New Year\u2019s Day signals a turning of the page. A fresh start. A chance to improve.<\/p>\n
Keeping with that theme, here are five prospects from each of the New Year\u2019s Day College Football Playoff teams with an opportunity to boost their NFL Draft<\/a> profiles:<\/p>\n Oregon prospects with the most to gain<\/p>\n 5. Defensive tackle A\u2019Mauri Washington: One of the best run-defending linemen, Washington has impressive agility for a 330-pounder and the power in his upper body to win the point of attack. Will his pass rush catch up? Scouts want to see it before they stamp him with a first-round grade.<\/p>\n 4. Safety Dillon Thieneman: Texas Tech\u2019s offense likes to use the entire field, and it will be up to Thieneman to sniff out plays before they happen. Because of his man-coverage skills, scouts believe Thieneman can be a top-50 draft pick, but he might continue to inch up higher with an impactful Playoff.<\/p>\n DILLON THIENEMAN SEALS IT WITH HIS FIRST INTERCEPTION AS A DUCK.#GoDucks<\/a> x @DillonThieneman<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/nSB92dc0ZV<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) September 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 3. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq: With only 509 receiving yards, Sadiq doesn\u2019t have the production of a top-20 draft pick. However, his tape tells a different story. Though the Red Raiders are talented at linebacker and safety, Sadiq (as both a run blocker and pass catcher) has mismatch potential.<\/p>\n 2. Left tackle Isaiah World: Considered a potential top 50 draft pick entering the season, World has outstanding size and quickness. His traits are better than his tape, however, which complicates his evaluation. A more consistent showing against Texas Tech pass rushers David Bailey and Romello Height would force scouts to reevaluate their mid-round grades.<\/p>\n 1. Quarterback Dante Moore: Maybe Moore, who\u2019s only a redshirt sophomore, has already made his NFL decision<\/a>. However, it is fair to assume that his performance in the Playoff will affect how NFL teams view him. Moore is a smooth, accurate passer with the talent to be one of the first players drafted in the 2026 draft class.<\/p>\n Texas Tech prospects with the most to gain<\/p>\n 5. Left tackle Howard Sampson: A North Carolina transfer, Sampson is rarely mentioned among the Red Raiders\u2019 \u201cwins\u201d in the transfer portal, but he should be. The 6-foot-8, 340-pound redshirt junior still needs refinement, but his 2025 tape shows a draftable prospect, and scouts are eager to see him versus Oregon\u2019s Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti.<\/p>\n 4. Tight end Terrance Carter Jr.: Listed at 6-2, 245, Carter is undersized, but he shows the athletic talent to be a mismatch in the passing game and a future top 100 pick. Carter matched up against Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher will be fun.<\/p>\n 3. Quarterback Behren Morton: At times this season, Morton has looked like a draftable player with an NFL future. At other times, the inconsistencies have made it difficult for NFL scouts to endorse him fully. Morton can control the narrative by playing well on this stage.<\/p>\n 2. Edge rusher David Bailey: Already considered a first-round pick, Bailey leads the FBS in pressures (77) and will be looking to prove that he deserves consideration in the top 10. Both of Oregon\u2019s offensive tackles will be drafted in April, so scouts are curious to see if Bailey can have a performance as Abdul Carter did against Notre Dame in last year\u2019s Playoff.<\/p>\n 1. Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez: Though he has already boosted his draft grade this season, Rodriguez still has room to climb, especially if his impact helps limit an explosive Oregon running game (5.9 yards per carry, No. 2 in the FBS). Texas Tech has no shot to win if it can\u2019t slow down the run.<\/p>\n Alabama prospects with the most to gain<\/p>\n 5. Linebacker Deontae Lawson: Even with a Heisman winner at quarterback, Indiana strives for balance with its run game. Lawson will be instrumental in stopping that plan. He plays with outstanding instincts and the athleticism to slip blocks, but he leaves too much production on the field.<\/p>\n 4. Defensive tackle Tim Keenan III: A tough, instinctive run stopper, Keenan works his tail off to get the most out of his talent. Some scouts have labeled him an \u201coverachiever,\u201d but he can help change the narrative with an impactful performance.<\/p>\n 3. Defensive end LT Overton: After missing the SEC title game and the first round of the Playoff, Overton is expected back for this matchup. At 6-2, 274 with 33 1\/2-inch arms, he has size, length and movement skills, but he is more flash than substance. Scouts are eager to see him versus left tackle Carter Smith.<\/p>\n 2. Left tackle Kadyn Proctor: Every game feels like an opportunity for Proctor to make money. The NFL is looking for any reason to draft a 6-7, 360-pound athlete with his talent early in the first round, but he needs to play with better consistency than what he showed against Oklahoma in the last game.<\/p>\n 1. Quarterback Ty Simpson: In the second half of Alabama\u2019s win over Oklahoma, Simpson looked more like the prospect who was getting first-round buzz around Halloween. Can he overcome some of the limiting aspects of the Tide\u2019s supporting cast? The Hoosiers have intercepted 17 passes and allowed just seven passing touchdowns this season, a ratio that ranks No. 1 in the FBS.