Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
The college football season is heating up, with top prospects shining on the field. However, injuries and off-field issues are starting to emerge, threatening to derail the momentum of some of the top teams. The story was first reported by foxsports.com.
Need to know
- The Bulldogs are the sixth SEC team in my top 10, which is not something I would have predicted a month ago. — per foxsports.com
- Kamario Taylor was his usual great self, but the MSU defense got a couple of big stops late to keep the game from going to overtime and set up a massive game in Starkville, as the Bullies look to snap a 16-game losing streak to Alabama. — per foxsports.com
- Ole Miss just got its butt whooped. — per foxsports.com
The Bulldogs' Dominance Continues
The Bulldogs are the sixth SEC team in my top 10, which is not something I would have predicted a month ago. Kamario Taylor was his usual great self, but the MSU defense got a couple of big stops late to keep the game from going to overtime and set up a massive game in Starkville, as the Bullies look to snap a 16-game losing streak to Alabama.
Ole Miss Gets Whooped
Ole Miss just got its butt whooped.
The Tide Rolls On
The Tide made quick work of dead team walking in South Carolina, and Keelon Russell continued to make plays.
Indiana's Narrow Escape
IU was definitely in one Friday night and was a dumb Northwestern facemask penalty away from punting and giving the Purple Cats the ball near midfield leading by only two.
Florida's Tough Test Ahead
With that running game and defensive line, Florida will be a tough out for anyone.
UNC's Defense Faces a Challenge
We’ll see if the UNC defense is able to slow down CJ Carr and an offense that continues to prove difficult to get off the field.
Ohio State's Dominance Continues
The Buckeyes would throw all over Illinois and they did.
Jeremiah Smith's Tough Test Ahead
Jeremiah Smith & Co. will likely have a tougher test against Phil Parker’s Hawkeye D in Iowa City.
Miami's Scary Good Offense
If Georgia isn’t the best team in the country, there’s a good chance Miami is.
Georgia's Dominance Continues
Georgia is favored to win the SEC and power rated the highest of any team in the league.
Tough Tests Ahead for Top Teams
Tougher tests await, but the Dawgs appear well-equipped to pass them.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
An ugly win is still a win. And sometimes, those tell you more about a team than blowout wins.
Top Prospects Face Challenges
That’s two potentially losable games on the schedule the Horns have navigated.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
So why don’t I feel great about them? Well, they’re off this week, then get a bad Oklahoma team in Dallas.
Top Prospects Face Challenges
After that, it gets real. Florida, Ole Miss, Miss State, at Missouri, at LSU, at Texas A&M.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
Maybe not as daunting as it once appeared to be, but I wouldn’t rule out a couple of losses.
Top Prospects Face Challenges
The top overall prospect practically cannot boost his draft stock any higher than it already is.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
He enjoyed a career day against Illinois, finishing with 217 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Top Prospects Face Challenges
Smith’s 93.8 overall PFF grade was the second-highest of his already legendary Buckeyes career.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
Smith wasn’t the only player inside the top 10 of PFF’s big board to stand out in Week 4.
Top Prospects Face Challenges
In the marquee matchup of Saturday’s slate, Simmons absolutely dominated Tennessee’s offensive line.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
He recorded five sacks and earned an 89.3 PFF pass-rushing grade, the fourth-highest single-game grade of his career.
Top Prospects Face Challenges
Simmons pressured the opposing quarterback 11 times on 36 pass-rushing snaps, pushing his pressure rate for the season above 20%.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
Bear in mind that Simmons has already faced Ohio State and Tennessee, both of which boast future NFL players at offensive tackle.
Top Prospects Face Challenges
The only knock on Simmons’ performance was a bone-headed unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for a celebration that cost his defense a fourth-down stop and rendered one of his sacks meaningless.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
However, when operating at this level before the whistle, that kind of tomfoolery will largely be overlooked.
Top Prospects Face Challenges
Simmons is PFF’s top edge rusher in the 2027 class thanks to his proven production over the past two seasons.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
The most prominent challenger to his status as the best edge defender in this draft cycle is a fellow SEC pass-rusher who may not produce at Simmons’ level but possesses superior athletic traits.
Top Prospects Face Challenges
Week 4 was a weekend from hell for Dylan Stewart’s draft stock.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
After missing the start of the season due to injury and playing only sparingly last weekend, Stewart’s 2026 season began in earnest in pretty rough fashion.
Top Prospects Face Challenges
His four pressures on 18 pass-rushing snaps were nothing to scoff at against Alabama’s imposing offensive line.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
Instead, it was all of the extracurricular activity that will have scouts raising questions about Stewart.
Top Prospects Face Challenges
For starters, Stewart outright punched tight end Josh Ford on multiple occasions, including directly in front of officials in the end zone.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
At another point in the game, when instructed to come off the field, Stewart outright refused to make his way to the sideline.
Top Prospects Face Challenges
The ensuing heated exchange with his coaches included Stewart shouting back at head coach Shane Beamer.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
Stewart has since been suspended indefinitely by Beamer, with no indication of when he will return to the field for the Gamecocks.
Top Prospects Face Challenges
South Carolina has one of the toughest remaining schedules in the FBS, and Stewart’s opportunities to solidify his draft status may be running low.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
Baugh’s grip on the RB1 spot in the 2026 class is growing stronger with each passing week.
Top Prospects Face Challenges
With fellow top running back prospect Kewan Lacy injured on the opposite sideline in Gainesville, Baugh shone against the fourth-ranked Ole Miss Rebels.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
This was his third game of the year with an overall PFF grade above 85.0.
Top Prospects Face Challenges
He also extended his 2026 rushing touchdown total to 11, already surpassing his season totals from each of the past two years.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
Evaluators will love the toughness Baugh plays with.
Top Prospects Face Challenges
He is averaging nearly five yards after contact per rush on 86 carries so far this year.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
Baugh looks well on his way to 1,000 rushing yards, and if he can sustain his current pace, he’ll rightfully be in the mix for the Heisman Trophy.
Top Prospects Face Challenges
Rappleyea is an experienced senior who typically offers a little bit of everything for the Penn State offense.
Top Prospects Shine, But Injuries and Off-Field Issues Loom
With NFL teams leaning more heavily into multiple-tight end sets, the position has garnered more attention in the middle rounds.
qc_our_read: The college football season is heating up, with top prospects shining on the field, but injuries and off-field issues are starting to emerge, threatening to derail the momentum of some of the top teams.
qc_what_to_watch: The top teams will need to navigate their remaining schedules carefully to avoid injuries and off-field issues.
