by: Steve Samra 6 hours ago SamraSource
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. shook up his Big Board Top 25 player rankings after the College Football Playoff Championship Game . The season has come to an end, and now the 2026 NFL Draft is taking center stage.
One big development off the field that happened prior to this update was Oregon quarterback Dante Moore opting to return to the Ducks in 2026. Now, Kiper has removed him from his big board, after putting up No. 2 in his previous iteration.
The Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock, and Kiper’s insight is as valuable as ever. Check out his latest Top 25 Big Board below, beginning with Fernando Mendoza .
A phenomenal season for the Heisman winner. Mendoza threw for 3,349 yards and 41 touchdowns to just six interceptions. He’ll be the first quarterback taken in April.
Kiper : “Mendoza transferred to Indiana after playing two seasons at Cal, and his game has taken off. The key? He has cut down on sacks, with 22 so far this season after taking 41 in 2024. 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.”
Love was one of the best offensive players in the entire country during his time with Notre Dame, known for his blend of explosive and powerful runs. He’d play in 41 games over three seasons, rushing for 2,882 yards and 36 touchdowns during that time. He also caught 63 passes for 594 yards and another six touchdowns.
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 (60 forced missed tackles on the season). Once he gets into space, he can take it to the house with his breakaway speed too.”
Reese spent three seasons at Ohio State, playing in a total of 36 games. During that time, he had 112 career sacks, 13.5 tackles for a loss, and 7.0 sacks. He would also defend two passes.
Kiper : “This is a complete football player. Reese jumps off the Ohio State tape, playing the game like a veteran.”
Mauigoa is brimming with potential. He’s been a huge part of Miami’s offense, led by transfer 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.”
(Mark J. Rebilas | Imagn Images)
Bailey spent the first three seasons of his college career at Stanford. Then, ahead of his fourth and final college season, he transferred to Texas Tech, becoming an All-American with 19.5 tackles for a loss and 14.5 sacks. For his career, Bailey had 163 total tackles, 42.0 tackles for a loss, and 29.0 sacks.
Kiper : “A transfer from Stanford, Bailey gets after the quarterback. He had 14.5 sacks over three seasons for the Cardinal, and he matched that total in 2025 alone after notably becoming more of a finisher this season.”