After the Miami Hurricanes took down Texas A&M in the first round of the College Football Playoff, they will now take on the defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2026 Cotton Bowl Classic on New Year's Eve.
Looking ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft, there are numerous highly touted prospects that will likely have an impact on the outcome of this game. With the number of prospects on both sides of the field, this could resemble the last time that the two schools faced off in a playoff or championship sort of format in the National Championship in 2003, in terms of potential NFL talent.
2026 NFL Draft: 10 prospect step into the spotlight
Here, we take a look at 10+ players that could not only affect the outcome of the Cotton Bowl for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Miami Hurricanes, but could also impact their draft stock heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
While Ohio State looks to begin its title defense coming off a bye to start the College Football Playoff after a disappointing loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game, the Hurricanes will try to build momentum following their first-round victory and hope to get their offense going in the quarterfinals.
First, we will look at a list of eight 2026 NFL Draft prospects who didn't quite make the top 10 to watch heading into the Cotton Bowl.
Honorable Mentions
Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
After transferring from Purdue, senior tight end Max Klare hasn't lit up the box score with Ohio State. While the wide receivers tend to rack up the stats, Klare could certainly be a day-two selection in the 2026 NFL Draft and could be an important pass catcher for the Buckeyes if Miami tries to sell out to stop the wideouts.
C.J. Daniels, WR, Miami
C.J. Daniels is playing his sixth collegiate season, his lone one with the Hurricanes after spending his first four years at Liberty and one season at LSU. Daniels only has 420 receiving yards on 37 catches this season, but has hauled in seven touchdowns, so don't be shocked if he finds the end zone in the Cotton Bowl.
Davison Igbinosun, DB, Ohio State
Davison Igbinosun is Ohio State's big-bodied boundary corner who has had an up-and-down career in Columbus, but has been solid and reliable this season for the Buckeye defense and will likely be asked to shadow Miami star freshman receiver Malachi Toney often in this game.
Akheem Mesidor, DL, Miami
Another sixth-year player now in Miami, Akheem Mesidor spent two seasons at West Virginia before spending four seasons as a Hurricane. Mesidor racked up 1.5 sacks last week against Texas A&M so he will look to spend some time in the backfield against Ohio State as well.
Jermaine Mathews Jr., DB, Ohio State
Starting opposite of Igbinosun, Jermaine Mathews Jr. is slightly smaller but just as effective shutting down opposing receivers. A year younger, Mathews could really put himself on the draft radar with some big plays in the Cotton Bowl.
Keionte Scott, DB, Miami
Keionte Scott spent three seasons at Auburn before transferring to Miami for this season. Scott tallied two sacks of his own against A&M in the opening round of the College Football Playoff, so the Miami defense will look to deploy him creatively once again in the Cotton Bowl.
Caden Curry, DL, Ohio State
Caden Curry has spent his entire four-year collegiate career at Ohio State, breaking out this year as a senior with 11.0 sacks, including two in the Big Ten Championship Game against Indiana. He could come through and have as big of an impact as anyone in this matchup.
Ahmad Moten Sr., DL, Miami
While Ahmad Moten Sr. did not have any sacks in the first round like a couple of his Miami teammates, he tallied 3.5 of his 4.5 sacks of the season in the two games prior, so he could get to the quarterback as well if the Ohio State line focuses on some of the other dynamic players on the Hurricanes defensive line.
2026 NFL Draft prospects - Ohio State vs Miami (No. 10-8)
10. Kenyatta Jackson, DE, Ohio State
While Caden Curry has been a little more productive on the stat sheet this season, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. has the size, age, and physical traits that teams will value in the 2026 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound, 21-year-old edge has totaled 6.5 sacks and 11.0 tackles for loss in his true senior season. Jackson is coming on strong late in the season with a sack in each of his last two games against Indiana and Michigan, and will look to make some big plays in the Cotton Bowl.
9. Austin Siereveld, OT, Ohio State
Austin Siereveld may be the most important Ohio State Buckeye with the toughest job in this Cotton Bowl: stopping the Miami edge rushers. The 6-foot-5 and 320-pound left tackle just turned 21 years old and will likely be a day-two target if he declares for the 2026 NFL Draft. While some NFL teams may view him as a guard at the next level, Siereveld has a chance to show the league that he has what it takes to hold his own at tackle against some of the nation's best pass rushers.
8. Carson Beck, QB, Miami
While Carson Beck is not widely viewed as a top quarterback prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft, he has a chance to put his name back into the mix with an impressive Cotton Bowl and College Football Playoff run. Despite beating Texas A&M, Beck did not do much to impress in the first round, leading the Hurricanes offense to just 10 points on just 103 passing yards and one touchdown. Beck has risen to the occasion when it mattered most before in his time with Georgia, and to continue to bolster his reputation as a proven winner if he takes down the defending champions.
