Another week on the college schedule without a real must-see game with national implications coming up, but at the same time, there are a half dozen or more games with plenty to watch with an eye toward the 2027 draft starting with a key SEC match-up with #8 Alabama (4-0) putting its unbeaten record on the line against upstart #16 Mississippi State (4-0) in Starkville with KO at Noon ET on ABC. For starters, this game could be called the ‘Future Bowl’ as it features two of the emerging potential top prospects for 2028 and beyond in sophomore QBs Keelon Russell (#12, 6-3, 210) of Alabama and MSU’s Kamari Taylor (#1, 6-4, 230). Taylor, in particular has started to generate a little Heisman buzz as he’s throwing for almost 300 yards per game and has 14 TD tosses to date with just 2 picks, while both guys are completing around 70% of their pass attempts. And while Alabama has more quality prospects for 2027, Mississippi State may have the best overall candidate for this year in rangy CB Kelley Jones (#1, 6-4, 205), a potential top 15-20 prospect who still needs to prove to scouts that he’s got enough long speed to excel at the next level, but no one is questioning his prototype length, instincts and ball skills.
For its part, Alabama looks like it has a really good chance to make it 11 years in a row with at least two first round picks the same year this coming April. Indeed, the Tide has at least three guys with opening round potential in DE Yhonzae Pierre (#0, 6-4, 255), WR Ryan Coleman-Williams (#1, 6-0, 185), and steady CB Zabien Brown (#2, 6-2, 200). Pierre, an emerging explosive edge-rusher, in particular, has top 10-15 potential, while Coleman-Williams is one of the top big-play threats in the country – he’s averaging almost 20 yards per catch this fall with 3 TDs in the Tide’s 4 game – although drops remain something of a concern. The Tide defence also features two of the better safeties in the country in Bray Hubbard (#18, 6-2, 215) and Keon Sabb (#3, 6-2, 205), while MLB Caleb Woodson (#7, 6-2, 240) and defensive linemen Devan Thompkins (#1, 6-5, 300) and Terrance Green (#99, 6-5, 315) are solid veterans with third-day potential.
There’s also a somewhat intriguing game, at least from a draft perspective, in the early afternoon slot on FOX where Michigan (3-1) plays at Minnesota (3-1) in something of a Big 10 elimination game. And its intriguing from a draft perspective in large part because Minnesota, which hardly ever plays on national TV actually has some very interesting pro prospects. Start with QB Drake Lindsey (#12, 6-4, 230), a prototype pocket passer with ideal size and a big arm, who is starting to generate some genuine draft buzz, although as a 3rd year player he still looks like a player more likely to stay in college for another year. However, there won’t be any such option for 5th year DE Anthony Smith (#0, 6-5, 280), arguably the top big DE prospect for the upcoming draft, although his pass rush numbers so far this year – just one sack – are off from his totals last year when he burst on the national scene with 11. Smith is one of two returning Gopher All-Americans joining Greg Johnson (#65, 6-5, 325), one of the top IOL prospects in the country. In fact, pro scouts are anxious to see Johnson, who has played almost exclusively to date at OG, against the Wolverines as he’ll be sliding inside to C to fill in for an injured Ashton Beers who is out for the year.
There’s actually a second SEC game this weekend between ranked teams as resurgent Florida (4-0), now up to #8 after drubbing Mississippi last week, puts its unbeaten record on the line at #25 Missouri (3-1) in a 3:30 PM ET on ABC. And its a game that, at least in terms of the draft, could be called the ‘what could have been bowl’. And what could have been was a head-to-head match-up between arguably the draft’s top 2 RBs in Jadan Baugh (#13, 6-0, 225) of the Gators’ and Missou’s Ahmad Hardy. Unfortunately, though, Hardy has yet to play this fall as he rehabs from a gunshot would suffered early this summer ad while he is reportedly getting closer, there is still no firm timeline for his return to action. However, Baugh who has emerged as a prime Heisman candidate rushing for 600 yards and 11 TDs in the Gators’ 4 game to date, will be there. So will Florida WR Eric Singleton (#2, 5-10, 185) a solid second-tier candidate at the position who barely played in September because of an ankle injury. Meanwhile, even without Hardy in the lineup, Missouri still has a first-prospect in All-american offensive lineman Cayden Green (#70, 6-5, 325) who is generally considered to be one of, if not the top IOL candidate for 2027 but is actually playing LT for the Tigers.
