Biggest 2026 NFL Draft Questions for Top Prospects Heading Into CFP Quarter Finals

College football's biggest games provide the biggest moments for its biggest stars to shine (or wilt). The challenge for NFL draft prospects is performing at their best when the lights shine the brightest.

A year ago, Abdul Carter proved himself as an elite prospect because he was nearly impossible to block during Penn State's postseason appearances, while simultaneously dealing with a shoulder injury. Three months later, Carter became the third overall draft pick.

To be clear, this year's questions revolve around the biggest challenges and variability still found among the 2026 draft class.

For example, Indiana's Fernando Mendoza may not perform particularly well during the Hoosiers' upcoming contest(s), but the Heisman Trophy winner is safely established as a first-round quarterback, with a high likelihood of being the No. 1 overall pick. However, the rest of this year's quarterback class still has plenty to prove, with four of the higher-rated prospects set to play next week—which is exactly the right place to start when looking ahead to the upcoming contests.

Can Oregon's Dante Moore Push for QB1?

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Even with Fernando Mendoza currently established as the favorite to hear his name called first at the onset of the 2026 NFL draft, the quarterback's status is not a foregone conclusion. Maybe that scenario still plays itself out, but an opportunity exists for Oregon's Dante Moore to make a huge impression in the short term.

Moore is Bleacher Report's QB2. He's currently graded as a top 10 prospect capable of going as high as No. 2 overall. He's a different quarterback compared to Mendoza, which some teams may prefer. The Oregon option is smaller but more athletic and shows a rare amount of poise. He's also a more natural playmaker.

"Moore plays with a low pulse and is difficult to speed up," B/R scout Dame Parson wrote in the quarterback's scouting report. "He trusts his ability within the offensive structure and design. In those clutch or 'gotta have it' moments, Moore has answered the bell confidently.

Parson added, "Moore is a plus-level athlete who will make plays with his legs, when necessary. He is a threat to break containment and create second-reaction throwing opportunities for his weapons down the field."

The 20-year-old prospect is only a third-year sophomore. Depending on how he performs to finish out the current campaign, he may not even choose to declare.

However, a stellar run will place him in prime position to come off the board much sooner than later, particularly if the Ducks offense performs well against a ferocious Texas Tech defensive front and pushes into the semifinals or even championship contest. A dominant run will have many questioning who QB1 really is.

Will Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss Show He's More than a Great Story?

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Trinidad Chambliss garnered national attention based on his back story. He's proven himself to be far more than just a player who took advantage of the transfer portal.

Chambliss has the skill set to play and possibly even start in the NFL. In some ways, his evaluation is similar to when Russell Wilson transferred to Wisconsin, thrived and became a third-round draft pick.

Currently, the senior prospect is looking to acquire a medical redshirt and extra year of eligibility, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.

"Chambliss did not play any games in 2022," Thamel wrote. "He is seeking the medical redshirt for that season as he dealt with persistent respiratory issues that ultimately led to surgery to remove his tonsils."

The idea behind trying to secure another collegiate season is built upon how much Chambliss can procure through future NIL agreements, while weighing the possibility of turning pro and signing an NFL rookie contract. Obviously, an individual should look at every avenue and ultimately decide what's best for them.

In this case, the point could become moot, because Chambliss is a legitimate quarterback prospect.

Yes, the Ferris State transfer is undersized at a listed 6'0" and 200 pounds. But his arm talent, athleticism and play-making ability are evident. He went from a Division II program, joined this year's Rebels squad as a complete unknown and began the season on the bench only to take over the quarterback job due to injury and eventually win SEC Newcomer of the Year.

Chambliss produced 3,804 yards from scrimmage and 27 total touchdowns (so far), while leading a top-10 scoring offense. He has a point guard mentality and playmaking approach after participating in both high school sports.

"As a quarterback, you have to distribute the ball, find zones in the defense, find matchups and take your matchups with wide receivers throwing down the field," Chambliss told The Athletic's Austin Meek. "In basketball, as a point guard, that's basically the same thing."

Aside from Chambliss' less-than-ideal measurables, questions persist about how he sees the field post-snap. He has an excellent opportunity against Kirby Smart's Georgia defense to put some of those concerns at rest.

If Chambliss continues to thrive against top competition, it'll be harder and harder not to include him among the class' best quarterbacks, including Alabama's Ty Simpson and Miami's Carson Beck, who are grouped among the second tier behind Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore.

Will Miami's Francis Mauigoa Establish Himself as Top Offensive Lineman?

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The 2026 NFL draft class lacks a top-flight offensive line prospect, but one has an opportunity to rectify the situation.

Currently, Utah's Spencer Fano is Bleacher Report's highest-graded blocker, though he sits outside of the scouting department's top-10 prospects. A caveat does exist within those rankings.

Miami's Francis Mauigoa holds the same grade as Fano. However, he isn't necessarily viewed as an offensive tackle. Some teams may see the consensus All-American as a future Pro Bowl guard.

"Mauigoa is a densely-built, stout presence with very good play strength and square power to anchor and create movement on day one in the NFL," B/R scout Brandon Thorn wrote in the underclassman's scouting report. "His adequate range in pass protection signals a classic quality collegiate tackle-to-guard convert in the mold of recent draft picks Jonah Savaiinaea and Steve Avila."

