While Seattle Seahawks fans prepare for arguably the biggest regular season game in years, we also have one of the biggest college football weeks of the season.
As the season begins to wind down, we’re seeing multiple “elimination* games between teams battling to make the College Football Playoff. The battle for who wants the Heisman continues, and who wants to be a first round pick in what many are calling the weakest draft class in years.
Despite the prevailing thoughts on this class, and until John
Schneider goes and trades for star player (hello Maxx Crosby), we’re going to keep diving in potential prospects to watch for the Seahawks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Jeremiyah Love, Running Back, Notre Dame
A running back? Yes, we’re gonna talk about running backs, especially ones as talented as Jeremiyah Love. The star running back out of Notre Dame made a name for himself in the Irish’s run (literally) to the national championship game last year. Even with the weight of expectations this year, and the disappointing 0-2 start, Love continues to produce.
The 6-0 214 lbs junior has carried the rock 154 times for 988 yards and 13 TD’s. He also has 24 receptions for 254 yards and three more scores.Love is not Ashton Jeanty, but his balance of power and home run hitting ability is the best in the country. I wouldn’t take Love with a top ten pick, but with a team expecting to pick in the 25-32 range, he could be good value and a potential final piece to a contender.
But why should Seattle consider Love? I think this season has shown that, while both Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet have shown flashes, they both haven’t exactly unlocked the potential of this wide zone scheme. Does Seattle want to pay either of these backs over the next two seasons, when a shot at Love being available in the draft?
I’d lean towards taking the best player available and keeping financial flexibility.
R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma
A player I was fascinated to watch today against Alabama’s strong offensive line, it sounds like Thomas is doubtful to play after he suffered a quad injury two weeks ago on a 71-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.
At 6-2, 243 lbs, Thomas has that undersized speed rusher role, and has played it extremely well for the Sooners. On the year, he has 6.5 sacks, with 9.5 tackles for a loss. This is coming off a 2024 season in which he tallied 9 sacks.
It’s hard not to look at Thomas, especially as a Sooner, and not see the Nic Bonitto comparisons. That’d obviously be the dream for anyone drafting Thomas, but I think the expectation is that he can come in and become a valuable 3rd down sack artist, like what Bruce Irvin was early in his career. He’s never gonna be a three-down edge player, but he fits a need and has the talent to be a double-digit sack guy.
Elijah Sarratt, Wide receiver, Indiana
Indiana has been one of the wildest stories I can remember in the past two seasons. Their rapid ascension from lovable loser to bullies with title expectations is stunning to anyone that doesn’t bleed Hoosier red.
A big part of their rise is the play of their star wide record Elijah Sarratt. The #1 option on one of the most dominant offenses in college football, Sarratt has 45 receptions for 609 yards and 10 TD’s. With a 6-2, 208 lbs frame, Sarratt will probably not dominate the NFL combine, but he has some of the same qualities that have made Mike Evans and Jaxon Smith-Njigba so successful. Body control, short burst, and precision route running make him an ideal day two pick for the Seahawks, who still could use a possession type of receiver.
Jake Slaughter, Center, Florida
Slaughter is an interior offensive line prospect that I have had circled for a while. Despite the Gators being an incredible disappointment (again), Slaught remains one of the few bright spots on a historic program that is in a historic downswing.
Slaughter in his career has made 47 starts in the SEC, was a 2024 All-American, and would be again, if not for the situation and unrest in Gainesville.
I think a fresh start with a successful NFL franchise could do wonders for Slaughter. He’s an immediate plug and play center, and I think he would be a natural fit for being a quarterback of the o-line, and being such an experienced rookie in a relatively young offensive line.
