The 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday night in Pittsburgh, and for the first time since the legendary 2001 Miami Hurricanes walked into the 2002 draft and rewrote the record books, the program has a legitimate shot at placing 10 or more players in the same draft class. The floor for this group is somewhere around six or seven picks (including three or four in the first round). The ceiling – if the football gods cooperate – is twelve. That number would beat Miami’s modern-era record of 11 set in 2002,
it would represent the most players drafted from any school in the history of the seven-round format.
The headliners are well established at this point. EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. and OT Francis Mauigoa have spent the entire pre-draft process as consensus top-10 prospects, with multiple mock drafts projecting both inside the top five – which would make them the first OL/DL duo from the same school to crack the top five since Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy and Trent Williams went third and fourth overall in 2010. EDGE Akheem Mesidor is a near-lock for the first round as well, and if both he and Bain are called on Thursday night, they’ll become one of the highest-drafted pair of defensive ends from the same school in NFL history – surpassing Jaelan Phillips (18th) and Gregory Rousseau (30th), the Miami duo from 2021 who themselves were the first since NC State’s Mario Williams and Manny Lawson in 2006. CB/S Keionte Scott – coming off a dazzling Pro Day performance and fielding numerous visits – has a legitimate late-first-round case and could make it four Miami players called on Night One.
Below that elite tier, the picture gets genuinely hard to predict, and that’s what makes this draft so fascinating for Hurricanes fans. The path to 10, 11, or 12 runs through players like OT Markel Bell, OG Anez Cooper, QB Carson Beck, S Jakobe Thomas on Day 2, and then a group of late-round wildcards -WR CJ Daniels, LB Wesley Bissainthe, DL David Blay, C James Brockermeyer – who collectively represent the kind of story that defines a historic class.
Recent history as to darkhorse Canes who get selected or do not hear their name called within seven rounds cuts both ways here. Jonathan Ford, DJ Ivey, and Jaden Davis all heard their names called when almost nobody expected it. Xavier Restrepo and Leonard Taylor, by most measures more talented than their draft-day outcomes, went all three days without a pick and signed as UDFAs. The draft is not a meritocracy at the margins. But there is a serious, grounded case to be made that 12 Hurricanes leave Pittsburgh as NFL players this weekend – and what follows is a final accounting of where each one stands going into the most consequential draft night for this program in over two decades fresh off a national championship appearance.
DE Rueben Bain Jr. (NFL Combine)
Height: 6’2”| Weight: 263 pounds | Arm Length: 30 7/8 | Hand: 9 1/8 | Wing: 77 1/2
Dane Brugler’s Ranking (The Athletic): 9, EDGE3 (1st round)
Matt Miller’s Ranking (ESPN): 13, EDGE3 (1st round)
Pros
- Led all edge rushers with 83 pressures in 2025; collected 33.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 career sacks over 38 college games
- Elite motor — effort-based sacks that only show on full-game tape
- Explosive first step and violent hands at point of attack
- Won ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year as a true freshman; repeated as DPOY in 2025
- Multiple teams reportedly willing to trade up into the top 8–10 to secure him
- Pro comp to Melvin Ingram
Cons
- 30 7/8″ arm length is a historic outlier – below average for the position by nearly 3 inches
- Short arms could create leverage problems against long NFL tackles
- Questions about scheme fit; best in wide-9 or 4-3 over — not a natural 3-4 OLB
- Missed four games in 2024 because of a soft tissue injury; torn left MCL in high school
Prediction: 1st round (9th overall) to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The arm-length debate has pushed him out of the top 5 but the tape and market demand keep him firmly in the top 12. His quote at the combine – “Like Mike Tyson, when you felt him, you felt him” – will be replayed on NFL Network when he walks to the stage.
