The school soccer season kicks off Aug. 23, nevertheless it’s by no means too early to maintain tabs on potential NFL prospects.
Every week, Yardbarker is monitoring the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
From an Oklahoma quarterback to a Texas Tech defensive sort out, listed here are 5 gamers we’re monitoring:
Oklahoma QB John Mateer
The Sooners are banking on Mateer — a Washington State switch — reinvigorating this system after it went 6-7 through the 2024 season.
Previous switch QBs, equivalent to Baker Mayfield (now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), have thrived at Oklahoma. Mayfield, a switch from Texas Tech, received the 2017 Heisman Trophy with the Sooners, and the Cleveland Browns chosen him with the No. 1 decide within the 2018 draft.
In his scouting report revealed on Sunday, The Ringer’s Todd McShay in contrast Mateer (6-foot-1, 219 kilos) to Mayfield and hinted he could possibly be a riser this season.
“Mateer is a panoramic prospect to review — in all of the methods,” wrote McShay. “Because it stands, I might comfortably say he is a Day 2 prospect heading into the season, however I am extremely intrigued by his talent set, competitiveness and playmaking capacity, and I imagine there’s a great deal of progress in his future.”
In 12 video games final season, Mateer accomplished 64.6 % of his passes for 3,139 passing yards and 29 landing passes.
Texas QB Arch Manning
Manning (6-foot-4, 225 kilos) has performed in simply 12 video games in two seasons with the Longhorns, however he is already hailed as a possible No. 1 decide.
In a narrative revealed Monday, CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards listed Manning because the No. 1 prospect to observe this season.
“[Manning is] the grandson of Archie Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning. All three had been named to an NFL Professional Bowl at quarterback,” wrote Edwards.
Arch Manning has proven flashes in his restricted taking part in with the Longhorns, totaling 13 touchdowns (9 passing and 4 speeding) over his previous two seasons. Scouts ought to get a greater have a look at the QB when the Ohio State Buckeyes host the Longhorns of their season opener on Aug. 30.
Texas Tech defensive sort out Lee Hunter
Teammates name Hunter (6-foot-4, 320 kilos) “The Fridge.” Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman William Perry was additionally nicknamed “The Fridge.” Like Perry, Hunter is a D-lineman who can transfer.
In a clip posted to Texas Tech football’s X account on April 1, Purple Raiders head coach Joey McGuire mentioned Hunter clocked a prime pace of 16.5 mph throughout a spring scrimmage. That is quick for an enormous man.
(At 324 kilos, New Orleans Saints DT Khalen Saunders reached a prime pace final season of 15.79 mph on a 36-yard interception, the third-fastest pace by a ballcarrier who weighs over 320 kilos since 2016, per NextGen Stats.)
Hunter’s play at Central Florida has already caught the eye of scouts. In 12 video games final season, he had 10 tackles for loss. He earned a second-team All-Huge 12 nod.
“Hunter is an enormous dude, however his power and talent to command double-teams is the place he’ll stand out within the 30 entrance,” an NFC South scout told ESPN’s Matt Miller in a narrative revealed June 13.
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
In a narrative revealed Wednesday, The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner ranked the previous California star as his No. 1 switch QB and wrote, “Mendoza has sufficient capacity to land a first-round grade.”
Mendoza (6-foot-5, 225 kilos) is a pinpoint passer. In 11 video games with the Golden Bears final season, he accomplished 68.7 % of his passes, the FBS’ Tenth-best mark.
“Watch that dude throw back-shoulder fades and also you see the contact, timing and energy to be a baller within the NFL,” an NFC East scout informed Miller.
Mendoza has loads of dependable targets at Indiana who might assist him showcase his abilities in 2025. Hoosiers broad receivers Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. — who combined for 1,551 receiving yards final season — are returning this season.
LSU LB Harold Perkins Jr.
Perkins (6-foot-1, 225 kilos) suffered an ACL tear in his proper knee in a 34-17 victory over UCLA in September 2024. Unsurprisingly, he has returned to highschool to enhance his draft inventory.
At SEC spring conferences in Could, LSU head coach Brian Kelly mentioned Perkins has been cleared for summer time exercises (via Scott Rabalais of The Times-Picayune). If he stays wholesome, the LB could also be a first-rounder.
In his first three seasons with the Tigers, Perkins had 164 tackles and 13 sacks, incomes a first-team All-SEC nod in 2022 and a second-team All-SEC nod in 2023. Edwards ranked him because the No. 14 prospect within the class.
