DRAFT NEWS

American Bowl participants are primarily lower level NFL prospects who grade out as late round draft prospects and high level undrafted free agents (UDFA). Prospects who excel during practices and in the American Bowl can earn an invitation to the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, February 26-March 1. There are several quality NFL prospects scheduled to participate. Let's take a look at the position groups and participants scheduled this week in Lakeland, Florida.

The college football season concludes Monday night when the Hurricanes battle the Hoosiers for the national title. Miami is seeking their first national championship in a quarter century while Indiana seeks their first national championship in school history. This game features several potential first-round picks including Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza and OT Carter Smith as well as Miami OT Francis Mauigoa, EDGEs Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor, and CB Keionte Scott.

The 2026 NFL Draft QB class looked like it could have been special at the beginning of the 2025 college football season but the reality of the class is there are few potential starting QBs in this draft and only one that could project to being a franchise QB - Indiana's Fernando Mendoza. Another ten or so prospects look like potential developmental starting QBs. The remaining QBs figure to fight for a roster, or more likely, a practice squad spot next fall.