Oregon has more, but both have several top 50 players.
Oregon vs Indiana: A draft eligible viewing guide for the semifinal matchup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Friday’s Peach Bowl semifinal matchup between the Oregon Ducks and the Indiana Hoosiers will highlight 21 projected NFL Draft picks. The primary difference between the Peach Bowl and Thursday's Fiesta Bowl draft eligible players is 2/3s of the 21 in this game are Oregon Ducks. Further selling the great coaching job Curt Cignetti has done.
Dan Lanning’s Ducks have 39 four-star rated players or higher on his roster. Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers on the other hand has only six, four-star rated players or higher on his roster. Of the six four-stars Indiana has, only Omar Cooper Jr makes the draft eligible watch guide.
This game could provide a strong rooting interest based on just the personnel. Creating an almost David vs Goliath situation. Oregon has been ranked in the top 5 for recruiting classes over the last couple years. Indiana hasn’t ranked in the top 50 under Cignetti.
Oregon’s list of players to watch will read as you might expect. Of Oregon’s 13 names on the list, all but two are expected to get drafted in the first two days during rounds 1-3. The interesting dynamic is that while Indiana does not rank highly in four- and five-star players, how they have played seems to elevate most of the Hoosiers beyond their star rating. Indiana only has one player who’s projected range starts on day 3.
Oregon is loaded with top end talent and that talent propelled them into the college football playoff semifinal. Conversely, Indiana has less top end rated talent but have played their way into the No. 1 team playoff ranking and elevated draft stock. Regardless of who wins, either team will have a talent argument to make. If Oregon wins the team played to their talent level. If Indiana wins, Oregon was likely outplayed by players believed nationally to be less than.
The Oregon Ducks draft projected players to watch
QB Dante Moore - Projected range: Round 1* (if he chooses to declare)
TE Kenyon Sadiq - Projected range: Round 1-2
OT Isaiah World - Projected range: Round 1-2
DT A’Mauri Washington - Projected range: Round 1-3
S Dillon Thieneman - Projected range: Round 2-3
EDGE Teitum Tuioti - Projected range: Round 2-4
EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei - Projected range: Round 2-4
RB Makhi Hughes - Projected range: Round 3-5
OT Alex Harkey - Projected range: Round 3-5
OG Iapani Laloulu - Projected range: Round 3-5
DT Bear Alexander - Projected range: Round 3-5
WR Evan Stewart - Projected range: Round 4-6
WR Malik Benson - Projected range: Round 6-UFA
The Indiana Hoosiers draft projected players to watch
QB Fernando Mendoza - Projected range: Round 1
WR Elijah Sarratt - Projected range: Round 2-4
WR Omar Cooper Jr - Projected range: Round 2-4
OT Carter Smith - Projected range: Round 2-4
DE Mikail Kamara - Projected range: Round 3-5
CB Amare Farrell - Projected range: Round 3-5
CB D’Angelo Ponds - Projected range: Round 3-5
C Pat Coogan - Projected range: Round 4-6
These players are obviously and foremost focused on winning the game and advancing to the National Championship game. However, if any of these names have a performance beyond their typical expectation, they could earn some money and elevate their draft stock.
The two quarterbacks in this game, Moore and Mendoza, are considered the quarterback prize in this NFL draft for different reasons. While many draft analysts have Mendoza as the clear-cut top choice, Moore has yet to make his official decision on the draft. If Moore declares for the draft, it creates a very familiar dynamic.
Do the teams drafting at the top want the best QB in the class on day 1 of his rookie year, or would those teams prefer to bet on upside and the better career? Even if the second option is a year or two away from being what everyone thinks he will be.
More college football news:
- Oregon's Dan Lanning rips College Football Playoff, calls for major changes
- Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
- Top 2026 NFL Draft prospect suffers broken rib in CFP quarterfinal loss
- ESPN's grade for LSU hiring Lane Kiffin will make Ole Miss fans even more mad
- Dabo Swinney fires Clemson coaches immediately after loss to Penn State
- Ohio State's Ryan Day faces backlash after Cotton Bowl
Category: General Sports
