DRAFT NEWS

Three conference games matching ranked teams are the most important contests on the college football schedule for week three and no game will be more intense and emotional than the return of Lane Kiffin to the school he spurned last November for the money and the resources that LSU offers. Kiffin brings an absolutely loaded team into Oxford for Saturday night's contest.

The first Big Board 100 for the 2027 NFL Draft kicks off this first Sunday of the NFL season. Next spring's draft is potentially one of the most stacked with elite prospects at the premium positions of QB, WR, OT, EDGE, and CB - 61 of the Top 100 prospects on the Big Board 100 come from these positions!

The potential 2027 NFL Draft safety class could have as many as three prospects that earn first-round grades. Many of these prospects have the versatility to line up covering the slot, supporting against the run as a strong safety, and playing up high as a free safety. The overall depth appears solid but there are only a couple of difference makers at the top of the draft, and that could drive up their value next spring.

The biggest inter-conference game of the 2026 college football season kicks off Saturday night in the comedy center of the universe, but the tilt between the Buckeyes and Longhorns is no laughing matter. It's a possible sneak preview of the national championship game and a preview of a possible generational choice at the top of the 2027 NFL Draft between Jeremiah Smith and Arch Manning.

The prospective IOL that could declare for next spring's draft do not appear to offer many future starters and the majority of prospects who figure to eventually earn starting jobs inside are likely to be converted OTs. Only one prospect (McConnell) has earned a preseason first-round grade for next year's draft.

The potential 2027 NFL Draft CB class could be loaded next spring with seven prospets earning preseason top 50 grades. In particular, the top three CBs look like potential number one CBs in the NFL with Notre Dame's Leonard Moore earning a top ten 2027 NFL Draft ranking headed into this fall.

The top of the prospective 2027 OT class offers as many as a half dozen potential first-round draft picks, most of whom look like long-term NFL starting OLTs. There is good overall depth potentially in this draft with quality depth available throughout next spring's draft.

Although the prospective 2027 TEs do not appear to be an elite class, the top two prospects - Trey'Dez Green and Jamari Johnson - both look like top 50 prospects for next spring's draft. Overall, there are just a few potential starters in this class but quite a few prospects who should compete for jobs in the NFL.

Following the recent trend in college off-the-ball LBs, the prospective 2027 LB class looks to be loaded with quick, athletic, and rangy LBs who profile well in coverage with RBs and TEs. This class is potentially very deep with starting quality LBs being found throughout the group.

The potential 2027 WR class could be special in the number of true difference making WRs who are ready to take the NFL by storm. Twelve of these prospects have earned tentative first round grades for next spring's draft. This class is loaded with big, long, and athletic receivers who profile as immediate starters and future Pro Bowlers.

LSU has been the center of the college football for the last few weeks after recruiting and signing at least two UDFA from the 2026 NFL Draft class after their NFL team released them recently - TE Dae'Quan Wright (Browns) and IDL Zxavian Harris (Saints) - and all the drama that has followed. Whether or not these players are added to LSU's roster prior to Saturday's game is TBD but from a talent stand point, their talent is not needed for the Tigers to win the national champio

The 2027 IDL class may offer three prospects who project as first-round picks next spring and the overall depth is solid with at least another three prospects earning top 100 preseason grades.

The top potential 2027 RBs do not appear to offer any prospects in the class of Jeremiyah Love (Cardinals) but the class offers another half dozen or so backs who could earn Top 100 draft grades next spring.

Wolfpack travel to Charlottesville to face ACC rival Virginia in an important August game that will help determine who plays for the conference title in December. Bailey is a dark horse candidate to be drafted in the first-round next spring. Bailey (6'6" / 213 lbs) has put on healthy mass and muscle to get his weight up to a respectable number where his body can withstand the rigors of the position. Bailey is an outstanding athlete with very good mobility, a strong arm, and a

The 2027 NFL Draft could be absolutely loaded at EDGE next spring - eight prospects carry preseason first-round grades into the 2026 season, with arguably Stewart and Simmons grading out as candidates to go first overall next spring.

The 2027 QB class could potentially be the best and most-hyped selection of signal callers since the 1983 class (Elway, Marino). Seven draft-eligible prospects have earned preseason first-round grades and another two dozen prospects have earned draft-worthy grades for next spring's draft.

Although the Cardinals have a deep and talented RB corps (Tyler Allgeier / James Conner / Trey Benson), they add the top offensive talent in this draft. Love has a perfect combination of power, speed, and agility to be a Pro Bowler as a rookie.

Usually there is drama with the first pick of the draft but not so much this year since there is only one franchise QB in this draft, the Heisman Trophy winner. Mendoza will be given time to develop behind veteran Kirk Cousins and will not be rushed into the lineup in Vegas. Mendoza is an athletic and highly intelligent leader who has the arm strength and intangibles to be developed into a long-term NFL starter.

The Panthers select the uber-talented but inexperienced OLT out of Georgia. Freeling has only a dozen or so career starts but his reach and athleticism seem ideally suited to OLT in Carolina. He will compete with free agent signee Rasheed Walker for the starting OLT job.

The first surprise selection of the first-round, Tate profiles as the number one WR in Nashville as a rookie. Tate is much faster in real life than he ran at the Combine (4.53 40) and gives Cam Ward a dangerous WR with size and body control to excel as the top WR as a rookie.