2026 NFL Draft

2026 NFL Draft: Top 10 Senior Bowl prospects following 2025 college football regular season

Published: Dec 05, 2025 at 01:46 PM

Chad Reuter

Draft Analyst

Ohio State's Arvell Reese has exploded onto the scene in 2025 as a violent, versatile playmaker who splits his snaps between traditional off-ball linebacker and edge rusher. (Melissa Tamez/AP)

In mid-October, I provided midseason rankings of the top Senior Bowl prospects. Now, with the college football regular season in the books -- aside from the annual Army-Navy game -- it's time for an updated pecking order. Below, you'll find my rundown of the top 10 players, along with 30 other leading candidates.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning and South Carolina signal-caller LaNorris Sellers have the talent to be included here, but it seems like they might join other underclassmen in returning for another college season. Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy is another player to watch, but he has not taken the field this season as he works his way back from an ACL tear.

The 2026 Senior Bowl will be held at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, on Jan. 31, 2026 and broadcast live on NFL Network (2:30 p.m. ET).

NOTES:

* denotes player is an underclassman.
Heights and weights are via school measurements.

1) Arvell Reese, Edge/LB, Ohio State (6-4, 243)*

Reese bided his time for two years at Ohio State before breaking out in 2025 as a dynamic defender on the Buckeyes' top-ranked D. A Cleveland native and finalist for the 2022 High School Butkus Award (given to the nation's top prep linebacker), Reese has ascended to stardom by attacking blockers with power and length. His excellent long speed and short-area quickness allow him to track down and corral ball-carriers from distance. Reese brings bad intentions as a run defender, too, giving him an all-around skill set that's similar to those of recent first-round draft picks Abdul Carter and Micah Parsons.

2) Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (6-0, 205)*

Arvell Reese and the rest of Ohio State's stacked front seven often overshadow the play of Downs, who isn't required to pace the squad in tackles or pass breakups in order to spearhead the Buckeyes' defense. He starred at Alabama as a true freshman, then transferred to OSU and was a driving force behind the program's run to the national championship. He leads with words and actions, attacking the ball in the air, stopping ball-carriers before they can get started in the open field and effectively blitzing when required. He might fall out of the top 10 overall picks because safety is not a premium position, but Downs will be a franchise player in the NFL.

3) Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (6-0, 214)*

Despite opposing defenses game-planning for Love's obvious talents, he continues to put up big numbers for the Irish, making himself a likely Heisman Trophy finalist. The top offensive playmaker among draft-eligible prospects, Love is a threat to score on every touch because of his vision and breakaway speed. He hops and jump-cuts in and around traffic but also runs through some contact and won't back down from verbal or physical challenges from defenders. Fans who enjoy the explosiveness of Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson will relish Love's game.

4) Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami (6-3, 270)*

Bain dominated at the start of the year, leading conference foes' offensive lines to focus on stopping his advances. The Hurricanes have recorded some lopsided wins, too, limiting his second-half snaps at times and further explaining his unexceptional totals of 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 12 contests. Despite regularly facing double teams, Bain brings consistent pressure thanks to his strong overall build, surprising flexibility and useful versatility -- he can operate as a stand-up rusher or a powerful force on the line of scrimmage.

5) Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (6-5, 225)*

Mendoza's transfer from Berkeley to Bloomington was a key factor in Indiana's run to Saturday night's Big Ten Championship Game. He's efficient when in rhythm from the pocket, leading receivers downfield so they can make big plays. Mendoza tests defenses with his feet on called runs and scrambles, and he pops passes to open targets on the move. He's thrown fourth-quarter interceptions when facing pressure or delivering the ball a second too late -- but also has exhibited moxie while leading game-winning drives against Oregon, Iowa and Penn State.

6) Dante Moore, QB, Oregon (6-3, 206)*

Moore leapt toward the top of the draft board this year after starting five games as a true freshman for UCLA in 2023 and backing up Dillon Gabriel last season in Eugene. He's a pocket passer who spins the ball when set (even when changing his arm angle) but also displays touch while placing throws between defensive levels. Not a true running quarterback, Moore can pick up yards with his legs, elude rushers in the backfield and whip passes to receivers on the move. Better defenses (see: Indiana, Iowa) showed Moore must speed up his process to prevent taking sacks and allowing defenders to reach his targets before the ball arrives.

7) Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (6-3, 195)*

Ohio State's receiver pipeline to the NFL continues with Tate, a smooth mover who glides past defenders for big plays downfield. His combination of height, long speed and subtle movements in the open field makes him a tough cover. Tate's routes are accurate and slick, leaving corners behind to provide a big target for his quarterback. He tracks the ball well over his shoulder, regularly wins contested catches and possesses a phenomenal catch radius and strong balance, stretching high and wide for off-target throws.

8) Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas (6-7, 312)*

The great, great nephew of Pro Football Hall of Famer Dick "Night Train" Lane may not have much experience, but the sky's the limit on his NFL potential. He possesses the lateral agility, balance and natural bend to stop pass rushers in their tracks as well as reach linebackers in space. Goosby's still-growing frame belies his ability to widen his base and anchor in pass protection. While not fully matured as a run blocker, the redshirt sophomore shows the willingness to lean on tackles and finish against ends 3 or 4 yards downfield.

9) Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama (6-2, 208)*

Simpson has more than proven himself this season after sitting for three years behind Jalen Milroe and Bryce Young. Like most young quarterbacks, Simpson makes mistakes under pressure and tries to fit passes into thimble-sized windows. But he possesses the toughness and skills of a coach's son; his father, Jason, has led Tennessee-Martin football for 20 years. Simpson affects defenders with his eyes, avoids traffic within the pocket and steps forward to zip passes to targets. His athleticism is valuable on bootlegs and scrambles, and he's able to square his shoulders and reset his feet when throwing on the move.

10) Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (6-0, 190)

Delane transferred from Virginia Tech for his senior year to become the next great LSU defensive back to hit the NFL. After giving up several big plays with the Hokies in 2024, he's been the stopper scouts wanted to see this year. The Maryland native could be the lone senior taken in the top 10 because he possesses prototypical size and length, as well as excellent foot quickness to stay with receivers on various routes. Delane finds the ball in the air, too, intercepting eight passes and breaking up 19 others in his career.