NFL DRAFT: Backstories For Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love, Francis Mauigoa & More

In celebration of the 2026 NFL Draft, recruiting analyst Brian Smith presents backstories on the recruitments of several players expected to go in the first round: Fernando Mendoza (Indiana), Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame), Rueben Bain, Jr. (Miami), Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Francis Mauigoa (Miami), Caleb Downs (Ohio State), and Makai Lemon (USC) among them. From Mendoza's journey through Cal and Indiana to Love's explosive stint at Notre Dame, this is a can’t-miss pre-draft episode. It spotlights Francis Mauigoa’s impact at Miami, Carnell Tate’s quiet confidence, and versatile athletes like Caleb Downs and Makai Lemon. Insights cover evaluation strategies—prioritizing Hall of Fame upside, versatility, and game tape over combine hype—while highlighting players’ adaptability, injury risks, and leadership qualities. Will NFL teams regret passing on powerhouses like Bain or fail to unlock the potential in multi-threat backs? Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join the community: https://theportal.supercast.com/ Support us by supporting our sponsors! FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Head to FANDUEL DOT COM to get started. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.