Will the 2026 NFL Draft be the best in IU football history?
It could be one of them.
ESPN’s Matt Miller and Jordan Reid see multiple Hoosiers with a chance to be top-five at their respective positions on draft boards next spring.
In an article published Friday, both Miller and Reid agree quarterback Fernando Mendoza is a top-five quarterback as things stand right now. Miller has Mendoza third overall, and Reid has him fifth. Mendoza’s combination of mobility and arm talent make him a strong fit for the modern NFL.
At wide receiver, Elijah Sarratt is not ranked by either as a top-five prospect, but was mentioned by Miller as a player outside the top-five to watch:
“The 6-2, 210-pound Sarratt has big breakout potential, especially with quarterback Fernando Mendoza transferring in from Cal,” Miller said. “Sarratt had 53 catches for 987 yards and eight touchdowns last season and fits the mold of Texans star receiver Nico Collins, with excellent body positioning and tough hands in traffic.”
Indiana appears to have pulled off a coup at center, snaring Notre Dame starter Pat Coogan from the transfer portal. He’s a major reason why IU coach Curt Cignetti believe his offensive line will be better than it was a year ago. Miller ranks Coogan as his fifth-best center on the 2026 draft board.
Finally, Miller tabs All-American cornerback D’Angelo Ponds as his No. 5 at the position for next year’s draft. Ponds is undersized at 5-foot-9, but his combination of skill, athleticism and tenacity will be hard to resist.
Although they are not mentioned by the ESPN duo, several more Hoosiers have a chance to be drafted next year. Headlining that group is Mikail Kamara, who led all of Power Four in QB pressures a year ago.
And there are plenty of others who can play their way into the conversation, including All-American linebacker Aiden Fisher, tackle Carter Smith, and running back Roman Hemby — to name a few.
Indiana opens the 2025 season on Aug. 30 against Old Dominion.
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