By BRADEN GALL, college analyst
Each week, 440 Sports’ Braden Gall dives into the most important match-ups and developments from the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
A huge weekend of top flight match-ups dot the college footballs schedule this weekend - many of which will take place in the SEC. Pass rushers, blockers, QBs and pass catchers will be on display across the nation. However, there will be one game in the Pacific Northwest that will feature more future NFL talent than maybe any other game this weekend.
David Bailey strikes again
Against unbeaten Houston, Texas Tech's Bailey wrecked havoc last weekend. He had 2.0 sacks, 3.0 TFL, three tackles, a forced fumble and led the nation with 11 pressures in the win. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound edge rusher now has more pressures (31) than anyone in college football this season.
He has a mature set of pass rush moves and tremendous athleticism. Tech has yet to allowed more than 14 points on the season. Bailey won’t ever get mentioned for the No. 1 pick like Miami’s Rueben Bain, Clemson’s TJ Parker or Auburn Keldric Faulk, but he could be a steal in the middle of the first round.
Here is James Foster’s breakdown from August:
David Bailey has some electric pass rush tape. Potential 1st rounder if he can show more on early downs https://t.co/lzMFMF9Yny pic.twitter.com/vWeXZDiBNl
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) August 7, 2025
Add another QB to the first round?
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Oklahoma’s John Mateer, Oregon’s Dante Moore and possibly Miami’s Carson Beck began the year outside of the first round by most mocks. After a few weeks, all four are now squarely in the first round while Mendoza and Moore might be battling for QB1.
Alabama’s Ty Simpson might be joining them. Since running for his life against Florida State in the Week One debacle, Simpson has conducted the Bama offense like a symphony. He’s 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, can run and has been incredibly efficient. His game log tells the story:
Another week of Ty Simpson running a tight ship.
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) October 7, 2025
He's been a fearless MOF thrower, anticipated some absolute WINDOWS, and even showed the ability improvise a bit before resetting his feet and throwing darts in this one.
Stocks are soaring. pic.twitter.com/cQnHquHyzE
After going completely unconscious against Penn State in a historic upset, Nico Iamaleava’s stock is also ticking up. He’s not a first-round talent but could creep up boards into Day Two.
Yet another WR making moves
Louisville’s Chris Bell is another prospect flying up draft boards at the receiver position. The 6-2, 220-pounder is on an absolute tear of late. After 10 catches, 135 yards and a score against Wake Forest two weeks ago, he posted 12 receptions, 170 yards and two touchdowns against Virginia last week. He’s moved to No. 41 overall on the Consensus Big Board and will face Miami in two weeks.
Duck Hunting
Center Iapani Laloulu dominated in Happy Valley for Oregon two weeks ago and is one of the best interior offensive lineman in the nation. He and his linemates will face a nasty Indiana defensive line in a top 10 match-up that will feature more than dozen NFL prospects, including guys who might be the first two QBs taken in the draft.
The Hoosiers are No. 2 in the nation with 9.8 TFL per game and are ninth in the nation in sacks (3.2/game). This will be a huge test for an Oregon offensive line that features three future NFL players.
The Ducks laundry list of intriguing prospects includes Kenyon Sadiq (TE, No. 17), Matayo Uiagalelei (ED, No. 23), Isaiah World (OT, No. 27), A’Mauri Washington (DL, No. 49), Dillon Thieneman (S, No. 50), Emmanuel Pregnon (OG, No. 102), Bear Alexander (DL, No. 149) and edge Teitum Tuioti.
SEC Pass Rushing Tests
Huge match-ups in the SEC this weekend will afford Titans fans a long look at a number of pass rushing prospects. Missouri’s dynamic duo of Zion Young and Damon Wilson will be charged with slowing down Simpson and Bama. R Mason Thomas of Oklahoma will try to end Arch Manning’s’ hopes for a playoff bid while the Longhorns’ Anthony Hill and Collin Simmons will be countering Texas on defense. Keldric Faulk and Auburn will host Gunner Stockton and Georgia on the Plains.
Let’s also add the name Cashius Howell to the list of SEC edge players we are tracking. The Texas A&M prospect is a little undersized (6-2, 245) but had 3.0 sacks last weekend against Mississippi State and is now second in the nation with 7.0 for the year. He is a Day Two target and will have a great test against Florida’s talented offensive line this weekend.
Faulk and Hill are high first round picks while Howell and Thomas have worked their way into the top 50. Wilson and Young are top 100 targets.
