PSU OG, Vols LB enter draft; Ducks DT stays home … There were several player announcements related to the 2026 draft overnight. To no one’s surprise, redshirt junior Penn State OG Vega Ioane, the consensus top IOL this year and a legitimate mid-to-late first round candidate, has declared for the upcoming draft and has opted out of the Nittany Lions’ Pinstripe Bowl date with Clemson later this month. In what is a little bit of a surprise, Tennessee LB Arion Carter has also opted to enter the 2026 draft despite having a year of eligibility remaining. The 6-1, 235-pound was a 2nd team All-SEC selection this past season when he had 76 tackles, including 6 for loss and 1.5 sacks in just ten games, but is considered to be more a mid-to-late round prospect. On the other hand, Oregon redshirt junior DT Bear Alexander announced on his social media that he would not be declaring for 2026 as many expected, and would instead be returning to Eugene for one more season in 2026.
