College Football Week 12: 2026 NFL Draft prospects to watch
By Jack Brentnall
Week 12 offers another loaded slate of matchups with real draft implications. Several notable 2026 names will be in action, from a marquee SEC showdown to one-on-one trench tests that should draw plenty of scouting attention.
Here are five prospects worth a closer look this weekend.
Blake Miller - OT, Clemson (6-6, 314, Senior)
It has been an underwhelming season for Clemson, but the Tigers remain a must-watch thanks to the number of draft-relevant players on their roster. Among them, right tackle Blake Miller stands out in this week’s matchup with Louisville.
Miller, a hyper-athletic tackle who has started since his true freshman season in 2022, has logged more than 3,500 career snaps at Clemson. In 2025 he is putting together his best season to date. He has allowed just 10 pressures on 372 pass blocking snaps this season, a mark that ranks 11th amongst tackles with at least 300 pass blocking snaps.
This week he’ll be tested by Louisville edge rusher Clev Lubin, one of the more refined rushers in the ACC. Miller holds a natural length advantage, but Lubin’s combination of leverage and active hands will challenge his anchor and timing. This should be one of the better trench matchups of the weekend and a meaningful tape study for both prospects.
Jadarian Price - RB, Notre Dame (5-11, 210, rs-Junior)
Price is often labeled “the other Notre Dame running back,” but that undersells his ability. While teammate Jeremiyah Love draws first-round attention, Price has quietly built a strong résumé of his own.
He has been one of the most efficient backs in the nation, averaging six yards per carry with nine touchdowns on 95 attempts, and he already has 21 runs of 10+ yards. Price has also emerged as one of college football’s most dangerous kick returners, averaging over 40 yards per return with two touchdowns.
On tape, he shows a blend of physicality and open-field burst that should appeal to scouts. Ball security remains a concern (three fumbles in 2025), and he has limited experience as a receiver (12 career catches), but the foundation of a three-phase contributor is clear.
Notre Dame faces an in-form Pitt defense this week, which ranks fourth nationally in run success rate allowed and is allowing just 3.56 yards per carry. It’s a great litmus test for Price’s vision, contact balance, and patience against a disciplined front.
CJ Allen - LB, Georgia (6-1, 235, Junior)
The top-ranked matchup of the weekend pits #5 Georgia against #10 Texas in a game with serious playoff implications and plenty of NFL scouting relevance. For Georgia, linebacker CJ Allen will be a focal point.
Allen, a true junior, has been outstanding this season, recording 78 tackles, 32 defensive stops, and a 6% missed-tackle rate – the second-lowest among SEC linebackers with 50 or more tackles.
As a prospect, Allen offers a powerful combination of strength, explosiveness, and range. He diagnoses runs quickly, closes space with urgency, and flashes impressive sideline-to-sideline speed. He also brings value as a blitzer, with four sacks on the year.
This matchup with Steve Sarkisian’s offense will test his discipline and processing. Texas uses plenty of motion and eye-candy designed to mislead second-level defenders, making it a great opportunity to see Allen’s play recognition skills put to the test.
Deion Burks - WR, Oklahoma (5-9, 182, rs-Senior)
One of the other top matchups this weekend features Oklahoma against Alabama, and Sooners wideout Deion Burks is one to monitor closely.
Burks started the season hot with 189 yards and two touchdowns in his first two games, but production has tailed off since quarterback John Mateer’s injury. Over the last seven weeks, Burks has averaged just 35 yards per game and has failed to find the end zone once.
Despite that slump, the athletic traits remain compelling. He’s a verified sub-4.4 runner with sharp acceleration and elusiveness after the catch. There are flashes of nuanced route-running and good footwork through his breaks, showing he offers more than pure speed.
The Alabama secondary will provide an ideal proving ground. If Burks can deliver some tangible production against one of the nation’s most disciplined coverage units, it could help to lift him back into the day two pick conversation.
Anthony Lucas - EDGE, USC (6-5, 279, Senior)
If you’re looking for a good prospect trench battle this weekend you could do far worse than tuning into USC-Iowa to watch Trojans edge rusher Anthony Lucas.
A former four-star recruit who was the No. 1 prospect in the state of Arizona, Lucas began his career at Texas A&M before transferring to USC in 2023. After an injury-shortened 2024 season, he has started every game this year.
At 6’5” and 279 lbs with an 84.25-inch wingspan, Lucas possesses elite measurables for the position and moves like a player 25 pounds lighter. On tape, he shows active hands and impressive fluidity for his size. The question has always been production – he has just three career sacks and 24 defensive stops.
He’ll face an experienced Iowa offensive line this week, offering a chance to showcase some development as a pass rusher after an underwhelming outing last week against Northwestern. This is a great opportunity to deliver the statement performance he really needs.
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.