Sports
NFL draft risers, questions and notes from Kiper, Miller and Reid: Early concerns around top QBs?
We’re through Week 2 of the 2025 college football season, and Saturday’s action included three top-15 teams losing — including No. 15 Michigan falling to No. 18 Oklahoma. South Florida also held off No. 13 Florida in The Swamp, and Mississippi State beat No. 12 Arizona State.
The NFL season, meanwhile, kicks off Sunday. All 32 teams are obviously focused on their 17-game regular-season schedules that lie ahead, and the 2026 draft is still more than half a year away. But our NFL draft analysts are always looking further down the road, taking early notes on top prospects and starting to stack their rankings for an exciting class.
With that in mind, Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller and Jordan Reid will size up CFB action through a draft-centric lens on Sunday mornings all season long (save this link!). They will answer lingering questions on the best 2026 prospects, share insights from scouts, pick out risers to watch and pull back the curtain on their evaluation process. Here is what they’ve seen and heard through Week 2.
Sept. 7
Which prospect caught your eye in Michigan-Oklahoma?
Miller: The Michigan defense was supposed to be the star of the show, but I couldn’t help but zero in on Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer. The Washington State transfer put the Sooners on his back with his strong right arm and mobility both inside and outside the pocket. Mateer rushed for 74 yards and a score, and he threw for another touchdown with 270 yards passing against a talented defense that features one of the country’s best D-lines.
Mateer (6-foot-1, 224 pounds) is a gunslinger, and he’ll take a lot of chances with passes that will make you hold your breath — but he also makes plays many other college QBs simply aren’t making at this point in the season. Mateer’s arm strength, mobility, moxie and playmaking mindset make for a great watch.
NFL scouts had a conservative Day 3 grade on Mateer this summer, but I’m seeing a player with enough starter traits to put him inside my top 50. And if he continues to play this well against SEC defenses, a Round 1 grade isn’t out of the question.
What have we learned about Arch Manning over two games?
Reid: Expectations for Manning were sky high entering the season. But he never got into a rhythm against Ohio State in Week 1, which led to erratic accuracy, late reads and poor overall decision-making. Manning managed just 170 passing yards, one TD throw and an interception. He did have a much better performance in Week 2 against San Jose State — 295 passing yards and four touchdown passes. There, Manning was more decisive, and the offense seemed to flow much better as a result. But he is very much still in the early stages of his first year as a starter.
Where Manning has been the most disappointing is his mechanics. His body hasn’t been in sync with his throwing motion, causing him inaccuracy on what should be routine throws. To really hit the next level, he needs to iron that out. As I’ve said since the summer, I still believe the earliest we’ll see Manning in the NFL is 2027.
Which potential first-round QB most needs a quick turnaround after a slow start to 2025?
Miller: LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina. Let me start by saying I’m a Sellers fan. He’s my No. 1-ranked quarterback for the 2026 draft based on his potential and talent. That said, he has to be cleaner as a passer than he was on Saturday against South Carolina State. He was just 11-of-19 in a vanilla game plan. Much like we saw in the season opener against Virginia Tech, Sellers can overwhelm opponents with his mobility and arm talent, but he is still taking shots as a passer that are just too risky — which lead to incompletions and turnover-worthy plays. He is completing 60.5% of his passes right now, and he has been off-target 10.5% of the time.
Sellers (6-foot-3, 240 pounds) is incredibly talented, but he has to become a better on-target passer, especially in the pocket, and improve his on-time rhythm to take that next step as a prospect. He’s still holding firm as my QB1, but there are holes in his game that I’ll be watching this season.
Reid: Cade Klubnik, Clemson. Coming into the season, I was high on Klubnik as he showed a huge bump in his development throughout 2024. Based on the personnel and infrastructure in place at Clemson, there wasn’t a QB in the country who was better set up to succeed this year. But after watching him live against LSU last week, I see issues when he faces pressure. He was also indecisive and took too long to make decisions within the framework of the offense. Those concerns popped up again this weekend against Troy.
