ESPN's Matt Miller and Jordan Reid released their top-five NFL prospects at every position ahead of the 2025-2026 season. Two Indiana Hoosiers were named in the top five positional rankings, with one being an honorable mention and another named as an underrated prospect to watch in 2025.
Junior incoming transfer quarterback, Fernando Mendoza was ranked as the third overall QB prospect by Matt Miller and fifth ranked by Jordan Reid.
Mendoza was the third-leading passer in the ACC this season with 3,004 passing yards on 68.7% passing, 18 total touchdowns and 6 interceptions over 11 games, for Justin Wilcox and Cal last season as a sophomore.
On Reid's list he was tabbed behind: Penn State's Drew Allar, Clemson's Cade Klubnik, South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier.
Miller ranked Pat Coogan as his fifth-best center on his latest 2026 NFL Draft board.
As a full starter for Notre Dame this season, Pat Coogan emerged as a leader for the Fighting Irish this past season. Coogan's experience on the offensive line allowed running back Jerimiyah Love to eclipse 1,125 yards this season.
Miller also ranked All-American cornerback D’Angelo Ponds as his No. 5 at the position for next year’s draft.
Ponds received second-team All-America honors from The Athletic, CBS Sports, ESPN, Football Writers Association of America, Phil Steele, and USA Today Sports.
In 2024, he was third on Indiana’s team with 36 solo tackles and led the team with nine pass breakups. He finished with three interceptions, 4.5 tackles for loss and blocked a kick.
The honorable mention name on the list was All-American edge rusher and linebacker Mikail Kamara.
Kamara was a unanimous selection to the All-Big Ten first team. The Hoosiers' defensive end started all 12 games with 44.0 tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks on the season. The fifth year senior also forced two fumbles and recovered three fumbles.
Not ranked but coming in as an underrated prospect to watch in 2025 is wide receiver, Elijah Sarratt. The productive pass catcher was compared to one of the best young emerging wide recievers in the NFL by Matt Miller of ESPN.
"“The 6-2, 210-pound Sarratt has big breakout potential, especially with quarterback Fernando Mendoza transferring in from Cal,” Miller said. “Sarratt had 53 catches for 987 yards and eight touchdowns last season and fits the mold of Texans star receiver Nico Collins, with excellent body positioning and tough hands in traffic.”"Matt Miller
Indiana kicks off the 2025 season on August 30th against Old Dominion.