Miami and Indiana will meet in Monday's National Championship Game. The one-seed Hoosiers are undefeated, whereas the 10th-ranked Hurricanes have written an underdog story. The result will have a profound impact on the 2026 NFL Draft.
Several Indiana and Miami prospects are already promised to go early. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the overwhelming favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. Defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. can't do much more to combat the pre-draft narratives about arm length and position value.
Other prospects are still finalizing the range of outcomes for their pre-draft journeys. We've identified several in particular who can improve their stock.
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor has been a big riser throughout the College Football Playoff. Terrorizing opposing offensive lines opposite Bain, the Ottawa, Ontario, Canada native registered two sacks in the upset win over Ohio State. Mesidor is a true hand-in-the-dirt defender with three-down potential.
Scouts have begun wondering if Mesidor could enter the first-round conversation. The draft got a little weaker on the defensive line when A'Mauri Washington and Matayo Uiagalelei both decided to go back to Oregon. A prospect like Mesidor could benefit.
Carter Smith, OT, Indiana
There are questions surrounding this offensive tackle class. Some scouts view Miami's Francis Mauigoa as a guard. The uncertainty could bring good news for Indiana's Carter Smith, who has been steady in pass protection for Mendoza.
What a test Smith faces versus the Hurricanes. Both Bain and Mesidor will routinely test his resolve as a run blocker and pass protector. Whether good or bad, Monday's showing qualifies as a resume-defining game for Smith.
Carson Beck, QB, Miami
All eyes will be on Mendoza. That offers Miami quarterback Carson Beck an opportunity to head into Monday's title showdown with little national expectation. That could be a blessing in disguise for a quarterback who transferred from Georgia to Miami to rehabilitate his reputation under Mario Cristobal, and now finds himself in the National Championship Game.
Beck is probably a mid-round quarterback. The class received a shake-up when Dante Moore decided to return to school, and Ty Simpson entered the draft. If Beck leads an unexpected upset, what a narrative driver that would be for his pre-draft process.
Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr., WRs, Indiana
Mendoza has a pair of big-bodied receivers he trusts to make plays. Both Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. have earned Mendoza's trust all season long. They've combined for an incredible 28 receiving touchdowns.
Cooper has had touchdowns in back-to-back playoff contests. Sarratt recorded seven receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns in the Peach Bowl blowout over Oregon. Miami's defensive backs will have their hands full.
D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana, Keionte Scott, CB, Miami
It's fitting that both defenses have undersized cornerbacks who serve as the energizer bunnies for their unit. Miami cornerback Keionte Scott had a 72-yard pick-six return touchdown versus Ohio State. D'Angelo Ponds had a 25-yard pick-and-score on the opening play of Indiana's 56-22 Peach Bowl drubbing over Oregon.
Scott and Ponds are the heartbeat of the Miami and Indiana defenses. They're capable of making game-changing impacts at any moment. They project as excellent nickel cornerbacks in the NFL, as strong communicators who generate turnovers.