In talking to scouts around the league, Klubnik (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) is polarizing as a prospect because he has a lot of solid/average traits but lacks a dominant one. You need that one superior skill to catapult to the front of this QB class, and it’s why his draft grades are all over the place with NFL evaluators.
0:25
Cade Klubnik airs it out for 26-yard touchdown pass
Cade Klubnik connects for 26-yard TD pass
Which player is already rising your draft board based on his play so far — and how high could he go?
Reid: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU. No other draft-eligible prospect impressed me more during my Week 1 scouting trip than Delane. One of the biggest transfer portal additions in the country across any position, he has been excellent through two weeks since arriving in Baton Rouge from Virginia Tech.
At 6-foot and 190 pounds, Delane is a smooth-moving corner with the ability to mirror-and-match the movements of opponent receivers. His ball skills have also been exceptional to start the season, with two pass breakups and an interception. Delane has the savviness and awareness to find the ball and make plays on it in the air. His technique is always relaxed, too, and he hardly ever allows wide receivers to speed up his process while sticking in coverage with them. And Delane has not only been consistent in man coverage; his zone instincts have shined as well.
Because of the spring injury to Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy, the CB1 race is wide open. Delane has strengthened his case through the early portions of the season and currently projects as a top-50 pick.
Miller: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana. There was a good amount of summer hype and excitement surrounding Mendoza after he transferred into the wide-open Indiana passing game from Cal. And so far, the hype has been warranted. Mendoza hasn’t faced a quality opponent yet, but it’s obvious his traits are next-level.
Against Kennesaw State, Mendoza was 18-of-25 for 245 yards and four touchdown passes — the type of numbers you expect a top-tier prospect to put up against a lower-level opponent. He’s showing great command of the offense while building chemistry with senior wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (who had three scores on Saturday). Mendoza’s ability to layer the ball on deep throws stands out. And in a quarterback class where we’re very much waiting for someone to emerge, his showing through two weeks — even against not great competition — has been notable. Mendoza’s arm talent, size (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) and what he adds to the game as a runner could put him into the QB1 derby we’re seeing play out every Saturday.
What else are you seeing and hearing?
Kiper: I have been impressed with Oregon quarterback Dante Moore. He was a big recruit out of high school but struggled in Year 1 at UCLA and then sat behind Dillon Gabriel in Year 2 after transferring. Now he’s taking full advantage of this Will Stein offense in Eugene. Yes, the Ducks have only faced Montana State and Oklahoma State — two teams they should handle most of the time — but Moore is playing at a high level. The 6-foot-3, 206-pounder showed great accuracy on Saturday against the Cowboys. The touch on his deep balls was fantastic, and he routinely threw with precision from different arm angles and while rolling either direction. Moore has thrown for at least 200 yards, completed at least 75% of his throws and tossed at least three TD passes in both contests — and he hasn’t thrown any INTs yet.
Now, the schedule is going to get tougher. I have Moore’s trip to Penn State circled for late September. How will he handle a “white out” environment? But if Moore keeps playing like this, Round 1 will be in play.
Miller: During summer evaluations of the 2026 class, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs emerged as one of my favorite players to study now that he’s finally draft-eligible after two All-American seasons to start his college career. Downs ranks as my No. 1 safety and a top-five player overall. But that sentiment wasn’t shared by scouts I spoke with before the season. “He’s a liability in man coverage. He might be a [weakside linebacker] in the NFL with how often he plays in the box,” said an AFC East area scout.
The issue with that idea is that Downs is listed by Ohio State at 6-foot and 205 pounds, hardly linebacker size by today’s standards. In my view, Downs is a Kyle Hamilton-esque defender, and his play against Texas highlighted his versatility.
Kiper: Jordan touched on this, but I still think Manning goes back to school. He needs to become a great college quarterback before he can become a great NFL quarterback, and he hasn’t gotten there yet. The potential is here, for sure. But one full year as a CFB starter isn’t going to be enough to reach that next level before jumping to the pros. I wouldn’t put him on mock drafts or even rankings right now.
