The Alabama vs. Indiana College Football Playoff matchup features a strong mix of top-end NFL talent and high-floor developmental prospects. The game places several draft-eligible players in a clean evaluation setting against elite competition, giving scouts a valuable look at how traits translate under pressure. Below is a full breakdown of the top prospects expected to shape the Alabama vs. Indiana playoff game.
Best NFL Draft Prospects From Alabama vs. Indiana
Fernando Mendoza – QB, Indiana
The HeisMendoza Moments #iufb
Relive 3 minutes of Fernando Mendoza's biggest winning plays at Iowa, at Oregon, at Penn State and now the Big Ten Championship win over Ohio State
The cinematics, the classical music, and the voice Don Fischer – it's goosebumps every time
📽️ IU pic.twitter.com/wZufYimMZc— Hoosier Review (@Hoosier_Review) December 12, 2025
Measurables: ~6’5”, 225 lbs
Projected Draft Range: Round 1 (possible No. 1 overall)
Scouting report:
Mendoza is a classic NFL pocket quarterback with elite arm strength and touch. He throws with velocity to all levels and shows consistent timing on intermediate routes. He processes quickly, stays calm under pressure, and rarely panics when the pocket collapses. His ball placement is advanced, particularly on deep outs and seam throws.
Strengths
- High-end arm talent
- Advanced pocket awareness
- Strong pre-snap recognition
- Leadership and composure in high-leverage situations
Weaknesses
- Limited rushing value
- Occasionally trusts his arm too much into tight windows
Kadyn Proctor – OT, Alabama
How Kayden Proctor is used by Alabama is phenomenal.
FINALLY we are seeing new age athletes used in different ways.
Wouldn’t be shocked to see this in the NFL soon.
High school -> CFB -> NFL playcall pipeline. pic.twitter.com/jEX5SVZHii
— Jack Mac (@JackMac) October 11, 2025
Measurables: 6’7”, 360 lbs
Projected Draft Range: Late Round 1 to Round 2
Scouting report:
A massive left tackle with overwhelming power. Proctor can erase defenders in the run game and anchor well against bull rushes. When his footwork is clean, he’s extremely hard to beat. Alabama trusts him in space and on screens, and have even used him as a back in goal line packages, which speaks to his athletic ceiling.
Strengths
- Rare size and strength
- Strong anchor vs. power
- Heavy hands at contact
- Improving pass protection late in season
Weaknesses
- Inconsistent foot speed vs. pure edge speed
- Balance issues when overextending
Carter Smith – OL, Indiana
Indiana OT Carter Smith (6-5, 313) makes 37th consecutive starts today vs Alabama
♦️Smooth kickslide; balanced mirroring & ⚓️in pass pro; nice strike to protect inside moves
♦️Strong & aggressive in the run; hangs tough toward the end of the play to drive defenders from the 🏈… pic.twitter.com/PtX5Y9Wa12
— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) January 1, 2026
Measurables: 6’5”, 315 lbs
Projected Draft Range: Round 2–3
Scouting report:
Smith is a technician with excellent hand placement and footwork. He’s more refined than explosive and profiles as a high-floor interior lineman at the next level. Rarely beaten cleanly and consistently sound in pass protection.
Strengths
- Technical consistency
- Strong balance and leverage
- Reliable pass protector
- High football IQ
Weaknesses
- Average length
- Limited power upside
- Likely interior move in NFL
D’Angelo Ponds – CB, Indiana
This is what makes Indiana CB D’Angelo Ponds the Best CB in CFB.
5’9 170 vs 6’4 330 & 6’5 305 Offensive lineman.
These are the areas where his size SHOULD be a concern, yet this is where he excels. Then can lock down a post route from outside leverage on a 4.3 WR. CB1 pic.twitter.com/QQppg4PCSA
— Buffed Prime T-Cal (@BuffedInPrime) November 14, 2025
Measurables: 5’9”, 172 lbs
Projected Draft Range: Round 2
Scouting report:
An undersized corner who plays with aggression and confidence. Ponds mirrors well in man coverage and attacks the ball at the catch point. His competitiveness stands out immediately on film.
