Eric Espada/University of Miami Athletics
The lights of Hard Rock Stadium will burn bright Sunday night as Notre Dame and Miami renew one of college football’s most storied rivalries. For the first time since 2017, the Irish and Hurricanes collide in primetime, with both programs entering the season as top-ten teams and playoff hopefuls.
Beyond the tradition and the stakes, NFL scouts will be tuned in closely. This game doubles as a showcase for some of the premier prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class. From Notre Dame’s explosive playmakers to Miami’s trenches talent, here’s a breakdown of the names to know on each side.
Notre Dame Prospects to Watch
RB Jeremiyah Love
Love is the headliner in South Bend. A track-verified burner with legitimate Heisman buzz, he topped 1,400 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns last season. His blend of home-run speed, surprising contact balance, and emerging receiving skills makes him one of the most dynamic backs in college football. Scouts will be watching to see if his frame (206 pounds) holds up against Miami’s physical front.
OT Aamil Wagner
Notre Dame has built a reputation as “OLU,” and Wagner is next in line. The 6’6” tackle moves with rare agility and has shown the ability to mirror top edge rushers. At just 290 pounds, his anchor against Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. will be a major litmus test. A strong showing Sunday could accelerate his climb into first-round consideration.
LB Drayk Bowen
The in-state product has emerged as the heartbeat of the Irish defense. A high-IQ linebacker with sideline-to-sideline range and bone-rattling power, Bowen plays with relentless motor and leadership that jumps off the tape. His ability to diagnose plays quickly will be critical against Carson Beck’s veteran presence.
WR Malachi Fields
The Virginia transfer brings size (6’4”, 220) and contested-catch ability to Notre Dame’s receiver room. He doesn’t have elite speed, but his body control and toughness in traffic make him a reliable target. Scouts will want to see if he can separate consistently against Miami’s physical corners.
WR Jaden Greathouse
A Texas high school legend who has flashed in big moments, Greathouse is a polished route runner and contested-catch winner. While he lacks true burner speed, his playoff performances showed he can deliver on the biggest stage. Sunday is his chance to cement himself as a go-to weapon.
OT Charles Jagusah
The former wrestling champion has all the tools scouts drool over: length, athleticism, and raw power. Injuries have limited his sample size, but his ceiling is as high as any lineman in this class. His matchup against Miami’s front will give evaluators valuable tape.
Other Irish names:
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Boubacar Traore (EDGE) – high-motor rusher with flashes of disruptive ability.
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Christian Gray (CB) – fluid cover man with strong instincts.
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Gabriel Rubio (DL) – stout interior defender with heavy hands.
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Jaiden Ausberry (LB) – quick, rangy linebacker who thrives in pursuit.
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DeVonta Smith (CB, Alabama transfer) – physical corner with SEC experience.
Miami Prospects to Watch
QB Carson Beck
The Georgia transfer arrives in Coral Gables with nearly 8,000 career passing yards. A poised pocket passer with excellent anticipation and timing, Beck has first-round tools if he can stay consistent and protect the football. This primetime audition against Notre Dame’s defense could swing his draft trajectory.
OT Francis Mauigoa
Simply put, Mauigoa is a freak. At 6’6”, 315, he moves like a tight end and plays with violent hands. Already a mainstay on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List,” Mauigoa projects as a top-five pick if he continues developing. His battle with Notre Dame’s edge defenders will be must-watch.
EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
Few defenders in the country are more disruptive. The local product exploded as a freshman before battling injuries last year. Healthy again, Bain brings elite first-step quickness and violent hands off the edge. How he fares against Wagner and Jagusah will have every NFL scout glued to the screen.
RB Mark Fletcher Jr.
At 6’2”, 225, Fletcher is a downhill hammer built for Sundays. He isn’t a breakaway threat, but his physicality and red-zone production stand out. Against Notre Dame’s front, he’ll have a chance to show if he can create yards after contact against NFL-level linebackers like Bowen.
EDGE Akheem Mesidor
The West Virginia transfer has proven production and versatility along the defensive line. Injuries cloud his outlook, but when healthy, he brings a relentless motor and disruptive first step.
CB Damari Brown
Brown offers size and toughness on the perimeter, though questions remain about his long speed. His test will come against Notre Dame’s bigger-bodied receivers.
WR CJ Daniels
A transfer with big-play potential, Daniels averaged nearly 20 yards per catch at Liberty. He lacks elite speed but has a knack for winning contested balls and could provide Beck with a needed vertical threat.
Other Hurricanes to watch:
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OT Samson Okunlola – raw but toolsy tackle prospect with length.
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C James Brockermeyer (Alabama transfer) – experienced, technically sound interior lineman.
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LB Raul Aguirre Jr. – instinctive chase linebacker with range.
What Scouts Will Be Watching
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Quarterback Contrast:
Notre Dame’s CJ Carr makes his first start, while Miami counters with seasoned Carson Beck. Scouts will note how each handles the stage. -
Trench Battles:
The Wagner/Jagusah duo versus Bain/Mesidor could decide the game — and shape draft boards. -
Playmakers in Space:
Jeremiyah Love’s explosiveness versus Mark Fletcher’s power offers two distinct backfield profiles. -
Secondary vs. Receivers:
Miami’s corners will be tested by Fields and Greathouse, while Notre Dame’s DBs must contend with Daniels and company.
Final Word
Notre Dame–Miami isn’t just a rivalry game or a playoff tone-setter. It’s a preview of the 2026 NFL Draft, with first-rounders lining both sidelines. From Francis Mauigoa’s dominance up front to Jeremiyah Love’s home-run ability, scouts will be circling names and jotting notes all night long.
Sunday in Miami isn’t just about who wins — it’s about who proves they belong at the next level.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