Kiper: Kevin Coleman Jr. has perfectly filled the Luther Burden III void in the Missouri offense. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound slot receiver has been all over the place. He was at Jackson State in 2022. Then Louisville in 2023. Then Mississippi State in 2024. Now he’s on to Missouri. And the production has been good so far, including 10 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown against Kansas on Saturday. Coleman displays the quick burst to separate underneath, and he can tag on extra yards after the catch. His body control is impressive, and he snags the ball in stride. And I really like how quickly Coleman reads zone coverage and finds openings. Toss in some punt return ability, and I see a potential Day 2 prospect.
Reid: One player who has NFL scouts already buzzing is Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. They specifically call out his ability as a blocker at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds. “He’s an absolute weapon as a run blocker that tries to put guys in the dirt whenever he gets hands on them,” an AFC area scout said. Sadiq came into the season as my TE1, and he looks like one of the most consistent prospects in the country so far, regardless of position. Sadiq received Round 1 buzz coming into the year, and if his level of play continues, he could be a top-20 pick.
Miller: Ohio State offensive lineman Ethan Onianwa — a highly regarded transfer from Rice with top-75 grades from NFL scouts — did not start against Texas and played just 13 snaps after he eventually rotated into the game at right guard. The 6-foot-6, 333-pound senior had high expectations this season, but the early word from sources with the Buckeyes is he has struggled to pick up the offense.
Kiper: The Clemson defensive line is loaded, with the likes of T.J. Parker and Peter Woods. But how about Will Heldt? He’s leading the Tigers with two sacks so far, and he looked great against Troy this weekend. The Purdue transfer has good length, the ability to get pressure both inside or outside and solid closing speed. Heldt mixes up his pass-rush moves to get home, but don’t sleep on his ability to get off blocks and pursue laterally, and even drop in coverage. Dabo Swinney doesn’t typically use the transfer portal, but landing Heldt this year was a big win. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound edge rusher is playing like a first-rounder.
Miller: Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson is worth keeping an eye on as an emerging talent in the 2026 draft class. An AFC South area scout texted me on Saturday: “Robertson is the real deal. He’s got it all.” The 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior was phenomenal in a shootout with SMU on Saturday, throwing four touchdown passes and completing 34 of 50 passes for 440 yards in a double-overtime win.
Kiper: The Ole Miss defense lost a lot of talent this year, including Walter Nolen III. But defensive tackle Zxavian Harris (6-foot-7, 320 pounds) has been huge for the Rebels, with his second sack in as many games on Saturday against Kentucky. Harris moves well for his size, especially laterally, and he makes his presence felt against both the run and the pass. He still needs refinement as a pass rusher, but defensive coordinators can move him around to get advantages. His draft stock is still TBD — I need to see more.
Kiper: Tanner Koziol left Ball State for Houston before this season, and he has been outstanding. The early Day 3 prospect still has to improve his blocking, but he’s a dangerous pass catcher. Koziol is basically a receiver in a tight end’s body (6-foot-6, 250 pounds). He already has 13 catches on the season, including six for 52 yards on Saturday against Rice.
The first half of the Elite Eight is set with Arizona, Illinois, Purdue and Iowa punching their tickets Thursday. Who could join them in the regional finals of the 2026 men’s NCAA tournament?
ESPN reporters on-site in Chicago and Washington, D.C. tracking Friday’s Sweet 16 action in real-time.
Jump to: Game previews, predictions
SWEET 16 LIVE TRACKER
SWEET 16 PREVIEWS
All times Eastern.
9:45 p.m., CBS
Borzello’s prediction: UConn 68-64
Medcalf’s prediction: UConn 70-65
How Michigan State can advance to Elite Eight: Personnel matchups generate the most headlines during the NCAA tournament, but coaching matchups are equally — if not more — impactful. During a tenure that began in 1995, Tom Izzo has developed an uncanny ability to zero in on an opposing team’s top players and create problems for them. That’s the Spartans’ ticket to another Elite Eight.
