When the 10th-ranked Miami Hurricanes take on the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers in Monday night’s NCAA National Championship, all eyes will be on the game itself - but for the Cincinnati Bengals, this is also a front-row seat to some of the most intriguing NFL Draft talent in the country. With playoff-caliber prospects on both rosters, this matchup could double as a scouting goldmine for a Bengals team looking to reload and reinforce in key areas.
Here’s a breakdown of the players worth watching - and why Cincinnati’s front office should be paying close attention.
Rueben Bain Jr. - Edge, Miami
If there’s one name Bengals fans should circle heading into draft season, it’s Rueben Bain Jr. The Hurricanes’ edge rusher has been on a tear throughout the playoffs, racking up 21 pressures and 4 sacks over the last three games.
His power-based style jumps off the screen, and he’s been dominant in true pass-rush situations with a 30.3% win rate. That’s elite territory.
Bain’s game is built on strength and relentless effort, and he wins with a bull rush that can collapse pockets in a hurry. For a Bengals defense that could use a consistent edge presence opposite Trey Hendrickson, Bain fits the mold of a first-round target - especially if he continues to dominate on the national stage.
Mikail Kamara - Edge, Indiana
Kamara might not have the prototypical size Cincinnati usually targets at defensive end - he’s listed at 6'1", 260 pounds - but he brings a different kind of chaos. With a 23.3% win rate on true pass sets, Kamara has proven he can consistently beat offensive tackles with a deep bag of pass rush moves and an explosive first step that gives linemen fits.
He plays like his hair’s on fire, and while his frame might raise questions, his production and motor are impossible to ignore. For a team like the Bengals that values versatility and effort, Kamara could be a disruptive rotational piece early on with upside to grow into more.
Akheem Mesidor - DL, Miami
Mesidor is one of the most interesting cases in this championship game. At 24 years old and with some injury history, he’s not the cleanest prospect on paper - but his production this season speaks volumes.
He leads Miami with 10.5 sacks and boasts a jaw-dropping 36.4% pressure win rate. That’s not a typo.
Mesidor’s ability to line up both inside and outside makes him a valuable chess piece on the defensive line. He may not be a first-rounder due to age and durability concerns, but if he’s still on the board in the second round, the Bengals could be looking at a high-upside disruptor who fits their hybrid front perfectly.
Francis Mauigoa - OT, Miami
Mauigoa’s talent is undeniable. He’s a top-tier right tackle prospect with a nasty streak in the run game and noticeable growth in pass protection this season. But here’s the rub - the Bengals already have Amarius Mims locked in at right tackle, and Mauigoa hasn’t shown much positional flexibility to this point.
Could Cincinnati try to kick him inside to guard? Maybe.
But historically, that’s not a spot they’ve been eager to spend premium draft capital on. Mauigoa is good enough to go in the top 10 - just maybe not to a team like the Bengals, given their current roster makeup.
D’Angelo Ponds - CB, Miami
Don’t let the 5'9", 170-pound frame fool you - Ponds plays like he’s 6'2", 200. He’s a fearless, physical corner who thrives in the slot, and his pick-six to open the semifinal against Oregon set the tone for Miami’s blowout win. With Dax Hill and DJ Turner holding down the outside, Ponds could be a perfect Day 2 addition to bolster the nickel spot.
He brings attitude, quickness, and a willingness to mix it up in the run game - traits that would fit right in with Lou Anarumo’s defense.
Keionte Scott - DB, Indiana
Scott is a Swiss Army knife in the secondary. At 6'0", 195 pounds, he’s played outside, inside, and even some safety. His age (he’ll be 25 by training camp) might raise eyebrows, but the Bengals didn’t shy away from older prospects last year - see Demetrius Knight Jr.
Scott’s tape shows a player with excellent zone awareness, physical tackling, and elite run support. His 90.7 run defense grade and 89.7 coverage grade are among the best in the country. If Cincinnati is looking for a plug-and-play defensive back on Day 2, Scott checks a lot of boxes.
Jakobe Thomas - S, Miami
Thomas brings heat from the back end - both literally and figuratively. He’s a thumper with ball skills, notching five interceptions this season and posting an impressive 88.9 coverage grade. He’s not in the early-round conversation just yet, but as a Day 3 flier, Thomas has the traits to develop into a valuable depth piece - and potentially more.
If Miami is going to pull off the upset against Indiana, Thomas will need to be a difference-maker in the secondary.
Omar Cooper Jr. - WR, Indiana
If the Bengals are looking to add juice to the slot receiver position, Cooper is a name to watch. At 6'0", 201 pounds, he brings a mix of toughness and shiftiness. He’s reliable - just a 4.7% drop rate - and productive, approaching 900 yards on the season.
Cooper tracks the deep ball well, creates after the catch, and has the kind of physicality that fits the AFC North mold. He could be a strong Day 2 option if Cincinnati wants to add another weapon for Joe Burrow.
Bottom Line:
This national title game isn’t just about crowning a champion - it’s a showcase of NFL-ready talent, and the Bengals should be watching closely. From high-end edge rushers like Bain and Mesidor to versatile defensive backs like Scott and Ponds, there’s no shortage of prospects who could end up in stripes next season. Monday night could be the first step in that journey.