The off-season presses on as we approach summer 2026. 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 Mountain West in next week’s NFL Draft.
5. Bruin Fleischmann, TE, Air Force
Fleischmann came to Air Force from Pocatello, Idaho. He was a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation’s William V. Campbell Trophy, considered the Academic Heisman. All of the Air Force athletes are ridiculously smart by nature of course, but impressive nonetheless. Fleischmann had 21 catches for 370 yards and SIX touchdown catches this past season. He’s likely signing with a team post-draft, but in an era where 12 and 13 personnel is on the rise, he could find his way onto a roster.
4. Caden Barnett, OL, Wyoming
You can always count on Wyoming to develop reliable offensive lineman. Barnett is a strong, in-line offensive lineman likely to play guard at the next level even though he played tackle for the Pokes. Draft analysts seem to think he’s not quick enough to play tackle at the next level, but Barnett dominates in the run game and will certainly help an NFL team in that department. He profiles as a likely day three pick.
3. Kansei Matsuzawa, K, Hawaii
The man that needs no introduction. In 2025, Matsuzawa was a consensus All-American, Hawaii’s first-ever. He was a Lou Groza finalist (grr, he should have won it) among many other accolades from a sensational 2025 season. He made 27 of 29 field goals, including tying a 43-year old FBS record for consecutive made field goals to start a season with 25. NFL teams are becoming picky with the growing trend of kickers burying kicks with ease from 55+ yards, so the mountain is steep for Kansei, but he’ll get a chance to prove himself somewhere.
2. John Michael Gyllenborg, TE, Wyoming
First off, you have to tip your hat to players like Barnett and Gyllenborg. Sticking with one school, a Group of Six program to boot, for an entire career is a rarity nowadays. Gyllenborg can do it all from the tight end position. He’s registered a receiving touchdown that went 89-yards long in 2023. He averaged 15.7 yards per catch in 2023 and 14.2 in 2024. He dealt with injuries at times in Laramie and maybe paid a price for inconsistent quarterback play (I think Wyoming fans would agree that’s a charitable way to describe it). Smart NFL teams will see right through those issues that had nothing to do with him. JMG is a stud and will have a long NFL career.
1. Keyshawn James-Newby, DE, New Mexico
Quarterback and defensive end are the two premium positions in the NFL, so it should be no surprise that New Mexico’s James-Newby is likely to hear his name first among the Mountain West draft prospects. KJN forced nine sacks on the season this past fall along with 29 solo tackles, 52 tackles total. He came to New Mexico with head coach Jason Eck from Idaho and instantly dominated. James-Newby recently had a Top-30 visit with the Seahawks, signaling the type of prospect the pros believe he is. Expect to hear his name early on day three.
Others in consideration: This is an awkward exercise of sorts, on account of the impending divorce between the MWC and Pac-12. North Dakota State is going to be a member of the Mountain West starting this summer, but their draft prospects never set foot in the conference. All the same, I’ll highlight quarterback Cole Payton and wide receiver Bryce Lance here, both will hear their names called in the draft.
Air Force defensive lineman Payton Zdroik, Wyoming running back Sam Scott are likely undrafted this weekend, but could easily make this list as well. Apologies if I missed anyone else.
We’ll post the Top 5 Pac-12 draft prospects next week Friday. Don’t worry, I don’t think anyone from the conference will be picked Thursday. (unless Chris Johnson shocks us with Thursday draft capital)
