Miami Hurricanes 2026 NFL Draft Prospects: Expert Breakdown & Predictions

The Hurricanes are poised to send multiple players to the 2026 NFL Draft, including potential top-5 picks

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:12am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a Miami Hurricanes football game, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of orange, green, and white colors representing the dynamic action on the field.The Miami Hurricanes' 2026 NFL Draft prospects showcase the program's continued ability to develop elite talent for the professional level.Today in Miami

As the NFL Combine approaches, the spotlight shifts to the 2026 NFL Draft and the Miami Hurricanes' top prospects. We've gathered insights from across SB Nation's network to provide a comprehensive overview of the Hurricanes' draft-eligible players, their projected draft positions, and key details about each prospect.

Why it matters

The Hurricanes are coming off a national runner-up finish, and several of their standout players are expected to hear their names called early in the 2026 NFL Draft. This represents an opportunity for Miami to continue producing elite NFL talent and maintain its status as a premier college football program.

The details

The Hurricanes are poised to boast two potential top-5 picks in EDGE Rueben Bain and OT Francis Mauigoa. Bain, a dominant pass rusher, is widely considered a top candidate for the #2 overall pick, while Mauigoa, a 6'6", 335-pound offensive tackle, is projected to be selected between the 6th and 13th overall picks. Other Hurricanes prospects include EDGE Akheem Mesidor, CB Keionte Scott, QB Carson Beck, WR C.J. Daniels, OT Markel Bell, S Jakobe Thomas, IOL Anez Cooper and James Brockermeyer, LB Wesley Bissainthe, DL David Blay, WR Keelan Marion, and kickers Carter Davis and Bert Auburn.

  • The NFL Combine is on the horizon.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in the coming months.

The players

Rueben Bain

A standout EDGE player who has been dubbed 'The Destroyer of Worlds', Bain is widely considered a top candidate for the #2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The 6'3", 275-pound defensive end was a near five-star recruit and has earned numerous accolades, including Freshman All-America honors, ACC Rookie of the Year, consensus All-American, ACC Player of the Year, and the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation's top defensive end.

Francis Mauigoa

A 6'6", 335-pound offensive tackle, Mauigoa is a prototypical NFL prospect. A 5-star recruit, he moved from American Samoa to IMG Academy and continued his elite play at Miami, earning consensus All-American honors in 2025. Mauigoa is a lock for the first round, with a projected draft range between the 6th and 13th overall picks.

Akheem Mesidor

Mesidor joined Miami in 2022 after starting at West Virginia. The 6'3", 265-pound EDGE player delivered his best season in 2025, recording 63 tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss, 12.5 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles. His standout 2025 campaign has raised his draft stock into first-round consideration, with potential landing spots from roughly the 15th pick onward.

Keionte Scott

Scott transferred from Auburn and has established himself as arguably the top slot defender in this class. The 1st-team All-ACC honoree in 2025 would likely have been a Thorpe Award finalist (or winner) had he not missed several games due to a foot injury. Scott's versatile impact profile has him projected as a likely 2nd-round pick.

Carson Beck

Beck has drawn mixed opinions but remains a prominent figure, having started for three seasons with both Georgia and Miami and guiding each team to the College Football Playoffs. A smart, accurate passer, Beck's NFL projection is influenced by the medical evaluation of an elbow injury in 2024. He's generally viewed as a likely NFL backup, with a projected range starting in the 4th round.

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What’s next

The NFL Combine is the next major event for these prospects, where they will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and solidify their draft positions.

The takeaway

The Miami Hurricanes are poised to send multiple players to the 2026 NFL Draft, including potential top-5 picks in Rueben Bain and Francis Mauigoa. This represents an exciting opportunity for the program to continue producing elite NFL talent and maintain its status as a premier college football destination.