College Football Week 3: 2026 NFL Draft prospects to watch
By Jack Brentnall
The college football season really kicks into gear this week, with a heavy slate of high-profile conference battles.
Whether you are a disillusioned NFL fan already looking towards the NFL Draft after a rough opening weekend, or simply a college football fanatic – there is something for everyone.
Here are five names that I will be watching closely this weekend.
Taylen Green - QB, Arkansas (6-6, 235, rs-Senior)
The SEC slate is officially underway for Arkansas this weekend, as they travel to Oxford for a highly anticipated matchup with Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels. The one Razorback I will be watching particularly closely is their quarterback, Taylen Green.
Green began his career at Boise State and started for the Broncos for two seasons before transferring to Arkansas in 2024. His play was a little up-and-down at times but he showed plenty of promise in his first season at the Power Four level, recording career-highs in passing yards and touchdowns.
As a prospect, Green’s biggest selling point is his physical gifts. He has an enticing array of tools, with good size, a live arm, and the mobility to create as a runner. Green has over 2,000 career rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns so far in his career. But for all of his electrifying ability, the question has always been whether he can put those tools together and find consistency as a passer. The early returns in 2025 have been solid. Green looks to have improved on his accuracy, which has been a persistent problem throughout his career.
He started the season with a career-best six touchdown performance against Alabama A&M and while Week 2 was a little more up-and-down as a passer, he made his presence felt as a rusher, with 151 rushing yards, including a 64-yard touchdown.
Neither of those games came against Power Four opposition, however, and this weekend will be the first real test of his season. With the Rebels favoured by more than a touchdown, Green will need to be at his very best for Arkansas to stand a chance, making this a potential statement game.
Joshua Josephs - EDGE, Tennessee (6-3, 240, Senior)
Arkansas aren’t the only SEC team with a big conference game on their hands. One of the most exciting matchups of Week 3 will see Tennessee host Georgia, and the player I’ll be watching closest is Volunteers edge rusher Joshua Josephs.
Josephs is a former four-star recruit who spent the first three seasons of his college career in a rotational role. With James Pearce Jr. now in the NFL, Josephs has stepped into a full-time role and is making the most of his opportunity so far.
Through two games, Josephs has recorded seven pressures, including a pair of sacks. He has also managed four defensive stops and has recorded a 22.6% pass rush win rate.
As a prospect it is easy to see why some are very excited about Josephs. He has exceptional burst and bend and his proportional length is outstanding – his 34.75” arms would rank in the 89th percentile amongst edge prospects. His issues, much like James Pearce before him, have been his functional strength and ability to hold up consistently as a run defender.
This weekend’s test against Georgia will be a good one for him. The Bulldogs offensive line is allowing a pressure rate of just 24.3% and neither of their starting tackles have allowed a sack or hit so far this season. A big game from Josephs against this tough front would certainly catch the attention of scouts everywhere.
Avieon Terrell - CB, Clemson (5-11, 180, Junior)
Clemson may have been in the national championship conversation in the preseason, but through two weeks they have looked sluggish. This weekend they face a big ACC game, travelling to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech.
The Tigers boast a roster full of NFL talent, with cornerback Avieon Terrell amongst their most notable names. The younger brother of Falcons cornerback AJ, Terrell is an explosive and fluid athlete who shows impressive competitiveness at the catch point. Despite being on the smaller side, he is also a very willing contributor in run support.
This will be a great test for Terrell, as he’ll have to contend with a Georgia Tech offense that, while not the most pass-happy, features a crafty and explosive route runner in wide receiver Eric Rivers. Terrell’s willingness in run support will also be challenged by the Yellow Jackets’ punishing run game.
Cashius Howell - EDGE, Texas A&M (6-2, 249, rs-Senior)
One of the biggest headlines in Week 2 was Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell, who made history by recording three sacks on consecutive plays. In doing so he became the first player to achieve that feat in a decade.
The explosive performance capped a remarkable journey for the former three-star recruit. Howell actually began his career at Bowling Green, where he earned Third Team All-MAC honours in an impressive 2023 season before transferring to Texas A&M. There, he spent last season serving as the backup behind Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton.
Howell was quietly the most productive pass rusher on a per snap basis for the Aggies last season, and that looks to have translated to a full-time role this season. While he lacks ideal length and possesses only adequate play strength, he makes up for it with refined hand usage and a red hot motor.
This weekend he will get a chance to prove his big performance was no fluke in a high-profile matchup against Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish tackles struggled in their opener against Miami, and Howell will no doubt be looking to take advantage and log another big performance.
Nyck Harbor - WR, South Carolina (6-5, 235, Junior)
South Carolina have made a strong start to their season so far and will be looking to move to 3-0 this weekend with a win against Vanderbilt. To do that, they will need wide receiver Nyck Harbor to be at his best.
Harbor is a former five-star, who has a long-established reputation as one of the freakiest athletes in college football, and it’s easy to see why. A track and field All-American, he boasts a 10.11 second 100m time, which is comparable to Tyreek Hill – an even more impressive feat given Harbor stands at 6’5” and 235 lbs.
Unfortunately, that is largely where the positives have ended for Harbor thus far in his career. Despite his prowess on the track, he has been unable to translate that to consistent production on the football field.
After quitting track to focus entirely on football for 2025, that seemed to shift in Week 1 as he logged career highs in targets (six) and receiving yards (99). However, he was quiet in Week 2, failing to log a single reception. This weekend’s game against Vanderbilt should give us a good indication of which performance is more indicative of his true potential.
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.