With the first round of the 2025 College Football Playoff complete, attention now shifts to the quarterfinals.
As the bracket narrows, the number of future NFL matchups only increases, and this round features several marquee showdowns. Here are 10 prospects from the 2026 NFL Draft class to watch closely in the quarterfinals.
For a deeper dive, check out my full top-300 big board inside the PFF Big Board Tool, featuring every grade and key data point for the class. From there, build your own draft rankings with the customizable Big Board Builder or run unlimited scenarios in the Mock Draft Simulator.
QB TY SIMPSON, ALABAMA
Alabama advanced to the quarterfinals with a road win in Norman against a strong Oklahoma defense, marking a significant step forward for quarterback Ty Simpson. Simpson owns an elite 91.8 PFF passing grade when kept clean this season, but that figure drops to 45.9 under pressure. Against the Sooners, however, he posted a 73.1 PFF passing grade against the blitz, marking meaningful progress.
As Alabama prepares to face the top-ranked Indiana Hoosiers, Simpson will need to continue proving he can perform under pressure to keep the Crimson Tide moving and maintain his potential first-round draft status.
ED KENYATTA JACKSON JR., OHIO STATE
At 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, Jackson is a senior who has produced a career-high 40 pressures this season while posting a pass-rush win rate above 11.5% for the third straight year. He wins primarily with speed-to-power as a wide-aligned edge defender, occasionally rushing from a two-point stance.
Jackson has the prototypical NFL frame, but his draft range will hinge on how much additional juice teams believe he has as a finesse rusher. He will have a strong opportunity to showcase that skill set against Miami’s offensive tackles, Francis Mauigoa and Markell Bell, both of whom possess NFL potential.
PFF's customizable mock draft simulator gives you the opportunity to be the GM for any team in the 2026 NFL Draft.WR CJ DANIELS, MIAMI
Daniels, a sixth-year receiver, has yet to eclipse 100 receiving yards in a single game this season, but he stands out to me as a potential Day 3 contributor at the NFL level. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, he is somewhat slender, though that has not shown up at the catch point. His 82.5% contested-catch rate over the past two seasons ranks in the 100th percentile for the position.
While his target rate has dipped below 15.0% over the past two games, it consistently sat north of 20.0% in the first half of the season before his injury. The combination of route-running savvy and strong hands makes Daniels a favorite in that Day 3 range and a player who could make a difference against Ohio State’s future NFL cornerbacks Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Davison Igbinosun.
QB DANTE MOORE, OREGON
Moore has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in college football this season, posting a 91.8 PFF passing grade with a 79.0% adjusted completion rate, 28 big-time throws and just nine turnover-worthy plays. His playoff run truly begins this week — with all due respect to James Madison — as he faces one of the nation’s top defensive lines in Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders have been one of the best units in the country when it comes to generating pressure, but Moore has held up under duress, earning a 64.6 PFF passing grade when pressured, a figure that has remained consistent even against the strongest defenses he faced during the regular season.
The question now is whether he can handle that pressure on the biggest stage yet.
Build and customize your own NFL draft board by creating, grading and weighting traits for prospects, then stacking those evaluations alongside PFF grades, rankings, WAA and Trevor Sikkema’s analysis to generate your own final rankings.OG EMMANUEL PREGNON, OREGON
In his fifth season of college football, Pregnon is flashing clear NFL potential. He owns an 88.3 PFF overall grade, including an 87.5 run-blocking grade and an 87.0 pass-blocking grade, and he has been at his best in zone concepts, where his 93.4 PFF run-blocking grade ranks as elite this season.
He will face a strong test against Texas Tech’s defensive line, particularly defensive tackle Lee Hunter.
DT LEE HUNTER, TEXAS TECH
Speaking of Hunter, he is another player worth watching, not only for his matchup with Emmanuel Pregnon but also because he is in the midst of the best season of his career.
At 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds, the former UCF Knight occupies significant space along the interior defensive line. His 84.2 PFF run-defense grade remains his calling card, but his expanded role has also led to career highs as a pass rusher, including an 11.4% pass-rush win rate and a 72.6 PFF pass-rush grade, as Texas Tech has given him more freedom to attack the backfield.
PFF's customizable mock draft simulator gives you the opportunity to be the GM for any team in the 2026 NFL Draft.QB TRINIDAD CHAMBLISS, OLE MISS
Chambliss does not fit the mold of a prototypical NFL quarterback, checking in just under 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, and he is already a fifth-year player who is considering returning to school with one year of eligibility remaining. Still, his play has spoken for itself. Chambliss owns an 80.1 PFF passing grade with 22 big-time throws and just eight turnover-worthy plays, and he has consistently risen to the occasion in high-leverage moments. He has also shown comfort against pressure, earning a 74.1 PFF passing grade versus the blitz.
Chambliss will face Georgia for the second time this season after accounting for three touchdowns in the first meeting, throwing one and rushing for two.
OT CARTER SMITH, INDIANA
Many have looked at Indiana’s rise to the No. 1 overall seed and asked how it has happened. One of the clearest answers lies in the Hoosiers’ offensive line play, led by left tackle Carter Smith. Smith has been the highest-graded and most impactful of the group, posting an 89.9 PFF overall grade with a 92.5 pass-blocking grade after allowing zero sacks and just a 1.7% pressure rate.
While questions about his length could push him inside to guard or center at the NFL level, his performance this season points to a future pro regardless of position. He will face a stiff test against Alabama’s collection of future NFL edge rushers.
Build and customize your own NFL draft board by creating, grading and weighting traits for prospects, then stacking those evaluations alongside PFF grades, rankings, WAA and Trevor Sikkema’s analysis to generate your own final rankings.LB JACOB RODRIGUEZ, TEXAS TECH
With a 93.1 PFF overall defensive grade, Rodriguez ranks among the highest-graded defenders in the country this season. He owns an elite 95.5 PFF run-defense grade and a 92.1 PFF coverage grade, driven largely by his playmaking ability. Rodriguez has forced seven fumbles this season — four against the run and three in coverage — while also recording four interceptions and four additional forced incompletions.
He will face an intriguing matchup against Oregon tight ends Kenyon Sadiq and Jamari Johnson, both future NFL prospects featured prominently in the Ducks’ offense.
LB SONNY STYLES, OHIO STATE
Styles is putting together a phenomenal season, to the point where he profiles as a potential top-10 player in the class and a legitimate top-10 pick. The former safety, now listed at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, has posted eight consecutive grades of at least 72.0 and has recorded more single-game coverage grades above 70.0 than below that mark this season, all while not missing a single tackle.
The blend of size, speed and strength is evident, and a strong finish to his College Football Playoff run could position him as one of the highest-drafted linebackers since Isaiah Simmons and Devin White went in the top 10 in back-to-back drafts.
He will face an intriguing test against Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr., who served as the closer in the Hurricanes’ first-round win over Texas A&M.