Kiper Big Board/Position Rankings 1/12/26

[Risen Star]

Underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.

Big Board
1. Fernando Mendoza QB Indiana*
2. Dante Moore QB Oregon*
3. Jeremiyah Love RB Notre Dame*
4. Arvell Reese LB Ohio St.*
5. Francis Mauigoa T Miami*

6. David Bailey OLB Texas Tech
7. Caleb Downs S Ohio St.*
8. Sonny Styles LB Ohio St.
9. Carnell Tate WR Ohio St.*
10. Kenyon Sadiq TE Oregon*

11. Jordyn Tyson WR Arizona St.*
12. Makai Lemon WR USC*
13. Spencer Fano T Utah*
14. Reuben Bain Jr. DE Miami*
15. Jermod McCoy CB Tennessee*

16. Keldric Faulk DE Auburn*
17. Akheem Mesidor DE Miami
18. Kayden McDonald DT Ohio St.*
19. Olaivavega Ioane G Penn St.*
20. Kadyn Proctor T Alabama*

21. Caleb Lomu T Utah*
22. Peter Woods DT Clemson*
23. Mansoor Delane CB LSU
24. Zachariah Branch WR Georgia*
25. Denzel Boston WR Washington*

-

Position Rankings

Quarterbacks
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
2. Dante Moore, Oregon
3. Ty Simpson, Alabama
4. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
5. Drew Allar, Penn State
6. Carson Beck, Miami (Fla.)
7. John Mateer, Oklahoma
8. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
9. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
10. Taylen Green, Arkansas
Just missed: Sawyer Robertson, Baylor

Running backs
1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
2. Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
3. Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
4. Kaytron Allen, Penn State
5. Jonah Coleman, Washington
6. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
7. Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
8. Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
9. Le'Veon Moss, Texas A&M
10. Noah Whittington, Oregon
Just missed: Seth McGowan, Kentucky

Fullbacks/H-backs
1. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
2. Justin Joly, NC State
3. Michael Trigg, Baylor
4. Oscar Delp, Georgia
5. Tanner Koziol, Houston
6. Terrance Carter Jr., Texas Tech
7. Josh Cuevas, Alabama
8. Dae'Quan Wright, Ole Miss
9. Marlin Klein, Michigan
10. John Michael Gyllenborg, Wyoming
Just missed: Lawson Luckie, Georgia

Wide receivers
1. Carnell Tate, Ohio State
2. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
3. Makai Lemon, USC
4. Zachariah Branch, Georgia
5. Denzel Boston, Washington
6. KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
7. Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
8. Germie Bernard, Alabama
9. Ja'Kobi Lane, USC
10. Chris Bell, Louisville
Just missed: Bryce Lance, North Dakota State

Tight ends
1. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
2. Joe Royer, Cincinnati
3. Dallen Bentley, Utah
4. Jack Endries, Texas
5. Max Klare, Ohio State
6. Eli Raridon, Notre Dame
7. Lake McRee, USC
8. Chamon Metayer, Arizona State
9. Sam Roush, Stanford
10. Peter Clarke, Temple
Just missed: DJ Rogers, TCU

Offensive tackles
1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
2. Spencer Fano, Utah
3. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
4. Caleb Lomu, Utah
5. Trevor Goosby, Texas
6. Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
7. Gennings Dunker, Iowa
8. Isaiah World, Oregon
9. Carter Smith, Indiana
10. Brian Parker II, Duke
Just missed: Blake Miller, Clemson

Interior offensive linemen
1. Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
2. Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
3. Connor Lew, Auburn
4. Matt Gulbin, Michigan State
5. Cayden Green, Missouri
6. Logan Jones, Iowa
7. Jake Slaughter, Florida
8. Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M
9. Alex Harkey, Oregon
10. Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame
Just missed: DJ Campbell, Texas


Defensive ends
1. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
2. Keldric Faulk, Auburn
3. Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
4. Zion Young, Missouri
5. Quincy Rhodes Jr., Arkansas
6. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
7. Caden Curry, Ohio State
8. Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Ohio State
9. LT Overton, Alabama
10. Jack Pyburn, LSU
Just missed: Ethan Burke, Texas

Defensive tackles
1. Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
2. Peter Woods, Clemson
3. Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
4. Caleb Banks, Florida
5. Christen Miller, Georgia
6. Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss
7. Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
8. Tim Keenan III, Alabama
9. Domonique Orange, Iowa State
10. Cameron Ball, Arkansas
Just missed: Tyrique Tucker, Indiana

