Top NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in the CFP National Championship: Miami vs. Indiana
There's no shortage of top NFL draft prospects to watch in the CFP National Championship tonight, with upwards of 20 draftable players taking the field at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Indiana is a 7.5 to 8.5-point betting favorite thanks in large part to QB Fernando Mendoza, the projected No. 1 pick by the 2026 NFL Draft odds, while Miami has two potential top 10 picks in the trenches.
⭐️ Top NFL draft prospects in the CFP National Championship
| Player, POS | School | Key stats | NFL draft range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fernando Mendoza, QB | Indiana | Leads country in QBR (90.2) and TD passes (41) | No. 1 pick |
| Francis Mauigoa, OL | Miami | 2 sacks, 14 pressures allowed | Top 15 |
| Rueben Bain Jr., DL | Miami | No. 2 in the country in pressures (80) | Top 15 |
| Akheem Mesidor, EDGE | Miami | No. 6 in the country in pressures (63) | Round 1-3 |
| Carter Smith, OT | Indiana | 0 sacks, 6 pressures allowed | Round 2-3 |
🌴 Miami's top NFL draft prospects
| Player, POS | Key stats | NFL draft range |
|---|---|---|
| Francis Mauigoa, OL | 2 sacks, 14 pressures allowed | Top 15 |
| Rueben Bain Jr., DL | No. 2 in the country in pressures (80) | Top 15 |
| Akheem Mesidor, EDGE | No. 6 in the country in pressures (63) | Round 1-3 |
| Keionte Scott, DB | 13 TFLs, 2 pick sixes | Round 2-3 |
| Carson Beck, QB | No. 6 in the country in adjusted completion rate (79.9%) | Round 3-5 |
| Mark Fletcher Jr., RB | No. 9 in the Power Four in forced missed tackles (55) | Round 3-5 |
| Jakobe Thomas, SAF | Allowing 55.1 NFL QB rating in coverage | Round 4-6 |
| Markel Bell, OT | 0 sacks, 15 pressures allowed | Round 4-6 |
| Anez Cooper, OG | 1 sack, 12 pressures allowed | Round 5-7 |
| Ahmad Moten Sr., IDL | 27 pressures, 8 TFLs, 4.5 sacks | Round 5-7 |
Miami's top NFL draft prospect on offense: Francis Mauigoa, OL
Coming into the season, Francis Mauigoa was viewed as a likely first-round pick as a guard. But with the season he's put together at right tackle, there's a good chance NFL teams will keep him outside in the pros. Mauigoa has been the tone-setter for Miami's offense all season and could be the first offensive lineman drafted in April. Listed at 6-foot-6, 335 pounds, the former five-star recruit is shockingly nimble for a road grader.
Miami's top NFL draft prospect on defense: Rueben Bain Jr., DL
If Rueben Bain Jr.'s arms were slightly longer, he might be the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft. However, concerns about his length will likely push him down the board to some degree. Still, he's been among the most impactful defenders in the country this season. His power as an edge setter, heavy hands as a pass rusher, and relentlessness should make him a top 10 pick. It will be interesting to see his measurements and testing at the NFL Scouting Combine, with some teams potentially viewing him as an interior defensive lineman.
🔴 Indiana's top NFL draft prospects
| Player, POS | Key stats | NFL draft range |
|---|---|---|
| Fernando Mendoza, QB | Leads country in QBR (90.2) and TD passes (41) | No. 1 pick |
| Carter Smith, OT | 0 sacks, 6 pressures allowed | Round 2-3 |
| Omar Cooper Jr., WR | No. 5 in the country in forced missed tackles on receptions (24) | Round 2-3 |
| Elijah Sarratt, WR | 802 receiving yards, 15 TDs | Round 2-3 |
| D'Angelo Ponds, CB | Allowing 57.3 NFL QB rating in coverage | Round 4-6 |
| Aiden Fisher, LB | Leads team in run stops (27) | Round 4-6 |
| Louis Moore, SAF | Leads team in INTs (6) | Round 4-6 |
| Tyrique Tucker, IDL | 12 TFLs, 6 sacks | Round 5-7 |
| Roman Hemby, RB | Leads team in scrimmage yards (1,220) | Round 5-7 |
| Devan Boykin, NB | 6 TFLs, 2 INTs | Round 5-7 |
Indiana's top NFL draft prospect on offense: Fernando Mendoza, QB
It's no secret that Fernando Mendoza is the prize the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to win for being the worst team in the NFL. This is a weak QB class, with Mendoza viewed as the only surefire first-round pick after putting together one of the most efficient passing seasons in recent college football history. He has comparable traits to Pro Bowl QB Jared Goff and will likely be the QB Tom Brady and Co. will tie themselves to for the next decade.
Indiana's top NFL draft prospect on defense: D'Angelo Ponds, CB
Like Bain, size is the red flag with D'Angelo Ponds, who's expected to measure a shade over 5-foot-8. With that said, the All-American has the blend of explosiveness, physicality, and instincts that the NFL craves, and he should still push to be a top 150 pick. Ponds projects as a nickel at the next level and won't be a fit for every team, but he has a profile similar to Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore.
📺 How to watch Miami vs. Indiana: 2026 CFP National Championship
- Date: Monday, Jan. 19
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Fla.)
- TV: ESPN
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