College Football Week 1: 2026 NFL Draft prospects to watch
By Jack Brentnall
After Week 0 whet the appetite with a handful of games, college football is well and truly back this weekend. From coast to coast, top prospects will take the field, providing scouts and analysts with a full slate of talent to evaluate.
There are so many prospects I’m excited to see in Week 1, but I’ve focused on six names you need to watch this weekend. In case you are wondering, the reason there are no Ohio State or Texas prospects here is because we’ve dedicated an entire separate article to that blockbuster matchup.
Cade Klubnik - QB, Clemson (6-2, 210, Senior)
The matchup between LSU and Clemson is one of the biggest games of Week 1, not least because it plays host to two of the hottest quarterbacks in college football.
A former five-star recruit, Klubnik arrived at Clemson with sky-high expectations, but he struggled significantly in his first season as a starter in 2023.
Last year saw him defy expectations and turn things around in spectacular fashion, finishing the year with 36 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He showed off his athleticism too, racking up almost 600 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
The question for 2025 will be whether he can replicate that and continue to grow as a passer. He certainly has the traits – Klubnik is an explosive athlete who is also blessed with a live arm and one of the prettiest deep balls you will see.
There is plenty of talent on LSU’s defense and they will test Klubnik’s ability to stand in the pocket and work through his concepts as a passer. The stakes don’t get much bigger than this for a Week 1 game.
Garrett Nussmeier - QB, LSU (6-2, 200, Senior)
On the other side of that matchup will be LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. Nussmeier is entering his second season as LSU’s starting quarterback and is widely seen as one of the frontrunners in the 2026 quarterback class.
The son of New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, Garrett threw for 29 touchdowns and 12 picks last season, leading LSU to a 9-4 season.
Nussmeier’s play in 2024 was a little volatile, but at his best you can clearly see why some in the NFL Draft community are high on him. He shows the ability to throw with anticipation, work the middle of the field, and manage the pocket when pressured. He is also reported to be a high character player, evidenced by the fact that LSU recently awarded him the storied No. 18 jersey for 2025.
I think there are still a few questions Nussmeier has to answer before being talked up as a top 50 pick, and those start with his accuracy and post-snap processing. For a player with below average size and adequate athleticism, he needs to show he can be a consistent force from the pocket. This will be a great test for him, not least because he will be working behind an almost entirely new offensive line.
Peter Woods - IDL, Clemson (6-3, 315, Junior)
The two quarterbacks are going to be getting most of the attention in the Clemson vs LSU clash, but the best prospect on the field will be toiling away in the trenches.
Peter Woods is not just one of the best players in this matchup, but one of the very best players in all of college football. He has been an impact player for the Tigers since his true freshman season, and is coming off a strong 2024 campaign that saw him rack up 20 pressures and 20 defensive stops.
As a prospect, Woods ticks plenty of boxes. At 6’3” and 315 lbs he has NFL-ready size. He pairs this with rare burst and closing speed for his size, with a lightning quick first step to shoot gaps. He is also one of the best run defenders in the country.
Looking ahead to this season, scouts will want to see him work on his pad level and continue to develop pass rushing counters, as he has been a little too reliant on winning with first contact. If he can do that he will be firmly in the conversation as a top five pick come April.
Eric Singleton - WR, Auburn (5-10, 178, Junior)
One of the features of contemporary college football is an active transfer portal. Every season we are seeing a whole host of prospects in new situations. One of those that I am particularly excited to watch in Week 1 is Auburn’s Eric Singleton.
A former three-star recruit, Singleton spent the first two seasons of his college career at Georgia Tech. He quickly earned a reputation as a talented big play threat, averaging over 14 yards per catch through his career so far.
Singleton’s biggest selling point as a prospect is his athleticism. He is a former state champion sprinter in high school who showcases the speed to burn defenses downfield and the agility to separate out of his breaks.
His size means he won’t be a fit for every scheme, but if he can show some improvements in his route technique and salesmanship in 2025 he could very well make his way into the top 50 conversation.
Eric Rivers - WR, Georgia Tech (5-11, 175, rs-Senior)
With Eric Singleton departing for Auburn, Georgia Tech looked to the portal for his replacement, bringing in former Florida International wide receiver Eric Rivers.
In many ways, Rivers and Singleton share plenty of similarities. Both are smaller receivers who, despite their size, have plied their trade primarily as boundary receivers. They also both offer outstanding burst and long speed.
What has me particularly excited about Rivers is that he pairs this athletic profile with real intelligence as a route runner and an advanced understanding of how to manipulate defenders. He is also shifty and creative after the catch, forcing 23 missed tackles in 2024 alone.
Rivers would benefit from added play strength, but the real question facing him in 2025 is whether he can transfer his impressive production to the Power Five level. This weekend’s test against Colorado and their talented cornerback DJ McKinney will be an excellent opportunity for him to prove that he can.
Darrell Jackson Jr. - IDL, Florida State (6-5, 341, rs-Senior)
If trench battles are your thing, make sure you tune into the Alabama-Florida State game. Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. will be treated to one of his toughest tests of the season against Alabama’s talented interior offensive line.
Jackson is a fifth-year senior who began his college career at Maryland. He subsequently transferred to Miami, before transferring again to Florida State. He was a bright spot on an otherwise underwhelming Seminoles team last season, racking up 30 pressures, including five sacks.
Jackson’s calling card as a prospect is his otherworldly combination of size and strength. Verified offseason measurements have him at 6’5” and 341 lbs, with 35.25” arms, all of which rank in at least the 90th percentile for the position. He plays to his size too, with stoutness against the run and raw power to detonate the pocket with a bull rush.
The big area for growth remains his technique. Jackson’s highlights are spectacular, but he’s a little wild with his hand placement and timing and doesn’t offer a tonne as a pass rusher outside of his bull rush. This weekend he should get plenty of reps against Parker Brailsford, who, while undersized, is a very talented center prospect. A good game here would be huge.
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.