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The concept of “my guys” is essentially a prospect you would pound the table for and/or someone that you are higher on than the consensus boards. In 2024, some notable prospects for me included Cam Hart, Michael Penix, DJ Glaze, Dylan McMahon, Jalyx Hunt, Graham Barton, Ruke Orhorohoro, and Brandon Dorlus. 2025 saw some notable names such as Jacory Merritt, Konata Mumpfield, Efton Chism, Charles Grant, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Darien Porter, and Zah Frazier. With that in mind, let’s jump into the 2026 combine edition:
*Some players when I release this in April will stay the same, but others will change as boards move and I have scouted more prospects, I have around another 250 to go*. Additionally, here was my “My Guys” in November:
For notes, in November I posted my midseason “my guys” which included Cole Payton, Barika Kpeenu, Elijah Sarratt, Eli Stowers, Max Iheanachor, Emmanuel Pregnon, Keylan Rutledge, Clev Lubin, Whit Weeks, D’Angelo Ponds, and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. Here is my offensive my guys for this class for the combine.
IDL Chris McClellan, Missouri
My Grade: Early 4th | Consensus: Mid 5th
The 6’4, 323 defensive tackle likely is going to play a true 0-1 and sometimes 2 shade technique at the NFL level. McClellan has massive size and pairs that with solid NFL athleticism for the position. He posted 48 tackles, 8 TFL, and 6 sacks in 2025 with a career 17 TFL and 10.5 sacks. McClellan has elite lower body power, a quick first step, and violent active hands. He’s likely to be a significant run defender in the NFL and will see the field on early downs, but his pass rush traits do have some notable flashes that will call for development in his NFL career.
IDL Carlos Allen Jr, Houston
My Grade: Late 3rd | Consensus: UDFA
The former Kennesaw State product has a career 56 pressures, 10.5 sacks, and 97 stops but he’s been highly productive with Houston posting 11.5 TFL, 5 sacks, 3 PBU, 2 FR, and 2 FF in 25 games with another 26 pressures, and 57 stops through two seasons. Allen is a smaller lineman at 6’0, 300 but he showcases elite athleticism in his lower body to pair with athletic hips, fluid footwork, and good hand combat skills. Allen is likely to translate to a 2 technique instead of the traditional NT that he played at Houston but the athletic traits, minus size, are something to bank on especially with his level of run defense. Allen is likely to fall down boards but should be a good pickup later in the draft or as a UDFA.
EDGE Cian Slone, NC State
My Grade: Late 4th | Consensus: UDFA
Slone poses a good NFL frame at 6’4, 252 and in his three seasons at Utah State & NC State, he’s posted 22.5 TFL, 11 sacks, an interception, 5 PBU, 2 FR, and 3 FF along with 85 pressures, a 17.5% win rate, and 63 stops. Slone showcases every athletic trait that a team is going to be keyed on, he plays with phenomenal athleticism, elite first step quickness, and a high end ability to bend the edge, and utilize his speed to power conversion. Slone has quick violent hands, and does need to improve as a run defender where he’ll consistently over pursue or whiff on his block if he’s not pushed out of the way. However, Slone showcases an NFL caliber frame, good core strength, and the athleticism to bank on developing into a productive rotational pass rusher at the NFL level.
EDGE Max Llewellyn, Iowa
My Grade: Late 3rd | Consensus: Early 6th
Llewellyn is coming off back to back 35+ pressure seasons, also turning in 48 tackles, 18 TFL, and 12 sacks over that time with another 9 PBU, and 3 forced fumbles. Llewllyn has an NFL frame at 6’5, 260 though his arm length is slightly under expectation. Llewellyn showcases NFL caliber athleticism, with an elite first step, and quickness around the corner. He showcases good ankle flexibility to bend the corner, a strong lower body that can anchor in run defense, and a spin move that allows him to consistently get past tackles. He’ll need to add more strength at the NFL level, and improve his hand/foot work in pass rush, but he’s showcasing the athleticism and frame to bank on developing into an NFL starter.
