The regular college football season has concluded, leading into the postseason for many teams this weekend. As conference championships approach, they signify the last vital pieces before selecting the College Football Playoff. Players participating in these games have a prime chance to display their skills on a significant platform, particularly as many competitors will be sidelined.
A dozen NFL teams that lack postseason hopes should be paying close attention for an early shot at scouting some of the best prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft. Here’s a look at one prospect to monitor for each team that currently sports a sub-.500 record:
Conference Championship Schedule
Friday
- Sun Belt: Troy vs. James Madison (7 p.m.)
- Conference USA: Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State (7 p.m.)
- American: Tulane vs. North Texas (8 p.m.)
- Mountain West: UNLV vs. Boise State (8 p.m.)
Saturday
- Big 12: BYU vs. Texas Tech (12 p.m.)
- MAC: Miami (OH) vs. Western Michigan (12 p.m.)
- SEC: Georgia vs. Alabama (4 p.m.)
- Big Ten: Indiana vs. Ohio State (8 p.m.)
- ACC: Duke vs. Virginia (8 p.m.)
Player Profiles
Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
The Atlanta Falcons would possibly prefer more confidence in Michael Penix Jr moving forward, although it is unlikely they will dismiss him yet. They have gathered a solid roster of skill players and must continue enhancing their young defense.
Igbinosun may not be a first-round prospect, yet he would complement A.J. Terrell effectively, who still has three years left on his contract. He is projected to be a Day 2 selection.
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Arizona Cardinals might focus on replacing Kyler Murray with a quarterback like Alabama’s Ty Simpson, but a pass rusher like Bailey could aid in that task. He has topped the charts with a remarkable pressure rate of 22.7% and leads college football with 12.5 sacks.
