Huge 12 Highlight: Evaluating high 2026 standouts with NFL Draft prospects
Because the NFL Draft creeps nearer, the nationwide analyst staff at Rivals is having a look at some present 2026 recruits that evaluate favorably with upcoming draft picks. Subsequent up is the Huge 12.
MORE: Evaluating high 2026 standouts to Huge Ten NFL Draft prospects | SEC comparisons | ACC comparisons
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WR JORDAN CLAY – Jayden Higgins (Iowa State)
Clay has emerged over the past many months after an important exhibiting on the Navy All-American Bowl as one of many high receivers within the 2026 class. The San Antonio (Texas) Madison four-star is huge and robust. He is not tremendous electrical however he can get open, make contested catches and reveals unbelievable consistency.
Higgins could be very comparable. Iowa State’s offense will not be going to blow anyone out of the water however the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Higgins caught 87 passes for 1,183 yards and 9 touchdowns final season as considered one of two receivers with greater than 1,000 yards. He’s projected to be picked someplace within the early to center rounds of the NFL Draft.
Clay has acquired way more recruiting consideration than Higgins (who began his profession at Japanese Kentucky) however he may find yourself at Baylor enjoying for place coach Dallas Baker, who starred at Florida earlier than being a seventh-round decide.
QB KEISEAN HENDERSON: Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
To start out, there are some main variations between Henderson and Sanders on the similar stage. One, Sanders was going to FAU earlier than his dad obtained the Jackson State job after which went to Colorado. One wonders what would have come of Sanders’ growth if he went to FAU. Then again, Henderson has each supply on the planet and the Houston commit is making an attempt to be flipped by each energy on the market.
However there are numerous similarities. There have been questions on Sanders’ throwing mechanics in highschool and Henderson was thought-about an athlete lower than a yr in the past earlier than actually placing all of the items collectively and exhibiting he’s probably the greatest quarterbacks within the class.
Each have actually reside arms. Each are large playmakers. Each can dodge strain, hold their eyes downfield and make performs. Sanders is projected as an early first-round decide and together with his five-star rating, so is Henderson.
OL KODI GREENE: Logan Brown (Kansas)
What makes Greene so particular is that he can play with energy and deal with that at the highschool degree however can be so extremely athletic and fast that he does a wonderful job stopping any edge rusher. Taking part in at powerhouse Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei after initially being from the Pacific Northwest, Greene has acclimated effectively and won’t throw everyone round like a rag doll however hardly ever loses.
The identical might be mentioned for Brown, who doesn’t have an exceptional resume with just one full yr as a starter after transferring from Wisconsin to Kansas, however that one season in Lawrence was actually spectacular. He’s a mid-round NFL Draft decide and Greene has an opportunity to go a lot greater particularly with a extra established profession at Oregon.
RB DAVIAN GROCE: Ollie Gordon (Oklahoma State)
Groce was tremendous spectacular on the Navy All-American Bowl as a much bigger operating again with energy and velocity who can break tackles, make individuals miss after which run by or round individuals with ease.
Gordon was precisely that participant in highschool – ending because the eighth greatest operating again within the 2022 class – after which carried that over to Oklahoma State the place he completed with practically 3,000 yards in three seasons.
There may be one important distinction although: Gordon has and all the time will intend to play operating again. Groce solely performs operating again at Frisco (Texas) Lone Star out of necessity and can nearly undoubtedly play broad receiver on the subsequent degree.
OL TYLER MERRILL: Wyatt Millum (West Virginia)
Merrill is all enterprise on the sphere, likes to play bodily and goes after individuals not solely to maneuver them out of the best way however to overpower them and need they didn’t step on the soccer area with him. The Notre Dame commit isn’t tremendous explosive however he’s robust and robust, and likes to impose his will.
At roughly the identical dimension, Millum did the identical factor at West Virginia. In his NFL.com draft profile, he’s described as “robust, sturdy and assignment-oriented.” He’s projected within the second-round vary of the draft and Merrill may completely be in that vary after his time in South Bend as effectively.
