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Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25, 2026, in Pittsburgh. From an Ole Miss quarterback to an Oregon defensive tackle, here are five players we're tracking: Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss At the start of the season, Chambliss — a transfer out of Division II Ferris State — was the backup QB behind Austin Simmons, who suffered an ankle injury in a Week 2 win over Kentucky. Now, he's assumed the starting job and one key reason No. 7 Ole Miss (7-1) has a shot at securing its first College Football Playoff berth. In a 34-26 Week 9 road win over Oklahoma, Chambliss finished 24-of-44 passing for 315 yards and one touchdown and logged an outstanding 90.7 QBR. On Monday, he was named Senior Bowl Offensive Player of the Week. "He continues to make more tight-window throws and is stacking good tape," wrote The Ringer's Todd McShay in a story published Sunday. "Chambliss [6-foot-1, 200 pounds] is undersized and still unrefined as a passer, but his instincts, mobility, and ability to create out of structure are forcing NFL scouts to take a longer look at him as a potential Day 3 developmental QB prospect for 2026." Despite questions about his size, Chambliss' play against SEC defenses should speak for itself. He ranks sixth in the conference in passing yards (1,864 in eight games). Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza Per ESPN's Rich Cimini, the New York Jets had three scouts attend the UCLA-Indiana game, "presumably to check out Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza." In a 56-6 Hoosiers win, Mendoza (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) completed 15-of-22 passes for 168 yards and tossed three TDs and one interception. He also logged a stellar 91.3 QBR. Mendoza, who leads the FBS in TD passes (24 in eight games), is considered a pro-ready pocket passer. In his October scouting report, CBS Sports' Mike Renner compared the Indiana star to former Cincinnati Bengals QB Carson Palmer, a three-time Pro Bowler. "Like Palmer, Mendoza has an ideal frame with an NFL-caliber arm and some real speed," wrote Renner. "Also like Palmer, you'll never confuse Mendoza for a running quarterback. He thrives on quick processing and consistent accuracy at the underneath and intermediate levels of the field." Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion Texas A&M isn't known for producing quality NFL WRs. An Aggies wideout hasn't been selected within the top 50 of the draft since the Arizona Cardinals took Christian Kirk (now with the Houston Texans) with pick No. 47 in 2018. Perhaps Concepcion (5-foot-11, 190 pounds) could change that. In a 49-25 Week 9 win over LSU, the North Carolina State transfer had a 79-yard punt-return TD early in the third quarter and three receptions for 45 yards and one TD catch. According to Reel Analytics, he hit a top speed of 19.2 MPH on the punt return.
