Ole Miss’ Charlie Weiss Jr., Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza names to watch for Giants, NFL teams

As the Giants prepare to officially decide on general manager Joe Schoen and interview head coaching candidates, this week’s College Football Playoff semifinals also provide them with opportunities to further improve their team and roster in 2026.

Here are some names to watch when No. 6 Ole Miss takes on No. 10 Miami on Thursday night in the Fiesta Bowl and No. 5 Oregon takes on No. 1 Indiana on Friday night in the Peach Bowl.

CHARLIE WEIS JR., OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR, OLE MISS

The star turn of Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and the solid play since the departure of former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin have created more NFL intrigue about Chambliss offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. The son of three-time Super Bowl-winning Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis could be a great fit for the Giants’ next staff if the team continues to build around Jaxson Dart, since Weis called Dart’s plays during the QB’s explosive final college season that spurred the Giants. to trade up in the first round to draft him. Don’t be surprised if his name comes up around the league, including in New York.

FERNANDO MENDOZA, QB, INDIANA

The Heisman Trophy winner, a transfer from Cal, played well enough to force every team at the top of the NFL draft to take a hard look at the possibility of drafting him. Mendoza completed 72.3 percent of his passes and threw 36 touchdowns against just six interceptions for the undefeated Hoosiers (14-0), who just smoked former power Alabama in the quarterfinals to move closer to a national title. He also has 256 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.

RUEBEN BAIN, JR., EDGE AND FRANCIS MAUIGOA, OT, MIAMI

The Hurricanes have players on both lines of scrimmage that would immediately improve the Giants’ fronts. Bain and Mauigoa both look like top-10 picks and day-one contributors with the kind of power and pro-ready physiques to stay put in this violent league. If the Giants want to recapture the physical, hard-nosed identity of their 1980s teams under Bill Parcells, they could start by adding players like Bain, Mauigoa or Ohio State safety Caleb Downs — the best player on a Buckeyes team that Miami upset to reach the semifinals.

DANTE MOORE, QB, OREGON

Moore has yet to declare his intentions for 2026, but if he enters the NFL Draft, the Ducks’ redshirt sophomore quarterback will make the top five even more intriguing for the Giants. This will add either a second top-tier QB to scout as the Giants’ pick or a second trade target, along with Mendoza, for other NFL teams looking to give the Giants a chance in a first-round trade to select their franchise QB. Moore has 3,280 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and nine interceptions, plus 184 rushing yards and two more touchdowns with his legs. Even if the Giants don’t plan to take a QB, the more at the top of the draft, the better for New York.