Charlie Campbell
2027 NFL Draft Stock Up
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
Mensah ripped up Stanford on Friday night of the opening weekend in college football. In his debut with the Hurricanes, Mensah completed 27-of-30 passes for 401 yards with five touchdown passes. While Stanford is not a good team, it was an impressive debut from Mensah, working with new receivers and looking like he was in mid-season form. Mensah got his season off to a great start in Week 1.
Sam Leavitt, QB, LSU
Leavitt was more impressive with his legs than his arm against Clemson, but Leavitt showed his dual-threat ability with three total touchdowns versus the Tigers. Leavitt had an interception on the second play of the game, but then he settled in to lead a blowout of Clemson. Leavitt ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns while completing 16-of-28 passes for 230 yards with a touchdown. There are some team sources that like Leavitt and his potential to be a riser this season.
Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida
Baugh was impressive with 160 yards on 14 carries and three touchdowns against Florida Atlantic. While it was an easier opponent, Baugh was fast, physical, and elusive with some tremendous jump cuts and the power to get yards after contact. Baugh was dominant and could not be stopped. He looked like a true first-rounder to open the season.
K.J. Duff, WR, Rutgers
While Rutgers lost to UMass, Duff was incredible in the season opener. The giant receiver was unstoppable as he hauled in nine passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Duff is a dominant receiver on 50-50 passes, can make plays downfield, and is also very dangerous as a possessional receiver in the short part of the field. Duff got his season started in excellent fashion.
Dillin Jones, RB, LSU
Jones had an excellent opening to the 2026 season, running all over a talented Clemson defense. Jones totaled 113 yards on 23 carries with two touchdowns. Early in the game, Jones had some critical runs to establish control of the game for the Tigers. Jones (5-11, 211) is a physical downhill runner with quickness and an ability to generate yards after contact. He could have a breakout season for the Tigers.
2027 NFL Draft Stock Down
Sammy Brown, LB, Clemson
Will Heldt, DE, Clemson
Brown and Heldt are potential first-round picks, but they were both quiet against LSU. Heldt was a non-factor in the pass rush and chipped in four tackles as a run defender. Brown had 10 tackles, but they were downfield and tackles in pursuit. Brown was a non-factor in stopping Leavitt on the ground or Tigers running back Dilin Jones. This tape is going to hurt both Heldt and Brown, as they did not look like first-round talents versus LSU.
Walt