2026 NFL Draft prospects to watch from each New Year's Day bowl game

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The College Football Playoff is in full swing, and with it come high-powered matchups between the best teams in the amateur landscape of football. The teams that remain from the original 12 are the best in the country. What that means for NFL fans is that you get to see these players for potentially the last time before they head to the NFL Draft.

With that in mind, we wanted to highlight some players fans should watch in the three bowl matchups taking place on New Year's Day to set the stage for the semi-finals.

The matchups consist of Oregon and Texas Tech, who kick things off at noon, followed by Alabama and Indiana, and conclude with Ole Miss and Georgia rematching their earlier-season game. All three matchups provide fireworks and new tests for prospects that will go a long way toward evaluating their abilities and their NFL potential.

With that in mind, here is one prospect from each team we have our eyes on today.

Player to Watch on Oregon: Isaiah World, Offensive Tackle

Isaiah World came into the year with a lot of promise as one of the top players in the transfer portal. He committed to Oregon, and everyone immediately thought he could skyrocket into one of the best offensive line prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, he very much plateaued at Oregon, but the playoff is allowing him to showcase himself against some new names and talents. The first challenge will come against the Texas Tech pass rush, which is the best in the country. A strong showing against the likes of David Bailey and Romello Height would go a longway to improving his draft stock.

Player to Watch on Texas Tech: David Bailey, Edge Rusher

As we mentioned above, Texas Tech is the best pass-rushing team in college football, and David Vailey is a major reason why. The raw, yet toolsy, pass rusher arrived at Lubbock after starting his college career at Stanford, and his impact was felt immediately. He is a throwback type of a pass rusher who can pin his ears back and just explode into the offense he has across from him and create chaos. If Texas Tech wins on New Year's Day, it will be because Bailey made his presence known with his speed and power off the edge.

Player to Watch on Alabama: Ty Simpson, Quarterback

The top tier list of quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft is likely to be one of the thinnest in recent memory. However, Ty Simpson is becoming the ultimate x-factor, as his declaration or non-declaration will shift several teams' plans for April's selection meeting. Simpson has showcased himself to be a worthy first-round pick, but he struggled in the second half of the season, especially against pressure. In the opening round, he showed he can handle it better on a big stage, but what Indiana will throw at him will be something else. If he plays well, it would go a long way to improving the NFL's view of him and perhaps strengthen the 2026 class in the process.

Player to Watch on Indiana: D'Angelo Ponds, Cornerback

There may not be any football player that I am a fan of more in 2026 than D'Angelo Ponds. The Indiana cornerback is undersized, but you wouldn't have any idea he is if you watched him and how he plays the game. Whether it is in coverage or on special teams, Ponds is 100 mph all the time, the epitome of all gas and no brake. Any team would be lucky to have him in April's draft, and against Alabama, he has a chance to prove himself against the likes of Jeremiah Smith and Germie Bernard.

Player to Watch on Ole Miss: De'Zhaun Stribling, Wide Receiver

The Ole Miss offense is pass-heavy and loaded with weapons across the board. One that is not likely to be a top pick but could be a productive day three selection is De'Zhaun Stribling. He won't wow you with his athleticism, but he moves well, and his change-of-direction skills in space allow him to create chunk plays with every catch he makes. He averaged 14.2 yards per reception in 2025, with 7.7 yards per catch after contact, showcasing that he can be explosive in the Ole Miss passing attack and in the NFL when given the opportunity.

Player to Watch on Georgia: Christen Miller, Defensive Line

While Ole Miss is known for its explosive passing attack, it is running back Kewan Lacy who really dictates the efficiency of the offense. The responsibility to contain him falls on the man in the middle of the Bulldog defense: Christen Miller. He is a physical presence on their defense, and if Georgia wants to have a repeat of their string showing against Ole Miss, containing Lacy will be how they do it. Look for Miller to clog running lanes, force Lacy outside, and then, as a result, trust the speed of the Georgia linebackers to do the rest.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 2026 NFL Draft Prospects to watch in New Year's Day Bowl Games

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