College Football Week 10: 2027 NFL Draft storylines to watch
By Jack Brentnall
Week 10 of the college football season is packed with big games, including Alabama vs LSU, Ole Miss vs Georgia and Notre Dame vs Miami. This also means some big matchups from an NFL Draft perspective, including a number of first round talents facing tough tests.
Here are six storylines to watch in Week 10.
Spotlight Game - Leonard Moore (CB, Notre Dame) vs Miami
A prospect taking centre stage in one of the weekend’s biggest matchups.
Malachi Toney’s absence removes one of the most anticipated receiver-cornerback matchups of the season, but Notre Dame’s meeting with Miami is still worth your time, and Moore is the main reason.
He has allowed just seven catches for 71 yards across six games this season, adding four pass breakups. Completing passes in his direction has been close to impossible, and he remains firmly in the conversation to be the first defensive player selected in the 2027 NFL Draft.
His combination of size, length and movement skills sits at the centre of that appeal. Moore has the fluidity to mirror receivers through their breaks and the speed to carry them vertically, and he uses his strength and length to stay attached through the route.
Notre Dame have asked him to shadow opposing receivers in the past, so his deployment is the first thing to watch. Miami still has talented targets, including Cooper Barkate, whose route running and reliable hands make him a useful part of the passing game and who should see a notable uptick in usage with Toney out.
Darian Mensah’s accuracy and decision making should make this a worthwhile test. Moore will need to stay disciplined against a quarterback capable of identifying and exploiting tight windows.
The Proving Ground - Deuce Alexander (WR, Ole Miss) vs Georgia
A prospect facing one of the toughest individual matchups on his schedule.
Deuce Alexander has been an important part of Ole Miss’ passing game this season, catching 48 passes for 669 yards and five touchdowns. Georgia cornerback Ellis Robinson IV represents one of his toughest assignments of the year.
Both players are a little on the lighter side but possess impressive movement skills. Alexander has the explosiveness to threaten defenders vertically and create separation early in the route, but Robinson is one of the few college cornerbacks with the athletic profile to match him consistently.
That should make for an intriguing battle. Alexander will need to lean on the detail of his releases and route running, varying his tempo and attacking Robinson’s leverage to create openings. His speed will still be a threat, but he is unlikely to find separation as easily as he has against some other opponents.
His work at the catch point will also be important. Alexander’s hands can be too passive, giving defenders opportunities to disrupt throws that he should secure. Against a cornerback with Robinson’s closing speed and length, he will need to be more assertive attacking the football.
Alexander has enough speed and craft to make this a difficult afternoon for Robinson too. If he can turn those qualities into production against one of the best cornerbacks in the class, it would be a significant addition to his résumé.
Rising Stock - Aidan Chiles (QB, Northwestern) vs Iowa
A prospect whose stock is rising and who has an opportunity to build further momentum.
Aidan Chiles is making a compelling case for another look in a quarterback class that has been noticeably short on positives.
He was very good against Oregon last week, continuing an encouraging season in which he has completed 68.1% of his passes for 1,892 yards, 13 touchdowns and just one interception. He has added 411 yards and 10 touchdowns as a runner.
His arm talent and ability outside the pocket are central to the appeal. Chiles generates velocity effectively off platform and is particularly impressive throwing on the move. His quickness allows him to escape pressure and create opportunities with his legs, something that was on full display against Oregon.
The concerns centre on his work from the pocket. He can wait an extra beat for receivers to separate rather than trusting the read and getting the ball out on time, and his placement is inconsistent, with erratic lower-body mechanics contributing to throws that force receivers to adjust.
There is still enough here to see a potential NFL starter, particularly if he becomes more consistent playing on schedule. Iowa should provide another revealing test. Their disciplined defense will ask plenty of his processing and pocket execution, and another strong performance would carry real momentum into the final stretch of the season.
Under the Radar - Wayshawn Parker (RB, Utah) vs BYU
A lesser-known prospect with an opportunity to earn more attention.
Wayshawn Parker has been an important part of Utah’s unbeaten start, yet he still receives relatively little attention compared with the other backs in this class.
The production warrants a closer look. Parker has rushed for 726 yards and nine touchdowns on 109 carries, adding 26 catches for 264 yards and four scores. That leaves him just short of 1,000 scrimmage yards with 13 touchdowns through eight games.
He is a very good runner who offers legitimate value as a receiver, and that receiving ability gives him a route to a broader NFL role. His average of 4.76 yards after contact per carry shows how effective he has been at extending runs.
There is a health consideration. Parker’s involvement against Cincinnati was cut short by a quad contusion, and although he is set to play against BYU, it will be worth watching for any lingering effects.
The rivalry matchup is an excellent opportunity to raise his profile. A big performance would bring a lot more attention to a player who deserves to be discussed among the better dual threat backs in the class.
Backing It Up - CJ Hicks (EDGE, South Florida) at East Carolina
A prospect coming off a standout performance with the chance to show it wasn’t a one-off.
CJ Hicks arrived at Ohio State as a five-star recruit but never established himself as a starter. His move to South Florida has given him a chance to show what he can do with a larger role, and last weekend’s performance against UAB was particularly encouraging.
It 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.
He also brings considerable special teams experience and the ability to contribute in multiple phases. Those qualities should help him when competing for an NFL roster spot, even as scouts continue to assess how much he can offer in a defensive rotation.
East Carolina is the next opportunity to impress. Hicks is starting to turn his recruiting pedigree into meaningful production, and he will be keen to show that the UAB performance was a sign of things to come.
Make-or-Break Performance - Yhonzae Pierre (EDGE, Alabama) vs LSU
A prospect who needs a statement performance to stop his stock falling further.
Yhonzae Pierre has been solid this season, with some really promising flashes on tape, but he has not quite taken the next step many expected after recording nine sacks and 34 defensive stops in 2025.
Through eight games he has 22 pressures, three sacks and 15 stops. The production has not disappeared, but he has yet to impose himself consistently in the way you would hope from a player looking to strengthen his standing near the top of the edge class.
LSU tackle Jordan Seaton offers an excellent opportunity to change that. Seaton is in the conversation for the best offensive tackle in the 2027 class, and his athleticism and balance make him difficult to beat with speed, though his tendency to play tall can leave opportunities for rushers who establish leverage and attack him with power.
Pierre has the heavy hands and strength to make that an interesting contest. The question is whether he can find an alternative when his initial move is stalled.
With only a few games remaining, he needs to show more than occasional flashes. Getting the better of a tackle like Seaton would be exactly the sort of statement required.
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.
