As a lifelong NFL Draft obsessive, I’ve at all times tried to maintain two separate units of annual workforce rankings.
The primary focuses on one of the best groups within the nation, these which might be essentially the most well-coached, disciplined, constant and mentally robust. That record options favorites to win a nationwide title. The second is about essentially the most gifted rosters within the nation.
Right here’s my take a look at the latter — the 12 most gifted groups based mostly on 2027 NFL Draft potential.
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1. Notre Dame
Not solely is Notre Dame’s roster loaded with potential premium expertise, resembling out-of-this-world cornerback Leonard Moore and quarterback CJ Carr, however the Irish arguably have extra depth of expertise than anybody else.
The secondary alone is among the most gifted we’ve seen in a while. Moore is one of the best cornerback prospect since Sauce Gardner — and he may be higher when it’s throughout; Brauntae Johnson is among the many extra athletic, explosive, hybrid-style safeties within the nation; and Adon Shuler, a two-time captain, is a fearless downhill DB. Add DJ McKinney and Christian Grey, and that’s 5 potential top-100 gamers for the 2027 draft in Notre Dame’s secondary alone.
Linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, DT Francis Brewu and OL Anthonie Knapp are additionally names to observe. This may be the deepest roster Notre Dame has had in a era.
2. Ohio State
The Buckeyes have had one of the best participant in faculty soccer the previous two years in celebrity receiver Jeremiah Smith, one of many ultra-rare receiver prospects truly gifted sufficient to be thought of with the No. 1 choose — even with all of the potential QB expertise on this class. Ohio State’s high defensive prospect, 6-foot-5, 260-pound edge Kenyatta Jackson Jr., would’ve been drafted someplace in 2026 however is now one of many high go rush prospects within the 2027 class.
In whole, there are at the least 9 Buckeyes with top-100 potential for 2027: Smith, Jackson, OL Austin Siereveld, OL Luke Montgomery, QB Julian Sayin, DB Jaylen McClain, DB Earl Little Jr. and WR Devin McCuin. Don’t rule out DB Terry Moore, both.
3. Texas
Texas has essentially the most premium expertise within the nation, with a complete of 4 gamers ranked in my preseason high 10: WR Cam Coleman (No. 4), edge Colin Simmons (No. 5), OT Trevor Goosby (No. 8) and QB Arch Manning (No. 10). Notre Dame and Ohio State have deeper rosters when it comes to 2027 draft expertise, however not by a lot.
Security Jelani McDonald (6-2, 194) has critical hybrid potential, and the Longhorns have two operating backs with professional potential in Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown. Ryan Wingo, who opened the 12 months with seven catches for 121 yards and a landing towards Texas State, is one other potential top-100 prospect. That is Steve Sarkisian’s most gifted squad since he’s been at Texas.
4. Oregon
Dante Moore shall be in a battle with Manning for QB1 — and the No. 1 choose — all season lengthy. His season opener towards Boise State was spectacular; he rapidly adjusted to a brand new play caller earlier than taking up the sport and securing a win.
TE Jamari Johnson (6-4, 245) has first-round potential and loads of freakish traits, and WR Evan Stewart continues to be one of many quickest gamers within the nation.
Defensively, Oregon’s entrance is nearly as good because it will get in faculty soccer, with edges Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti complementing tackles A’Mauri Washington and Bear Alexander. All 4 gamers have top-100 potential.
5. LSU
Junior tight finish Trey’Dez Inexperienced isn’t solely TE1 for 2027, he’s among the finest offensive talent prospects within the class. The 6-foot-6, 238-pounder is mainly a huge receiver who isn’t afraid to place his hand within the grime and block. With nice go off the ball and on the high of his routes, Inexperienced sinks and bends like a smaller athlete, plus he has gigantic mitts and the largest catch radius on this class. He’s this 12 months’s model of Kenyon Sadiq.
Elsewhere, OT Jordan Seaton, security Ty Benefield and QB Sam Leavitt had been in my preseason high 50. I’m a bit larger than some on Leavitt proper now, based mostly totally on potential and what I imagine to be a terrific match with Lane Kiffin. He had some excellent moments with Arizona State two years in the past and will have a giant 2026.
6. Ole Miss
Each time I watch Trinidad Chambliss, I like him extra. (Unrelated: His “EA Sports activities School Soccer 27” business with Vince Vaughn was one of the best advert I noticed throughout opening weekend.)