Izzo’s primary mission against UConn is to limit Tarris Reed Jr.’s impact on the game. The Huskies are a different team when he’s a dominant presence in the post. If Reed is grabbing offensive rebounds and giving them an abundance of second-chance opportunities, Michigan State will be in a tough spot. The good news for the Spartans is that they are connecting on 35.9% of their 3-point attempts and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities with a No. 10 national ranking in offensive rebounding rate. It will be key for them to hit more 3s, extend UConn’s defense and create more paths to the basket for Jeremy Fears Jr. & Co. They have to give UConn a reason to guard on the perimeter — if the Spartans just allow the Huskies to sit in the lane, challenge shots around the rim and grab rebounds, Michigan State could lose.
Izzo has been in this position before — against better teams — and won. His experience will matter in a matchup against Dan Hurley.
How UConn can advance to the Elite Eight: To beat Izzo, UConn will have to show up as the top-notch defensive outfit that held UCLA to just a 39% clip inside the arc in the second round. The Huskies’ win over the Bruins served as a reminder that they can be a great defensive team when they want to be. In the Big Ten tournament, UCLA had produced 132 points per 100 possessions in a win over Michigan State. In the round of 32, the Bruins — who played without leading scorer Tyler Bilodeau (knee) — scored only 57 points, their second-lowest total of the season. UCLA star Donovan Dent had nine assists but also finished 2-for-9 shooting with a pair of turnovers. That’s the same attention UConn will need to give Fears. When he’s comfortable, Michigan State’s offense soars. The Huskies can’t let that happen.
On offense, Braylon Mullins could be an X factor. Reed had a double-double against UCLA but not the historic numbers he put up against Furman in the first round (31 points, 27 rebounds). Alex Karaban recorded a career-high 27 points against the Bruins, with Solo Ball and Silas Demary Jr. scoring two points combined. If Reed and Karaban can create a balanced inside-outside attack, Michigan State will have to find a way to disrupt that, which could give Mullins — who is averaging 14.5 points in two NCAA tournament games — more freedom and opportunities to make plays and create off the dribble or on off-ball screens.
The Huskies have a multitude of options to score, and as long as most of them are effective, they can get back to the Elite Eight. — Medcalf
10:10 p.m., TBS/truTV
Borzello’s prediction: Iowa State 67-65
Medcalf’s prediction: Iowa State 74-68
How Tennessee can advance to the Elite Eight: To beat Iowa State, Tennessee will have to play the same disciplined defense that stopped Virginia in the final minutes of Sunday’s second-round game. That task begins with Felix Okpara, who had four blocks against the Cavaliers and altered other shots, including a late drive by Thijs De Ridder that Okpara blocked during Virginia’s comeback attempt. Opposing players had made only 30% of their shots around the rim against Okpara entering Sunday’s game, per Synergy Sports data. He’ll have to protect the rim against Iowa State, which had a significant advantage in paint points against Kentucky (34-20) — but he won’t have to do it alone.
Tennessee has the personnel to handle every one-on-one matchup defensively. The Vols can guard at every spot. They will have to put pressure on Tamin Lipsey, sharpshooter Milan Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson, if he plays, to win. That defensive effort coupled with standout performances from Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament would be the formula for a Tennessee trip to the Elite Eight.
How Iowa State can advance to the Elite Eight: With or without Jefferson, Iowa State will have the same blueprint against Tennessee: Move the ball to find the best shot on offense, force turnovers with defensive pressure and score on fast breaks. Although they didn’t have Jefferson, who is a game-time decision because of an ankle injury, the Cyclones forced 20 turnovers in their second-round win over Kentucky. Playing through Lipsey — who finished with 26 points, 10 assists and only three turnovers against Kentucky — the Cyclones registered 150 points per 100 possessions and made 63% of their shots after halftime. They are 18-2 when Lipsey’s assist-to-turnover ratio is 3-to-1 or better.
