The race toward the 2027 NFL Draft is beginning to take shape at the college football season’s midpoint, with Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith leading a prospect board loaded with underclassmen, premium-position talent and several players carrying health questions into the second half of the schedule.
Smith has been the standout name through the opening stretch of 2026. The Ohio State star is averaging 19.1 yards per reception and 152.7 receiving yards per game, producing despite defenses consistently tilting coverage his way. His combination of physical tools, speed, toughness and polished route work has put him in rare prospect territory.
Top 10 prospects for the 2027 Senior Bowl cycle
| Rank | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah Smith* | WR | Ohio State |
| 2 | Leonard Moore* | CB | Notre Dame |
| 3 | Colin Simmons* | Edge | Texas |
| 4 | Dylan Stewart* | Edge | South Carolina |
| 5 | Jordan Seaton* | OT | LSU |
| 6 | Charlie Becker* | WR | Indiana |
| 7 | Cam Coleman* | WR | Texas |
| 8 | Dante Moore* | QB | Oregon |
| 9 | Trinidad Chambliss | QB | Mississippi |
| 10 | Devan Thompkins | DT | Alabama |
*Underclassman
Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore has been so effective that opposing quarterbacks have largely avoided challenging him. He has the length and strength to handle press coverage, while also showing the awareness to make plays from zone looks. His willingness to attack the catch point and support the run adds to an NFL-ready profile.
Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons entered the season with 21 career sacks and has added 9.5 more through five games in 2026. His first-step burst and ability to track quarterbacks outside the pocket make him one of college football’s most dangerous pass rushers. Adding strength against the run remains a developmental priority.
South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart has appeared in three games after missing the first two while rehabbing a back injury. He also served a suspension following a punch thrown at Alabama tight end Josh Ford in the Sept. 26 loss to the Crimson Tide. Stewart answered with a disruptive showing against Florida, recording five tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles. Teams will weigh his upside, length and athletic ceiling against questions about consistency and maturity.
LSU left tackle Jordan Seaton has elevated his stock with improved play in 2026. He has been especially effective in pass protection, using controlled footwork and a timely punch to stay attached to rushers. His run blocking has also become more dependable, though his protection of the quarterback’s blind side remains the centerpiece of his evaluation.
Indiana wideout Charlie Becker has continued the rise he began during last November’s win over Penn State. Becker’s long speed lets him threaten defenses vertically, while his body control and strength show up on contested targets. His projection extends beyond a downfield specialist because of his potential to handle a broader route inventory and a larger target share.
Texas receiver Cam Coleman posted five catches for 110 yards and a touchdown against Oklahoma, his strongest performance of the season. He has not consistently dominated games as expected, though uneven quarterback play and a sluggish Texas passing offense have contributed. Coleman still owns the size, speed and ball skills of a potential No. 1 NFL receiver if the offense finds greater rhythm.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore remains among the top prospects because of his frame, arm talent and accuracy, even after an uneven start before his injury. Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss brings a different profile: He is smaller than the usual NFL prototype and will be 25 before next season, but his mobility, live arm, ball security and ability to convert third downs have stood out since his 2025 transfer from Ferris State. His style has drawn comparisons to Russell Wilson.
Alabama defensive tackle Devan Thompkins, who transferred from USC, has made an immediate impression in Tuscaloosa. His large frame, length and versatility give him the ability to line up at multiple spots across the front. Thompkins has become more difficult to move against the run after adding strength, although he still needs to deliver more consistently as an interior pass rusher.
Next 15 prospects
| Rank | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Drew Mestemaker* | QB | Oklahoma State |
| 12 | Jadan Baugh* | RB | Florida |
| 13 | Kelley Jones* | CB | Mississippi State |
| 14 | Will Echoles* | DT | Mississippi |
| 15 | Xavier Gilliam* | DT | Tennessee |
| 16 | Chris Cole* | LB | Georgia |
| 17 | Nick Marsh* | WR | Indiana |
| 18 | David Stone* | DT | Oklahoma |
| 19 | CJ Carr* | QB | Notre Dame |
| 20 | Yhonzae Pierre* | Edge | Alabama |
| 21 | Darian Mensah* | QB | Miami |
| 22 | Trevor Lauck* | OL | Iowa |
| 23 | Kewan Lacy* | RB | Mississippi |
| 24 | Lance Heard | OT | Kentucky |
| 25 | Trey’Dez Green* | TE | LSU |
Additional names to monitor
- KJ Bolden*, S, Georgia
- KJ Duff*, WR, Rutgers
- Trevor Goosby*, OT, Texas
- Ashton Hampton*, CB, Clemson
- Greg Johnson, IOL, Minnesota
- Jamari Johnson*, TE, Oregon
- Ellis Robinson IV*, CB, Georgia
- A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon
Week Ahead
- Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame: Expected to have a chance to return this week after missing Notre Dame’s previous game with a concussion.
- Dante Moore, QB, Oregon: Ruled out for Saturday’s game against Nebraska after suffering a concussion in Oregon’s Sept. 26 victory over USC. USC linebacker Desman Stephens II was ejected for targeting on the hit and later received a one-game suspension.
- Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina: Back in action after his early-season back issue and subsequent suspension, coming off his breakout performance against Florida.
The Senior Bowl is scheduled for Jan. 30, 2027, at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, with NFL Network set to air the game at 2:30 p.m. ET. The 2027 NFL Draft will follow from April 29 through May 1 in Washington, D.C. Draft-eligible underclassmen remain eligible for college all-star games under the NFL policy introduced in 2023, keeping many of the top names on this board in the Senior Bowl conversation.
