NFL Draft Notebook: Fernando Mendoza projects as a franchise QB; Sellers stays put

This past week was a busy one on the NFL Draft calendar, even with Army vs Navy being the only FBS game played. Several top prospects were honored with major awards, highlighted by Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza winning the Heisman Trophy and an under the radar offensive lineman earning All-American recognition.

We also saw multiple players with first round projections make key decisions on whether to enter the draft or return to school. All of that and more is covered in this week’s NFL Draft Notebook.

How Heisman Trophy winner projects to the NFL

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza ran away with the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first player in program history to win the award. It capped off a dominant season in which he led the Hoosiers to the best record in school history and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. The only real question left for NFL scouts is how his game will translate to the next level.

The answer looks clear. Mendoza projects as a franchise quarterback who, with the right supporting cast, can lead a team deep into the postseason. Entering the season, NFL Mocks was the only draft outlet that identified him as the top quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. After the year he just had, there is no reason to move off that stance.

Several traits immediately stand out on film. Mendoza’s accuracy is elite. He consistently hits receivers in stride and places the ball where his playmakers can win at the catch point. He has the arm strength to stretch defenses vertically and the mobility to create when plays break down.

Where Mendoza truly separates himself is mentally. He is one of the most clutch quarterbacks to enter the draft in recent years, as shown by his late-game performances against Penn State, Iowa, and Ohio State. He is advanced in his ability to work through progressions and make the correct read under pressure. He is also a clear leader and someone teammates rally around.

There is little doubt Mendoza will be a top ten pick next April. The main area for improvement is his footwork in the pocket. At times, he gets restless, holds the ball too long, or leaves clean pockets unnecessarily. Even with that concern, he is firmly in the conversation to be one of the first two quarterbacks selected, with Oregon’s Dante Moore as the only realistic challenger to go ahead of him.

LaNorris Sellers makes the right call

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers is expected to return to school next season, and it is the right decision. While he would likely be a top ten pick in the 2026 NFL Draft if he declared now, his game still needs refinement. Leaving early would risk him becoming the next Anthony Richardson, a high ceiling athlete who entered the league before his passing traits were fully developed.

Accuracy is the biggest issue. Sellers completed just 60 percent of his passes this and missed far too many routine throws. Much of that stems from inconsistent footwork. He struggles at times to get properly aligned to his target, which leads to scattershot ball placement. Ball security is another concern. He turned the ball over 14 times this season, throwing eight interceptions and losing six fumbles.

If Sellers can make real progress in those areas, his ceiling changes dramatically. When his passing improves, his elite athleticism becomes a weapon rather than a crutch. With cleaner mechanics and better decision making, he has the ability to become a top three pick and, more importantly, a quarterback who is ready to succeed in the NFL rather than a long term project.

Is McCoy still the top cornerback in the draft?

Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy entered the season as the consensus top cornerback in the 2026 NFL Draft class, according to outlets like ESPN and The Athletic. That projection took a hit, however, after he missed this season with a torn ACL, leaving questions about how teams will view him and whether he’ll remain the first corner off the board.

When evaluating McCoy’s NFL traits, several strengths stand out. His ball skills are elite. Over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, he recorded 20 pass breakups and six interceptions. Quickness and an ability to close on the ball made him a constant playmaker when healthy.

McCoy is also one of the more physical corners in this draft class. He excels in press coverage thanks to quick feet that let him mirror receivers and the strength to consistently challenge at the catch point.

That said, he does have some work to do. McCoy can get grabby. He was flagged eight times in 2024 and if his technique does not improve, those penalties could follow him to the NFL.

As for whether he will go first among corners, it is too early to tell. His draft stock hinges on proving full recovery from his ACL in predraft testing. Team needs and scheme fit will also play major roles. One potential landing spot is the Miami Dolphins, who will likely pick in the middle of the first round and have a pressing need at cornerback.

The overlooked All-American

We are at the point of the season when media outlets release their All-American teams, and one name that may surprise NFL Draft fans is Missouri offensive lineman Keagen Trost. He is not even listed on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus board, which ranks the top 991 prospects. Despite that, Trost has earned first-team All-American honors from outlets like PFF and the Walter Camp Foundation.

There is a clear reason for that recognition. Trost is one of the best run blockers in college football. He earned PFF’s highest run blocking grade and consistently overwhelms defenders at the point of attack. His power is a major reason Missouri finished eighth nationally in rushing, averaging 234 yards per game.

Trost is also solid in pass protection. He allowed just two quarterback hits all season, largely because of his strength and ability to anchor. Pass rushers struggle to move him off his spot, a trait that should translate even better when he transitions inside to guard at the NFL level.

That move inside is likely necessary. Trost lacks the foot speed and flexibility to survive at tackle against NFL edge rushers. His limited mobility also makes him a better fit for a gap based run scheme rather than a wide zone system. Those limitations will likely push him into the late rounds of the draft.

Even so, Trost could be a steal. If he lands with a physical, downhill rushing team like the Los Angeles Chargers, a sixth or seventh round selection could turn into a high value pick.

Next great Aggie pass rusher

Texas A&M has a long history of producing elite pass rushers, from Von Miller to Myles Garrett, one of the top defensive players in the NFL. This year, the Aggies have another dominant edge defender in Cashius Howell.

Howell is coming off a monster senior season and is a major reason Texas A&M is headed to the College Football Playoff. He led the SEC with 11.5 sacks and finished fourth in the conference with 14 tackles for loss. His 5.2 pressure rate ranked third among pass rushers with at least 250 pass rushing snaps, according to PFF. That production earned him SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors, the first Aggie ever to win the award.

Howell’s ability to consistently wreck games, paired with his physical tools, puts him firmly in late first round territory for the 2026 NFL Draft. His best trait is his explosive first step, which regularly puts offensive linemen on their heels the moment the ball is snapped. He also has the agility to dip his shoulder and win around the edge. Just as important is his relentless motor, which shows up when he continues to generate pressure even after his initial move is stalled.

A strong landing spot for Howell would be the New England Patriots, who are expected to prioritize pass rush help in the 2026 draft. Howell’s skill set fits best in a 3-4 scheme, where he can attack the quarterback consistently rather than being asked to drop into coverage as often as he would in a traditional 4-3 defense.