Four Miami Hurricanes Crack Top 50 NFL Draft Board

Uncertainty surrounds order of Bain and Mauigoa selections

Apr. 20, 2026 at 10:08am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Four standout players from the University of Miami football team have been ranked among the top 50 prospects for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, according to respected analyst Daniel Jeremiah. The group is led by defensive lineman Rueben Bain and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, with defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor also cracking the prestigious list.

Why it matters

The strong representation of Miami Hurricanes on Jeremiah's influential draft board underscores the program's ability to develop elite NFL talent, particularly on the defensive and offensive lines. However, there is uncertainty around whether Bain or Mauigoa will be the first Hurricanes player selected, as both are projected as potential first-round picks.

The details

Jeremiah's top-50 rankings have Bain at #12, Mauigoa at #15, Mesidor at #34, and running back Thad Franklin at #47. Bain and Mauigoa are considered potential top-15 selections, while Mesidor and Franklin are viewed as likely second- or third-round picks. The order in which Bain and Mauigoa are selected could have significant implications for the Hurricanes' overall draft position and the future trajectories of the two players' professional careers.

  • Daniel Jeremiah released his top-50 draft board on April 20, 2026.

The players

Rueben Bain

A defensive lineman for the Miami Hurricanes who is projected as a potential top-15 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Francis Mauigoa

An offensive tackle for the Miami Hurricanes who is also projected as a potential top-15 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Akheem Mesidor

A defensive lineman for the Miami Hurricanes who is projected as a likely second- or third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Thad Franklin

A running back for the Miami Hurricanes who is projected as a likely second- or third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Daniel Jeremiah

A respected NFL analyst who released his top-50 draft board for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The strength of the Miami Hurricanes' program is evident in the number of players they have placed in my top 50. This group has the potential to make a significant impact at the next level.”

— Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Analyst

The takeaway

The strong representation of Miami Hurricanes players on Daniel Jeremiah's prestigious top-50 draft board underscores the program's ability to develop elite NFL talent, particularly on the defensive and offensive lines. However, the uncertainty surrounding the order in which Bain and Mauigoa will be selected could have significant implications for the Hurricanes' overall draft position and the future trajectories of the two players' professional careers.