Strengths
- Quick feet and hips
- Fearless coverage mentality
- Strong timing at the catch point
- Willing tackler
Weaknesses
- Size mismatch vs. big receivers
- Limited margin for error
Amare Ferrell – S, Indiana
Amare Ferrell is a safety prospect from Indiana. He has an 84.6 coverage grade and a 77.3 run defense grade on the season. Ferrell is instinctive, quick to diagnose and react, and possesses great ball skills. He has recorded four interceptions in each of the last two seasons. pic.twitter.com/bFBV3gcXQf
— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) December 21, 2025
Measurables: ~6’2”, 200 lbs
Projected Draft Range: Round 2–3
Scouting report:
A rangy safety with smooth movement skills and good spatial awareness. Comfortable playing deep or rotating into coverage. More coverage-oriented than physical enforcer.
Strengths
- Coverage range
- Fluid hips
- Good route recognition
- Versatile alignment
Weaknesses
- Needs added strength
- Average takeaway production
- Can get caught in traffic
Louis Moore – S, Indiana
If you need a starting-caliber box safety in this draft, Indiana safety Louis Moore (@LLM__11) is going to be your guy.
FLIES to the football. Such a good downhill player. #iufb https://t.co/3xv01jIs8T pic.twitter.com/87i35vwzxC
— Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) December 19, 2025
Measurables: 5’11”, 200 lbs
Projected Draft Range: Round 3
Scouting report:
Experienced ball-hawking safety with strong instincts. Reads quarterbacks well and positions himself effectively in zone coverage. Brings maturity and reliability to the backend.
Strengths
- Ball skills
- Instinctive play
- Reliable tackler
- Leadership presence
Weaknesses
- Older prospect
- Average top-end athleticism
- Limited positional flexibility
Keon Sabb – S, Alabama
Keon Sabb is a versatile athlete, reliable tackler in the open field, and posted an 83.1 coverage grade for Alabama in 2025. pic.twitter.com/zN0iMo0KbV
— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) December 24, 2025
Measurables: 6’1”, 195 lbs
Projected Draft Range: Round 3
Scouting report:
Athletic safety with versatility to play deep, in the slot, or in split looks. Moves well and has the tools NFL coaches like to develop.
Strengths
- Athletic profile
- Coverage versatility
- Good range
- Size-speed combo
Weaknesses
- Inconsistent tackling angles
- Still refining instincts
- Limited elite production
Deontae Lawson – LB, Alabama
DEONTAE LAWSON PICKS OFF GARRETT NUSSMEIER IN THE END ZONE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/bETbX99ow8
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 10, 2024
Measurables: 6’2”, 230 lbs
Projected Draft Range: Round 3
Scouting report:
A modern linebacker built for coverage and pursuit. Lawson plays fast and diagnoses plays quickly but lacks elite power inside.
Strengths
- Sideline-to-sideline speed
- Coverage ability
- Football intelligence
- Reliable tackling in space
Weaknesses
- Limited strength vs. blocks
- Not a dominant run plugger
- Average playmaking totals
LT Overton – DL, Alabama
Alabama EDGE LT Overton:
+ Inside/outside versatility
+ Size-adjusted quickness
+ Converts speed to power well
+ Bull rush and long-arm effectiveness
+ Setting the edge
– Much fewer pressures in 2025
– Flexibility and agility
– Inconsistent pad level pic.twitter.com/5amDrvbsdh— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) December 8, 2025
Measurables: 6’3”, 275 lbs
Projected Draft Range: Round 3
Scouting report:
Versatile defensive lineman who can play multiple alignments. Wins with power and effort rather than pure burst.
Strengths
- Strong bull rush
- Positional versatility
- High motor
- Interior disruption
Weaknesses
- Limited bend off the edge
- Needs pass-rush refinement