Draft Insider: P4 Conference Championship Prospect Primer
All Access Football primes you for 'NCAA Championship Weekend,' with a look at top prospects playing in the Power-Four conference championship games, courtesy of the NFL Draft Bible front office.
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SCOUTING THE LEAGUE: JUAN LOZANO, RED ENVELOPE SPORTS
In this edition of Scouting The League, host Neil Stratton welcomes Juan Lozano of Red Envelope Sports to discuss a wide array of responsibilities that goes into being an agent. From coach representation, to player representation, plus behind the scenes of NIL deals, the shifting landscape of college football and much more.
DRAFT INSIDER: P4 CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW; LATEST DRAFT BUZZ
Welcome to the Power-Four Conference Championship edition of the All Access Football Draft Insider. In today’s report, we preview the major championship games with top storylines and a total of 140 draft-eligible prospects ranked amongst the four matchups below.
Before we get to the Saturday showdowns, there are a few notable NFL Draft updates surrounding two premier defensive prospects. Keep reading to find out the latest underclassmen to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, plus one of the most productive SEC pass-rushers who has announced his intent to return back to school next season.
Just a reminder, the All Access Football NFL Draft Watch Show airs every Saturday at 10:00am eastern time, with AAF founder Ric Serritella and former NFL, CFL & XFL scout Russ Lande. You can stream it here.
THIS WEEK AT ALL ACCESS FOOTBALL
Thursday — NFL Draft Watch: Rivalry Week Residue
Wednesday — AAF Report: Underclassmen Declares; Fab Frosh Makes History
Tuesday — Scout Notebook: Ohio State-Michigan Deep Dive (More Evals)
Monday — Scout Notebook: Rivalry Week Standouts + Underclassmen Buzz
FLORIDA STATE DEFENSIVE TACKLE DECLARES FOR THE DRAFT
One of the top defensive tackle prospects for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft has announced his intent to declare early. Florida State standout Darrell Jackson (photo: FSU Athletics) announced on Thursday that he will forego his senior year of eligibility to enter the draft.
A transfer from Miami, the massive 6-foot-5, 330-pound junior appeared in 25 games for the Seminoles, collecting 80 tackles, including seven and a half tackles for loss (four and a half sacks), one pass deflection and one forced fumbles. This past season, he recorded 45 tackles and one sack, earning All-ACC Honorable Mention honors.
“FSU made me tougher. It made me wiser. It made me a better an. And even though my laying days there are behind me, the lessons, the memories, and the pride of being a Seminole will stay with me for life,” Jackson wrote in his social media announcement. “To every fan, coach, teammate and supporter, thank you for being part of my journey. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for making Tallahassee a place I will always call home.”
Known for his leadership and mentorship to younger players, Jackson is a true space-eater who often engulfs two, or three bodies on a regular basis. He should serve as a prominent run-stuffer at the next level. Currently, Jackson is listed as the No.7-rated draft-eligible defensive tackle, according to NFL Draft Bible.
ARKANSAS PASS-RUSHER SET TO RETURN TO FAYETTEVILLE
New Arkansas head coach Ryan Silverfield wasted little time recruiting his best player back to school for another season, as he announced that defensive end Quincy Rhodes Jr. (photo: Memphis Athletics) will return to the Razorbacks in 2026 during his introductory press conference Thursday.
The 6-foot-5, 275-pound junior enjoyed a bust out campaign this year, registering 44 tackles, including 15.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. A big-bodied edge rusher, Rhodes Jr. has emerged as one of the premier sack-masters in the SEC but received mostly Day 2 grades based on his NFL feedback.
A local native who attended North Little Rock High nearby, Rhodes Jr. cited his previous relationship with Silverfield who tried to recruit him to Memphis coming out of high school. “I love the guy, who he is. I love who he stands for, and I believe that the program is going to be better a program here within the next year,” Rhodes said. The Razorbacks also received a commitment from quarterback KJ Jackson, who will return to Fayetteville next season.
BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP PROSPECT PRIMER: BYU—TEXAS TECH
The BYU Cougars enter the Big 12 Championship with revenge on their mind. Don’t read too much into the decisive Red Raiders 29-7 victory a month ago, as the Cougars are much healthier headed into this matchup.