Off-ball linebackers
1. Arvell Reese, Ohio State
2. Sonny Styles, Ohio State
3. CJ Allen, Georgia
4. Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
5. Jake Golday, Cincinnati
6. Josiah Trotter, Missouri
7. Taurean York, Texas A&M
8. Justin Jefferson, Alabama
9. Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
10. Cian Slone, NC State
Just missed: Shad Banks Jr., UTSA

Outside linebackers
1. David Bailey, Texas Tech
2. T.J. Parker, Clemson
3. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
4. Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama
5. R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
6. Joshua Josephs, Tennessee
7. Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
8. Derrick Moore, Michigan
9. Keyron Crawford, Auburn
10. Romello Height, Texas Tech
Just missed: Harold Perkins Jr., LSU

Cornerbacks
1. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
2. Mansoor Delane, LSU
3. Avieon Terrell, Clemson
4. Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
5. D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana
6. Colton Hood, Tennessee
7. Chris Johnson, San Diego State
8. Keionte Scott, Miami (Fla.)
9. Julian Neal, Arkansas
10. Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
Just missed: Jadon Canady, Oregon

Safeties
1. Caleb Downs, Ohio State
2. Kyle Louis, Pitt
3. Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
4. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
5. Bray Hubbard, Alabama
6. Kamari Ramsey, USC
7. Zakee Wheatley, Penn State
8. A.J. Haulcy, LSU
9. Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
10. Zechariah Poyser, Miami (Fla.)
Just missed: Keon Sabb, Alabama

Kickers and punters
1. Brett Thorson, Georgia (P)
2. Lucas Carneiro, Ole Miss (PK)
3. Peyton Woodring, Georgia (PK)
4. Dominic Zvada, Michigan (PK)
5. Tate Sandell, Oklahoma (PK)
6. Cole Maynard, Western Kentucky (P)
7. Trey Smack, Florida (PK)
8. Ryan Eckley, Michigan State (P)
9. Will Ferrin, BYU (PK)
10. Drew Stevens, Iowa (PK)
Just missed: Jack Stonehouse, Syracuse (P)

Long-snappers
1. Luke Basso, Oregon
2. Hank Pepper, USC
3. Rocco Underwood, Florida
4. Beau Gardner, Georgia
5. Ben Anderson, Oklahoma

 

[RS12]

5. Drew Allar, Penn State

I thought he was going back to Penn St. Regardless he had been in free fall before season ending injury. My point....Mel is higher on him than most. Either that or the QB class is even weaker than we think.

 

[reddyuta]

I am a big fan of Fano,he played well against Texas Tech pass rushers but i cant justify using another 1ST RD pick on a Offensive Lineman.

 

[reddyuta]

Kiper is high if he thinks Stowers is a Hback,i really like him as a modern deep route TE but he is light in the pants who is not blocking anybody.

 

[Verdict]

If R. Mason Thomas lasts until the 4th round that would be one hell of a steal. That’s pretty hard to fathom that happening.

 

[cowboyec]

if kiper's big board falls that way on day 1...
at 12 i'm taking miami de reuben bain as fast as i can get his card to the podium.
at 20...i'm taking bama ot kadyn proctor.

 

[stilltheguru]

If R. Mason Thomas lasts until the 4th round that would be one hell of a steal. That’s pretty hard to fathom that happening.

He'll be closer to 1 than 4.

 

[Hardline]

I hope 11 teams think that Rueben Bain Jr is the 14th best prospect in this draft.

 

[Aven8]

I’m sorry but no way is Dante Moore that highly rated. I just don’t see it with him.

Also, Terrance Carter Jr is returning to Tech.

 

[J-man]

He needs his own show to release his big board and predictions. They could call it, Kiper's Crap

 

[darthseinfeld]

Underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.

Big Board
1. Fernando Mendoza QB Indiana*
2. Dante Moore QB Oregon*
3. Jeremiyah Love RB Notre Dame*
4. Arvell Reese LB Ohio St.*
5. Francis Mauigoa T Miami*

6. David Bailey OLB Texas Tech
7. Caleb Downs S Ohio St.*
8. Sonny Styles LB Ohio St.
9. Carnell Tate WR Ohio St.*
10. Kenyon Sadiq TE Oregon*

11. Jordyn Tyson WR Arizona St.*
12. Makai Lemon WR USC*
13. Spencer Fano T Utah*
14. Reuben Bain Jr. DE Miami*
15. Jermod McCoy CB Tennessee*

16. Keldric Faulk DE Auburn*
17. Akheem Mesidor DE Miami
18. Kayden McDonald DT Ohio St.*
19. Olaivavega Ioane G Penn St.*
20. Kadyn Proctor T Alabama*