OT Francis Mauigoa (NFL Combine)
Height: 6’5” 1/2 | Weight: 329 pounds | Arm Length: 33 1/4 | Hand: 10 5/8 | Wing: 80 3/4
40-yard: 5.13 | 10-yard: 1.78 | Shuttle: 4.59 | 3-cone: 7.77 | Vertical: 29-inch | Broad Jump: 8’10”
Dane Brugler’s Ranking (The Athletic): 11, OT2 (1st round)
Matt Miller’s Ranking (ESPN): 7, OT1 (1st round)
Pros
- Durability: rarely left the field, starting all 42 college games
- Expected to be the first offensive lineman off the board
- 87.0 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2025 – best among qualified right tackles
- Penei Sewell comp – recruited and developed the same way at Miami under Cristobal
- 33 1/4″ arms, 10 5/8″ hands, 80 3/4″ wingspan — elite physical tools
- Proven leader; started all 16 games in 2025 through a minor disc issue now resolved
- Mauler in space as elite run blocker with vertical push
- One of only two Hurricanes invited to attend the draft in Pittsburgh
Cons
- Minor back disc issue and potential herniated disc – teams requested additional imaging; some medical uncertainty remains
- Primarily played right tackle; teams needing a left tackle must project a position switch, and some predict guard
- Some scouts question his lateral agility against top-end speed rushers
- Mediocre arm length
Prediction: 1st round (6th overall) to the Cleveland Browns.
Mauigoa and Bain are likely to create the first OL/DL duo in the top 10 from the same school since 2010 Oklahoma. If both crack the top 5, it is automatically one of the great Miami draft nights in the program’s storied history.
EDGE Akheem Mesidor
Height: 6’2” 1/2 | Weight: 260 pounds | Arm Length: 32 1/3 | Hand: 10 | Wing: 80
Dane Brugler’s Ranking (The Athletic): 28, EDGE5 (1st-2nd round)
Matt Miller’s Ranking (ESPN): 26, EDGE5 (1st round)
Pros
- Versatile – lines up inside and outside, scheme-agnostic value across multiple fronts
- Some NFL evaluators privately rate him above Bain
- 32 1/3″ arms and 80″ wingspan – significantly better length than his partner
- Motor and effort consistently praised by scouts reviewing all-22 film
- Coaching staff discuss leadership and toughness
Cons
- Older player who will be 25 on draft weekend
- Injury history – right foot injury and shoulder surgery during career
- Lacks elite athleticism testing compared to other first-round edge prospects
- Sometimes out of position
Prediction: 1st round (20th overall) to the Dallas Cowboys.
If he and Bain both go in Round 1, they surpass Phillips (18th) and Rousseau (30th) as the highest-drafted Miami DE pair in program history (the last to do it). Mesidor may be the quieter pick but potentially the better long-term value.
CB Keionte Scott
Height: 5’11” | Weight: 191-pounds | Arm Length: 31 1/2 inch | Hand: 9 1/3 inch | Wing: 76 1/3 inch
40-yard: 4.33 | 10-yard: 1.53 | Shuttle: 4.59 | 3-cone: 7.70 | Vertical: 34-inch | Broad Jump: 10’3”
Dane Brugler’s Ranking (The Athletic): 53, S4 (2nd-3rd round)
Matt Miller’s Ranking (ESPN): 46, CB8 (2nd round)
Pros
- 4.33 40-yard dash – likely even faster given his Cotton Bowl performance
- Extraordinary 2025 stat line: 5 sacks, 13 TFLs, 2 pick-sixes from the slot
- Schemes as nickel, safety, and outside corner – rare positional versatility
- Some of the nickel traits in the class
- Elite secondary blitzer, tackling like a menace
Cons
- Missed several games in 2025 with a foot injury – durability question mark
- At 5’11” / 191 lbs, lacks the size for a traditional in-the-box safety role
- Primary position classification (nickel vs. safety) creates draft-value uncertainty
- Age concerns – 25-year old rookie
Prediction: 2nd round (45th overall) to the Baltimore Ravens.
Scott is the fourth Hurricane with a genuine first-round case (he made himself a lot of money with the Ohio State pick-six). His versatility will make someone look very smart at pick. A late-first surprise is absolutely on the table if a DB-needy team falls in love on Thursday night.