Last encounter, bruising running back LJ Martin was limited by a shoulder injury. However, he has since rushed for 408 yards, plus 113 receiving yards, with six touchdowns over his past three games and is expected to receive a full workload on Saturday.
Keep an eye on Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez who tormented BYU in that game with a key interception and fumble recovery, as he struck the Heisman pose. Red Raiders signal-caller Behren Morton is viewed as a tier-two prospect for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft and has thrown for 2,248 passing yards with 20 interceptions and just four interceptions, despite missing two games this season due to injury.
“Our quarterback’s feeling as good as he’s felt all year long,” Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire declared earlier this week. “Whenever Behren plays well, we play a really high level.” We have listed a total of 35 draft-eligible prospects in this contest below.
BYU COUGARS NFL DRAFT WATCH: Our BYU report features 16 draft-eligible prospects, including scouting reports on LB Jack Kelly, DT Keanu Tanuvasa, RB LJ Martin, WR Chase Roberts, CB Evan Johnson, LB Siale Esera and WR Parker Kingston. Plus verified measurements and projections for each player. Read BYU Cougars Report Here.
TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS NFL DRFT WATCH: Our Texas Tech Report features 19 draft-eligible prospects, including scouting reports on ER David Bailey, LB Jacob Rodriguez, ER Romello Height, S Cole Wisniewski, WR Caleb Douglas, WR Reginald Virgil, QB Behren Morton, WR Coy Eakin, LB John Curry, TE Terrance Carter, OT Will Jados, CB Brice Pollack and P Jack Burgess, Plus verified measurements and projections for each player, along with two players to keep an eye on for the future and video analysis. Read Texas Tech Red Raiders Report Here.
SEC CHAMPIONSHIP PROSPECT PRIMER: GEORGIA-ALABAMA
While Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has delivered a pair of national championships during his tenure in Athens, he is just 1-7 all-time against Alabama. The Crimson Tide escaped a narrow 24-21 win over the Bulldogs back in September, handing the Bulldogs their first home defeat in six years. The SEC championship game is sure to deliver more fireworks.
Alabama defensive tackle and fiery team leader Tim Keenan was absent during the first contest due to injury but is very well aware of the ramifications this matchup brings. “It’s definitely going to be a great battle, one for the centuries, like it always is when Alabama and Georgia play,” a healthy Keenan said earlier this week.
Georgia signal-caller Gunner Stockton had one of his lowest outputs of the year versus Alabama this year, as he was limited to just 130 passing yards and 22 rushing yards. He’ll need to perform better on Saturday should the Bulldogs expect to win. “Everybody knows the history of Georgia-Alabama,” Stockton said. “I mean, it’s there.”
The Crimson Tide will be without edge rusher LT Overton and running back Jam Miller for this contest due to injury. In total, we have highlighted 38 draft-eligible prospects between the two schools below.
GEORGIA BULLDOGS NFL DRAFT WATCH: Our Georgia report features 17 draft-eligible prospects, including scouting reports on LB CJ Allen, WR Zachariah Branch, DT Christen Miller, TE Oscar Delp, OG Micah Morris, CB Daylen Everette, WR Dillon Bell, OT Earnest Greene III, TE Luckie Lawson, LB Raylen Wilson, S Zion Branch and P Brett Thorson. Plus, verified measurements and projections for each player, along with video analysis. Read Georgia Bulldogs Report Here.
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE NFL DRAFT WATCH: Our Alabama report features 21 draft-eligible prospects, including scouting reports on OT Kadyn Proctor, CB Domani Jackson, Germie Bernard, ER LT Overton, QB Ty Simpson and LB Justin Jefferson. Plus, verified measurements and projections for each player, along with video analysis. Read Alabama Crimson Tide Report Here.
BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP PROSPECT PRIMER: INDIANA-OHIO STATE
This Big Ten championship game is expected to draw outcomes for the Big Ten Championship, the right as the number one seed in the College Football Playoff and will likely be a determining factor in the Heisman Trophy race, all rolled up into one matchup.
The projected top signal-caller for the 2026 NFL Draft, Indiana gunslinger Fernando Mendoza attempts to fend off Ohio State freshman quarterback Julian Sayin, who has positioned himself as the potential top prospect for the 2028 NFL Draft. The winner of this game should become the odds-on favorite to take home the Heisman. “[Julian] Sayin and I never officially met, however, through high school we used a similar quarterback coach,” Mendoza said. “And this year we had a lot of overlap games, and we were able to watch their film. I really respect Julian, he is effective and he fits the offense perfectly.”
