As we move into October, it's the time of year when preseason boards start to look dated. There are always "risers" in the media who warrant scouting time. There were several good matchups of these prospects in Week 5, including a unique British-born pass rusher.
Sep 10, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah (10) warms up before the game against the Florida A&M Rattlers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Green wasn't in Jordan Reid's (ESPN) recent top 50 , but he needs to be talked about far more than he is. He's a huge man at 6'5″, 324 lbs, who looks athletic enough to be viewed as an NFL offensive tackle, with the fallback of guard should it not work out.
Green was excellent in pass protection in this one. He has a deep first step and is nimble for such a big lineman. He has heavy and active hands, working them under his man to lock them up.
Green is one of those blockers who is so strong once he gets his hands on his man, it's game over. He's a little like Kadyn Proctor last year in that regard.
Green is not quite as impressive as a run blocker. At times he bends at the waist and loses some power. However, he made some punishing second-level blocks, and his strength was evident when he avoided overextending.
Expect to hear far more of Green moving forward. He's an excellent prospect, whether viewed as a tackle or guard.
Mensah hasn't been really tested this season so far, and although the road atmosphere was a test, Clemson weren't so much . Thankfully, the process is long, and there will be better opportunities to see Mensah fully tested. If Miami keeps winning, they will be playoff-bound again, and that will test him.
Mensah carries himself with a calmness reminiscent of one of his predecessors, Cam Ward. Mensah is comfortable in the pocket, able to manipulate it effectively, including stepping up in the pocket. If nothing is open, he's athletic enough to be a threat running the ball, as he showed on his touchdown run.
Mensah has a good arm. It's not a Josh Allen cannon, but he is able to throw the deeper ball effectively. His touch is excellent, however, as shown on a pass to Malachi Toney, which was called back for an illegal shift.
He can help his velocity by ensuring he sets his feet before passing and by ensuring a consistent follow-through. He will often throw and take a little skip back, or throw when his feet aren't set. Putting together a more consistent base will help improve his arm.
As for all prospects, this one game was one piece in the evaluation puzzle. It wasn't the biggest test outside of the initial atmosphere, but overall he passed it. Hopefully, for evaluators, greater tests are to come.
Okunlola started at left guard in 2025 and has kicked outside to left tackle in 2026. He's someone who is picking up steam in the media, seen by many as a rising prospect.
Miami lists Okunlola at 6'6″, 330 lbs, but he looks lighter. He's got a nice first step in pass protection, but he lacks elite NFL left tackle feet. You can see he's worried about edge speed and did struggle on a couple of reps, as he can over-set outside.
However, Okunlola is a naturally flexible athlete who can sit and mirror nicely in pass protection. When Will Heldt saw him over-set outside and tried to take the inside, Okunlola effortlessly slid to his right to stop the rush.
Okunlola did struggle a little against power. He got walked back at times, despite sitting in his stance, and certainly doesn't play like a 330 lb man.
Okunlola had some nice moments as a run blocker. He showed an ability to work to finish his blocks, including one outstanding pancake block.
Overall, Okunlola looks to be a good prospect. A matchup against an elite speed rusher would be beneficial as part of his evaluation, as he plays like he knows it's his Achilles heel. He could move back inside at the next level, but there looks to be enough there to try him at tackle first, which would increase his NFL Draft value.
Oyebadejo is an interesting prospect, and not what you expect given that he's listed at 6'6″, 299 lbs. For a bigger edge prospect, you would think his game is about power. In fact, he's significantly better as a pass rusher when he uses his athletic ability and attacks half his man.
For such a big man to be able to win outside with a speed rush shows the unique athletic upside Oyebadejo possesses. He was born and grew up in England, only taking up football at the age of 19 at the University of Exeter. He moved to America and was with Jacksonville State for two years (he was injured in his first year), and has now moved up to the SEC and Florida.
While it's easy to see Oyebadejo's upside, it's also easy to see that he's still raw. He's still working out the nuances of the position, which is most evident when he goes to his bull rush. If his man gets into his chest, he has no counter.
As a taller player, Oyebadejo must also learn to play lower. Despite being a big man who should be able to set the edge, blockers can get under him and move him.
Oyebadejo is a unique prospect who should improve quickly with more experience and coaching. He has a unique athletic profile, which will have NFL scouts drooling. If he can add a power and technical element to his game, he has the chance to be a real force in the NFL – but he's no sure thing.
