Welcome to NFL Draft week! Another important marker on the off-season calendar as we approach summer. The Mountain West is set to split this summer with the “departing five” leaving to create the reformed Pac-12. The Mountain West has added the likes of North Dakota State, Northern Illinois, and UTEP to fill the gaps.
We at the Mountain West Connection intend to cover both conferences going forward. “Friday Five” will feature the five best of, well, anything leading into football season, alternating
between each conference week-to-week. Best quarterbacks, stadiums, mascots, who knows. We’re open to your ideas! This week, we start off with the Friday Five draft prospects for the Pac-12 in this weekend’s NFL Draft.
5. Mason Randolph, OL, Boise State
Randolph saw it all at Boise State. Recruited by Bryan Harsin, played for Andy Avalos, finished with Spencer Danielson. Randolph, who bounced between center and guard for the Broncos, was a FWAA Freshman All-American in 2022 and finished All-Mountain West First Team this past fall. Randolph played a key role in opening lanes for the likes of Ashton Jeanty and George Holani. While he might have a shot to be picked on Saturday, I’m guessing priority UDFA add is the likely result for Mason this weekend.
4. Brady Boyd, WR, Utah State
Nowadays the draft is loaded with players that featured at multiple schools. Boyd started his career at Minnesota, played three seasons at Texas Tech before grabbing a cup of coffee in Logan. Brady broke out with the Aggies, posting 743 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2025. At 6’1” 195 lbs, he has the size schools are looking for. Like Randolph, he’s likely signing with a team post draft.
3. Skyler Thomas, S, Oregon State
Thomas will have quite the story to tell people one day about his experiences at Oregon State. His career started with the heights of the Jonathan Smith era, then watched realignment chaos harm the Beavers, all while balling out for the Beavers at safety. Thomas recorded 81 tackles in 2024, 78 this past fall. At 6’2” 212 lbs he’s an intimidating presence at safety and will surely get a chance to prove himself in an NFL camp. His value to a team might be on special teams initially. He’ll have a good chance to hear his name come Saturday.
2. Kage Casey, OL, Boise State
Casey is the epitome of what Boise State wants to develop in players. Arrived in Boise as an underrated prospect, developed into a stalwart left tackle that is entering the draft after his redshirt junior season. Like Randolph, Casey played a role in paving the path for Ashton Jeanty. Second-Team All-Mountain West in 2023 and First-Team in 2024 and 2025, Casey is an all-time great Bronco. Draft season can be fickle. Casey’s stock seems to be slipping for reasons unknown; he could fall to day three instead of going Friday like many expect, but either way he’ll hear his name called this weekend.
1. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
A First-Team and Second-Team All-American for a variety of award givers and co-Mountain West defensive player of the year, Johnson is the crown jewel of this draft class for the smaller schools out west. He was a borderline first round prospect and should hear his name early on today. Johnson has phenomenal natural instincts, finishing his career with 152 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, five forced fumbles, six interceptions and 14 pass breakups. His coverage versatility, aggressiveness and athleticism will make him a day one starter for an NFL team, the only Pac-12/MWC talent that can expect that.
(Johnson was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the 27th overall pick last night.
Others in consideration: Apologies if I missed anyone obvious, the draft prospects of Group of Six programs becomes more shallow by the year thanks to the poaching nature of the transfer portal. There are plenty of other Pac-12 prospects that will sign with a team this weekend.
