California-Connected
2026 NFL Draft Prospects
Prospects with ties to California — either through their college program or hometown roots. From the LA sunshine of USC to the Bay Area's Berkeley hills. Add them to your mock draft and get a mock draft score — then check the leaderboard to see how you rank.
The 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner and California native through and through. Makai grew up in Pleasanton in the East Bay before joining USC, where he led the Trojans with 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 TDs in 2025. A two-time Pac-12 selection, he's one of the most polished route runners in this class.
A versatile safety from USC who showed the ability to play both deep safety and in the box. Ramsey has good instincts, solid ball-hawking skills, and was a key part of USC's defense in 2025. His college career at USC gives him strong familiarity with the Los Angeles market.
A smooth, long-striding receiver who made the most of his opportunities at USC. Lane's combination of size and route running drew comparisons to a chain-moving possession receiver at the next level. His three years in the LA spotlight gave him experience in high-pressure environments.
A highly intelligent tight end from Stanford, where the academic rigors are as demanding as the football. Roush is a well-rounded H-back with strong hands and reliable blocking ability. His time in Palo Alto shaped him into one of the most football-IQ-savvy tight ends in the class.
A long, physical corner out of UC Berkeley who used his size to bother receivers at the line of scrimmage. Masses has the tools scouts look for — length, athleticism, and zone awareness — and his time competing in the Pac-12 against elite receivers sharpened his technique considerably.
A standout corner from San Diego State who parlayed strong Mountain West performances into draft buzz. Johnson showed consistent man coverage ability and impressive ball production. SDSU has a strong track record of developing NFL-caliber defensive backs, and Johnson is continuing that tradition.
California Schools in the 2026 Draft
California's Impact on the 2026 NFL Draft
California consistently produces some of the top talent in the NFL Draft. Between USC, UCLA, Stanford, San Diego State, and Cal, the state's college programs have combined for dozens of first-round selections over the past five years. Add in California high school products who played college football elsewhere, and the state's influence on draft night is substantial.
This page filters the full 2026 prospect database to highlight players with California ties — whether they attended a California college or grew up in the state. Each prospect includes consensus rankings, draft projections, and position information to help you make informed picks in your 2026 mock draft.
After the draft, come back to see how California prospects scored on the accuracy leaderboard and whether local favorites met their projected draft positions.