Scout's Eye: 12 NFL Prospects Poised to Star During College Football Playoff

The College Football Playoff is "must-see" viewing for NFL coaches and scouts searching for potential stars in the 2026 NFL Draft class. Although postseason contests are not supposed to carry more weight than regular-season games, the opportunity to watch "best on best" matchups with a collection of blue-chip prospects on the field gives evaluators a great chance to see how these prospects handle the pressure of playing under the bright lights on a big stage. 

[Read more: College Football Playoff Predictions: First-Round Winners to The National Champion]

With coaches and scouts scribbling non-stop in their notebooks during these upcoming contests, here are the 12 most intriguing prospects to watch in the College Football Playoff: 

Fernando Mendoza , QB, Indiana

The Heisman Trophy winner operates with surgical precision from the pocket as a classic drop-back passer with outstanding touch and timing. Mendoza efficiently carves up opponents with a barrage of short and intermediate throws that force opponents to defend every blade of grass from sideline to sideline. While he lacks elite arm strength, he makes up for it with superb anticipation and ball placement. Mendoza routinely drops "dimes" on go-balls and back-shoulder fades by placing the ball in an indefensible spot for the cornerback. With the veteran also displaying superb touch and timing on red zone throws, particularly with the game on the line, the Indiana standout is a clutch-time performer no one wants to face. 

Dante Moore , QB, Oregon

The redshirt sophomore is the mobile gunslinger every offensive coordinator covets at the collegiate and professional levels. Measuring 6-foot-3, 206 pounds with A-plus arm talent and athleticism, Moore can impact