2026 Draft prospects for the Giants in College football Week 9

2026 Draft prospects for the Giants in College football Week 9
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Good morning New York Giants fans! Happy Saturday and welcome to Week 9 of the 2025 College Football season.

This is an interesting week in college football, with few “must watch” games. But while we lack big marquee matchups this week, we several opportunities to see some under-the-radar prospects. The Giants have done a good job in recent years of adding role players on the third day of the draft. Players like Daniel Bellinger, Dane Belton, Micah McFadden, D.J. Davidson, Tyrone Tracy, Theo Johnson, Darius Muasau, Marcus Mbow, and (obviously) Cam Skattebo all emerging from the fourth round — and later — to be contributors.

Keeping an eye on the smaller programs can help us identify players who could emerge as later round steals.

(2) Indiana vs. UCLA

Fox – noon

Raise your hand if you predicted Indiana being the second-ranked team in the country at any point this year?

Okay put your hand down, liar.

But anyway, here we are and the Hoosiers are favored by 25.5 points over the Bruins.

Indiana’s ascension is due in large part to the rise of quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Giants (probably) aren’t going to be interested in Mendoza, but he’s provided a foundation for Indiana’s other players to blossom. This game probably won’t add to the chaotic pile of upsets we’ve enjoyed this year, but it’s a solid opportunity to get a look at some players we’re going to hear a lot of this year. In particular, the Giants might want to pay attention to WR Elijah Sarratt and OT Carter Smith.

Players to watch

(2) Indiana

  • Fernando Mendoza (QB – 15)
  • Carter Smith (OT – 65)
  • Pat Coogan (OC – 78)
  • Elijah Sarratt (WR – 13)
  • Mikail Kamara (EDGE – 6)
  • D’Angelo Ponds (CB – 5)

UCLA

  • Nico Imalavea (QB – 9)
  • Garrett DiGiorgio (OL – 72)
  • Rico Flores (WR – 1)
  • Gary Smith III (iDL – 58)
  • Cole Martin (CB – 21)

Iowa State vs. (11) BYU

Fox – 3:30 p.m.

BYU doesn’t have many prospects who are highly regarded at this point in the process. They have a bunch who are (currently) expected to be later round picks, and yet they’re currently ranked 11th in the country. That suggests a team that’s well-coached and playing at a high level. They could be a very good team to keep an eye on for role players who can contribute from the back end of the draft.

Iowa State has an extensive injury report and unfortunately defensive lineman Dominique Orange is listed as doubtful for the game. He’s a very stout interior lineman at 6-foot-4, 325 pounds and would probably be the best player on either team in the game. He could be of interest to the Giants if they want to add more beef to their defensive interior behind Dexter Lawrence and Darius Alexander.

Players to watch

Iowa State

  • Rocco Becht (QB – 3) -...