Reynolds had 35 catches in two seasons at Penn State. He moved to Tech to follow his Head Coach, James Franklin. Franklin's offense always features tight ends, so you can understand Reynolds following him.
That has made immediate dividends, as Reynolds already has 37 catches in 2026, including seven in this one.
There's always an element of Franklin's offense scheming the tight end open, and that does have to be part of any evaluation in this system. However, you can also see the nuance in Reynolds' game in his route running. This was on display on the first Tech offensive play from scrimmage, where he leaked out the backside of the formation to fake a block and run a wheel route for a big play.
Reynolds has good quickness at the line against press and good speed when he runs all out. He does vary his speed; he likes to lull defenders into a false sense of security as if the play isn't coming to him and then all of a sudden get up to full speed.
Reynolds has good hands and showed them off with a one-handed catch. He didn't get much in the way of yards after the catch in this one, however.
As a blocker, Reynolds needs to improve. He was used in line as a "Y" at times, but struggled. Even in space when lined up in the slot, his efforts were inconsistent.
Reynolds projects as a move/slot tight end in the NFL. The lack of blocking acumen will limit his grade, and teams looking for at least something from their tight ends as blockers won't have strong interest. However, in a stable of tight ends, he offers ability as a receiver, which does appeal.
Baer is listed at 6'7″, but despite that height, he doesn't look to have long arms. That lack of arm length was evident in this one, as he drew two holding penalties. The first was an inside move, and he didn't have the arm length to shut the move down.
After being beaten inside, Baer overcompensated for it, and then got beaten cleanly outside with a basic speed rush. He reached out and grabbed the rusher in an obvious holding call.
At first look, Baer looks like an NFL Guard prospect. It may hit his value a little in the 2027 NFL Draft, but he does project as a high-floor prospect. Baer has a solid build, is strong, and plays tough – and toughness sells in the NFL on the offensive line.
Outside of the two penalties, Baer looked solid. He sets up quickly in pass protection, and if he can get his hands on his man, he locks onto their chest plate and wins. He's not the most naturally flexible athlete, but he works his hands under his man's chest plate, showing a clear understanding of leverage.
Baer didn't look quite as good as a run blocker. There were some nice blocks, but he was a little more inconsistent, particularly with second-level blocks, where shorter defenders got under his block.
Overall, Baer projects as a pro guard, but one who can be a low-maintenance NFL starter. He lacks elite physical tools, but he is athletic enough for the NFL. He's the type of tough prospect who offensive line coaches will love when they get involved in the process.
Oct 25, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Kelley Jones (1) returns an interception during the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Scouting cornerbacks can often be frustrating. Such was the case for Jones against Alabama. Jones only had two passes thrown his way, so it was tough to get a real feel for him.
The Bulldogs do a lot of things defensively. They play man and zone behind an attacking and multiple defense. Experience in such a system can only be good for Jones and his teammates.
Jones is a tall corner at a listed 6'4″, and at times there is some tightness evident in his hips. However, he has good speed and the ability to turn and run with his man down the field when he's on an island.
Jones is not the most physical tackler, and doesn't get involved that much against the run. He's not allergic to contact, but he may not appeal to teams who demand a more physical style of play from their cornerbacks.
It was difficult to judge Jones. Both balls thrown his way were completions. One was a short curl when he was in off coverage, while the other was the Ryan Coleman-Williams back shoulder pass, where it looked like Jones got his feet caught up with the receiver and lost his balance.
As is often the case with the position, sometimes it's just a case of watching more tape than you would for a linebacker.
There were lots of interesting prospects in Week 5, as the season moves towards the midway point. Preseason boards will start to look outdated as some prospects don't develop as hoped, and others come from nowhere.
On the surface, it's rare that an SEC left tackle like Cayden Green isn't getting much press. The same happened with former Missouri right tackle Armand Membou, so perhaps the media needs to pay more attention to Missouri offensive line prospects! Green has the tools to rise up boards, and the penny will drop with the wider media if his tape continues to be this impressive.
Emmanuel Oyebadejo is a unique athlete who plays like a lighter speed rusher. He still has much to learn, but he has the upside and ability for NFL coaches to mold into a star. When you move that well at that size, NFL teams will pay close attention.
Miami wasn't tested that much by Clemson, which makes evaluating their prospects a little difficult at this stage. The next big test on their manageable schedule is at Notre Dame on November 7, another team that is yet to be truly tested against top-quality competition. The weather will add to the test, and hopefully it will be a close game to see how Darian Mensah manages the situation.
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Main Photo: [Ashley Tumlin] – Reuters Connect
