Whereas the 2026 NFL Draft continues to be far off within the distance, gamers who might be drafted early are on the sector now. Every week presents distinctive matchups for draft prospects and this week is not any totally different. Listed here are NFL Draft prospects to look at in convention championship Recap.
Associated:Â NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in Convention Championship Week
1. Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State misplaced a detailed recreation to Indiana within the Massive Ten Championship Recreation for his or her first lack of the season. Their protection performed effectively, solely permitting 13 factors to a great offense. Kayden McDonald had an enormous recreation, displaying up in loads of moments. He completed the sport with 5 complete tackles.
McDonald confirmed his disruption and it was even higher than what confirmed up within the field rating. He has good energy and might shed in opposition to run blocking. McDonald can deal with a number of blockers as effectively. Whereas his move dashing can use some work, he did push the pocket on this recreation a bit. He’s at the moment projected to be a first-round choose within the 2026 NFL Draft.
2. D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana stayed undefeated this week by beating Ohio State within the Massive Ten Championship Recreation. Their protection held Ohio State to only 10 factors and the protection performed effectively. Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds was an enormous a part of the staff’s success on this recreation and this season. He completed the sport with 9 complete tackles.
Whereas he doesn’t have the scale of an NFL nook, Ponds confirmed his toughness along with his 9 tackles. He’ll probably be a slot solely participant within the NFL, however he may help a protection due to the aggression he performs with regardless of his measurement. He gave up some yards on this recreation, but it surely was in opposition to Jeremiah Smith, who had an enormous measurement benefit over him. His capability to reflect receivers is nice and can assist his inventory. He’s at the moment projected to be a day two choose within the 2026 NFL Draft.
3. Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama had a troublesome recreation in opposition to Georgia in teh SEC Championship Recreation. The protection gave up 28 factors and the offense couldn’t get something going till it was too late. Deontae Lawson had an honest recreation to assist the staff, but it surely wasn’t a sufficiently big impression. He completed the sport in opposition to Georgia with six complete tackles.
Lawson has good athleticism for a linebacker and performs downhill in opposition to the run. He can work on shedding extra persistently, however has the instruments to take action. His protection also can enhance to assist his inventory. He performs effectively in opposition to the run and sees the sector effectively. Lawson is a projected mid-round choose within the 2026 NFL Draft.
4. Zachariah Department, WR, Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia avenged their solely lack of the season by beating Alabama within the SEC Championship Recreation. The offense performed effectively, placing up 28 factors within the recreation. Zachariah Department gave some juice to the offense all 12 months lengthy and on this recreation. He caught 5 passes for 53 yards and a landing.
Department is without doubt one of the sooner gamers in faculty soccer, which makes him a deep risk and likewise a menace after the catch. He can get out and in of his breaks rapidly to assist him separate. Department is smaller and desires so as to add to his route tree, however groups will love his explosiveness. He’s at the moment projected to be a day two choose within the 2026 NFL Draft.
5. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech Purple Raiders
Texas Tech gained their rematch with BYU, taking each video games by a large margin. Their protection was superb, as they solely allowed seven factors and compelled BYU to show the ball over. Rodriguez has been a fantastic chief of the protection this season and had one other nice recreation this week. He had 13 complete tackles and one sort out for loss.
Rodriguez isn’t the tallest at 6-foot-1, however he has a crammed out body at 235 kilos. He diagnoses performs rapidly and reveals nice pursuit, together with nice tackling to assist in opposition to the run. Rodriguez might want to work on his protection, however he does use his eyes effectively whereas taking part in zone. He’s at the moment projected to be a mid-round choose within the 2026 NFL Draft.
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