Week 9 Scouting Notebook: Aidan Chiles impresses against Oregon, Jadan Baugh’s frustrations and more

By Jack Brentnall

Week 9 brought standout performances from some established names, but also from a couple of players who are beginning to force their way more firmly into the 2027 NFL Draft conversation.

Here is what stood out on tape.

Aidan Chiles keeps Northwestern competitive against Oregon

Northwestern ultimately came up short against Oregon, but Aidan Chiles kept them competitive throughout and looked comfortable against what was always going to be one of the toughest tests on his schedule. In a quarterback class that has largely been a disappointment, he increasingly looks like a player worth paying attention to.

Chiles completed 22 of 38 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown, while also setting a career high with 107 rushing yards and another score on 11 carries.

His mobility was a major strength in this one. Chiles consistently avoided pressure in the backfield and created outside of structure, and there were several snaps where he escaped what appeared to be a certain sack before resetting and finding a receiver downfield.

That extension ability has become one of the defining traits of his season. For all of Northwestern’s success this year, their offensive line has struggled, with Chiles facing pressure on almost 40% of his dropbacks, yet his 101.9 passer rating under pressure ranks 13th nationally. Importantly, he is not simply scrambling at the first sign of trouble. He regularly keeps his eyes downfield and looks to create as a passer before resorting to his legs, and when he does run, he has enough athleticism to punish defenses.

The production is beginning to reflect the progress on tape. Through nine weeks, Chiles is completing 68.1% of his passes for 1,892 yards, 13 touchdowns and just one interception, while adding 411 yards and 10 scores as a runner.

There is still room for development. His mechanics need cleaning up, and he has to throw with anticipation more consistently, as there are still moments where he waits to see the throw rather than trusting what is about to develop.

But there is something here. If Chiles continues playing at this level, it is not difficult to envisage him entering the conversation as a developmental quarterback with legitimate top-50 potential.

Florida’s offensive line issues weigh on Jadan Baugh against Georgia

Jadan Baugh’s early-season performances generated plenty of excitement, but the last few weeks have been considerably more frustrating, and Georgia provided another difficult afternoon. He managed just 38 yards on 17 carries, averaging only 2.2 yards per attempt. The most telling number might be that he generated 43 yards after contact, more than his entire rushing total, which shows how little was available to him before first contact.

Florida’s offensive line is doing him very few favours right now. There is no consistent displacement up front, missed assignments are a regular occurrence and Baugh is repeatedly being asked to make something happen before he has had an opportunity to properly press the line of scrimmage. Florida has admittedly tried to get creative in how it gets him the football in space, but it hasn’t worked in any meaningful sense.

Baugh still forced five missed tackles, and there were flashes of the qualities that made him such an exciting prospect earlier in the season. His vision remains excellent and his cuts can be incredibly sharp. When he has a crease to attack, he sees it quickly and can manipulate defenders in confined spaces.

But you can also see the impact his surroundings are beginning to have on him. There were snaps where Baugh appeared reluctant to trust the blocking in front of him, rushing his reads or bouncing runs outside before the play had fully developed.

A large part of his declining production can be attributed to the offensive line, but when discussing a running back as a potential first-round pick, there has to be some expectation that he can elevate beyond his environment. Baugh has now gone five consecutive games without averaging more than four yards per carry, and this was the second time this season he has finished below 2.5. That raises a genuine question over whether he can consistently create independent of his blocking, or whether he needs a more functional offensive environment to maximise his talent.

That distinction could ultimately determine whether NFL teams view him as a legitimate first-round option.

J’Koby Williams seals Texas Tech win with another explosive run

J’Koby Williams might not have the workload of some of the more prominent running backs in the country, but few are making more of their opportunities. Against Arizona, he carried the ball 14 times for 175 yards and a touchdown, sealing the win for Texas Tech with a 64-yard score late in the game.

That run captured what makes him an intriguing prospect. Give Williams space and he has the acceleration to turn a crease into a huge gain and punish poor pursuit angles. It has been a theme all season, with Williams now on 794 rushing yards from just 100 carries, including 22 explosive runs and 14 breakaway runs. He has also caught 25 passes for 166 yards, and that receiving ability gives him another way to manufacture touches away from crowded boxes.

Size is the obvious question. Williams is undersized for an NFL running back, is unlikely to project as a high-volume back at the next level and will naturally be more limited when asked to work between the tackles.

But with each week that passes he is showing himself to be an explosive playmaker, and I think he has the makings of a very solid committee back.

LaNorris Sellers takes a step forward but questions remain

LaNorris Sellers divides opinion, and I have been one of the more sceptical evaluators when it comes to his NFL prospects. Even so, I came away very impressed by what I saw from the South Carolina quarterback in Week 9.

This was the first time it felt as though things were really coming together for him on the field. Sellers completed 19 of 24 passes for 301 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, while adding 101 yards and two scores on the ground.

The physical tools were on full display. Several throws came out with effortless velocity, attacking areas of the field that very few college quarterbacks can reach. His deep ball stood out in particular, with Sellers showing better touch than he has at times this season and layering throws accurately over defenders. There were also signs of progress in his decision-making, and he was predictably excellent as a runner.

It was not a perfect performance. Both interceptions were concerning, particularly the first, which was returned for a touchdown, and they served as a reminder that his processing and consistency from the pocket remain works in progress.

That is why one strong game does not suddenly make me comfortable projecting Sellers as a future NFL starter. His physical tools are the best in the class, but quarterback play becomes considerably harder at the next level, and the areas where he still struggles – processing, decision-making and consistently winning from structure – are exactly what NFL defenses will punish.

Still, this was comfortably his best game of the season and a strong foundation to build on. If he plays like this down the stretch, the conversation around him will start to shift.

CJ Hicks makes his biggest statement yet against UAB

CJ Hicks’ breakout season at USF reached a new level against UAB, with the former Ohio State linebacker producing the biggest performance of his career. He recorded a school-record four sacks and forced two fumbles, both of which were recovered by teammates and returned for touchdowns.

His athleticism was simply too much for UAB’s offensive tackles. Hicks consistently threatened the edge with his speed, showing an explosive first step and enough bend to flatten towards the quarterback once he had cleared the block.

It is the latest step in a significant turnaround. Hicks arrived in Columbus as a five-star recruit and the No. 14 overall player in the 2022 class, initially playing off the ball, but never carved out a consistent role across four seasons with the Buckeyes. Even after moving to the edge in 2025, he played just 50 defensive snaps. Following former Ohio State receivers coach Brian Hartline to USF has transformed his career.

The UAB game built on what is becoming a productive season. Hicks has generated 21 pressures, including six sacks, and recorded 15 defensive stops. His 22% pass rush win rate ranks 12th nationally.

How his frame translates to the NFL is the main question. Hicks is on the smaller side for an edge defender and may never be a player who consistently wins through power.

But the athletic profile matches his recruiting pedigree, and his background as an off-ball linebacker, along with extensive special teams experience, gives him added versatility. If the production keeps coming, Hicks will be a name that gathers momentum as the draft approaches.

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.

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