OT Markel Bell (NFL Combine)
Height: 6’9” | Weight: 346 pounds | Arm Length: 36 3/8 | Hand: 9 | Wing: 87 1/8
40-yard: 5.36 | 10-yard: 1.84
Dane Brugler’s Ranking (The Athletic): 97, OT10 (3rd-4th round)
Matt Miller’s Ranking (ESPN): 118, OT11 (fourth round)
Pros
- Freakish size: 6’9″, 346 lbs, 36 3/8″ arms, 87″ wingspan — rare physical profile
- Healthy throughout career
- Prototypical length for a developmental NFL blindside tackle
Cons
- Questions about whether size translates to functional power or remains untapped upside
- Technically raw – game still developing at the college level with only one season as full-time FBS starter
- Inconsistent leg flexibility
Prediction: 3rd round (68th overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles.
A team with a patient offensive line room invests in a project with arguably the best length in this entire draft class.
QB Carson Beck (NFL Combine)
Height: 6’5” | Weight: 233 pounds | Arm Length: 30 5/8 | Hand: 10
Dane Brugler’s Ranking (The Athletic): QB6 (4th-5th round)
Matt Miller’s Ranking (ESPN): 131, QB6 (5th round)
Pros
- Three years of starting experience at Georgia and Miami – led both programs to CFP
- Genuine multi-team interest
- 6’5″ frame and 10″ hands fit exactly what McCarthy told reporters he wants
- Thin 2026 QB class elevates his projected slot organically
- Winner: 37-6 as a starter
Cons
- Inconsistent deep ball
- Projects as a backup with relatively low ceiling
- Decision-making under pressure has been documented in film study
- UCL injury in 2024
Prediction: 3rd round (70th overall) to the Cleveland Browns.
After Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson the QB class is wide open and Beck is in the mix.
S Jakobe Thomas
Height: 6’1” | Weight: 214-pounds | Arm Length: 31 1/2 inch | Hand: 10 1/2 inch | Wing: 76 1/2 inch
40-yard: 4.57 | 10-yard: 1.63 | Shuttle: 4.32 | Vertical: 33-inch | Broad Jump: 9’11”
Dane Brugler’s Ranking (The Athletic): S11 (4th-5th round)
Matt Miller’s Ranking (ESPN): 139, S11 (5th round)
Pros
- Physical, downhill box safety who plays with old-school run-stopping tenacity
- 1.57 ten-yard split is elite for the position – exceptional closing burst
- Multiple analysts predict teams will deeply regret not taking him earlier
- Skill set for special teams
Cons
- Leaves his feet and launches as tackler
- Average recovery speed
- Loses leverage in space too often
- Poor combine drills indicate some weaknesses and lack of fluidity
Prediction: 5th round (168th overall) to the Buffalo Bills.
The quiet gem of this entire class. A classic pick-that-makes-a-team story waiting to happen.
OG Anez Cooper
Height: 6’5” 1/3 | Weight: 342-pounds | Arm Length: 34 1/4 inch | Hand: 10 inch | Wing: 84 1/4 inch
40-yard: 5.52 | 10-yard: 1.94
Dane Brugler’s Ranking (The Athletic): OG14 (5th-6th round)
Matt Miller’s Ranking (ESPN): 192, OG15 (6th round)
Pros
- Three years alongside Mauigoa; deeply understands what elite OL play looks like
- Steady starter throughout his career
- Physical tools provide high upside
Cons
- Limited versatility – a starts at Right Guard
- False start issues
- Beneficiary of overall strong offensive line more than individualized talent
Prediction: 4th round (135th overall) to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A team drafting for development takes one of the physically best-tooled guards in the class. Time alongside Mauigoa is a resume line NFL line coaches notice.
