- QB Ty Simpson, Alabama: Alabama advanced to the quarterfinals with a road win in Norman against a strong Oklahoma defense, marking a major step forward for quarterback Ty Simpson. Simpson has an elite PFF grade of 91.8 if kept clean this season, but that grade drops to 45.9 under pressure. Against the Sooners, however, he posted a PFF grade of 73.1 against the blitz, which marked meaningful progress.
- Edge Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Ohio State: At 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, Jackson is a senior who has produced a career-high 40 pressures this season while posting a pass-rush winning percentage above 11.5% for the third straight year. He wins primarily with speed-to-power as a wide-aligned edge defender, occasionally rushing from a two-point stance.
- Receive PFF+ with a 30% discount: Use promotional code HOLIDAY 30 to unlock the PFF Player Prop Tool, Premium Stats, fantasy dashboards, the PFF Mock Draft Simulator, industry-leading fantasy rankings and much more – everything you need to win your season.
With the first round of the 2025 College Football Playoff completed, attention now shifts to the quarterfinals.
As the bracket shrinks, the number of future NFL matchups only increases, and this round features several major showdowns. Here are 10 prospects from the 2026 NFL Draft class to keep a close eye on in the quarterfinals.
For a deeper dive, check out my full top 300 big board in the PFF Big Board Toolwith each grade and key data points for the class. From there, build your own draft rankings with the customizable Big Board Builder or run unlimited scenarios in the Mock Draft Simulator.
QB TY SIMPSON, ALABAMA
Alabama advanced to the quarterfinals with a road win in Norman against a strong Oklahoma defense, marking a major step forward for quarterback Ty Simpson. Simpson has an elite PFF grade of 91.8 if kept clean this season, but that grade drops to 45.9 under pressure. Against the Sooners, however, he posted a PFF grade of 73.1 against the blitz, which marked meaningful progress.
As Alabama prepares to face the top-ranked Indiana Hoosiers, Simpson will have to continue to prove he can perform under pressure to keep the Crimson Tide moving and maintain his potential first-round draft status.
ED KENYATTA JACKSON JR., STATE OF OHIO
At 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, Jackson is a senior who has produced a career-high 40 pressures this season while posting a pass-rush winning percentage above 11.5% for the third straight year. He wins primarily with speed-to-power as a wide-aligned edge defender, occasionally rushing from a two-point stance.
Jackson has the prototypical NFL frame, but his draft range will depend on how much extra juice teams think he has as a finesse rusher. He will have a strong opportunity to showcase those skills against Miami offensive tackles Francis Mauigoa and Markell Bell, both of whom have NFL potential.
WR CJ DANIELS, MIAMI
Daniels, a sixth-year receiver, has yet to surpass 100 receiving yards in a single game this season, but he stands out to me as a potential Day 3 contributor at the NFL level. At 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, he’s somewhat slender, although it doesn’t show at the catch point. His 82.5% contested catch rate over the past two seasons ranks in the 100th percentile for the position.
While his target percentage has fallen below 15.0% over the last two games, it was consistently above 20.0% in the first half of the season before his injury. The combination of route-running savvy and strong hands makes Daniels a favorite in that Day 3 series and a player who could make a difference against future NFL cornerbacks Jer of Ohio State.Maine Mathews Jr. and Davison Igbinosun.
QB DANTE MOORE, OREGON
Moore has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in college football this season, with a PFF grade of 91.8, an adjusted completion percentage of 79.0%, 28 big throws and just nine turnover-worthy plays. His playoff run begins in earnest this week – with all due respect James Madison – while facing one of the best defensive lines in the country Texas technology.
The Red Raiders are one of the best units in the country when it comes to generating pressure, but Moore has held his own under pressure, earning a PFF grade of 64.6 under pressure, a mark that has remained consistent even against the toughest defenses he has faced during the regular season.
The question now is whether he can handle that pressure on the biggest stage yet.
AND EMMANUEL PREGNON, OREGON
In his fifth season of college, Pregnon is showing clear NFL potential. He has an overall PFF grade of 88.3, including an 87.5 run-blocking grade and an 87.0 pass-blocking grade, and he has been at his best in zone concepts, where his PFF run-blocking grade of 93.4 is elite this season.
He will face a tough test against Texas Tech’s defensive line, especially defensive tackle Lee Hunter.
DT LEE HUNTER, TEXAS TECH
Speaking of Hunter, he’s also a player worth watching, not only for his matchup with Emmanuel Pregnon, but also because he’s in the midst of the best season of his career.
At 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds, the former UCF Knight takes up significant space along the interior defensive line. His PFF run-defense grade of 84.2 remains his calling card, but his expanded role has also led to career highs as a pass rusher, including an 11.4% pass-rush winning percentage and a 72.6 PFF pass-rush grade, as Texas Tech has given him more freedom to attack the backfield.
QB TRINIDAD CHAMBLISS, OLE MISS
Chambliss doesn’t fit the mold of a prototypical NFL quarterback, standing just under 6 feet tall and weighing 200 pounds, and he’s already a fifth-year player considering returning to school with one year of eligibility remaining. Still, his play spoke for itself. Chambliss has a PFF grade of 80.1 with 22 big throws and just eight turnover-worthy plays, and he has consistently risen to the occasion in moments of high success. He has also shown comfort in the face of pressure, earning a PFF grade of 74.1 against the blitz.
Chambliss will face Georgia for the second time this season after throwing for three touchdowns in the first meeting, throwing one and rushing for two.
OT CARTER SMITH, INDIANA
Many have looked at Indiana’s rise to No. 1 overall and wondered how it happened. One of the clearest answers lies in the Hoosiers’ offensive line play, led by left tackle Carter Smith. Smith was the highest-rated and most impactful of the group, with an overall PFF grade of 89.9 and a 92.5 pass-blocking grade after allowing no sacks and having just a 1.7% pressure rate.
While questions about his size may push him to guard or center at the NFL level, his performance this season points to a future pro regardless of position. He will face a tough test against Alabama’s collection of future NFL edge rushers.
LB JACOB RODRIGUEZ, TEXAS TECH
With an overall defensive grade of 93.1, Rodriguez is among the highest-rated defensemen in the country this season. He possesses an elite PFF run defense grade of 95.5 and a PFF coverage grade of 92.1, driven largely by his playmaking ability. Rodriguez has forced seven fumbles this season – four against the run and three in coverage – while also recording four interceptions and four additional forced incompletions.
He will face an intriguing matchup against Oregon tight ends Kenyon Sadiq and Jamari Johnson, both future NFL prospects who played prominent roles in the Ducks’ offense.
LB SONNY STYLES, OHIO STATE
Styles is putting together a phenomenal season, to the point where he’s establishing himself as a potential top-10 player in the class and a legitimate top-10 pick. The former safety, now listed at 6-foot-1 and 245 pounds, has earned eight consecutive grades of at least 72.0 and has recorded more single-game coverage grades above 70.0 than below that mark this season while not missing a single tackle.
The mix of size, speed and power is evident, and a strong finish to his College Football Playoff run could position him as one of the highest drafted linebackers since Isaiah Simmons and Devin White finished in the top 10 in back-to-back drafts.
He will face an intriguing test against Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr., who served as closer in the Hurricanes’ first-round win over Texas A&M.
#College #Football #Playoff #NFL #Draft #Prospects #Watch #College #Football #Playoff #Quarterfinals