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver.

As a prospect, Johnson offers a true three-down skillset with a balanced athletic profile. He ran a 4.48 40-yard dash and posted a 36-inch vertical jump in high school, and that explosiveness shows on tape. He plays with a slippery running style and a natural sense for space – traits that translate cleanly to the pro level.

Johnson lacks prototypical size and power at 5’11” and 200 lbs, but he compensates with vision and burst. In a potentially thin 2026 running back class, Johnson could be a smart early-declare candidate if he opts to enter the draft.

Lee Hunter flashes new dimensions vs BYU

In my Week 11 Prospect Watch article I flagged Lee Hunter as a player to watch, and he exceeded expectations – not just as a run defender, but as a disruptive interior rusher.

Coming into the year, Hunter profiled as a two-down nose tackle: stout, strong, and limited in pass rush value. Against BYU, he broke that mould. The Texas Tech man lived in the backfield, recording seven pressures, the highest single-game total of his career.

Hunter’s power consistently collapsed the pocket, but he also showed the ability to win in different ways, with a particularly effective swim move that saw him generate multiple hits on quarterback Bear Bachmeier. His ability to blend power with finesse gave BYU’s interior line fits all game.

I currently have a mid-day two grade on Hunter, but if he sustains this form into the postseason, he could push into top-50 consideration in what looks like a thin defensive tackle group.

Makai Lemon regains momentum

After a few quiet weeks, USC’s Makai Lemon erupted against Northwestern, posting 11 receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown – his best collegiate total to date.

The Wildcats’ defense wasn’t elite competition, but Lemon’s technical polish was evident throughout. His route pacing, leverage manipulation, and understanding of defensive angles consistently created clean separation. Eight of his 11 catches came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, and several of these plays demonstrated his understanding of how to uncover quickly and serve as a reliable outlet for his quarterback.

He also flashed downfield nuance, hauling in two catches of 20+ yards. There were several other impressive reps where he wasn’t targeted but managed to manipulate safeties and create serious separation downfield.

Lemon isn’t the biggest receiver, and he may not test off the charts athletically, but his smooth hands and refined technique make him one of the safer wide receiver projections in this class.

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.

Rated 5 out of 5