C James Brockermeyer
Height: 6’3” | Weight: 298 pounds | Arm Length: 32 | Hand: 9 1/4 | Wing: 78
40-yard: 5.30 | 10-yard: 1.80 | Shuttle: 4.72 | 3-cone: 7.98 | Vertical: 28.5-inch | Broad Jump: 8’5” | Bench Press: 26 reps
Dane Brugler’s Ranking (The Athletic): C11 (7th round-UDFA)
Matt Miller’s Ranking (ESPN): 336, C11 (UDFA)
Pros
- Blue-chip recruit pedigree (Alabama, TCU, Miami) – arrived with high expectations
- Considered smart and leader at the position
- Durability playing all games past two seasons
- 26 bench press reps; genuine three-team visit interest late in the process
- Solid agility numbers (4.92 shuttle, 7.98 3-cone) for the center position
Cons
- No position versatility, all snaps at Center
- Broken right ankle in high school
- Underwhelming college career compared to expectations
Prediction: 6th round (194th overall) to the Tennessee Titans.
Three-team visits this late usually result in a pick. Senior Bowl invite and athleticism indicate he’s a draft-worthy prospect. Titans could take a flier late
LB Wesley Bissainthe
Height: 6’1” 1/3 | Weight: 224-pounds | Arm Length: 32 inch | Hand: 9 1/2 inch | Wing: 77 1/2 inch
40-yard: 4.63 | 10-yard: 1.57 | Shuttle: 4.52
Dane Brugler’s Ranking (The Athletic): LB30 (UDFA)
Matt Miller’s Ranking (ESPN): 308 (UDFA)
Pros
- Quality experience on defense and special teams
- Leader with strong work ethic
- Loud and strong tackler
- Good range for his size at linebacker
Cons
- Lacks explosiveness (missed tackle on Mendoza fourth down run still stings)
- Strictly a box linebacker (just two INTs in career)
- Room for improvement
Prediction: UDFA to Dolphins.
After an NFL Combine invite, Dolphins could make a meaningful local pick late on Saturday.
WR CJ Daniels
Height: 6’2” | Weight: 200-pounds | Arm Length: 32 1/3 inch | Hand: 9 inch | Wing: 78 1/2 inch
40-yard: 4.58 | 10-yard: 1.61 | Shuttle: 4.27 | 3-cone: 7.03 | Vertical: 34.5-inch | Broad Jump: 10’3”
Dane Brugler’s Ranking (The Athletic): WR46 (UDFA)
Matt Miller’s Ranking (ESPN): 361 (UDFA)
Pros
- One-handed pressure catch against Notre Dame shows what he is capable of
- SEC pedigree at LSU
- Good-sized frame and reliable hands
- Exciting player to watch
Cons
- Injury issues – knee and foot
- Lack of blocking on tape
- Limited special teams experience
- Route tree is not advanced; plays more physical than finesse
Prediction: 7th round (244th overall) to the Minnesota Vikings.
The legitimate sleeper of this entire Miami class. His agility and acrobatic plays last year indicate he is worth a late round pick.
DL David Blay
Height: 6’2” 1/4 | Weight: 292-pounds | Arm Length: 32 inch | Hand: 10 1/8 inch | Wing: 78 inch
40-yard: 5.00 | 10-yard: 1.74 | Shuttle: 4.81 | 3-cone: 7.69 | Broad Jump: 8’2” | Bench Press: 27 reps
Dane Brugler’s Ranking (The Athletic): DT40 (UDFA)
Matt Miller’s Ranking (ESPN): 333 (UDFA)
Pros
- Led all Miami prospects with 27 bench press reps – elite functional strength
- Underrated interior disruptor inside Hetherman’s scheme
- 5.00 40 and 4.81 shuttle are functional and respectable for the position
- Workable frame
Cons
- DT40 ranking reflects a limited draft-day market for his specific profile
- Lacks overall repertoire
- Beneficiary of elite Miami defensive line more than individualized talent
- Better anticipation needed – five offside penalties
- Older prospect – 24 years old rookie
Prediction: 7th round (255th overall) to the Green Bay Packers.