Gillespie and Ament combined for five turnovers in Tennessee’s second-round win over Virginia. Iowa State can pressure that duo into the same mistakes Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen (eight turnovers combined) made for Kentucky, even if Jefferson sits out another game. That’s how the Cyclones can advance. — Medcalf
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Jordan Reid
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Jordan Reid
NFL draft analyst
- Jordan Reid is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. Jordan joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio. He played quarterback at North Carolina Central University and then went on to coach there from 2014-18.
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Field Yates
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Field Yates
ESPN NFL Insider
- Field Yates is a fantasy football expert and NFL draft analyst for ESPN. You can find him on Fantasy Football Now on Sunday mornings and regularly on NFL Live throughout the week, as well as the Fantasy Focus and First Draft podcasts. A graduate of Wesleyan University (CT) and native of Weston, Mass., Yates has previous experience interning with the New England Patriots on both their coaching and scouting staffs.
Multiple Authors
Pro days are underway across the country, as we’re less than a month away from the 2026 NFL draft on April 23. Amid a ton of buzz about early picks and the quarterback class, we asked NFL draft analysts Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates to break down the latest intel from around the league.
How likely is Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson to go in Round 1? Does Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love make sense for the Titans at No. 4? Who could rise into the top 10 picks by April, and which underrated prospects could be available late? We get into all that and then let Miller, Reid and Yates predict the best first rounds for teams with multiple Day 1 picks. How can the Browns, Chiefs, Cowboys, Dolphins and Jets win the day?
Finally, our experts empty their scouting notebooks with what they’re hearing, seeing and thinking ahead of April. Let’s start with the latest on Simpson, who said he’s “absolutely” a first-round pick at Alabama’s pro day.
Jump to a section:
Ty Simpson | Jeremiyah Love
Who will move into top 10?
Day 3 sleepers | First-round mocks
Emptying our notebook: What we’re hearing
What percentage chance would you put on Ty Simpson going in Round 1?
Miller: 25%. As the draft order stands right now, no team in Round 1 makes sense to me as a Simpson landing spot. No team in the top 10 that needs a quarterback is likely to reach for him, nor should they. Even the Rams are drafting too early at No. 13 overall. Maybe a team trades back into the first round for him, but that’s a risky proposition to give up draft capital — especially if it includes 2027 picks.
Reid: 75%. Considering the lack of QB talent at the top of the draft, I’d be surprised if Simpson wasn’t selected in the first round. But I agree with Matt that there are no logical landing spots in the first 16 picks. One idea that I floated in my last mock draft was the Cardinals trading back into Round 1 at No. 28 for Simpson. With Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew at the top of the depth chart, they are obviously in need of a young QB.
Yates: 90%. I borrowed from Jordan’s idea of the Cardinals trading up in my last mock draft, but I’m going a step further than him on the percentage. Simpson is the clear-cut second-best QB prospect, his first half of last season was far too strong and there are too many teams that need a QB in the first round for him to not be selected on Thusrday.
Could the Titans really take Jeremiyah Love at No. 4?
Reid: Love is my No. 1 prospect in this class, but I just don’t see it happening. General manager Mike Borgonzi joined Tennessee after 16 seasons in Kansas City, where the Chiefs always valued premium positions early. Don’t be surprised to see another defensive player added here for new coach Robert Saleh.
Yates: They absolutely could. Tennessee’s busy offseason has opened the board up, as it added all over its defense and signed wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson to a four-year deal. Love is my No. 2 prospect, and many NFL executives and scouts believe he is Tennessee’s most likely pick. With that said, what other teams think the Titans are going to do doesn’t mean much. This will come down to whether Tennessee is confident in the rest of its roster.
Miller: Yes, they could and should take Love at No. 4. The Titans were aggressive enough in free agency to enter the draft without a must-pick position here. Love is the type of transcendent prospect who the Titans can build their offense around, giving quarterback Cam Ward a viable threat in the run and pass game. And from what I’ve heard, if Love falls past Tennessee, the Giants will likely take him at No. 5.
