Scout's Notebook - Week Three Report
- John B. Everett
- 27 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Welcome to Scout's Notebook, SNS' Member Exclusive weekly deep dive into the 2026 NFL Draft. This is where you will find mock drafts, prospect rankings, scouting reports, reader mail, mock drafts, and general musings about college football and the NFL Draft. Generally speaking, this column will be discussing draft eligible players - prospects at least three years out of high school - but anything that happens in the NFL and college football could be discussed here. The goal is to bring you, the reader, a fresh perspective on the development of the next batch of NFL superstars while they are learning the craft in the multi-billion dollar world of collegiate athletics. SNS readers are informed and that makes you a smarter fan and better at fantasy football and betting. SNS can make your fall weekends more fun and maybe, even more profitable. |
Elite 2026 QB Class Just Got a Little Deeper |
NFL college scouts entered the 2025 season eyeing five primary QB prospects to be possible first round draft picks next April - Arch Manning (Texas), Cade Klubnik (Clemson), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Drew Allar (Penn State), and Carson Beck (Miami, Fl) - and after week two, a sixth name has proven he needs to be added to this list - Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson. Robertson (6'4" / 220 lbs) is in his second year as starting QB in Waco and has lit up Auburn and SMU for 859 yards passing (62.2%) and seven TDs in Baylor's 1-1 start to the 2025 season. He has very good arm strength – ball arrives with good velocity on out patterns. Good field vision and ability to go through his progressions. Robertson is accurate and throws with good touch and is developing his ability to throw receivers open. Robertson looks like a young Dan Marino when he sets up and has the arm talent and leadership skills to project as an NFL starting QB. Robertson is a rapidly ascending talent who could hear his name called in the first two dozen picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. |
Best Performances of the Week |
Chris Bell / WR / Louisville: 4 receptions / 83 yards (20.8 YPR) / 1 TD v James Madison |
At this point, the 2026 WR class looks to be lacking in elite talent with no prospect looking clearly as heads and shoulders above the rest of the class. Chris Bell is an experienced WR for the Cardinals who has very good size – good height and well-built, thick frame with very good mass. Large catch radius. Good hands. Tough, works the middle of the field well and offers a large target for QB Miller Moss. Bell is physical after the catch and runs like a bull in a China shop – runs over smaller DBs and some LBs, ala Deebo Samuels. Bell has excellent open field speed – pulls away from DBs and has playmaking ability. Bell could be the first WR to get drafted next April. |
James Neal / OT / Iowa State |
Neal, Iowa State's starting OLT, looks like a long-term NFL starter, if not at OT than sliding inside and playing guard. Neal has ideal size for an NFL OT – tall, broad shoulders, well-distributed mass, and long arms. Very good athlete who plays with good bend, light feet, and excellent balance. Neal is well-coordinated and has an easy kick slide. Very good grip strength and natural power – can manhandle the opposing DL. Neal has the size and athleticism to be developed in the NFL as either an ORT or as a blindside protector due to skills and upside |
Beau Pribula / QB / Missouri: 30/39 (76.9%) / 334 yards / 3 TDs / 0 INT v Kansas |
Pribula transferred to Missouri for a chance at being a starting QB after being Drew Allar's backup and team's short yardage specialist for the last two seasons. Pribula has excellent size but lacks experience as a starting QB and that is an issue that will remain even if he starts all season long. But considering that the Kansas game was only his second career start, Pribula is far advanced in terms of throwing with timing, touch, and anticipation, has a very strong arm, and is a superb athlete who is a physical and strong inside runner – drops pads and delivers blows. Nice cutting ability and very good speed who is a threat with the ball in space. Pribula has marquee match-ups with stellar SEC defenses including South Carolina, Alabama, Auburn, and Texas A&M in the next two months so we will have a better idea of Pribula's true NFL potential by the Thanksgiving holiday. |
Suntarine Perkins / LB-EDGE / Ole Miss: 2 tackles, 1 pass defensed v Kentucky |
Perhaps the largest prospect question mark entering the 2025 season is where Suntarine Perkins should play in the NFL. Perkins is an elite, freakishly skilled athlete without a natural fit as a pro. Perkins best skill is rushing the passer - he recorded 10.5 sacks last season - where his fluidity and explosiveness allow a fantastic burst on the QB. But Perkins is small - for a LB, let alone an EDGE - at 6'1" / 210 lbs, has a lanky, angular build, and does his best work near the line of scrimmage (LOS), despite his lack of ideal size. Not exactly what the NFL is looking for in an EDGE. But the Ole Miss coaching staff is aware of his limitations and are employing him creatively this season. Perkins lines up as a stand-up EDGE, as an off the ball LB, and rushes from the DT or ILB position to create confusion for the offense. Perkins best play was carrying a receiver 20 yards downfield and then leaping and deflecting a pass in the first half against Kentucky on Saturday. Perkins' use will be worth monitoring the rest of the season. |
