How projected NFL draft first-round picks ranked as high school recruits

[ASFN Admin]

The 2026 NFL draft has arrived, with the spotlight turning on Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the first round that will kick off on Thursday.

As far as talent, this year's draft has plenty at the forefront, with Indiana's Jordan Mendoza leading the way.

Like the Hoosiers QB, many of the projected first-round picks had an interesting journey from the high school football recruiting trail to draft night.

Just how good were they back in their high school days? Here's how each of the possible selections from Christian D'Andrea's mock draft were ranked as high school prospects.

1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana​

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High School: Miami Columbus (FL)

Class: 2022

Ranking: No. 134 quarterback

2. New York Jets: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech​

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High School: Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)

Class: 2022

Ranking: No. 34 overall, No. 3 edge

3. Arizona Cardinals: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State​

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High School: Glenville (Cleveland, OH)

Class: 2023

Ranking: No. 206 nationally, No. 18 linebacker

4. Tennessee Titans: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State​

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High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)

Class: 2023

Ranking: No. 22 overall, No. 3 wide receiver

5. New York Giants: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State​

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High School: Pickerington Central (OH)

Class: 2022

Ranking: No. 27 overall, No. 2 safety

6. Cleveland Browns: OT Spencer Fano, Utah​

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High School: Timpview (Provo, UT)

Class: 2023

Ranking: No. 42 overall, No. 7 offensive tackle

7. Washington Commanders: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame​

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High School: Christian Brothers College (St. Louis, MO)

Class: 2023

Ranking: No. 96 overall, No. 5 running back

8. New Orleans Saints: WR Makai Lemon, USC​

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High School: Los Alamitos (CA)

Class: 2023

Ranking: No. 50 overall, No. 9 wide receiver

9. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU​

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High School: Archbishop Spalding (Severn, MD)

Class: 2022

Ranking: No. 55 cornerback

10. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami​

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High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)

Class: 2023

Ranking: No. 6 overall, No. 2 offensive tackle

11. Miami Dolphins: EDGE Rueben Bain, Miami​

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High School: Miami Central (FL)

Class: 2023

Ranking: No. 71 overall, No. 10 edge

12. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee​

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High School: Whitehouse (TX)

Class: 2023

Ranking: No. 91 cornerback

13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons): S Caleb Downs, Ohio State​

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High School: Mill Creek (Hoschton, GA)

Class: 2023

Ranking: No. 8 overall, No. 1 safety

14. Baltimore Ravens: IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State​

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High School: Graham-Kapowsin (WA)

Class: 2022

Ranking: No.18 interior offensive lineman

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami​

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High School: Clearwater Academy International (FL)

Class: 2020

Ranking: No. 69 edge

16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts): WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State​

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High School: Allen (TX)

Class: 2022

Ranking: No. 215 wide receiver

17. Detroit Lions: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia​

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High School: Oceanside Collegiate Academy (Mount Pleasant, SC)

Class: 2023

Ranking: No. 33 overall, No. 6 offensive tackle

18. Minnesota Vikings: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon​

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High School: Westfield (IN)

Class: 2023

Ranking: No. 74 safety

19. Carolina Panthers: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon​

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High School: Skyline (Idaho Falls, ID)

Class: 2023

Ranking: No. 79 overall, No. 4 athlete

20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers): EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M​

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High School: Rockhurst (Kansas City, MO)

Class: 2021

Ranking: No. 207 athlete

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana​

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High School: Lawrence North (Indianapolis, IN)

Class: 2022

Ranking: No. 80 wide receiver

22. Los Angeles Chargers: LB C.J. Allen, Georgia​

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High School: Southeast Polk (Des Moines, IA)

Class: 2023

Ranking: No. 5 overall, No. 1 offensive tackle

23. Philadelphia Eagles: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo​

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High School: Lakewood (St. Petersburg, FL)

Class: 2022

Ranking: No. 119 safety

24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars): WR Kevin Concepcion, Texas A&M​

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High School: Chambers (Charlotte, NC)

Class: 2023

Ranking: No. 97 wide receiver

25. Chicago Bears: DL Peter Woods, Clemson​

High School: Thompson (Alabaster, AL)

Class: 2023

Ranking: No. 59 overall, No. 8 defensive lineman

26. Buffalo Bills: EDGE Zion Young, Missouri​

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High School: Westlake (Atlanta, GA)

Class: 2022

Ranking: No. 145 defensive lineman

27. San Francisco 49ers: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah​

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High School: Highland (Gilbert, AZ)

Class: 2023

Ranking: No. 164 overall, No. 14 offensive tackle

28. Houston Texans: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State​

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High School: King/Drew (Los Angeles, CA)

Class: 2021

Ranking: Unranked

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams): LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech​

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High School: Wichita Falls Rider (TX)

Class: 2021

Ranking: No. 40 athlete

30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver Broncos): CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State​

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High School: Eleanor Roosevelt (Corona, CA)

Class: 2022

Ranking: No. 136 cornerback

31. New England Patriots: EDGE Malachi Lawrence, UCF​

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High School: Dupont Manual (Louisville, KY)

Class: 2021

Ranking: No. 109 defensive lineman

32. Seattle Seahawks: EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn​

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High School: Highland Home (AL)

Class: 2023

Ranking: No. 62 overall, No. 9 defensive lineman

(Player rankings via 247Sports)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: High school football recruiting rankings for NFL draft prospects

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