It’s never too early to think about the NFL draft, right?
Ahead of college football season, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller spoke with scouts and personnel people around the NFL about which college football players could rise up draft boards this year.
His list included four local players, including a quarterback. Here’s who Miller singled out.
Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback from Baylor was listed among potential draft risers.
Robertson, who transferred to Baylor from Mississippi State ahead of the 2023 season, was a first-time starter for Dave Aranda in 2024 and thrived. He threw for 3,071 yards with 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions to go along with 230 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
“If you want a dude that’s going to come out of nowhere, it’s [Robertson]. He’s what everyone wants [Penn State’s] Drew Allar to be,” said an AFC South area scout told Miller. “Big, big arm, and he can move.”
If Robertson can hone in his impressive physical tools in his second season as Baylor’s starter, he could be a QB to watch in next year’s draft.
Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter
Hunter is a 6-foot-4, 320-pound defensive tackle who came to the Red Raiders via the transfer portal as one of the key players in Texas Tech’s highly touted transfer class.
He played three seasons at UCF, totaling five career sacks and was second-team All-Big 12 last season.
“Hunter is a big dude, but his strength and ability to command double-teams is where he’ll stand out in the 30 front,” a NFC South area scout who has seen him play in person told Miller.
With a big season in Lubbock, Hunter could be one of the top interior players in the 2026 draft.
Texas TE Jack Endries
Texas’ 6-foot-4, 240-pound tight end Jack Endries comes to Austin with hopes of being the latest Longhorn tight end sent to the NFL.
He is a versatile tight end that transferred to Texas from Cal this offseason. He caught 56 passes for 623 yards and two touchdowns in his sophomore season at Cal.
“[Texas coach Steve Sarkisian] is doing a great job developing tight ends and working his offense around them, but I wonder how much Endries will see the ball with Arch Manning‘s deep ball,” one AFC West national scout said. “He’s such a good athlete and he can play anywhere. He’s one of the two most talented tight ends in the country.”
Miller also mentions that Endries has two years of eligibility left, so there’s a chance he isn’t in the 2026 draft. But with a good season at Texas, Endries could be among the most intriguing tight end prospects.
Oklahoma DT Gracen Halton
Despite Oklahoma’s incredibly disappointing debut season in the SEC, Halton was a bright spot on the Sooners’ elite defense.
He broke out with five sacks thanks to impressive burst and explosive ability on the interior of Brent Venables’ defense. Halton is undersized at 6-foot-2 and 291 pounds, but led the FBS with a 14.1% pressure rate at DT and is one of the top interior pass rushers in the country.
“I loved his progression from seeing the field as a true freshman to working more as a sophomore, and then, boom, he has that huge year last year. The Gerald McCoy comparisons are coming,” said an NFC West area scout.
He had an opportunity to enter this year’s draft but decided to return to Oklahoma for another year. With teams always looking for interior pressure, Halton could be among the 2026 draft’s top DTs.
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