Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t the only football team that is gearing up for a championship run. The 2025-26 College Football Playoffs are officially upon us, and for as much media scrutiny as this event continues to receive, one thing is undeniable: these games between elite competition are great litmus tests for NFL Draft prospects. Youngsters are getting their last chance to put their best foot forward in front of evaluators before the start of the all-star game circuit next month.
Regardless of your collegiate affiliation to these, I took the time to write about a handful of prospects that you will want to keep an eye on from a Steelers perspective.
There’s a strong argument to be made that the signal caller for the Crimson Tide has the most to gain over these next couple weeks, given the lack of depth in the 2026 quarterback class. Over the first half of the season, his command of the offense, aggressiveness over the middle of the field, and toughness in big moments offered a lot of promise. Lately, the tape hasn’t been as clean, with accuracy concerns mounting, but a statement game versus a stout Oklahoma defense is on deck.
Alabama QB Ty Simpson working a very popular NFL concept (smash-drive) from under center, showing he can throw the backside dig with anticipation.
That's Sunday football… pic.twitter.com/WXug9TPPAw
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) October 1, 2025
Oregon’s rushing attack is a well-oiled machine, and Pregnon’s skill set is a primary reason for that, given his remarkable consistency all season long. The USC transfer plays with a mean streak, has the burst off the ball to execute difficult backside cutoffs on outside zone, and can be weaponized as a puller on gap-scheme concepts. His reps in pass protection have been even cleaner due to his length to establish first significant contact, sturdy anchor in a phone booth, and lateral foot speed to mirror rushers.
Unsurprisingly, the first round of this year’s NFL Draft is going to be littered with Buckeyes, and Styles has a clear path to being the best individual player of that ultra-talented group. He possesses the prototypical frame and athleticism that teams covet with a rare combination of processing speed and violence at the point of attack as a block deconstructor and tackler. Styles moves well in space and has been reliable in coverage, but hopefully we see him challenged more over the next few weeks against better competition.
We haven't seen an off-ball backer taken inside the top-15 since 2020. Ohio State's Sonny Styles is going to change that.
The Indiana tape (7 stops) is a run-fitting clinic from a mental processing and stack-n-shed standpoint.
0 missed tackles in 2025… pic.twitter.com/4QgsMq4Z8h
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) December 15, 2025
Miller is an intelligent, heavy-handed player in the trenches that regularly jolts...
