Alabama-Indiana Rose Bowl CFP QF draft preview … If QB is one of the key story lines of the Orange Bowl match-up between Oregon and Texas, then the Rose Bowl between #9 Alabama and #1 Indiana doubles as each team is lead by one of this year’s top prospects at the position. In fact, the Hoosiers’ QB Fernando Mendoza (#15, 6-5, 225), this year’s Heisman Trophy winner, is generally considered to be the top guy at position for 2026, if not the top guy overall. Meanwhile, Alabama’s Ty Simpson (#15,6-2, 210) was considered to be ‘the’ hot QB in this year’s draft class earlier this season, but his grade appears to have taken a hit as he struggled at times down the stretch and may ultimately opt to return to school.
Whatever Simpson’s ultimate decision, the Tide look to be in decent shape to extend their current record streak of 16 years in a row with at least one first-round pick at the upcoming draft, although it also doesn’t appear as if any Alabama player is a top 10 lock type prospect. LT Kadyn Proctor (#74, 6-6, 365), for example, is currently considered to be a top 25 prospect, although his grade has slipped over the course of the season, while LB Deontae Lawson (#0, 6-1, 230), NT Tim Keenan (#96, 6-2, 320) and WR Germi Bernard (#5, 6-1, 205) also have at least some later first-round potential. So would DE LT Overton (#22, 6-2, 280) who appears to be back after missing the past few weeks, while C Parker Brailsford (#72, 6-2, 290), who anchors the OL, is more of a second-day type. The Tide also have plenty of veteran depth including RB Cam Miller (#26, 5-10, 225), TE Josh Cuevas (#80, 6-4, 255), OGs Kam Dewberry (#71, 6-3, 325) and Jaedan Roberts (#77, 6-4, 330), LB Justin Jefferson (#10, 6-1, 230), CB Domani Jackson (#1,6-1, 200) ad safeties Keon Sabb (#3, 6-1, 205) ad Bray Hubbard (#18, 6-1, 210).
Meanwhile, while Mendoza looks to be the Hoosiers only first round lock if he in fact should decide to enter the draft, the Hoosiers also have a number of other very good prospects with at least some second-day potential including WRs Elijah Sarratt (#13, 6-2, 215) and Omar Cooper (#, DE Mikhail Kamara (#6, 6-1, 265), 2024 AA MLB Aiden Fisher (#4, 6-1, 235), and CB D’Angelo Ponds (#5, 5-9, 195).