21. Caleb Lomu T Utah*
22. Peter Woods DT Clemson*
23. Mansoor Delane CB LSU
24. Zachariah Branch WR Georgia*
25. Denzel Boston WR Washington*

-

Position Rankings

Quarterbacks
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
2. Dante Moore, Oregon
3. Ty Simpson, Alabama
4. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
5. Drew Allar, Penn State
6. Carson Beck, Miami (Fla.)
7. John Mateer, Oklahoma
8. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
9. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
10. Taylen Green, Arkansas
Just missed: Sawyer Robertson, Baylor

Running backs
1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
2. Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
3. Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
4. Kaytron Allen, Penn State
5. Jonah Coleman, Washington
6. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
7. Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
8. Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
9. Le'Veon Moss, Texas A&M
10. Noah Whittington, Oregon
Just missed: Seth McGowan, Kentucky

Fullbacks/H-backs
1. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
2. Justin Joly, NC State
3. Michael Trigg, Baylor
4. Oscar Delp, Georgia
5. Tanner Koziol, Houston
6. Terrance Carter Jr., Texas Tech
7. Josh Cuevas, Alabama
8. Dae'Quan Wright, Ole Miss
9. Marlin Klein, Michigan
10. John Michael Gyllenborg, Wyoming
Just missed: Lawson Luckie, Georgia

Wide receivers
1. Carnell Tate, Ohio State
2. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
3. Makai Lemon, USC
4. Zachariah Branch, Georgia
5. Denzel Boston, Washington
6. KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
7. Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
8. Germie Bernard, Alabama
9. Ja'Kobi Lane, USC
10. Chris Bell, Louisville
Just missed: Bryce Lance, North Dakota State

Tight ends
1. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
2. Joe Royer, Cincinnati
3. Dallen Bentley, Utah
4. Jack Endries, Texas
5. Max Klare, Ohio State
6. Eli Raridon, Notre Dame
7. Lake McRee, USC
8. Chamon Metayer, Arizona State
9. Sam Roush, Stanford
10. Peter Clarke, Temple
Just missed: DJ Rogers, TCU

Offensive tackles
1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
2. Spencer Fano, Utah
3. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
4. Caleb Lomu, Utah
5. Trevor Goosby, Texas
6. Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
7. Gennings Dunker, Iowa
8. Isaiah World, Oregon
9. Carter Smith, Indiana
10. Brian Parker II, Duke
Just missed: Blake Miller, Clemson

Interior offensive linemen
1. Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
2. Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
3. Connor Lew, Auburn
4. Matt Gulbin, Michigan State
5. Cayden Green, Missouri
6. Logan Jones, Iowa
7. Jake Slaughter, Florida
8. Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M
9. Alex Harkey, Oregon
10. Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame
Just missed: DJ Campbell, Texas


Defensive ends
1. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
2. Keldric Faulk, Auburn
3. Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
4. Zion Young, Missouri
5. Quincy Rhodes Jr., Arkansas
6. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
7. Caden Curry, Ohio State
8. Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Ohio State
9. LT Overton, Alabama
10. Jack Pyburn, LSU
Just missed: Ethan Burke, Texas

Defensive tackles
1. Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
2. Peter Woods, Clemson
3. Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
4. Caleb Banks, Florida
5. Christen Miller, Georgia
6. Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss
7. Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
8. Tim Keenan III, Alabama
9. Domonique Orange, Iowa State
10. Cameron Ball, Arkansas
Just missed: Tyrique Tucker, Indiana

Off-ball linebackers
1. Arvell Reese, Ohio State
2. Sonny Styles, Ohio State
3. CJ Allen, Georgia
4. Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
5. Jake Golday, Cincinnati
6. Josiah Trotter, Missouri
7. Taurean York, Texas A&M
8. Justin Jefferson, Alabama
9. Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
10. Cian Slone, NC State
Just missed: Shad Banks Jr., UTSA

Outside linebackers
1. David Bailey, Texas Tech
2. T.J. Parker, Clemson
3. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
4. Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama
5. R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
6. Joshua Josephs, Tennessee
7. Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
8. Derrick Moore, Michigan
9. Keyron Crawford, Auburn
10. Romello Height, Texas Tech
Just missed: Harold Perkins Jr., LSU

Cornerbacks
1. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
2. Mansoor Delane, LSU
3. Avieon Terrell, Clemson
4. Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
5. D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana
6. Colton Hood, Tennessee
7. Chris Johnson, San Diego State
8. Keionte Scott, Miami (Fla.)
9. Julian Neal, Arkansas
10. Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
Just missed: Jadon Canady, Oregon

