Copyright Yardbarker
Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. From a Notre Dame running back to a Cincinnati quarterback, here are five players we're tracking: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love On Monday, Love was named Associated Press National Player of the Week for his outstanding performance against Southern California. In the 34-24 win, the RB rushed for 228 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries. He also logged five receptions for 37 yards. "The Reggie Bush comparisons get made, and I see that," an AFC scouting director said, per ESPN's Matt Miller. "Love has a little more finish to his game; he'll put his shoulder down and make you pay, but he's so agile and quick through the hole and that first cut. He's dangerous." Love may be better suited to the NFL than former Southern California star Bush, a Super Bowl XLIV champion with the New Orleans Saints. Listed at 6-foot, 214 pounds, he uses his frame to generate yards after contact. Pro Football Focus credits him with 468 yards after contact in seven games, the ninth most in the FBS. Fighting through contact is something elite NFL RBs must do. Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, a two-time Pro Bowler, leads the league in yards after contact (472 in seven games). Auburn DE Keldric Faulk In a story published Friday, NFL.com's Chad Reuter listed Faulk (6-foot-6, 285 pounds) as his 10th-best Senior Bowl prospect at the midway point of the college football season. "Faulk has the full set of tools to be an excellent edge defender at the next level," wrote Reuter. "His size, length and strength come in handy when taking on tackles in the run game or moving inside in obvious pass-rush situations." But why aren't those traits translating into production? Through seven games, the Auburn star has just two sacks. Per PFF, he has logged 20 pressures, tied for 65th in the FBS. Teams could still bank on Faulk's upside. In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Jordan Reid has the Tennessee Titans taking him with pick No. 4. If he doesn't start producing soon, though, his stock should dip. Louisville WR Chris Bell In Louisville's 24-21 road upset over No. 9 Miami, Bell finished with nine receptions for 136 yards and two touchdown catches. It marked his third consecutive game with 135 receiving yards or more. "This guy continues to shine," wrote The Ringer's Todd McShay in a story published Sunday. "He's on an absolute heater right now and will be competing with Jordyn Tyson [Arizona State], Makai Lemon [Southern California], Carnell Tate [Ohio State] and Chris Brazzell II [Tennessee] in the top five of my WR rankings." Bell (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) has solid size for an NFL WR and is adept at making catches in tight coverage. Per PFF, he has eight contested catches in six games, tied for 15th in the FBS. With his stock skyrocketing, Bell could be an early Day 2 pick. In Tankathon's latest mock draft, the Tennessee Titans select him with pick No. 35 in the second round. LSU CB Mansoor Delane On Tuesday, Reid tweeted Delane (6-foot, 190 pounds) is a prospect who's "playing at an extremely high level right now." Delane — a Virginia Tech transfer — has been a shutdown corner throughout the season. Through seven games, the LSU standout has one interception and six passes defended. He has allowed no TD catches (via PFF). "[Delane is] a sticky man-cover corner who presents a physical presence on the outside," wrote Bleacher Report's Daniel Harms, who gave the CB a first-round grade. "He doesn't back down to bigger, ball-winning wide receivers." LSU needs Delane to keep showcasing his skills in its home game against No. 3 Texas A&M on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC). The Aggies rank fifth in the SEC in passing yards (267.3) and sixth in points scored (36.1). Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorsby On Monday, the East-West Shrine Bowl named Sorsby its Monday Morning QB following a 49-17 road win over Oklahoma State. In the blowout, the 6-foot-3, 235-pounder completed 21-of-29 passes for 270 yards and totaled four TDs. "Sorsby has flown under the radar while guiding the No. 21 Bearcats to a 6-1 record, and his film is littered with next-level throws," wrote Sports Illustrated's Daniel Flick in a story published Tuesday. "The redshirt junior is entertainingly sporadic — with his arm, he can access all parts of the field, and he flashes elite ball placement."