Comparatively, Fano, who is the reigning Outland Trophy winner, is a more fluid athlete, which is why he claims the OT1 designation and a slight advantage. Whereas, Mauigoa is a powerful people-mover capable of collapsing one side of the line of scrimmage.

Opportunity arises during Miami's next contest against the Ohio State Buckeyes, because the Hurricanes' right tackle will face an elite defensive front that features a pair of draftable edge prospects. More often than not, Mauigoa will be lined up across from Caden Curry, who is a first-team All-Big Ten performer with his conference-leading 11 sacks.

How Mauigoa performs in pass protection during this particular contest, as well as beyond if Miami wins, will play a part in how he's viewed by NFL teams. Little to no pressure while sliding nicely in his pass set could easily sway decision-makers to draft Mauigoa as a starting right tackle, thus creating more positional value and possibly pushing him further up draft boards.

Will Oregon OT Isaiah World Live Up to Previous Expectations?

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Early 2026 NFL draft projections had offensive tackle Isaiah World as a first-round possibility. He disappointed greatly through most of this season despite success the Oregon Ducks experienced as a team.

To be clear, the previously mentioned disappointment strictly centers on the left tackle's evaluation. Obviously, his squad only lost one game to this point and coaches named him as a second-team All-Big Ten performer.

The concern areas stem from technique. Earlier projections were built around World's massive frame and length, with the understanding that he should improve mechanically as part of Oregon's well-run program after transferring from Nevada. Instead, the 6'8", 318-pound left tackle still doesn't play with good balance and becomes too disjointed with trying to marry his feet, upper body and hand usage.

"World is a tools-y, loose mover with an explosive first step and jarring hands," Thorn wrote. "Those traits are overshadowed by too many quick, glaring losses due to an unrefined skill-set. World's combination of physical tools and flashes warrant a Day 3 draft pick, and he can work toward a role over the course of his rookie contract."

A huge difference exists between being viewed as a potential first-round prospect at start of the season and where World currently stands as a possible Day 3 project.

Even so, NFL coaches love to bank on potential, particularly if the requisite physical tools are present, as they are in World's case. In Oregon's upcoming playoff contest, he gets to face the nation's best set of edge-rushers in Texas Tech's David Bailey and Romello Height. World can open eyes by shutting down those future NFL pass-rushers and reset thinking that he can't smooth out some inconsistencies and be a future blindside protector.

Will Ohio State's Arvell Reese Prove to be a True Difference-Maker?

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Arvell Reese was a revelation earlier in the campaign and quickly established himself as an elite NFL prospect, even while playing alongside another highly regarded linebacker in Sonny Styles.

Reese's overall effectiveness has been stymied over Ohio State's last few games. The previous statement isn't to say the hybrid defender played poorly. Instead, he hasn't made as many impact plays. His tackle totals have been down and Reese hasn't registered a sack since early November.

Some of the lack of production can be explained away by Ohio State's game-planning, how Reese is deployed and a loaded surrounding cast. Also, the Buckeyes won four of their last five games by at least three scores. However, he did little during the Big Ten Championship while Indiana snatched a conference title away from the reigning national champions.

During the College Football Playoff, Reese must be unleashed allowing him to take over as both an off-ball linebacker and pass-rusher. His speed and physicality can be harnessed to completely change the complexion of a contest, hence why he climbed to the No. 1 overall prospect in some corners of the draft community.

Going into Ohio State's New Year's Eve affair with the Miami Hurricanes, anything close to the very top of the class feels a tad rich. Reese is deserving of a top-10 grade. At the same time, he must show up and be an game-wrecker during this postseason run to warrant such lofty consideration.

How Will Indiana's D'Angelo Ponds Hold Up Against Alabama's WRs?

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D'Angelo Ponds is in the conversation as the nation's best cornerback. At the very least, no one is going to find a more competitive and feisty option at the position.

Ponds can't do anything about the one thing that limits his ceiling as an NFL prospect. He's listed at 5'9" and 173 pounds. Some teams may not even consider the possibility of drafting him as a result.

What the first-team All-American can do is continue to show up and slow down the nation's best wide receivers, who all happen to be larger than him.

"Ponds is the type of competitive, athletic and playmaking cornerback that coaches want in their secondary," B/R scout Daniel Harms wrote in the defensive back's scouting reporter. "He plays bigger than his size and doesn't back down to any receiver. With great footwork, feel for space and timing, Ponds continuously makes plays on the football and frustrates receivers with his closing speed and attention to detail."

Case in point, Ponds matched up against Ohio State's all-world wide receiver Jeremiah Smith on multiple occasions during the Big Ten Championship Game. The two had a tremendous battle with both winning some reps. Smith could easily enter the 2027 draft cycle as the No. 1 overall prospect, yet the undersized Smith covered him as well as anyone since the 6'3", 223-pound target entered the collegiate ranks.

Alabama is next on the docket. Whether Ponds covers Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard or Isaiah Horton on a down-by-down basis, he'll be at a size disadvantage while facing a future NFL talent. Don't be surprised when the cornerback doesn't back down in any situation.

Obviously, all eyes will be on Indiana's quarterback when the Hoosiers take the field again. Beyond the Heisman Trophy winner, Ponds is the program's next-best player. Unless the cornerback comes up small—both literally and figuratively—in big moments against elite competition, some NFL team will fall in love with him and assuredly draft him sooner than many expect.