Safeties
1. Caleb Downs, Ohio State
2. Kyle Louis, Pitt
3. Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
4. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
5. Bray Hubbard, Alabama
6. Kamari Ramsey, USC
7. Zakee Wheatley, Penn State
8. A.J. Haulcy, LSU
9. Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
10. Zechariah Poyser, Miami (Fla.)
Just missed: Keon Sabb, Alabama

Kickers and punters
1. Brett Thorson, Georgia (P)
2. Lucas Carneiro, Ole Miss (PK)
3. Peyton Woodring, Georgia (PK)
4. Dominic Zvada, Michigan (PK)
5. Tate Sandell, Oklahoma (PK)
6. Cole Maynard, Western Kentucky (P)
7. Trey Smack, Florida (PK)
8. Ryan Eckley, Michigan State (P)
9. Will Ferrin, BYU (PK)
10. Drew Stevens, Iowa (PK)
Just missed: Jack Stonehouse, Syracuse (P)

Long-snappers
1. Luke Basso, Oregon
2. Hank Pepper, USC
3. Rocco Underwood, Florida
4. Beau Gardner, Georgia
5. Ben Anderson, Oklahoma

Quincy Rhodes is going back to school

 

[Creeper]

If Bain falls to the Cowboys the way Parsons did I cannot imagine them passing on him. It would be a perfect set up for Dallas. The need a DE and if the best one in this draft is available they should go out and buy lottery tickets right after running their card up to Goodell with Bains name on it.

Nothing is certain in any draft, but Bain could be the next Myles Garrett.

 

[TheDank]

Kiper is high if he thinks Stowers is a Hback,i really like him as a modern deep route TE but he is light in the pants who is not blocking anybody.

I almost think he did that because he gets used, quite successfully, on lots of gadget plays but when I look around the NFL I see that out of a lot of offenses with their athletic tight ends so it's a weird designation.

I've only watched him against Auburn and Alabama, but I thought his blocking was solid as an inline TE when it came up. Info agree he's not the build I'd want trying to block as a true FB though, too tall.

 

[visionary]

if kiper's big board falls that way on day 1...
at 12 i'm taking miami de reuben bain as fast as i can get his card to the podium.
at 20...i'm taking bama ot kadyn proctor.

Agree
Bain and Proctor

(Could also sell me on Delane at 20)

 

[Sydla]

If Bain falls to the Cowboys the way Parsons did I cannot imagine them passing on him. It would be a perfect set up for Dallas. The need a DE and if the best one in this draft is available they should go out and buy lottery tickets right after running their card up to Goodell with Bains name on it.

Nothing is certain in any draft, but Bain could be the next Myles Garrett.

As someone pointed out, the hit rate on DEs that have arms below like 32" is abysmal and Bain may fall into that category. I try not to get too bogged down on these kind of analyses but the one presented in another thread had something like 32 DEs drafted in the first few rounds with short arms and all never amounted to anything.

Wish I could find that again. I probably have the analysis a bit wrong.

 

[atlantacowboy]

I thought he was going back to Penn St. Regardless he had been in free fall before season ending injury. My point....Mel is higher on him than most. Either that or the QB class is even weaker than we think.

Yeah, no way I'm taking this guy over Carson Beck. I don't think Mel evaluates QBs very well. He had Shedeur as the #1 Qb last year.

 

[stinkface]

If Bain falls to the Cowboys the way Parsons did I cannot imagine them passing on him. It would be a perfect set up for Dallas. The need a DE and if the best one in this draft is available they should go out and buy lottery tickets right after running their card up to Goodell with Bains name on it.

Nothing is certain in any draft, but Bain could be the next Myles Garrett.

He has TREX arms. He is really good,but physically he just isn't Garrett at all. Garrett is a freak.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Kiper Big Board/Position Rankings 1/12/26

Thank you RS!

 

[stilltheguru]

He'll be closer to 1 than 4.

And to clarify. Only if he performs as a plus athlete at the combine. If he's just ok he'll be closer to 4.

 

[atlantacowboy]

He has TREX arms. He is really good,but physically he just isn't Garrett at all. Garrett is a freak.

Ok. Garret is a generational talent/ first ballot HOFer. He is up there with Reggie White. Rarely will we see a guy come into the league with his skillset. Just bc a guy a is not the next Garret doesn't mean he's not going to be good.

Bain was a great college player and is dominating future NFL OTs. There is no reason to think he's not going to be great at the next level bc his arms aren't an ideal length. Aiden Hutchinson also has short arms and he's one the best DE's in the league. Bain's strength are his powerful legs and speed. He's better than anyone we have right now at DE and there are a lot of teams that could say the same thing.