2026 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper makes big changes to Big Board Top 25 player rankings

The 2025 college football season is nearing its end, and already has for much of the sport following the conclusion of the regular season last weekend. With only Championship Weekend ahead before postseason play starts later this month, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. took the opportunity to overhaul his personal Big Board ranking of the Top 25 prospects in next April’s 2026 NFL Draft.

And while he expects the 2026 class will change several times over the next few months, Kiper’s new Big Board rankings include a familiar Top 4, led by Big Ten quarterbacks Dante Moore of Oregon and Fernando Mendoza of Indiana. Of course, Kiper makes it clear this is a ranking, not a mock draft or a prediction of where each player will be drafted.

With that in mind, check out Mel Kiper Jr.’s new updated Top 25 Big Board rankings below:

1. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

A third-year sophomore, Moore has the option to return to Eugene for a second season as the Ducks’ starter, but until he makes that decision, Kiper has him as his top available player. Moore finished the 2025 regular season with the nation’s third-best completion percentage at 72.5, to go along with 2,733 passing yards and 24 touchdowns to six interceptions.

Kiper: “His accuracy has been solid all season, and he shows good touch on his deep ball. Moore can throw from different arm angles with precision and delivers strikes while rolling either left or right out of the pocket. He can scramble a bit, too.”

2. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

The first-year Hoosiers starter is widely expected to receive a finalist invite to NYC for this year’s Heisman Trophy ceremony, and has a chance to make his own Heisman case in Saturday’s Big Ten Championship Game against Ohio State. Mendoza leads the nation with 32 passing touchdowns to five interceptions to go along with a top five completion percentage (72.0) and the second-best quarterback rating (183.71).

Kiper: “Mendoza is getting the ball out quicker. And while he doesn’t have a huge arm, he can make all the necessary NFL-level throws. His ball placement is fantastic. I wouldn’t consider him a dual threat, but Mendoza also has enough mobility to pick up first downs as a scrambler.”

3. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The first non-quarterback on Kiper’s Big Board is the Fighting Irish’s homerun threat at running back. The 6-foot, 215-pound Love ranks fourth nationally with 1,372 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns this season on the ground.

Kiper: “Love reminds me a lot of Reggie Bush. The 20-year-old has vision and burst between the tackles and to the outside, and he can break tackles with ease (55 forced missed tackles on the season). Once he gets into space, he can take it to the house with his breakaway speed, too.”

4. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

The first defensive player on Kiper’s Big Board comes from Ohio State, but it’s not star safety Caleb Downs. Instead, Kiper goes with Buckeyes junior linebacker Arvell Reese, who ranks second on the team with 61 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries.

Kiper: “This is a complete football player. Reese jumps off the Ohio State tape, playing the game like a veteran. I see natural instincts at the linebacker position that allow him to make plays most guys just can’t make, and he has the burst to get home when turned loose as a pass rusher.”

5. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (+2)

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Sun Devils playmaker has been banged up this season but is still one of college football’s most explosive deep-play threats, not named Jeremiah Smith, a true sophomore. Despite missing three games, Tyson still ranks fourth in the Big 12 with 61 receptions for 711 yards and eight TDs.

Kiper: “Tyson’s superpower is being open even when it looks like he’s completely blanketed. It makes him essentially uncoverable in the red zone. He wins on 50-50 balls and outmuscles defensive backs. Tyson recently returned from a hamstring injury, which kept him out three games.”

6. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (+2)

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Tate might be the second option on Ohio State’s roster behind Smith, but the junior is just as talented as a big-play threat. Tate ranks second in the Big Ten, averaging 18.02 yards per reception and third, averaging 88.1 receiving yards per game despite just 44 receptions.

Kiper: “Tate has produced big plays on a regular basis, averaging 18.2 yards per catch this season. He is a precise route runner, has great hands and displays outstanding body control. And he’ll also happily block for ball carriers, which NFL coaches love to see.”

7. Makai Lemon, WR, USC (+3)

The Trojans’ 5-foot-11, 195-pound junior receiver is a Biletnikoff Award finalist. That is after he led the Big Ten with 79 receptions and ranked fourth nationally with 1,156 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on the season.

Kiper: “This kid is a warrior who plays with passion. I’d want Lemon on my roster. He snatches the ball away from his body in an attacking manner, then runs with a fierce approach after the catch. He is one of my favorite players in the class.”

8. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama (-3)

Another first-year starter that could be well-served by returning to college, Simpson could still come out if he’s in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound Simpson ranks third in the SEC with 3,056 yards on 65.8% passing and 25 touchdowns to four interceptions.

Kiper: “Simpson knows the game and competes on every down. He’s a battler who is always trying to make a play — sometimes to his detriment. And Simpson maneuvers well in the pocket and can beat defenses with his legs when the passing play isn’t there.”

9. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (+5)

The massive 6-foot-6, 315-pound Mauigoa is the top-rated offensive lineman on Kiper’s Big Board, sliding into the Top 10. That comes after he anchored the ACC’s second-ranked offensive line and finished the regular season allowing just one sack of Miami quarterback Carson Beck.

Kiper: “Here’s a true mauler. Mauigoa is fun to watch for the way he just destroys pass rushers at the point of attack. He has more than 2,300 snaps at right tackle and has the pass protection skill to stick there, but he could absolutely slide inside and become a Pro Bowl-caliber guard at the next level.”

10. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (+6)

The Ducks’ TE already has the size to make it in the NFL at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, and is a proven redzone threat with eight receiving scores this season to rank sixth in the Big Ten. Sadiq also finished the regular season with 40 receptions for 490 yards, averaging 12.25 yards per reception.

Kiper: “Sadiq is loaded with physical traits. He has the explosion to hurdle defenders in the open field. He has the vision and speed to cause conflict after the catch, with almost half his 2025 yardage coming after the ball is in his hands. And he’s nearly impossible to match against because of his quickness and size.”

Mel Kiper Jr.’s updated Big Board Top 25 rankings, Nos. 11-25:

11. David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech (+2)
12. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (-3)
13. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson (-7)
14. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (-3)
15. Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (-3)
16. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (-1)
17. Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State (NR)
18. Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (+1)
19. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington (+1)
20. Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn (+4)
21. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson (+1)
22. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (NR)
23. Chris Bell, WR, Louisville (-5)
24. A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon (+1)
25. Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State (-8)