Who isn’t a consensus top-10 pick right now but could end up there by draft time?
Yates: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama. Consensus is not easy to find right now, but one name that I haven’t seen linked to the top 10 as often is Proctor. He has incredible traits, led by his mammoth size at 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds with nifty athleticism. He could be in play for the Browns at No. 6 and the Chiefs at No. 9.
Miller: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia. He might rise into the top 10 based on positional value and need. The 6-foot-7, 315-pounder was just a one-year starter, but his athletic tools are that of a high-end NFL starter on the left side. Like Proctor, the Browns or Chiefs could take a chance on Freeling.
Reid: Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn. He fits the exact archetype that teams covet near the top of the draft. At 6-foot-5, 276 pounds, Faulk’s pass-rush production took a step back in 2025, but he’s only 21 and one of the best run defenders in the class. When speaking to scouts, Greg Rousseau and Mykel Williams are two NFL comparisons for him. The Chiefs at No. 9 and the Bengals at No. 10 overall are two teams to watch here.
Who is your favorite Day 3 sleeper right now?
Miller: Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M. Lee was a consistent performer throughout college and jumps off the tape in press coverage, where he played 240 of his snaps over three seasons. That talent was on display at the Senior Bowl, too. Lee’s 4.52-second time in the 40-yard dash at the combine didn’t help his draft stock, but he’s a potential NFL starter.
Reid: Adam Randall, RB, Clemson. He made a seamless transition from wide receiver to the backfield this past season. Because of that background, the 6-foot-3, 233-pounder could be a movable piece all over the field. Randall also has A+ value on special teams with experience as a return specialist. I have a strong Round 4 grade on him.
Yates: Dae’Quan Wright, TE, Ole Miss. Much like the running back position last year, there are going to be tight ends that drop because of the incredible depth of the position. Wright played an important role for Ole Miss this past season, hauling in five touchdowns on 39 catches. He’s a snappy route runner who’s comfortable hauling in catches outside of his frame.
The perfect first round for teams with multiple Day 1 picks
Reid’s ideal picks for the New York Jets
2. David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
16. Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Jets should take two players who can be impactful right away. A highly productive player off the edge, Bailey’s explosive get-off is something this pass rush lacks. And for help opposite Garrett Wilson, Lemon is a steady option who could move inside to the slot. His sure hands, formational versatility and competitiveness after the catch make him an easy fit in new coordinator Frank Reich’s offense.
6. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
24. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
In an unpredictable draft, Tate is one of the surer prospects. The field-stretching wideout is an excellent route runner who dropped just one pass in 2025. Simply put, the Browns need his offensive firepower. Cleveland will have a good debate about taking an OT or WR with the first pick, but they’d be excited to land Lomu in this perfect scenario. He surrendered six pressures and zero sacks at left tackle in 2025. Plus, he is nimble in space to get to the second level as a run blocker.
Miller’s ideal picks for the Miami Dolphins
11. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
30. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The best route for the Dolphins would be a complete rebuild of the secondary after allowing the highest completion percentage in 2025 (72%) and trading safety Minkah Fitzpatrick again this offseason. McCoy, who sat out the 2025 season with an ACL injury, profiles as a true CB1 with shutdown ability. McNeil-Warren would give new coach Jeff Hafley a long, rangy safety who could play in the box or at free safety.
9. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
30. T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
After losing Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to the Rams, cornerback is at the top of Kansas City’s needs. Delane blew scouts away with a 4.38 40-yard dash time at LSU’s pro day Monday and cemented his status as the top cornerback in the draft. And after an underwhelming season, Parker has had a strong predraft process. Dense and powerful rushers are prioritized in coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme, making Parker an ideal fit.
Miller’s ideal picks for the Dallas Cowboys
12. Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
20. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Dallas signed Sam Williams to a one-year deal and traded for Rashan Gary, but this is still a roster that needs another speed rusher. Bain would bring exactly that, as well as power to the position. At safety, Dallas signed Jalen Thompson and has Malik Hooker under contract for one more season. They could use another playmaker on the back end; Thieneman had eight interceptions and two forced fumbles in three seasons at Purdue and Oregon.
