September Stock Watch: 10 College Prospects Flying Up NFL Draft Boards

I get it—it’s a quarterback league and a quarterback sport. That’s why I spent so much time scouting the 2026 quarterback class this summer, and why I’ve written in this newsletter and talked ad nauseam on the podcast about John Mateer, Garrett Nussmeier, and the rest of the top 2026 QB prospects throughout the first few weeks of the season. 

But there’s been so much focus (much of it negative) on quarterback play that I think people are overlooking the NFL talent that has burst onto the scene early in this college season. 

When I’ve spoken to scouts over the past few weeks, the conversations have focused mostly on players at other positions, like Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr.—who’s been one of the most impactful defenders in college football so far after an injury-riddled 2024—and Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II, who might be my WR1 if the draft took place today but was a fringe top-100 guy coming into the year. There’s even a tight end down in Norman, Oklahoma, who was a backup linebacker last season and is starting to make some serious noise in league circles. 

Today, I want to touch on 10 of the players scouts keep texting me about. These guys may not all be first-rounders, but they’re all on the rise.