His bench press number alone earns him a camp invite at minimum. A team needing cheap interior depth on a rookie deal makes this pick Saturday afternoon. A Jonathan Ford-type story is entirely in play here.
WR Keelan Marion
Height: 5’11” 1/2 | Weight: 190-pounds | Arm Length: 30 1/2 inch | Hand: 8 1/2 inch |Wing: 74 1/3 inch
40-yard: 4.56 | 10-yard: 1.62 | Shuttle: 4.19 | 3-cone: 6.91 | Broad Jump: 9’6”
Dane Brugler’s Ranking (The Athletic): WR105 (UDFA)
Marion’s agility testing is solid – a 4.19 shuttle and 6.91 3-cone put him among the quickest receivers in this class in terms of change-of-direction. His speed (4.56 40) and short-area quickness give him a path as a slot receiver or special teams UDFA who could generate camp competition with multiple teams. That said, he was limited in production.
Prediction: UDFA to Panthers.
TE Alex Bauman
Height: 6’3” 1/3 | Weight: 250-pounds | Arm Length: 33 1/4 inch | Hand: 9 1/4 inch | Wing: 81 1/8 inch
40-yard: 5.07 | 10-yard: 1.76 | Shuttle: 4.65 | 3-cone: 7.63 | Vertical: 26-inch | Broad Jump: 9’ | Bench Press: 12 reps
Dane Brugler’s Ranking (The Athletic): TE73 (UDFA)
Bauman has the size and length but his production was underwhelming at Miami. The final memory for Canes’ fans was Bauman’s bonehead missed block in the National Championship on a punt that altered the momentum significantly. He has an outside shot to be a UDFA candidate if a team sees his frame as a long-term investment.
Prediction: UDFA to Rams.
K Carter Davis
Height: 6’0” | Weight: 218-pounds | Arm Length: 31 1/2 inch | Hand: 8 1/2 inch | Wing: 71 1/2 inch
Dane Brugler’s Ranking (The Athletic): K17 (UDFA)
Ranked 17th among kickers in this class by Dane Brugler, Davis is a UDFA target for a team needing camp competition at the position. He surprisingly won the kicker job over Texas transfer Bert Auburn and was pretty consistent throughout the season, minus a tough game against Texas A&M in windy conditions. He nailed a 64-yard field goal at Miami’s Pro Day which make him a darkhorse to be selected although it is relatively unlikely.
Prediction: UDFA to Patriots.
LS Michael Donovan
Height: 6’1” | Weight: 193-pounds | Arm Length: 30 1/3 inch | Hand: 9 1/8 inch | Wing: 75 3/4 inch
Dane Brugler’s Ranking (The Athletic): LS22 (UDFA)
Donovan participated in Miami’s Pro Day but he is highly unlikely to be selected next week.
Prediction: UDFA to Dolphins.
The bottom line: This projects 11 guys selected and five more camp invites. The floor for Miami this weekend is six or seven picks. The ceiling is twelve – and there is a real, constructed argument for every single one of them. Three first rounders are near-certain. A fourth (Scott) is knocking on the door. Bell, Cooper, Beck, and Thomas give the class genuine Day 2 depth. And Brockermeyer, Daniels, Bissainthe, and Blay are exactly the kind of late-round stories that either haunt you or thrill you by Sunday afternoon.
The 2002 Miami class – Bryant McKinnie, Jeremy Shockey, Ed Reed, Clinton Portis, and seven others – set the modern-era record at 11. The players currently in Pittsburgh, in hotel rooms and at team facilities doing last-minute meetings, have a chance to knock that number off the wall this weekend.
Whether they get to 8, 10, or all the way to 12, this is unquestionably the most important draft class for this program since Mario Cristobal arrived in Coral Gables and promised he was going to build it the right way – in the trenches, with elite talent fresh off a national championship with even bigger expectations in 2026, and with an eye toward exactly this kind of moment. It starts Thursday night. Count the Canes.
GO CANES!
