The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't the only football team that is gearing up for a championship run. The 2025-26 College Football Playoffs are officially upon us, and for as much media scrutiny as this event continues to receive, one thing is undeniable: these games between elite competition are great litmus tests for NFL Draft prospects. Youngsters are getting their last chance to put their best foot forward in front of evaluators before the start of the all-star game circuit next month.
Regardless of your collegiate affiliation to these, I took the time to write about a handful of prospects that you will want to keep an eye on from a Steelers perspective.
There's a strong argument to be made that the signal caller for the Crimson Tide has the most to gain over these next couple weeks, given the lack of depth in the 2026 quarterback class. Over the first half of the season, his command of the offense, aggressiveness over the middle of the field, and toughness in big moments offered a lot of promise. Lately, the tape hasn't been as clean, with accuracy concerns mounting, but a statement game versus a stout Oklahoma defense is on deck.
Oregon's Emmanuel Pregnon, center, takes the field before the game against Oklahoma State at Autzen. — Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesCredit: Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Oregon's rushing attack is a well-oiled machine, and Pregnon's skill set is a primary reason for that, given his remarkable consistency all season long. The USC transfer plays with a mean streak, has the burst off the ball to execute difficult backside cutoffs on outside zone, and can be weaponized as a puller on gap-scheme concepts. His reps in pass protection have been even cleaner due to his length to establish first significant contact, sturdy anchor in a phone booth, and lateral foot speed to mirror rushers.
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles in a game against Penn State on Nov. 1, 2025. — Matthew Lynch / Nittany Sports Now
Unsurprisingly, the first round of this year's NFL Draft is going to be littered with Buckeyes, and Styles has a clear path to being the best individual player of that ultra-talented group. He possesses the prototypical frame and athleticism that teams covet with a rare combination of processing speed and violence at the point of attack as a block deconstructor and tackler. Styles moves well in space and has been reliable in coverage, but hopefully we see him challenged more over the next few weeks against better competition.
Miller is an intelligent, heavy-handed player in the trenches that regularly jolts blockers backwards to take back space and plays with the kind of effort that defensive line coaches will gravitate towards. The former four-star recruit has experience playing across the Bulldogs' defensive front and is an agile mover for his size. However, gauging his stock is somewhat difficult given his lack of pass rush production, which is relatively disappointing given his measurables.
If you're ranking the top moments in college football this season, Cooper's spectacular toe-tapping game-winning snag versus Penn State is unrivaled. His big play ability was on display as a sophomore, but he's taken his game to a different level as the Hoosiers slot receiver thanks to his improvements as a route runner, combined with his run-after-catch prowess. Every NFL offense could use a player like him, and a strong finish to the season could help separate him from his peers on day two.
Miami cornerback Keionte Scott in a game against Pitt on Nov. 29, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Pittsburgh Sports Now
In the modern NFL, having a slot cornerback that can hold their own in various coverages, defend the run with aggression, and cause havoc as a blitzer is a real asset. Scott proved that he could do all of these things this season prior to getting hurt in November, filling up the stat sheet in a myriad of different ways: five pass breakups, three sacks, and ten tackles for loss, all while not being charged with a single TD allowed. He won't be hard to notice on the television, even if his frenetic energy does lead to some missed tackles at times.
A rematch against Alabama in the first round of the playoffs sounds enticing on the surface, but Thomas' return from a hamstring injury adds even more intrigue to the equation. He's an undersized edge rusher that wins with an explosive first step off the ball, which allows him to threaten tackles outside the shoulder and set up speed-to-power/inside counters off that. He projects best as a rotational, designated pass rusher earlier in his career, but his battle with Kadyn Proctor on the big stage will have a lot of scouts' attention.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Bell: Seven NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in College Football Playoffs
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