Chambliss is small — there’s a good likelihood he measures under 6 ft on the mix. However he’s additionally distinctive. He and Carr may need essentially the most instinctive really feel for the place on this class. He’s so fast together with his eyes, the ball explodes off his palms, and he doesn’t miss a lot. If he has a huge 12 months, somebody will flirt with him on the backside of Spherical 1, regardless of his warts.
Even higher information for Ole Miss? He’s not their finest prospect. Kewan Lacy is my RB1 for 2027; Will Echoles is DT1. Hybrid field defender Suntarine Perkins (6-1, 216) is among the rarer defenders on this class — he picked up three pressures and a sack in Week 1.
7. Georgia
As regular, Kirby Sensible’s roster is full of high-level defensive expertise, led by nook Ellis Robinson IV and security KJ Bolden, two gamers with first-round potential. In a category full of huge, athletic safeties, the extra average-sized Bolden (6-0, 190) might be the neatest DB of the group. He’s a real table-setter with positional versatility on the again finish.
Junior linebacker Chris Cole may need essentially the most potential of anybody on the roster, as a result of the 6-foot-3, 235-pounder is a traits-heavy, front-seven hybrid with freakish athleticism. He’s a bit uncooked and untested, however he’s additionally nonetheless rising and hasn’t come near his ceiling. Others to observe: TE Lawson Luckie, RB Nate Frazier, LB Raylen Wilson and edge Gabe Harris.
8. South Carolina
Freaky junior edge Dylan Stewart may problem Moore to be the top-ranked defender within the class — the 6-foot-5, 245-pounder has all types of size, burst and twitch off the sting. Stewart is a possible NFL game-wrecker who has the athleticism and energy to line up just about anyplace within the field. He may blossom into a really dominant go rusher.
Supremely gifted 6-foot-3, 245-pound QB LaNorris Sellers is again for his senior 12 months with a brand new offensive coordinator (Kendal Briles). Sellers has all of the instruments: a cannon for an arm, velocity, IQ and dimension. If the remainder of this offense (together with OT Jacarrius Peak and WR Nyck Harbor) assist him, Sellers has first-round potential.
The Gamecocks even have Vicari Swain, one of many nation’s high security prospects.
9. Indiana
New QB Josh Hoover is a really completed faculty passer. He’s bodily a step down from Fernando Mendoza, however his supporting forged is extra gifted than final 12 months’s nationwide title workforce. Charlie Becker was one of the underrated gamers in America final season — a 6-foot-3, 207-pound receiver with elite velocity and physique management who can play all three spots. The Hoosiers added one other freakish WR from the portal: 6-foot-3, 213-pound junior Nick Marsh.
The Hoosiers additionally introduced again high 100 OT Carter Smith, who will most likely be a guard on the subsequent degree.
10. Alabama
Alabama’s high prospect for 2027 is Yhonzae Pierre, a fourth-year edge who had his breakout final 12 months with a 45-pressure, eight-sack season. He performs as onerous as any defender in America, impacting all three downs, and had a pick-six towards East Carolina in Week 1.
Elsewhere defensively, security Bray Hubbard and nook Zabien Brown have an opportunity to crack the highest 100.
Junior receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams is among the most tough gamers to fit proper now. He is among the most gifted offensive gamers in America however weighs barely 170 kilos and has been very unreliable together with his palms. He had a number of drops within the opener after having 10 final 12 months and 7 as a real freshman.
11. Miami
Darian Mensah is the early favourite to be the quarterback who gained essentially the most this offseason by way of switch, as a result of his match with Shannon Dawson’s Miami offense is sort of excellent. His 27-for-30, 401-yard, five-touchdown passing efficiency within the opener at Stanford was a murals. (By the way in which, WR Malachi Toney is well among the finest gamers in America, however he’s only a sophomore and, thus, not but draft-eligible.)
Operating again Mark Fletcher Jr., a 6-foot-1, 226-pound hammer, is an underrated ball service nationally, and former Missouri edge Damon Wilson II has top-60 potential.
12. Clemson
The Tigers had been embarrassed by LSU of their season opener, however a scarcity of expertise had nothing to do with it. Defensively, Clemson had three gamers in my preseason high 50: LB Sammy Brown, CB Ashton Hampton and edge Will Heldt.
I additionally had WR Bryant Wesco in my high 50, and fellow WR TJ Moore at the least had a case, too.
Simply missed the minimize: Oklahoma, Penn State, Florida, Michigan, USC, BYU, Tennessee, Kentucky, Auburn, Texas A&M, Texas Tech