2026 NFL Draft prospects - Ohio State vs Miami (No. 7-4)
7. Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
With the tape that he is putting out there game after game, Kayden McDonald is showing why he may be worthy of a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. At 6-foot-3, 325 pounds, and 21 years old, the impressive junior defensive tackle has had a breakout 2025 season. With 57 total tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks, McDonald has proven to be a force against the run with some upside as an interior pass rusher. McDonald will need to be a reliable anchor in the middle of the defense to allow the other playmakers around him to take over the game for the Buckeyes.
6. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Sonny Styles has been an elite linebacker since making the switch from safety prior to the 2024 season, where he tallied 100 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 6.0 sacks. To this point in 2025, Styles has totaled 80 tackles and 5.0 for loss. While a fellow linebacker, who we will talk about shortly, has garnered a lot of the 2026 NFL Draft buzz, Styles could be the first "off-ball" linebacker off the board in April and is a vital part of the defense for the Buckeyes for these playoffs.
5. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Much like Siereveld for Ohio State, Francis Mauigoa will have his hands full with some talented defensive ends, manning the right tackle spot for the Miami Hurricanes. The 21-year-old, 6-foot-6, and 335-pound mountain has anchored the right side for Miami all season long and could be one of the first offensive linemen off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft. He will battle the likes of Curry and Jackson, and will be very important if Miami plans to keep their quarterback upright to allow the offense to make some plays down the field in the Cotton Bowl.
4. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Since bursting onto the scene with Alabama as a freshman in 2023, Caleb Downs has been regarded as one of the very best defensive players in the nation. As a Buckeye, Downs has continued to impress with his level of play, his versatility, and his leadership. Downs in the heartbeat of the Ohio State defense and will look to make some big plays for the Buckeye defense as they attempt to repeat as national champions. Given the grouping of prospects in play at the top of the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Downs is as good as anyone. Even as a safety, Downs could be a top-five, or even three, pick in the draft, and could solidify that stock with an impressive Cotton Bowl and playoff run.
2026 NFL Draft prospects - Ohio State vs Miami (Top 3)
3. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
While Ohio State phenom Jeremiah Smith has garnered most of the limelight in the wide receiver room, Carnell Tate has been phenomenal, as well. Tate very well could find himself as a top 3-5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, as well.
Tate, while he has become a well-rounded receiver, is one of the most effective wideouts down the field that you will find in the nation. His ability to separate throughout the route, ball-tracking, and jump ball ability on deep routes are second to none.
Tate has scored a touchdown in each of his last four games, totaling five touchdowns over that stretch. Tate has been a go-to target for Ohio State quarterback Julian Saiyan all season long. If Miami focuses too heavily on stopped Smith, Tate can easily make them pay.
2. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Even though he is listed on most Ohio State Buckeyes depth charts as the starting middle or "MIKE" linebacker, Arvell Reese has been one of the most versatile and dynamic players in college football this season.
As a linebacker, Reese has totaled 62 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 10.0 tackles for loss. But where Reese brings some extra juice, and where a lot of his desirability from NFL teams lies, is off the edge as a pass rusher.
Reese just recently turned 20 years old, and is 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds. As twitchy of an athlete as you will find, Reese can run sideline-to-sideline to make a tackle, stick with any tight end and a lot of receivers in coverage, and quickly burst around the edge as a pass rusher, racking up 6.5 sacks so far this season.
Arvell Reese is firmly in the conversation to be the top pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. Before he heads to the NFL, Reese will look to help the Buckeyes defeat Miami in the Cotton Bowl and lead a playoff run on the way to back-to-back championships.
1. Rueben Bain Jr., DL, Miami
I don't think there is a single 2026 NFL Draft prospect that is more intriguing to watch in this Cotton Bowl, or maybe even the entire College Football Playoff, than Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. Bain has been regarded as a potential number-one overall pick for a couple of years now. Now that draft season is nearly upon us, some concerns are coming out of the woodwork that may prevent that from being a possibility.
Bain has been productive ever since stepping foot on the field for the Hurricanes as a freshman in 2023. He had 7.5 sacks as a freshman and has another 7.5 sacks so far in 2025. After racking up three sacks in round one against Texas A&M, Bain has proven that he can get after the quarterback and get it done at the highest level.
Miami DL Rueben Bain will be one of the more polarizing prospects in this class. I talked more about it on today's pod.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) December 17, 2025
Plenty of Day 2 grades from NFL scouts. Viewed as a DT by several teams due to his size (6-2, 277, 30 3/4" arms, 9 1/4" hands).
The concerns that have arisen with Bain as a potential NFL defensive end revolve around his arm length. Some evaluators have questioned whether or not Bain can be effective at the next level if his arms measure at around 31 inches. Bain has the chance to continue to show that no matter how long his arms are, he is one of the best players in the nation and belongs towards the top of the 2026 NFL Draft come April.