2026 NFL Draft Pro Days: Love predicts HoF; Reese draws mixed reviews

This week has been crucial in the buildup to the 2026 NFL Draft, with several projected first-round stars showcasing their talents at pro days at Ohio State, Alabama, and Notre Dame.

Here's a roundup of the biggest names, how they performed, and what they said.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The 2026 NFL Draft's top running back did not participate in any drills or testing during the Fighting Irish's pro day, but he still left an impression.

NFL Network's Stacey Dales summed up the mood in the building afterwards.

Love has been direct about his ambitions.

"I want to be a Hall of Famer. I want to be a Pro Bowler my very first year," he said. "It's a lot of big talk, but I have a process and a plan."

In three seasons at Notre Dame, Love rushed for 2,882 yards at 6.7 per carry with 36 rushing touchdowns.

Projected to be selected fourth overall in our latest mock draft, the 20-year-old sent a clear message to every NFL team that he's all about football.

Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State

As a potential top-two pick in the draft, Reese arrived in Columbus as the most anticipated prospect of the day and drew mixed reviews for his performance.

Some questioned his flexibility.

ESPN analyst Louis Riddick saw something different, praising Reese's athleticism and upside.

Micah Parsons, who Reese has been compared to by Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, weighed in to defend him, arguing that scouts should judge on film, not simulated drills.

Reese's bend may need some work, but it won't cost him a top-10 spot. He began his career as an off-ball linebacker, so the transition to the edge may take time.

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

There has been plenty of scrutiny about Tate’s 4.53-second 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine.

He passed up the chance to improve that mark at the Buckeyes' pro day and instead worked exclusively running routes and catching passes from quarterback Julian Sayin.

"I definitely think it could be overvalued," he told ESPN's Cleveland Browns reporter Daniel Oyefusi when discussing his 40 time, pointing to Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba as top NFL receivers who ran what some thought were slow times.

Tate has visits lined up with the Titans, Saints, Commanders, Giants and Chiefs - essentially a tour of teams with top-10 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Simpson threw for more than 40 minutes in Tuscaloosa and came out of it with his confidence fully intact.

Asked directly whether he was a first-round pick, the 23-year-old didn't hesitate.

Absolutely," a confident Simpson said. "I feel like I've done everything I can, but it's not up to me. I just know that wherever I go, I'm going to give it my all and make sure I'll put my best foot forward."

Praised for his accuracy, Simpson made a strong case to hear his name called on Day 1 of the draft. 

The Alabama gunslinger has already met with the Rams and the Jets, who hold picks second, 13th and 16th overall.

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Proctor may have been the most pleasant surprise of the week.

ESPN's Field Yates couldn't speak highly enough of the Alabama offensive tackle's pro day performance.

At 6'7" and 352 pounds, questions about Proctor's athleticism have come up time and time again. Wednesday's workout went a long way toward answering them.

Proctor heads into a busy schedule of visits, with the Chiefs first up - notable given Kansas City's need to replace Jawaan Taylor.