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2025 stats over 12 games: 199 carries, 1,372 rushing yards, 18 rushing TDs, 27 catches, 280 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs
Love reminds me a lot of Reggie Bush. The 20-year-old has vision and burst between the tackles and to the outside, and he can break tackles with ease (60 forced missed tackles on the season). Once he gets into space, he can take it to the house with his breakaway speed too. But Love isn't only an outstanding runner. He also is a high-impact pass catcher. An NFL team will be able to flank him out wide and create a whole other dimension of the offense.
2025 stats over 14 games: 69 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 9 run stops, 2 pass breakups
This is a complete football player. Reese jumps off the Ohio State tape, playing the game like a veteran. I see natural instincts at the linebacker position that allow him to make plays most guys just can't make, and he has the burst to get home when turned loose as a pass rusher. Reese has been a big riser in this class.
2025 stats over 15 games: 15 starts, 1 sack allowed
Here's a true mauler. Mauigoa is fun to watch for the way he just destroys pass rushers at the point of attack. He has more than 2,600 snaps at right tackle and has the pass protection skill to stick there, but he could absolutely slide inside and become a Pro Bowl-caliber guard at the next level. Mauigoa has allowed one sack and blown only 11 run blocks since the start of last season.
2025 stats over 14 games: 76 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, 71 pressures, 8 run stops, 3 forced fumbles, 4 pass breakups
A transfer from Stanford, Bailey gets after the quarterback. He had 14.5 sacks over three seasons for the Cardinal, and he matched that total in 2025 alone after notably becoming more of a finisher this season. His 20.2% pressure rate was the best in the nation -- despite actually being lower than it was in 2024 (22.2%) and 2023 (22.1%).
2025 stats over 14 games: 67 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 INTs, 1 sack, 6 run stops
Downs -- the brother of NFL wide receiver Josh Downs and the son of former NFL running back Gary Downs -- is basically an extension of the defensive coordinator. His football knowledge shows in his play; it's obvious when you watched him in the Ohio State defense. But what really impressed me is how well he picked up Nick Saban's system as a 2023 freshman at Alabama before transferring.
He diagnoses quickly thanks to excellent pre-snap instincts, and that allows him to play faster than his straight-line speed might suggest. Plus, Downs is solid in coverage, and he is a very reliable open-field tackler.
2025 stats over 14 games: 77 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 9 run stops, 3 pass breakups, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 1 sack
You can tell Styles is a former safety; he has outstanding speed, and his burst allows him to spy the QB. Watch for him to dominate at the combine and in predraft testing. Styles is also a dependable tackler and closes in a flash. He really took the next step this season, even as he adapted to a new system under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.
2025 stats over 11 games: 51 catches, 875 receiving yards, 9 receiving TDs
Ohio State has turned into Wide Receiver U, with Emeka Egbuka being the most recent star wideout to come out of Columbus. And while most of the college football world focused on Jeremiah Smith (who isn't eligible for the 2026 draft), Tate put up some serious numbers and showed why he is a top prospect for this class. Tate produced big plays on a regular basis, averaging 17.2 yards per catch this season. He is a precise route runner, has great hands and displays outstanding body control. And he'll also happily block for ball carriers, which NFL coaches love to see. Tate had a lower-body injury earlier this season and missed a little time.
2025 stats over 14 games: 51 catches, 560 receiving yards, 8 receiving TDs
Sadiq is loaded with physical traits. He has the explosion to hurdle defenders in the open field. He has the vision and speed to cause conflict after the catch, with almost half his 2025 yardage coming after the ball is in his hands. And he's nearly impossible to match against because of his quickness and size. Sadiq was consistent this season, and he should be the first tight end off the board.
2025 stats over nine games: 61 catches, 711 receiving yards, 8 receiving TDs
The Colorado transfer lit up defenses for two seasons with the Sun Devils. Tyson's superpower is being open even when it looks like he's completely blanketed. It makes him essentially uncoverable in the red zone. He wins on 50-50 balls and outmuscles defensive backs. A hamstring injury cost him time this season, but he still posted solid numbers.
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0:25
End Zone! Jordyn Tyson scores 4-yard rushing touchdown
End Zone! Jordyn Tyson scores 4-yard rushing touchdown
2025 stats over 12 games: 79 catches, 1,156 receiving yards, 11 receiving TDs
This kid is a warrior who plays with passion. I'd want Lemon on my roster. He snatches the ball away from his body in an attacking manner then runs with a fierce approach after the catch. He is one of my favorite players in the class, and he ranked in the top 10 in the nation in receiving yards.
2026 NFL draft Big Board rankings: Mel Kiper's top prospects
Mel Kiper Jr. is stacking the top 25 players in the NFL draft class, starting with Fernando Mendoza. Who rose at the combine?
3. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 214 | Prev. rank: 32025 stats over 12 games: 199 carries, 1,372 rushing yards, 18 rushing TDs, 27 catches, 280 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs
Love reminds me a lot of Reggie Bush. The 20-year-old has vision and burst between the tackles and to the outside, and he can break tackles with ease (60 forced missed tackles on the season). Once he gets into space, he can take it to the house with his breakaway speed too. But Love isn't only an outstanding runner. He also is a high-impact pass catcher. An NFL team will be able to flank him out wide and create a whole other dimension of the offense.
4. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 243 | Prev. rank: 42025 stats over 14 games: 69 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 9 run stops, 2 pass breakups
This is a complete football player. Reese jumps off the Ohio State tape, playing the game like a veteran. I see natural instincts at the linebacker position that allow him to make plays most guys just can't make, and he has the burst to get home when turned loose as a pass rusher. Reese has been a big riser in this class.
5. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami*
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 315 | Prev. rank: 52025 stats over 15 games: 15 starts, 1 sack allowed
Here's a true mauler. Mauigoa is fun to watch for the way he just destroys pass rushers at the point of attack. He has more than 2,600 snaps at right tackle and has the pass protection skill to stick there, but he could absolutely slide inside and become a Pro Bowl-caliber guard at the next level. Mauigoa has allowed one sack and blown only 11 run blocks since the start of last season.
6. David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 250 | Prev. rank: 62025 stats over 14 games: 76 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, 71 pressures, 8 run stops, 3 forced fumbles, 4 pass breakups
A transfer from Stanford, Bailey gets after the quarterback. He had 14.5 sacks over three seasons for the Cardinal, and he matched that total in 2025 alone after notably becoming more of a finisher this season. His 20.2% pressure rate was the best in the nation -- despite actually being lower than it was in 2024 (22.2%) and 2023 (22.1%).
7. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 205 | Prev. rank: 72025 stats over 14 games: 67 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 INTs, 1 sack, 6 run stops
Downs -- the brother of NFL wide receiver Josh Downs and the son of former NFL running back Gary Downs -- is basically an extension of the defensive coordinator. His football knowledge shows in his play; it's obvious when you watched him in the Ohio State defense. But what really impressed me is how well he picked up Nick Saban's system as a 2023 freshman at Alabama before transferring.
He diagnoses quickly thanks to excellent pre-snap instincts, and that allows him to play faster than his straight-line speed might suggest. Plus, Downs is solid in coverage, and he is a very reliable open-field tackler.
8. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 243 | Prev. rank: 82025 stats over 14 games: 77 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 9 run stops, 3 pass breakups, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 1 sack
You can tell Styles is a former safety; he has outstanding speed, and his burst allows him to spy the QB. Watch for him to dominate at the combine and in predraft testing. Styles is also a dependable tackler and closes in a flash. He really took the next step this season, even as he adapted to a new system under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.
9. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195 | Prev. rank: 92025 stats over 11 games: 51 catches, 875 receiving yards, 9 receiving TDs
Ohio State has turned into Wide Receiver U, with Emeka Egbuka being the most recent star wideout to come out of Columbus. And while most of the college football world focused on Jeremiah Smith (who isn't eligible for the 2026 draft), Tate put up some serious numbers and showed why he is a top prospect for this class. Tate produced big plays on a regular basis, averaging 17.2 yards per catch this season. He is a precise route runner, has great hands and displays outstanding body control. And he'll also happily block for ball carriers, which NFL coaches love to see. Tate had a lower-body injury earlier this season and missed a little time.
10. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 245 | Prev. rank: 102025 stats over 14 games: 51 catches, 560 receiving yards, 8 receiving TDs
Sadiq is loaded with physical traits. He has the explosion to hurdle defenders in the open field. He has the vision and speed to cause conflict after the catch, with almost half his 2025 yardage coming after the ball is in his hands. And he's nearly impossible to match against because of his quickness and size. Sadiq was consistent this season, and he should be the first tight end off the board.
11. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200 | Prev. rank: 112025 stats over nine games: 61 catches, 711 receiving yards, 8 receiving TDs
The Colorado transfer lit up defenses for two seasons with the Sun Devils. Tyson's superpower is being open even when it looks like he's completely blanketed. It makes him essentially uncoverable in the red zone. He wins on 50-50 balls and outmuscles defensive backs. A hamstring injury cost him time this season, but he still posted solid numbers.
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0:25
End Zone! Jordyn Tyson scores 4-yard rushing touchdown
End Zone! Jordyn Tyson scores 4-yard rushing touchdown
12. Makai Lemon, WR, USC*
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 195 | Prev. rank: 122025 stats over 12 games: 79 catches, 1,156 receiving yards, 11 receiving TDs
This kid is a warrior who plays with passion. I'd want Lemon on my roster. He snatches the ball away from his body in an attacking manner then runs with a fierce approach after the catch. He is one of my favorite players in the class, and he ranked in the top 10 in the nation in receiving yards.