<\/p>\n Indiana prospects with the most to gain<\/p>\n 5. Linebacker Aiden Fisher: With his athleticism and compete skills, Fisher plays with the fire that NFL teams desire at the position. Scouts want to see him in coverage against Alabama tight end Josh Cuevas, one of the more underrated senior prospects in the class.<\/p>\n 4. Tight end Riley Nowakowski: Both senior tight ends in this game are massively underrated. Nowakowski doesn\u2019t wow with his size or speed, but he has no problem doing the dirty work in the run game and doesn\u2019t drop the ball when targeted, especially on money downs.<\/p>\n 3. Wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.: After missing the Big Ten title game with an injury, Cooper is expected back. Because of his ball skills and run-after-catch ability, the slot receiver will be essential for Indiana to stay ahead of the sticks.<\/p>\n 2. Cornerback D\u2019Angelo Ponds: His lack of size will remove him from some team boards, but Ponds plays with outstanding instincts and complete skills. He had his struggles against Ohio State, so NFL scouts want to see how he does against Germie Bernard and Alabama\u2019s receivers.<\/p>\n 1. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza: Yes, Mendoza won the Heisman and is the favorite to be QB1 in the 2026 draft, but quarterbacks always have the most to gain in these high-leverage games. Whenever the Hoosiers have needed a key play, especially in the second half, Mendoza has answered. Doing it against Alabama would further strengthen his case to go No. 1.<\/p>\n Ole Miss prospects with the most to gain<\/p>\n 5. Defensive tackle Zxavian Harris: At 6-7, 330 with almost 35-inch arms, Harris has remarkable size and projects as a rotational three-technique in the league. Harris versus Georgia left guard Micah Morris (6-4, 340) will be a glimpse at two future NFL linemen.<\/p>\n 4. Tight end Dae\u2019Quan Wright: A common theme in this preview \u2014 every team has a draftable NFL prospect starting at tight end. Wright leads Ole Miss in yards after catch and has only one drop, and he\u2019s shown improvements each of the last four seasons. His ability to align all over the offense has NFL scouts intrigued.<\/p>\n 3. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss: With his waiver for an additional season in doubt, Chambliss could be playing his final college game. The Division II transfer turned himself into a draftable prospect with his play this season, although his up-and-down performance in Athens was a low point. This is his chance to rectify things.<\/p>\n From starting QB at Division II Ferris State last season to leading @OleMissFB<\/a> to its first 12-win season in program history.<\/p>\n Trinidad Chambliss is one of the best stories in college football \ud83d\udc4f pic.twitter.com\/haqdGa3zmi<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 SEC Network (@SECNetwork) December 21, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 2. Linebacker Suntarine Perkins: The conundrum for scouts is figuring out if Perkins can be more than a subpackage player in the NFL. He is an outstanding spy and holds up well in coverage, but he looks too much like a tweener on early downs and lacks polish as a pass rusher.<\/p>\n 1. Wide receiver Deuce Alexander: The Rebels don\u2019t have a slam-dunk top 100 prospect in the 2026 class, but Alexander has a chance to change that if he declares. The redshirt sophomore makes athletic adjustments in contested situations and has yet to play his best football.<\/p>\n Georgia prospects with the most to gain<\/p>\n 5. Wide receiver Zachariah Branch: College football\u2019s screen king, Branch has an average depth of target of just 3.3 yards, by far the lowest in the FBS. The few times he has been targeted downfield, good things have happened. Scouts want to see it more.<\/p>\n 4. Tight end Lawson Luckie: Luckie had a career day (three touchdowns) the last time these teams met in October. He accounts for only 7.1 percent of the Bulldogs\u2019 pass-catching targets this season but ranks second on the team in touchdown grabs. He\u2019s also essential to the success of the run game.<\/p>\n 3. Left tackle Monroe Freeling: If you want to understand why scouts are excited about Freeling\u2019s pro potential, watch his pass-pro reps against the Rebels in October. If you\u2019re going to understand the concerns about his inconsistencies as a run blocker \u2026 watch that same tape.<\/p>\n 2. Cornerback Daylen Everette: If Ole Miss is going to pull the upset, it will need big-play production from outside receivers Trey Wallace III and De\u2019Zhaun Stribling, who will test Everette\u2019s long speed and transition skills. Scouts expected more from Everette in 2025; this is his chance to show it.<\/p>\n 1. Linebacker CJ Allen: Led by RB Kewan Lacy (who\u2019s not draft-eligible), the Rebels are one of just six FBS teams with at least 35 rushing touchdowns in 2025. Allen has some of the best run-defending plays among any prospect in the 2026 class and was a pivotal reason Lacy managed just 2.6 yards per carry against Georgia in October.<\/p>\n The Athletic has live coverage of Oregon vs. Texas Tech<\/a> in the 2025 College Football Playoff.<\/a><\/p>\n