CFP Quarterfinals: 2026 NFL Draft prospects to watch
By Jack Brentnall
It’s the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff, which means there will be plenty of NFL talent on display. At this stage of the process, every team has a handful of noteworthy prospects who will be looking to boost their stock with a big outing in a high-leverage contest. This week I’ve picked one 2026 draft prospect from each team to watch closely this weekend.
Sonny Styles - LB, Ohio State (6-5, 243, Senior)
There may not be a better 2026 draft prospect playing this weekend than Sonny Styles. While teammate Arvell Reese has drawn much of the national attention, Styles continues to build one of the most complete linebacker profiles in the country.
A former safety who transitioned down to linebacker, Styles has played all 13 games this season and recorded 86 tackles without a single missed attempt. His 45 stop tackles rank third among Big Ten defenders, reflecting both his range and reliability.
On tape, his football intelligence stands out most, consistently triggering downhill with confidence and showing an advanced understanding of how to deconstruct blocks at the point of attack. This matchup against a physical Miami run game should provide a strong measuring stick for his projection.
Francis Mauigoa - OT, Miami
On the other side of that Ohio State matchup is right tackle Francis Mauigoa, a former five-star recruit who has started for the Hurricanes since his true freshman season. Mauigoa has steadily cemented himself as one of the most physically dominant offensive linemen in college football. He was recently named a Consensus All-American.
His calling card is play strength. Mauigoa consistently delivers a jolting initial punch and carries a rock-solid anchor in pass protection, traits that were on full display in Miami’s first round matchup against Texas A&M.
He has not allowed a sack since Week 4 and has surrendered just two quarterback hits over his last 10 games. Facing an Ohio State front that includes Arvell Reese, Kenyatta Jackson and Caden Curry will be a valuable test of both his power and composure against top competition.
David Bailey - EDGE, Texas Tech (6-3, 250, Senior)
Texas Tech’s defense has been one of the quiet revelations of the season, and David Bailey has been its driving force. After spending his early career as a situational pass rusher at Stanford, Bailey has blossomed into a true difference-making edge defender.
He leads all FBS defenders with 77 pressures, and his 40.2% win rate on true pass sets tops all Power Four edge rushers. Bailey’s combination of length, refined hand usage, and first-step explosiveness makes him extremely difficult to contain.
The biggest question mark surrounding Bailey as a prospect is his ability as a run defender. That should get tested early and often by this Oregon offense, making this a must-watch game for NFL scouts.
Emmanuel Pregnon - IOL, Oregon (6-5, 320, rs-Senior)
Emmanuel Pregnon has emerged as the best player on an already strong Oregon offensive line. This weekend represents perhaps his toughest test of the season against an aggressive Texas Tech front.
The former Wyoming and USC guard has taken a major step forward, rising from a projected day three pick in summer scouting to a borderline first round talent. His imposing frame, disciplined eyes in protection, and consistently accurate hand placement have translated into high-level performance as both a run blocker and pass protector.
Having allowed just three pressures all season, Pregnon’s ability will be put to the test this weekend. He will likely spend most of his time preoccupied with Red Raiders defensive tackle Lee Hunter, whose combination of size and quick hands has caused consistent problems for opposing interior linemen.
Fernando Mendoza - QB, Indiana (6-5, 225, rs-Junior)
When a Heisman Trophy winner takes the field in a playoff game, attention naturally follows. Fernando Mendoza has been outstanding for Indiana since transferring from Cal, throwing for 33 touchdowns against just six interceptions.
Mendoza pairs three-level accuracy with arm strength, decisive processing, and consistent timing, making him one of the easiest quarterback projections in the class. His ability to deliver in high-leverage moments has been a defining theme of his 2025 season, with clutch fourth quarter performances against both Penn State and Oregon earlier this year.
He enters the postseason as the early favorite to be the first overall pick in 2026, and can cement that position with a strong playoff run. This weekend’s matchup against Alabama offers scouts another valuable chance to evaluate him against a top-tier defense in a true pressure environment.
Kadyn Proctor - OT, Alabama (6-7, 360, Junior)
Proctor entered the season as many evaluators’ favourite to be the first offensive lineman off the board in the 2026 class. While he’s not quite lived up to that billing, he remains a fascinating prospect who is always worth watching.
At 6’7” and 360 lbs, Proctor possesses rare size and natural strength. He shows a stout anchor in pass protection and can neutralise opposing rushers if he lands his hands early in the rep. He also shows some impressive raw power to uproot defenders in the run game.
Questions around flexibility and lateral agility will continue to shape his evaluation, and NFL teams will likely be split on whether his future lies at guard or tackle. How he fares in games like this one will play a big part in that process.
Zachariah Branch - WR, Georgia (5-10, 180, Junior)
Branch has enjoyed a strong season since transferring from USC, emerging as Georgia’s leading receiver while remaining a dynamic return specialist. He has totaled 744 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 73 catches.
A former five-star recruit, Branch’s combination of short-area quickness and track speed earned him comparisons to Tyreek Hill coming out of high school. While he has never quite hit that ceiling, he remains dangerous with the ball in his hands, averaging eight yards after the catch.
Scouts will want to see more diversity in his usage this weekend. Over half of Branch’s receptions have come behind the line of scrimmage, and he has just four catches of 20-plus air yards. A big performance in this setting would go a long way toward answering those questions.
Dae’Quan Wright - Ole Miss (6-4, 255, Senior)
Wright may not jump off the stat sheet, but his NFL projection remains intriguing. He has surpassed 50 receiving yards only once since Week 8, yet his tape tells a more nuanced story.
At 6’4” and 255 pounds, Wright has the mass and technique to function inline and consistently create movement as a blocker. His reliable hands and functional athleticism also suggest untapped upside as a receiver. When he has been called upon as a pass catcher, he has been efficient, averaging 2.11 yards per route run, a figure that ranks third amongst SEC tight ends.
This matchup against Georgia’s disciplined, physical defense will be a strong indicator of whether Wright can translate his traits into high-impact production on a big stage.
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.