ILB Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
My Grade: Early 3rd | Consensus: Early 5th
The former safety also played centerfield for Oregon till this season where he posted 136 tackles, 5.5 TFL, and a sack along with an interception, 6 PBU, and 2 FF with another 36 stops, 11 pressures, and allowing just a 69.3 QBR. Boettcher is new to the position but has an NFL caliber frame at 6’2, 232, and he showcases elite athleticism to no surprise. He’s a fluid mover in space, is able to play sideline to sideline, and has natural coverage instincts to play with his fluid hips and quick feet. He adds a quick downhill trigger and strong closing speed allowing him to quickly get to the flats and come downhill on a runningback. Boettcher will need to learn the position more at the NFL level but his traits, tackling, and instincts will translate.
CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin
My Grade: Late 4th | Consensus: Early 7th
Demmings, 6’1, 193 turned in a 9.97 RAS this weekend at the Combine after posting a 4.41 40, 42 vert, and 11 broad. Demmings has a career 9 interceptions and 31 PBU during his 2000 snaps at SF Austin. He showcases elite ball skills and athleticism that NFL teams will value. Additionally, he has a physical profile and is physical throughout the route concept, consistently fighting receivers for the ball, and staying on their hip in coverage. He has elite instincts, strong closing speed, an understanding of leverage, and tackles well. Demmings does need to improve with getting handsy at the catch point, and he can be too aggressive at times but he showcases NFL starting CB potential. He allowd just 69 receptions for 1019 yards, and a 67.7 QBR across 150 targets during his time in college.
CB Devon Marshall, NC State
My Grade: Mid-Late 5th| Consensus: UDFA
Marshall projects as an NFL nickel cornerback but also ahs outside versatility. The 5’10, 193 cornerback logged an FBS leading 16 PBU with 2 INT and 50 tackles in 2025 after 2 interceptions and 9 PBU in 2024. Additionally, he’s posted a career 33 PBU along with his time at Villanova and allowed a 64.9 QBR across the last two seasons. Marshall is a fluid mover in space, and showcases an ability to get to the ball at the point of attack. He tackles well, has good short area quickness, and is physical enough to play vs bigger receivers and work the slot. Marshall needs to be more patient in coverage, and overall does have a limited ceiling as his NFL potential is concerned. He’s a limited athlete but showcases the ability to come in and compete to elevate a teams nickel role.
SAF Cole Wisniewski, Texas Tech
My Grade: Early 5th | Consensus: Late 7th
Wisniewski transferred to Texas Tech after a career season at North Dakota State where he logged 8 interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and allowed a 31.5 QBR on 35 targets. The 6’4, 220 safety will likely convert to a nickel linebacker role in the NFL or potentially down to linebacker in general. In his one season with the Red Raiders he allowed just 19 receptions for 143 yards, and a 77.4 QBR with 78 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks, and 8 PBU. Wisniewski moves well, but won’t be able to play deep in the NFL, though he’s an above average athlete. Additionally, the safety showcases good instincts in coverage, strong short area quickness, and an aggressive downhill trigger. He does need to improve as a run defender with a career 11% missed tackle rate, but he showcases the ability to run in the slot, play a true WLB role, and matches up well with tight ends. The ceiling is likely limited for him in the NFL, but he showcases NFL ready potential to impact the game at the 2nd level.
SAF Xavier Nwankpa, Iowa
My Grade: Late 4th| Consensus: Late 6th
Nwankpa came into the season as a projected top 100 pick and has fallen down the board, but the 6’2, 215 pound safety is still showcases exceptional instincts and quickness to be a productive NFL safety. He’s turned in a career 171 tackles, three interceptions, 11 breakups, and two forced fumbles through 52 games while allowing just 45 receptions for 509 yards, and a 88.8 QBR. Nwankpa has a career 14% missed tackle rate and it does show in coverage at times, where he consistently will take a bad angle or be out of position, though he does have an exceptional trigger, and natural instincts for the run game which help him be in positions others aren’t able to be in usually. Nwankpa showcases the ability to play deep through his time at Iowa, but also showed the ability to work at a strong safety and could be a versatile piece for defensive coordinators. Nwankpa has declined at times and didn’t develop as expected, but the athleticism and instincts pair well to be a productive late round selection.