Welcome to the 11th volume of The End Zone Report, where we talk about anything and everything football. The NFL season is now settling into a rhythm; one so addictive that it leaves the fans praying for Sunday to arrive quicker. However, for those who simply can’t wait that long, the college football season is now here to ease their Saturday boredom. With both seasons in full swing, prospects and standout players are beginning to emerge. In today’s report, we’ll glance at some of the rising prospects for the 2026 NFL draft as well as going over Puka Nacua’s hot start.
The first prospect that I want to cover is University of Southern California (USC) wide receiver Makai Lemon. Lemon has been among the most dominant players in college football, leading the entire nation in receiving with 589 yards. He has been carrying the USC offense, one of the most potent in the country sporting marquee quarterback Jaiden Maiava and fellow stud receiver Ja’Kobi Lane.
Typically, dominant college football prospects rely on pure athleticism and size to differentiate themselves. Lemon isn’t big, but he is insanely fast and has polished route running that rivals some NFL pros. His best comparison would probably be Jordan Addison at USC a couple years ago. They both have a lightning-quick first step that allows them to gain separation off of defenders. Once Lemon makes it ahead of the cornerback, he can cut through zones or catch on the run. Overall, Makai Lemon’s combination of hand-eye coordination and precise route-running makes him one of the most dangerous and versatile receivers in the country.
The second prospect worth mentioning is Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer. While Mateer just underwent hand surgery, it was reported to be successful and he should be back in action. Through his first couple games, Mateer was nothing short of electric. He possesses a rocket for an arm and has exceptional processing speed. Specifically, perhaps his most dominant trait is his short-area burst. Due to all of these factors, when Mateer rolls out of the pocket, defenses have to worry about him sprinting past them or throwing a dart down the sideline.
While Mateer may not be the top quarterback in the class, his traits certainly suggest he can be successful at the next level. As wild as this may sound, he resembles a young Josh Allen. Both are pinpoint accurate with a crazy arm and strong legs, yet prone to random mistakes when pressured on their dominant sides. However, when Mateer returns from injury, he should be able to take advantage of his last couple games to make a statement to NFL scouts. Prospects like Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore may have more time to establish themselves as QB1, yet Mateer will certainly shock whichever NFL team picks him up.
The final prospect that we’ll review is edge-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. Bain is arguably the most impactful player in college football, putting up huge numbers for a Miami defense that is one of the best in the country. He has a diverse arsenal of pass-rush moves that he uses to torment quarterbacks. Further, Bain is equally as effective against the pass and the run, and he’s been putting backfields in hell for the last couple of weeks.
On other notes, Puka Nacua is slowly establishing himself as one of the best receivers in the NFL. Sorry, let me fix that. There is nothing slow about Nacua’s rise to stardom. He’s been dominating since day one, but it is about time people appreciate him. He leads the NFL in receiving ahead of names like Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase.
Part of Nacua’s relative anonymity comes from him not having a signature attribute. He isn’t very athletic, tall or fast. Rather, he dominates defensive backs through his accurate route running and physical play.
This wraps up the 11th volume of The End Zone Report. Keep a lookout for the next one.
