The 10th-ranked Miami Hurricanes will face the top-ranked Indiana Hoosiers on Monday night for the NCAA National Championship.
The Cincinnati Bengals should be watching to see how some of the top prospects play in the biggest game of their life.
Rueben Bain Jr.
Bain will be the most likely player in this game that the Cincinnati Bengals could consider in the first round this year. Bain has been on an absolute tear during the playoffs. In the first three games of the playoffs, Bain has recorded 21 total pressures and 4 sacks. He is a power-based pass rusher who has a 30.3% win rate on true pass sets during the 2025 season.
Mikail Kamara
The best pass rusher for the Indiana Hoosiers is Kamara. While he doesn’t have the typical build of a defensive end for the Bengals, at just 6’1” and 260 pounds, he is an absolute wrecking ball when it comes to generating pressure. He has a 23.3% win rate on true pass sets. He has a deep arsenal of pass rush moves, plays with his hair on fire, and constantly displays an explosive first step.
Akheem Mesidor
Another pass rusher to keep an eye on is 24-year-old Akheem Mesidor. While his injury history and age are a bit concerning, he has been terrific for Miami this year. He has a team-high 10.5 sacks on the season. Mesidor has an even higher pressure rate than Bain, with a 36.4% win rate on the year. Mesidor has the versatility to line up on the outside or on the interior. Mesidor has first round potential, yet could easily be available when the Bengals are picking in the second round. It wouldn’t be surprising for them to have real interest at that point.
Francis Mauigoa
Mauigoa doesn’t feel very likely, specifically for the Bengals. He has played exclusively at the right tackle position in college. That spot is occupied by Amarius Mims in Cincinnati. The Bengals could view Mauigoa as a candidate to kick inside at right guard. Even if they do, that has not been a position they would typically spend a high draft selection on. Mauigoa has had a great season for the Hurricanes. He is a mauler in the running game and has really improved in pass protection this season. While he is worthy of being a top-10 pick, I can’t see that happening in Cincinnati.
D’Angelo Ponds
Ponds biggest knock is that he is 5’9” and around 170 pounds. He is an intense competitor on the football field. With the Bengals having Dax Hill and DJ Turner solidifying the starting outside corner spots, Ponds would be an excellent day two addition to kick inside and play in the slot. Ponds is more physical than corners who have 30 pounds more than him on their frame. He set the tone for the blowout against Oregon in the semi-finals with his pick-six that opened the game.
Keionte Scott
Scott is another candidate to fill the slot corner role in Cincinnati. Scott is 6’0”, 195 pounds, and has played that role, on the outside, and at safety during his career. The major knock with Scott is that he will also be turning 25 years old during training camp. That didn’t scare the Bengals off from drafting Demetrius Knight Jr. in the second round, and I could see them having a lot of interest in Scott on day two this year. Scott has punishing physicality, great awareness in zone coverage, and his 90.7 run defense grade is among the tops in the entire country this year. He tosses in an 89.7 coverage grade to go with it.
Jakobe Thomas
Speaking of physicality, Thomas is a heat-seeking missile on the back end at safety for the Hurricanes. Combine that with his five interceptions, and he is a really intriguing Day 3 safety prospect. He has an 88.9 coverage grade on the season for Miami. If they are going to pull the upset of Indiana, Thomas will need to make his presence known in the secondary.
Omar Cooper Jr.
If the Bengals decide to upgrade the slot wide receiver role, Indiana’s Cooper could be a great option on day two. Cooper is 6’0”, 201 pounds. He has just a 4.7% drop rate during the 2025 season. He is shifty and physical with the ball in his hands, has almost 900 yards receiving, and tracks the ball really well on downfield throws.
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