What else did you hear and see this week?
Yates’ notes:
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LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier had his pro day Monday, which was an important showcase for him after a disappointing season. Nussmeier threw the football with the accuracy you would expect — the hallmark of his great 2024 season was excellent anticipation and accuracy — and observers noted how he looked healthy, which Nussmeier himself noted at the conclusion of the event. Health was an issue for him this past season, but seeing him look like this helped strengthen his case to be taken as QB3 in the upcoming draft.
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A prospect who I’ll bang the drum for is Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge, who is No. 48 on my board. Perhaps no player embodied the toughness and identity of the Georgia Tech program quite as well as Rutledge over the past two seasons. And he showed at the combine that he’s a quality athlete. Scouts I talk to believe he’s a strong bet to go in the second round.
Miller’s notes:
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Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson opted to not work out at the combine and will not participate in Friday’s pro day, but a scout told me he will work out for teams on April 17. That’s just six days before the start of Round 1, and Field reported Wednesday that Tyson will do only positional work. A potential top-15 pick, Tyson has been plagued by hamstring injuries that limited his 2025 season to just nine games.
Reid’s notes:
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Alabama’s pro day took place Wednesday and multiple scouts in attendance came away impressed with how the ball came off Simpson’s hand. “I thought his arm was a little above average on tape, but it’s much stronger than I anticipated after seeing him up close,” said an NFC executive.
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After Faulk didn’t participate in the 40-yard dash at the combine, evaluators were eager to his true speed at Auburn’s pro day Tuesday. Scouts that I talked to had him timed in the range of 4.67 to 4.69 seconds. He also completed 17 reps on the bench press and participated in positional drills.
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At Miami’s pro day Monday, edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor took part only in positional drills, but offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa did run a 40-yard dash. Scouts that I talked to had him in the 5.10 to 5.12-second range on both runs. Mauigoa is my top-ranked offensive tackle and could go as high as No. 3 to the Cardinals.
ANTALYA, Turkey — Players held small backpacks as Iran‘s national soccer team used a match against Nigeria on Friday to honor the victims of a deadly missile strike on an elementary school.
More than 165 people were killed, most of them children, when a Feb. 28 strike, likely launched by the U.S., hit the school in southern Iran.
– Iran bans sports teams’ travel to ‘hostile’ nations
Neither the United States nor Israel has accepted responsibility for the attack, which has come under staunch criticism from the United Nations and human rights groups. The U.S. military is investigating and has said it would never target civilians.
During the national anthem Friday, the Iranian team honored the memory of the slain children by placing small pink and purple school backpacks in front of them.
Video of the ceremony also showed the players wearing black armbands in remembrance of those killed since the war began.
The match was played in Antalya, southern Turkey.
Nigeria won 2-1 in a game that was a World Cup tuneup for Iran, ahead of the tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The Islamic Republic’s team is scheduled to play three group-stage matches in June in the U.S. The Iranian ambassador in Mexico City has said the country asked FIFA to move those three games to Mexico after U.S. President Donald Trump discouraged the team from attending, citing safety concerns.
Iranian government and soccer officials have said they do not want to boycott the World Cup but that it is not possible for the national team to go to the U.S. because of military attacks on Iran by Israel and U.S.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has dampened Iran’s attempts to move its matches, saying global soccer’s governing body wants the tournament “to go ahead as scheduled.”
Separately on Friday, Iran’s judiciary threatened to seize the property of soccer player Sardar Azmoun, two semiofficial news agencies said. The announcement follows threats from Iran’s hard-liner judicial chief that authorities planned to seize the assets of celebrities viewed as critical of the government.
Men’s March Madness live tracker: Updates from every Sweet 16 game Friday
2026 NFL draft: Latest buzz on Ty Simpson, Jeremiyah Love
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