Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
From an Ohio State safety to a Penn State quarterback, here are five players we’re tracking:
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs
In his Monday scouting report, The Ringer’s Todd McShay compared Downs (6-foot, 205 pounds) to former Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed, a Pro Football Hall of Famer.
“Ed was the best of all time at knowing what was happening in advance,” McShay wrote. “He picked up on every minor tendency and played with a sixth sense, of sorts. He tripped up the best of the best, including Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Caleb is the closest thing I’ve seen since Ed in that regard. There’s some next-level stuff on his tape.”
Downs, a transfer from Alabama, helped the Buckeyes win their ninth national championship last season. In 16 games, he had two interceptions and six passes defended and earned a first-team All-American nod.
This offseason, Ohio State hired new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, who won two Super Bowls as New England Patriots DC from 2012-17. The coach may help Downs keep establishing himself as, perhaps, the best safety in the draft.
South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers
The buzz surrounding Sellers (6-foot-3, 242 pounds) continues to get louder. In a story published Thursday, The Athletic’s Manny Navarro ranked the QB as the No. 1 player in the SEC in 2025.
Last season, Sellers threw for 2,534 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The three-star recruit also rushed for 674 yards and seven TDs.
Notably, Sellers — the 2024 SEC Freshman of the Year — looks the part of an NFL QB. In his June 1 scouting report, McShay wrote, “Sellers has the blend of size, mobility and arm strength that NFL teams covet in a quarterback.”
South Carolina promoted offensive analyst Mike Shula to quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator this offseason. Former Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton won 2015 NFL MVP when Shula was his OC. Fittingly, Sellers models his game after the former Panthers star, per The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman.
Pairing Sellers with Shula may help him continue to cement himself as a potential first-rounder. In Tankathon’s latest mock draft, the Indianapolis Colts take him with pick No. 8.
Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
Love announced on his X account Monday that he’s releasing an anime-style comic book, “Jeremonstar,” as part of an NIL (name, image and likeness) deal.
The comic book’s website noted it’s “electrifying,” which could also describe Love’s play last season. In 16 games, the 6-foot, 206-pound RB rushed for 17 touchdowns, including a 98-yarder in the first round of the College Football Playoff against Indiana.
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