By BRADEN GALL, college contributor
Each week, 440 Sports’ Braden Gall dives into the most important matchups and developments from the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Less than 10 percent of college players were in action two weeks ago, but the ones who did play in championship games are extremely talented. What happened in some of the sports' most critical games to end the season, and which match-ups in the first round of the playoffs are most important?
Ohio State Defenders
No, this section isn’t about Arvell Reese or Caleb Downs. It’s about Kenyatta Jackson, Sonny Styles, Kayden McDonald and a pair of corners.
Jackson has skyrocketed up boards and into first-round territory. The 6-6, 285-pounder
has elite power and length to make him a true defensive end prospect. He sacked Fernando Mendoza once and made three tackles in the close loss to Indiana. He also didn’t get any calls, as more than once his play caused the broadcast to complain about the officials.
One of the worst non-calls I’ve ever seen.
— Buckeye HQ (@RealisticBuck) December 7, 2025
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. gets held by one defender and tackled by the other: pic.twitter.com/NVEzzlvzIL
Linebacker Sonny Styles began the season as the No. 1 off-ball linebacker and his final game was maybe his best. At 6-3, 240, Styles' range and athleticism is elite. He can fill against the run and flows sideline to sideline. He posted 12 tackles in the loss as his tape was a thing of beauty. He didn’t miss a single tackle this season in run defense.
Sonny Styles was all over the field against Indiana. He deserves so much more love. A very good athlete with a smart mind.
— Prospect Film Room (@FilmProspect) December 10, 2025
He has 0 missed tackles as a run defender this season. Some truly insane numbers pic.twitter.com/h2T0HFRJda
McDonald has also come out of nowhere to find himself in day two conversations. The 6-3, 330-pounder is already an excellent run defender and if he can develop a pass rush repertoire, he could be a three-down starter in the NFL.
Corners David Igbinosun and Jermaine Mathews also look like top 100 draft picks. Against Michigan and Indiana, Igbinosun posted nine tackles and intercepted a pass in both games. Jermaine Matthews didn’t play as well, getting beaten on key plays in the final quarter against the Hooisers. Both could be mid-round targets for the Titans and if Igbinosun can limit his penalties, he could be a steal.
Bama’s offense shut down
The SEC championship game concluded a tough final month of the draft prospects on the Alabama offense. One touchdown and negative rushing yards against Georgia was just the capper. The offensive line has three NFL prospects and all three played poorly against the Dawgs. Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams did little in the passing game and quarterback Ty Simpson has fallen (more on that in a second).
The Bama offense will get a crack at fixing the narrative around its offense in the first round of the playoffs. Oklahoma features one of the best defensive fronts in the nation and Simpson and company will have a chance to rewrite the scouting reports. Should Bama beat OU in Norman, the Indiana Hoosiers' defense awaits and would again provide a chance for the Tide to prove draft skeptics wrong.
QB Shuffle
All three of the top QB prospects will be in the playoff. Mendoza wasn’t good for most of three quarters against Ohio State, but, much like the Penn State game, delivered huge throws when the game was on the line against an elite defense. Moore could be the No. 1 QB and will have a chance to prove it. He will likely roll through James Madison and then gets to face an elite Texas Tech front seven.
Ty Simpson was atrocious in the SEC title game but has OU, IND lined up in the playoff - two of the best defenses in the nation. Right now, Mendoza is back on top with Moore No. 2 and Simpson third. Could the playoff outcomes change this?
Mock: Trades and the No. 3 pick
I don’t think Mock drafts matter - especially in December. But now that the Titans have fallen to the third pick, I found the latest mock draft from ESPN to be of note for one reason: The trade with the No. 1 pick. The projected trade between the Jets (No. 7, No. 18) and the Giants (No. 1) is what I want to see from the Titans.
Obviously, the Jets move up for a QB (Mendoza) and the Giants build depth with two top 20 picks. In this scenario, they took Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (No. 7) and Clemson corner Aveion Terrel (No. 18) - both of whom could be the No. 1 player at their position.
This is the kind of move you want to see from the Titans. Sure, drafting Arvell Reese at No. 3 could also be the right call. But with Miami’s Rueben Bain or Texas Tech’s David Bailey on the board with the seventh pick and both Terrell and wideout Makai Lemon on the board at 18, the Titans could theoretically fix two problems in one night.
Being No. 1 is obviously the only safe way for the Titans to ensure they can trade down with maximum return. But being No. 2 might be just as critical. For now, the top two picks appear to be QBs, with Ty Simpson falling.
Being in the top two should be the focus for fans who think draft stock matters during actual football games.
First Round Match-ups:
Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Howell shows flashes of elite pass-rushing skill but lacks the consistency to be an elite player. He needs to add power to his game and this weekend is a great chance to showcase it.
Rueben Bain, DE, Miami
The Hurricanes' defensive lineman is falling slightly in drafts due to his overall lack of size and position uncertainty. He will undoubtedly make a team better, but he might not be a true pass rusher.
R Mason Thomas vs. Kaydn Procter
The edge rusher for Oklahoma and the left tackle for Bama will likely be matched up Friday night. Sit back and enjoy.
KC Concepcion and Mario Carver, WRs, Texas A&M
The dynamic do-everything players for the Aggies should be featured in the match-up with Miami. Concepcion is pushing into first-round territory. Carver could see his stock rise with a big playoff performance after an injury slowed his rise up draft boards.
