College football has wasted no time in setting up some premier matchups and the headliner this week is Texas vs Ohio State. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a scout at the game along with 21 other NFL teams because this game is jam-packed with prospects for the 2026 NFL draft. Here are the six prospects the Steelers need to keep a close eye on.

Texas CB Malik Muhammad

Muhammad has a real shot to be the top cornerback off the board and has the highest ceiling of any cornerback in college football. He’d be an ideal replacement if Darius Slay doesn’t re-sign.

Texas RB Arch Manning

Should he choose to declare, Manning is the top option for the Steelers playing in this game. We’ve stood by the theory that Manning has no motivation to declare in 2026 but we still think he’s got a chance to be an elite prospect.

Texas S Michael Taaffe

The Steelers safeties have been playing beyond their skills but if Taaffe falls to them in the second round, he’s a huge upgrade at free safety over Juan Thornhill.

Ohio State S Caleb Downs

Downs is easily one of the five best prospects in the draft at any position, so the odds he falls to the Steelers are almost zero. Nevertheless, you always do your homework on a potential generational prospect.

Ohio State WR Carnell Tate

We can’t wait to see how the Steelers’ young receivers play this season, but if things don’t go as planned with Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson, a big playmaker like Tate in the second round makes perfect sense.

Ohio State CB David Igbinosun

Downs steals all the headlines in the secondary but Igbinosun is an elite prospect in his own right. He could have declared last year and been a top 100 pick.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Texas vs Ohio State: Top 6 Steelers NFL draft prospects to watch