I suppose if one has to designate one game as THE game of the week it would be #5 Ohio State (3-1) playing at #14 Iowa in a late Saturday afterrnoon contest on FOX. The Buckeyes really can’t afford another loss on their record after having lost last month in Texas and the Hawkeyes – not to be confused with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks – are always tough to beat at home. Plus Iowa is probably going to be more than a little jacked after last weekend’s dramatic last-play win at Michigan. And while the Hawkeyes can’t match the Buckeyes in terms of the number and quality of prospects for the upcoming draft, they do have a number of pretty good second-tier type prospects including OG Kade Pieper (#58, 6-3, 300), one of the top IOL in the country, G/T Trevor Lauck (#59, 315) who looks destined to kick inside at the next level although he’s currently playing LT; FS Zach Lutmer (#6, 6-1, 205); and CB Deshaun Lee (#8, 5-10, 190).
Of course, if its Ohio State its another chance to check out Buckeyes’ star WR Jeremiah Smith (#4, 6-3, 225), who is generally considered to be the best non-QB prospect, if not THE best prospect overall for 2027. And despite the lofty expectations coming into the campaign, all Smith has done thru the first month is exceed them; indeed, he’s currently on pace to finish the regular schedule with over 100 receptions for over 1,800 yards and 20+ TDs with a 2,000 yard season not totally out of the question especially if the Buckeyes go deep into the CFP playoffs. In fact, Ohio State, which had the most players selected of any college program in each of the past two drafts, will certainly be back for more this coming April with several other prospects with either late first or second-day prospects including rising DE Kenyatta Jackson (#2, 6-5, 265), G/T Austin Siereveld (#67, 6-4, 330), WR Devin McCuin (#3, 6-0, 190) and CB Jermaine Matthews, while OG Luke Montgomery (#51, 6-4, 315), C Carson Hinzman (#75, 6-4, 310), S Earl Little (#1, 6-0, 205) and WR/KR Brandon Inniss (#0, 6-0, 200) are later round possibilities. Then there’s QB Julian Sayin (#10, 6-1, 215) who has been the primary beneficiary of the great receiving corps such that he’s completing 72% of his passes for just over 300 yards per game with 10 TD throws against just one pick.
Turns out there are actually college football conferences other than the SEC and the Big 10; it also turns out there’s a key game in the ACC where #4 Miami (4-0) has a tough road date at Clemson (3-1) at 7:30 PM ET on ABC. And with the Hurricanes its take your pick; who do you want to focus on: QB Darian Mensah (#10, 6-3, 220), the hottest passer in the country; or / Malachi Toney (#1, 5-11, 195), the most exciting player in the country not named Jeremiah Smith. Mensah, for example, has completed a rather remarkable 89% of his passes thru the first month of the season. In fact, he’s thrown more TD passes (14) than incompletions (12) none of which were picks. For his part, Toney is on pace to post over 1,700 receiving yards and 18 scores, although the NFL will have to wait as he’s a true soph. The Canes also have a couple of other players with at least some first round potential in DE Damon Wilson (#10, 6-4, 250) and DT Ahmed Moten (#99, 6-3, 300), although neither has really taken off to date, while CB OJ Frederique (#29, 6-0, 185), RB Mark Fletcher (#4, 6-1, 225) and WR Cooper Barkate (#18, 6-1, 195) are solid second-day types.
The ACC Tigers are looking to get back into the national hunt with three straight wins after that crushing season opening loss at LSU. Unfortunately, they’ll have to do it without much proven talent or experience at QB; indeed, they’ll be starting freshman Tait Reynolds (#2, 6-2, 215), although he will have a couple of very good targets to work with in WRs Bryant Wesco (#12, 6-2, 195) and TJ Moore(#16-2, 200), both of whom could get some early second-day interest this coming April. The Tigers’ best prospects, though, are on the other side of the ball where rising DE Will Heldt (#13, 6-5, 260), athletic LB Sammy Brown (#47, 6-2, 235) and CB Ashton Hampton (#2, 6-2, 205), each of whom has at least some late first-round potential.
