As the calendar flips to October 1, 2026, the 2027 NFL Draft picture is already taking shape — and the first month of the college football season has delivered a clear message to NFL front offices: the established stars at the top may be facing unexpected competition from a fast-rising second tier. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, while marquee names like Arch Manning, Dante Moore and Jeremiah Smith continue to command national attention, a group of 11 prospects has used September to dramatically boost their draft stock.
The Quarterback Shake-Up: Trinidad Chambliss and Darian Mensah
Perhaps no one has forced a more uncomfortable conversation than Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. At 6-0, 208 pounds, the 24-year-old former Division II passer would typically be an afterthought in a quarterback class this hyped. Instead, Chambliss has racked up 12 touchdowns against a brutal early slate, proving he can thrive even without Lane Kiffin's offensive wizardry. His calculated aggressiveness, resiliency and decisiveness are exactly the traits modern NFL offenses covet, and as the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk sees it, front offices may soon have to break from protocol to pursue an outlier of his caliber.
Meanwhile, Miami's Darian Mensah has been nearly flawless in a small sample. The Tulane and Duke transfer has thrown more touchdowns (14) than incompletions (12), displaying command and poise despite pedestrian physical tools. He'll need to prove he can attack downfield and outside the numbers after primarily working short and over the middle — often targeting Malachi Toney — but if his processing holds up against firmer competition, he'll spark compelling debates about his place in the quarterback pecking order.
Skill-Position Standouts: Baugh, Alexander and Harris
Florida running back Jadan Baugh has seemingly ended the debate about the first running back off the board. Through four games, he's rushed for an FBS-high 600 yards and 11 touchdowns, ripping off runs of 50-plus yards in three separate contests. The 6-1, 225-pound workhorse answered the biggest preseason question about his acceleration, and while he may not be drafted as early as Jeremiyah Love or Ashton Jeanty, a first-round lock feels inevitable if he maintains this torrid pace.
In Oxford, Chambliss's favorite target has been Deuce Alexander, a former Wake Forest transfer who has exploded for 429 receiving yards — second-most in the SEC — and four touchdowns. His high school track background in Georgia is evident on every snap, as he routinely lulls corners to sleep before racing past them downfield. The 6-0, 180-pound wideout must add bulk and prove he can beat press coverage, but his game-breaking potential has him rocketing up draft boards.
Out in Tempe, Arizona State's Reed Harris has accounted for 374 receiving yards — nearly half of his team's total output — and five touchdown catches. With Jordyn Tyson now in New Orleans, Harris has seized the spotlight from fellow transfer Omarion Miller. At 6-5, 220 pounds, Harris is averaging 17.4 yards per reception and has mounted a push for a top-50 spot, possibly even earlier, in a receiver class that lacks clarity beyond Smith, Coleman and Becker.
Trench Titans and Defensive Difference-Makers
Virginia Tech tight end Luke Reynolds has helped quell concerns about depth at the position. The former five-star Penn State recruit followed James Franklin to Blacksburg and needed just four games to set career highs with 30 catches, 280 yards and four touchdowns. He may not match the athletic profiles of Oregon's Jamari Johnson or LSU's Trey'Dez Green, but his nimble route-running and inline blocking make him an attractive option for teams seeking to diversify their offense.
Miami offensive tackle Samson Okunlola has ensured the Hurricanes haven't skipped a beat despite losing bookends Francis Mauigoa and Markel Bell to the NFL. The 6-6, 330-pound former five-star, nicknamed 'The Pancake Honcho,' has allowed just three sacks on 136 dropbacks. Some refinement remains, but he shouldn't require a hard sell to NFL teams if he keeps playing at this level. Minnesota guard Greg Johnson, meanwhile, has played every spot except right guard during his career and earned Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honors after moving back to center. The 6-6, 325-pound blocker is now firmly in Day 1 territory.
On defense, Alabama's Devan Thompkins — a former basketball standout with just one year of high school football — has already matched his career high with three sacks. At 6-5, 300 pounds, he's far more nimble and explosive than expected, projecting as a disruptive 3-4 defensive end or tackle. Georgia linebacker Chris Cole might be the perfect countermeasure for the NFL's schematic shift back to under-center offenses. The 6-3, 235-pounder led the Bulldogs with 4.5 sacks as a backup last season and recently scooped up an Oklahoma fumble and raced 85 yards for a touchdown, pulling away from defenders like a wide receiver. As highlighted on Vulius, his size, fluidity and pursuit speed make him a rare specimen. Finally, Cal safety Kingston Lopa has snagged five interceptions in his first three games. The 6-5, 210-pound Oregon transfer still needs seasoning as a tackler, but his rare combination of size, movement ability and ball skills will draw heavy interest as a versatile coverage piece.
What It Means for the 2027 NFL Draft
With the college season only a month old, these 11 risers have already reshaped the 2027 NFL Draft conversation. For teams picking early next April, the message is clear: the depth of this class extends well beyond the household names. Whether it's Chambliss's calculated aggression, Baugh's explosive runs or Cole's sideline-to-sideline range, the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk will continue tracking every development as the pre-draft process unfolds. Stay tuned to Vulius.com for the latest stock reports, mock drafts and official custom NFL merchandise as we count down to draft day.
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