College Football Week 8: 2027 NFL Draft storylines to watch
By Jack Brentnall
With the season moving into its second half, the picture of this draft class is starting to sharpen. Some prospects are trying to show that recent form is real, others need to respond, and a few are still working their way onto the radar.
Here are five storylines to watch in Week 8.
Spotlight Game - LaNorris Sellers (QB, South Carolina) vs Tennessee
A prospect taking centre stage in one of the weekend’s biggest matchups.
A few weeks ago, LaNorris Sellers’ NFL future looked increasingly uncertain. The physical talent remained obvious, but the frustrating decisions were becoming difficult to look past. For a quarterback who entered the season with significant expectations, there was precious little evidence of the progress needed to justify them.
His performance against Florida was a reminder of why some were so optimistic about him heading into the season.
The biggest improvement was his decision making. Sellers continued to push the ball downfield, but without the recklessness that had characterised his earlier tape. He found a balance between aggression and control, giving his playmakers opportunities while avoiding the unnecessary risks that had repeatedly proved costly over recent weeks.
Tennessee now offers the chance to build on it. The Volunteers present a significant test, and a second strong performance against them would carry real weight.
Sellers has always had the tools to generate excitement. The question has been whether he can put it all together and show the consistent decision making and accuracy needed to be considered a legitimate NFL prospect. Scouts will want to see that same balance between aggression and control hold up again. This weekend should go a long way to showing whether Florida was the start of something new or a one-off.
The Proving Ground - Zeke Berry (CB, Michigan) vs Indiana
A prospect facing one of the toughest individual matchups on his schedule.
There aren’t many tasks more demanding for a college secondary than facing Indiana’s Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker. For Michigan cornerback Zeke Berry, this weekend is a chance to show how his coverage tools translate against the best receiving duo in the country.
Berry has the athleticism to compete. His fluid hips and clean transitions allow him to stay connected, and he locates the football effectively when carrying receivers downfield. He also brings versatility, having gained starting experience both outside and in the nickel.
The concerns centre on the physical side of the matchup. Berry lacks the functional strength to consistently disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage, which makes it difficult for him to dictate the early stages of a route.
His anticipation will also be tested. Berry can be more reactive than proactive in coverage, particularly in zone, and that is something Indiana will no doubt look to exploit.
Berry does not need to win every rep to come out of this with credit. Scouts will be watching how he responds when he cannot win at the line, whether his movement skills keep him connected through the route, and whether he can process quickly enough to stay ahead of the play. Holding up against Marsh and Becker would be a statement performance against top competition.
Bounce Back - Cam Coleman (WR, Texas) vs Ole Miss
A prospect looking to respond after a disappointing performance.
Three catches for 18 yards against Florida was an underwhelming return for a receiver of Cam Coleman’s talent. Texas needs more from one of its most dangerous offensive weapons, particularly with Ole Miss next on the schedule.
There is a distinction, however, between disappointing production and disappointing play. Coleman’s performances have often been more encouraging than the box score suggests, and evaluating him solely on his receiving totals would miss some of what he is doing well. The next step is turning those promising stretches into consistently dominant performances.
Coleman has the size, explosiveness and vertical speed to put considerable pressure on a secondary. He can threaten defenders downfield and use his physicality and route craft to create openings. Those qualities make him one of the most exciting receivers in the class, but at some point the traits need to translate into high-quality production.
Ole Miss offers an immediate chance to do that. Texas needs its offense to find more consistent answers, and getting Coleman involved should be central to that effort. For Coleman, this is an opportunity to show he can take over a game rather than simply flash.
Rising Stock - Zereoue Williams (OT, Utah) vs Houston
A prospect whose stock is rising and who has an opportunity to build further momentum.
Zereoue Williams is quickly becoming a name worth knowing in this offensive tackle class. In his first season as a starter, the Utah tackle has attracted serious draft buzz, including talk of a potential first-round selection. His pass protection has been particularly impressive, allowing just three pressures across 215 pass blocking snaps.
The traits behind that production are encouraging too. His light feet help him stay in position and mirror opposing rushers, while his active, accurate hands allow him to make contact and control reps cleanly.
Williams has had to be patient. Now in his sixth season, he spent the last couple of years sitting behind a pair of first-round picks in Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu. On the evidence of his tape so far this season, that patience has paid off in a big way.
Houston gives Williams another opportunity to strengthen an increasingly interesting résumé. In a tackle class still searching for players to establish themselves, his emergence is a real bright spot, and another clean outing would make his case harder to ignore.
Under the Radar - Justin Bowick (WR, Oklahoma State) vs Colorado
A lesser-known prospect with an opportunity to earn more attention.
Drew Mestemaker and Wyatt Young have drawn much of the attention in Oklahoma State’s passing game, but Justin Bowick deserves a place in that conversation too.
Bowick began his career at Eastern Illinois before spells at Ball State and Illinois, joining Oklahoma State following the arrival of head coach Eric Morris. Seven weeks into the season, he is already closing in on his career high in receiving yards, with 473 yards and six touchdowns giving the Cowboys another dangerous target.
His combination of size and legitimate speed makes him an intriguing prospect. Bowick is reported to have hit 22mph on GPS tracking and run a 1.36-second 10-yard split.
If he can keep stacking strong performances, expect him to start earning more buzz as we head into draft season.
JACK BRENTNALL
HEAD OF NFL DRAFT CONTENT
Previously the founder of The Jet Sweep, Jack joined The Touchdown as head of Draft Content in 2024. A Scouting Academy alumnus, Jack has been Covering the NFL Draft since 2020. Follow him on Twitter @Jack_Brentnall.