John Mateer / QB / Oklahoma: 21/34 (61.8%) / 270 yards / 3 TD (2 rushing) / 1 INT; 19 carries / 74 yards (3.9 YPC) v Michigan |
Most of the hype entering last Saturday's Michigan-Oklahoma game was surrounding freshman QB Bryce Underwood, the number one recruit in the 2025 high school class. But clearly the prospect who came out of OU's 24-13 victory with the most draft buzz is the redshirt junior transfer from Washington State. Mateer has average height and frame with solid mass and is a very good athlete who is an extremely dangerous dual threat QB with excellent speed, agility, and burst with the deep speed to pull away from LBs and DBs at the second level. He also has a very good arm with a gunslinger's mentality - there is a more than a little bit of Brett Favre in Mateer's game. Although his decision-making is sometimes questionable, his toughness and leadership inspires his teammates who rally around him. Opinions will be mixed on Mateer once he enters the draft process but he is an intriguing talent who will be exciting to watch this fall. |
Work in Progress - Offensive Prospect Scouting Report |
Carson Beck / QB / Miami, Fl |
SEASON: 42/55 (76.4%) / 472 yards / 4 TDs / 0 INTs |
Next Game v (18) South Florida (September 13) |
Transfer from Georgia. Ideal height and build. Very strong arm – ball gets there with zip. Excellent field vision and reads coverages like a pro. Compact, over the top delivery with excellent release speed. Throws with fantastic touch. Very accurate and timing is solid. Athletic but prefers to stand tall in the pocket and deliver the ball. Uses the depth of the pocket well to buy time for receivers to get open. Sneaky speed in the open field and can gain yards easily with his feet. Processes quickly and delivers the ball on time. Mature and confident. Natural leader. Not easily rattled by pressure. Throws with NFL-level anticipation. Reads coverages well and can manipulate safeties with his eyes. Regressed in 2024 in terms of field vision and decision making where he makes some head scratching throws – 12 INTs thrown in 2024 v 6 INTs thrown in 2023. Injured AC joint during SEC Championship game and missed the playoff loss to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. |
Work in Progress - Defensive Prospect Scouting Report |
Mikhail Kamara / EDGE / Indiana |
Next Game vs Indiana State (September 13) |
Transfer from James Madison. Lacks desired height but has the frame, mass, and long arms desired for a 4-3 DE. Typically lines up in a three-point stance. Very athletic and quick. Very good first step quickness. Knows how to get skinny and slice through the LOS. Breaks down well to secure the tackle. Hustles and chases from the backside – non-stop motor. Flashes the desired ability to flatten, bend, and close on the QB. Lacks many pass rush moves and needs to add some techniques to aid pass rush. Stays blocked for too long more than desired. Needs to improve hand use to shed blocks more efficiently but fights hard and usually maintains containment on the edge. Uses length well to disrupt passing lanes. |
Top 10 Draft-Eligible Pro Prospects |
1. Caleb Downs / S / Ohio State |
Fundamentally solid with no holes in his game; quality run and pass defender. |
2. Drew Allar / QB / Penn State |
Has every physical tool and needs to provide better leadership as a senior - first real test comes on 9/27 v defending Big Ten Champions Oregon. |
3. Kadyn Proctor / OT / Alabama |
Great size and feet but was somewhat exposed by Florida State's pass rush. Needs to develop better hand use and get better depth in his pass drops. |
4. Garrett Nussmeier / QB / LSU |
Nussmeier's next chance to prove he's worthy of being the first pick next April comes Saturday night against the reeling Florida Gators. |
5. TJ Parker / EDGE / Clemson |
Parker is developing into an all around defensive force but the defense needs to improve or the team's championship hopes may prove to be an illusion. |
6. Suntarine Perkins / LB-EDGE / Ole Miss |
Perkins needs more reps in coverage but his speed and agility allows him to match up with slot receivers in space. |
7. Carson Beck / QB / Miami, Fl |
Beck is back to looking like he did in 2024. Surprising (18) South Florida is next up. |
8. Cade Klubnik / QB / Clemson |
Clemson is off to a rough start but as the schedule gets tougher, so do the opportunities to impress the NFL. |
9. Carnell Tate / WR / Ohio State |
The Buckeyes offense rolled over Grambling and get an opportunity next against traditional MAC power Ohio. |
10. Jermaine Mathews / CB / Ohio State |
OSU may be the team to beat again this year at least partially due to having the nation's best safety (Downs) and CB. |
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