2027 Watch List

[mayoclinic]

Notre Dame 2026 Player Profile: Defensive End Bryce Young

Boasting elite efficiency and a massive 6-6 frame, this rising junior edge rusher is primed to transform flashes of potential into a dominant breakout season in South Bend.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[mayoclinic]

Notre Dame 2026 Player Profile: Defensive End Bryce Young

Boasting elite efficiency and a massive 6-6 frame, this rising junior edge rusher is primed to transform flashes of potential into a dominant breakout season in South Bend.

roundtable.io

 

[mayoclinic]

Williams Nanweri and Bryce Young both 6'6"+ 260#+ highly athletic former 5-star recruits. Guys to watch to see if they can start producing.

 

[mayoclinic]

Notre dame could have two first round defensive backs in the 2027 NFL Draft

Ryan Roberts breaks down the early draft grades both Leonard Moore and Tae Johnson received ahead of the 2026 college football season

sports.yahoo.com

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[manxman2601]

Some insight on prospects that are viewed highly by the scouting agencies.

some of note but not a definitive list:

I believe all of these have first round pre-season grades.

Sam Leavitt, QB, LSU
Tae Johnson, S, Notre Dame
Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson (higher grade than Kelley Jones).
Kade Pieper, C, Iowa (up to 298lbs)
Trevor Lauck, OT, Iowa
Greg Johnson, OG, Minnesota
Yhonzae Pierre, EDGE, Alabama
Will Heldt, EDGE, Clemson
Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR, Alabama
Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana

It's a shame there was nothing on linebackers.

 

[mayoclinic]

It's a shame there was nothing on linebackers.

Hope it stays that way.

 

[mayoclinic]

Tae Johnson 2027 NFL Draft: scouting report for Notre Dame, S

Notre Dame S Tae Johnson has become a popular early name for the 2027 NFL Draft. What does Johnson bring that has NFL evaluators excited about?

sports.yahoo.com

 

[mayoclinic]

Some insight on prospects that are viewed highly by the scouting agencies.

some of note but not a definitive list:

I believe all of these have first round pre-season grades.

Sam Leavitt, QB, LSU
Tae Johnson, S, Notre Dame
Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson (higher grade than Kelley Jones).
Kade Pieper, C, Iowa (up to 298lbs)
Trevor Lauck, OT, Iowa
Greg Johnson, OG, Minnesota
Yhonzae Pierre, EDGE, Alabama
Will Heldt, EDGE, Clemson
Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR, Alabama
Charlie Becker, WR, Indiana

LOL, Joe Deleone loves small, shifty QBs. Be my guest.

OTOH, he says he has 1st round grades on KJ Bolden, Tae Johnson, and Jelani McDonald

Sam Teets currently has a mid-round grade on Ashton Hampton, says he may need to move to safety. Apparently Hampton played safety in HS. Interesting to see diverting assessments.

Agree with Ryan Roberts - Will Heldt is a good player and will be productive, but I do not see him as a 1st round talent. I feel the same way right now about Damon Wilson and Quincy Rhodes, they they have more upside. Agree with Roberts that Yhonzae Pierre is a 1st round talent, and far better than Malachi Lawrence. If Pierre had come out in 2026 and been available at 28, he would have been my trade up target.

 

[mayoclinic]

The Roberts-Deleone video is a good watch.

I think for me, a unquestioned 1st round prospect needs both good film and production, + 1st round traits and athleticism. Guys like Yhonzae Pierre, Kade Pieper, Jelani McDonald, Jamari Johnson and Charlie Becker stand out for me. So do Chris Cole, KVA, Sammy Brown, and KJ Bolden. The tape "pops", and the traits are there.