The college football season kicks off Aug. 23, but it’s never too early to keep tabs on potential NFL prospects.
Each week, Yardbarker is monitoring the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
From an Oklahoma quarterback to a Texas Tech defensive tackle, here are five players we’re tracking:
Oklahoma QB John Mateer
The Sooners are banking on Mateer — a Washington State transfer — reinvigorating the program after it went 6-7 during the 2024 season.
Past transfer QBs, such as Baker Mayfield (now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), have thrived at Oklahoma. Mayfield, a transfer from Texas Tech, won the 2017 Heisman Trophy with the Sooners, and the Cleveland Browns selected him with the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft.
In his scouting report published on Sunday, The Ringer’s Todd McShay compared Mateer (6-foot-1, 219 pounds) to Mayfield and hinted he could be a riser this season.
“Mateer is a breathtaking prospect to study — in all the ways,” wrote McShay. “As it stands, I would comfortably say he’s a Day 2 prospect heading into the season, but I’m highly intrigued by his skill set, competitiveness and playmaking ability, and I believe there’s a good deal of growth in his future.”
In 12 games last season, Mateer completed 64.6 percent of his passes for 3,139 passing yards and 29 touchdown passes.
Texas QB Arch Manning
Manning (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) has played in just 12 games in two seasons with the Longhorns, but he’s already hailed as a potential No. 1 pick.
In a story published Monday, CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards listed Manning as the No. 1 prospect to watch this season.
“[Manning is] the grandson of Archie Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning. All three were named to an NFL Pro Bowl at quarterback,” wrote Edwards.
Arch Manning has shown flashes in his limited playing with the Longhorns, totaling 13 touchdowns (nine passing and four rushing) over his past two seasons. Scouts should get a better look at the QB when the Ohio State Buckeyes host the Longhorns in their season opener on Aug. 30.
Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter
Teammates call Hunter (6-foot-4, 320 pounds) “The Fridge.” Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman William Perry was also nicknamed “The Fridge.” Like Perry, Hunter is a D-lineman who can move.
In a clip posted to Texas Tech football’s X account on April 1, Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire said Hunter clocked a top speed of 16.5 mph during a spring scrimmage. That’s fast for a big man.
(At 324 pounds, New Orleans Saints DT Khalen Saunders reached a top speed last season of 15.79 mph on a 36-yard interception, the third-fastest speed by a ballcarrier who weighs over 320 pounds since 2016, per NextGen Stats.)
Hunter’s play at Central Florida has already caught the attention of scouts. In 12 games last season, he had 10 tackles for loss. He earned a second-team All-Big 12 nod.
“Hunter is a big dude, but his strength and ability to command double-teams is where he’ll stand out in the 30 front,” an NFC South scout told ESPN’s Matt Miller in a story published June 13.
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
In a story published Wednesday, The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner ranked the former California star as his No. 1 transfer QB and wrote, “Mendoza has enough ability to land a first-round grade.”
Mendoza (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) is a pinpoint passer. In 11 games with the Golden Bears last season, he completed 68.7 percent of his passes, the FBS’ 10th-best mark.
“Watch that dude throw back-shoulder fades and you see the touch, timing and power to be a baller in the NFL,” an NFC East scout told Miller.
Mendoza has plenty of reliable targets at Indiana who could help him showcase his skills in 2025. Hoosiers wide receivers Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. — who combined for 1,551 receiving yards last season — are returning this season.
LSU LB Harold Perkins Jr.
Perkins (6-foot-1, 225 pounds) suffered an ACL tear in his right knee in a 34-17 victory over UCLA in September 2024. Unsurprisingly, he has returned to school to improve his draft stock.
At SEC spring meetings in May, LSU head coach Brian Kelly said Perkins has been cleared for summer workouts (via Scott Rabalais of The Times-Picayune). If he stays healthy, the LB may be a first-rounder.
In his first three seasons with the Tigers, Perkins had 164 tackles and 13 sacks, earning a first-team All-SEC nod in 2022 and a second-team All-SEC nod in 2023. Edwards ranked him as the No. 14 prospect in the class.