Meanwhile, the Buckeyes boast a ferocious defense led by linebacker Arvell Reese and safety Caleb Downs, two players expected to be chosen in the top five overall come April. “We’re excited we put ourselves in a position to have a chance to play for the Big Ten championship,” the All-American Downs stated. “We’re going to go at it with a lot of energy and put everything into it this week and then go play as well as we can Saturday.”
This game is sure to be well-attended by NFL scouts, as nearly every player on the field this Saturday is on the NFL radar. We have outlined a total of 37 draft-eligible prospects in this matchup below.
INDIANA HOOSIERS NFL DRAFT WATCH: Our Indiana report features 19 draft-eligible prospects, including scouting reports on QB Fernando Mendoza, LB Aiden Fisher, CB D’Angelo Ponds, WR Elijah Sarratt, WR Omar Cooper Jr., OT Carter Smith, ER Mikail Kamara, OT Khalil Benson, S Amare Ferrell, RB Roman Hemby, RB Kaelin Black, C Pat Coogan, LB Isaiah Jones, S Lou Moore and DT Hosea Wheeler. Plus verified measurements and projections for each player, along with video analysis. Read Indiana Hoosiers Report Here.
OHIO STATE NFL DRAFT WATCH: Our Ohio State report features 18 draft-eligible prospects, including scouting reports on LB Arvell Reese, S Caleb Downs, WR Carnell Tate, LB Sonny Styles, DT Kayden McDonald, CB Davison Igbinosun, TE Max Klare, ER Kenyatta Jackson, CB Jermaine Mathews, WR Brandon Innis, C Carson Hinzman, ER Caden Curry, RB CJ Donaldson and TE Will Kacmarek. Plus, five players to monitor for the 2027 and 2028 NFL Drafts, along with video analysis. Read Ohio State Report Here.
ACC CHAMPIONSHIP PROSPECT PRIMER: DUKE-VIRGINIA
You might need a compass to navigate the possible scenarios that could emerge form the ACC Championship Game. Virginia enters the game as handed favorites, as Duke found their way into the championship by way of a complex five-team tiebreaker, leaving the Miami Hurricanes on the outside looking in.
To make matters more complicated, should Duke win, the ACC runs the risk of being shut out of the College Football Playoff entirely. However, a Virginia win could lead to both the Cavaliers and Hurricanes to be entered into the playoffs. “We have five losses, and we wish we’d played better in those games,” Duke head coach Manny Diaz said earlier this week. “But we lost to two 10-win teams, two nine-win teams and an eight-win team. Records have a lot to do with schedules.”
The two teams played three weeks ago with Virginia winning 34-17, led by a potent offensive attack. Cavaliers quarterback Chandler Morris threw for 316 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while battering ram runner J’Mari Taylor added 133 rushing yards and two scores via the ground. Taylor needs just three yards to become the first Virginia 1,000-yard rusher since Jordan Ellis (2018).
The final game on Saturday evening will showcase a handful of next level prospects, as we have ranked 30 draft-eligible players for this matchup below.
DUKE BLUE DEVILS NFL DRAFT WATCH: Our Duke Report features 11 draft-eligible prospects, including scouting reports on QB Darian Mensah and S Terry Moore, plus verified measurements and projections for each player, along with video analysis. Read Duke Blue Devils NFL Draft Watch Report Here.
VIRGINIA CAVALIERS NFL DRAFT WATCH: Our Virginia Report features 19 draft-eligible prospects, including scouting reports on OT McKale Boley, RB J’Mari Taylor, RB Xavier Brown, QB Chandler Morris and C Brady Wilson, projections and verified measurements for each player, plus three players to keep an eye on for the 2027-28 NFL Drafts, along with our Global Prospect Tracker. Read Virginia Cavaliers NFL Draft Watch Report Here.
2026 NFL DRAFT QUICK LINK REFERENCES
You can find sortable ranked prospects for every Power Four program below, along with rankings, all-star game trackers, latest mock drafts, videos, podcasts and more.
NFL DRAFT RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DT | ER | LB | CB | S