While the 2027 NFL Draft is still far off in the distance, players who will be drafted early are on the field now. Each week presents unique matchups for draft prospects and this week is no different. Here are NFL Draft prospects to watch in college football week 1.
Brown was a highly-touted recruit who signed with Clemson and started making an impact early in his career. He finished the 2024 season with 80 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. In 2025, he upped the production to 106 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. Clemson has a big test in week 1 against a talented Lane Kiffin offense.
At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Brown has solid size for an NFL linebacker. He has shown the ability to stop the run and blitz to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Brown diagnoses run plays quickly and has good athleticism to make plays. He’ll need to work on his ability in coverage, especially his eye balance while in zone to improve his stock. A good game against LSU, which has plenty of top-end players, can help Brown possibly be LB1 in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Weeks has played at LSU for three seasons. After registering 49 total tackles in 2023, he really broke out in 2024. Weeks completed that season with 125 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He dealt with injury in 2025 and only totaled 31 tackles. Now back healthy, Weeks can show he is back to form early in the season against Clemson.
He can continue to fill out his solid frame, as he is 6-foot-3 and 223 pounds. Weeks processes things quickly and is a good tackler. He flows to the ball well against the run and can also get to the quarterback as a blitzer. There are times when he overpursues the ball and his man coverage could be better. Weeks is currently projected to be a day two pick, but getting back healthy could move him up draft boards.
Brown started creating explosive plays for Louisville in 2024. He totaled 1,173 rushing yards, 152 receiving yards and 12 total touchdowns as a freshman. Last season, he only played in nine games, but amassed 884 rushing yards, 48 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Louisville will have their biggest test of the year in week 1 against a quality Ole Miss team.
At 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, Brown is a smaller running back for the NFL level. He has great quickness and agility, moving well in tight spaces. His speed is also solid as he is a threat to take it to the house a lot. Brown has limited power and contact balance. He’ll need to prove he can stay healthy this season and can also make more of an impact on third downs. Against Ole Miss, he will get the chance to show the world what he can do.
Knapp started 15 games as a freshman for Notre Dame before having a season-ending injury. He was named a Freshman All-American for his play and helped Notre Dame get to the National Championship Game. In 2025, Knapp started all 12 games at left tackle an his play has earned him, for many, a preseason All-American for 2026. He will get a chance to have plenty of eyes on him when Notre Dame plays Wisconsin.
At 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds, Knapp has solid measurables for an NFL offensive tackle, but not great ones. He formerly played tackle, but now is moving to guard, a position he will likely play at the next level. He has been a bit better as a run blocker than a pass blocker, but he has been solid at both. He has good mental processing, but will need to add mass for the interior. Moving inside could see Knapp be one of the best interior linemen in the 2027 NFL Draft class.
Boise State has seen a lot of production from Virgin-Morgan over the years. He played sparingly in 2022, but then had 2.5 tackles for loss in 2023. The 2024 season was his breakout with 15.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. His production dipped a bit in 2025, as he finished the season with 13 tackles for loss and six sacks. He’ll get a chance to play Oregon, which will be his best chance to line up against NFL competition this season.
He has a filled-out frame, but is a shorter edge rusher at 6-foot-3 and 257 pounds. His length will not be the longest. Virgin-Morgan will need to add more pass rush moves and counters to his game to help ensure there are no more dips in production. On the positive side, he is a good run defender who can set the edge. He shows nice athleticism and solid burst at the snap. Virgin-Morgan can refine his game, produce and improve his stock this season with everything starting in the game against Oregon.
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