2026 NFL Draft: College Game Recaps – Week 5

After the Miami defense limited Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love in Week 1, Love has been on a tear and he dominated Arkansas to start a blowout of the Razorbacks by halftime. In the first quarter, Love showed his impressive skill set on the Irish’s opening drive. His first carry saw him stop for a gain of three, but he used his power to push the pile and turn it into a gain of six. A few plays later, Love’s superb receiving ability was evident on a 25-yard catch. Love lined up as a receiver and got separation after contact at the break, and Love made a nice reception for the gain. Love showed his quickness with a 16-yard run on a third-and-7. At the one-yard line, Love powered through a tackler to get across the goal line for a touchdown.

On the next possession, Love got open for a seven-yard touchdown. Love got open in the flat and spun to catch the pass. He did another spin from a tackler and darted into the end zone. Later in the second quarter, Love followed his blocks and weaved his way through the Arkansas defense to score from 34 yards out on a screen pass. To end the first half, Love scored his fourth touchdown, plunging into the end zone from a few yards out. Love totaled 57 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns rushing. He caught five passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

For the NFL, Love looks like a three-down starter who is capable of being a work-horse back like Nick Chubb. Love is a physical downhill runner with excellent vision, patience, and cutting ability. Love shows serious power to pick up yards after contact and is capable of creating on his own. In the passing game, Love is pro-ready and very impressive. He runs good routes from a variety of places, has soft hands, and is athletic to adjust to the ball. Love has also blocked well in pass protection. As long as he can stay healthy, Love looks like a first-round pick for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Love’s backup, Jadarian Price, would be a starter at the vast majority of schools in the nation, and he could be a second-day pick in his draft class. In the first half against the Razorbacks, Price had a 20-yard touchdown run and picked up some clutch yards. In the third quarter, Price had an excellent after-the-catch run to score a 35-yard touchdown. Price ran for 86 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries with one catch for 35 yards and a touchdown. Price is a tough runner with a burst. He has good vision, cutting ability, and is a shifty runner. He could also be a good kick returner in the NFL. If Price were to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, he could be a late second-round or third-round pick.

Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green had some big performances to open the 2025 season, and there were some in the media comparing him to Baltimore Ravens MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson. Notre Dame’s defense has struggled in the past few weeks, but it did a good job of limiting the dual-threat quarterback. In the first half, Green had a quality start, finding some open receivers and guiding the Razorbacks to a field goal on the opening drive. He also had some good runs in the first half, including taking off on a 54-yard gain on a zone-read play. Green threw an interception in garbage time on a desperation throw. Green finished completing 17-of-32 passes for 207 yards with an interception. He ran for 81 yards on the ground. Green has a good arm with height, mobility, and some serious straight line speed. However, Green could use more development with his pocket passing for the NFL. Going back to school and developing would be best for Green’s long-term future.

There was the potential for a good draft matchup in this game, but it ended up disappointing. Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston is one of the top wide receiver prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft, and he was going against a quality secondary led by Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs. Unfortunately, the Huskies did not do a good job of giving Boston targets, and the Buckeyes’ offense was more effective at staying on the field to control the clock.

In the first quarter, Boston got open in zone coverage, but his quarterback didn’t see him. After scrambling, Boston helped his quarterback by running open on the sideline and getting wide open for a 17-yard reception. Boston showed his strength and toughness to move the pile on a wide receiver screen to get the Huskies a first down. Later in the drive, on a third down, Ohio State got away with hugging and holding Boston downfield to prevent him from running free. Boston totaled three catches for 26 yards. The Buckeyes sent extra attention to Boston, but that helped open things up for freshman receiver Dezmen Roebuck.

For the NFL, Boston is a big receiver who is tough, dangerous after the catch, and skilled at winning 50-50 passes. As a player, Boston is similar to the Falcons’ Drake London or the Panthers’ Tet McMillan. Boston could be an early-rounder next April.

Downs was impressive for Ohio State as he was clutch when the Buckeyes needed him to be. In the early going, Downs had an excellent tackle in space. He snuffed out a screen darting past blockers and making a tackle immediately after the receiver caught the ball. In the third quarter, Downs tracked down Jonah Coleman for a tackle at the six-yard line, and that tackle in space prevented a touchdown. Downs is a well-rounded safety with excellent instincts. He moves well in zone coverage and shows the ability to cover in man. Not many safeties end up getting drafted in the first round, but Downs looks worthy of going on the opening night of the draft.

Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese has been superb this season, and that trend continued against Washington. In the early going, Reese made a touchdown-saving tackle on a tight end running over from zone coverage and stopping him around the two-yard line. A few plays later, Reese was in zone spying the quarterback, and he chased him down for a sack after he scrambled. In the next Washington possession, Reese made a third-down tackle to force a field goal attempt. Thus far in 2025, Reese has been productive and stacking good tapes. Team sources feel that Reese is a special player as they like his instincts in combination with being big and athletic. At 6-foot-4. 238 pounds, Reese is a large linebacker with a versatile skill set. This tape will help Reese to be a first-round pick next April.