College Football Week 8: 2026 NFL Draft prospects to watch
By Jack Brentnall
It’s Week 8, and we’re past the halfway mark of the season. With big conference showdowns like Tennessee at Alabama and the classic rivalry of USC at Notre Dame on the docket, this weekend gives us a great opportunity to watch some top NFL Draft prospect.
Here are five players I’ll be watching closely in Week 8.
Jalon Kilgore - S, South Carolina (6-1, 211, Junior)
Things haven’t quite gone to plan for South Carolina this season, but while the Gamecocks may not have much to play for, they still feature a number of prospects worth watching.
One of those is their slot corner, Jalon Kilgore. Kilgore was a very popular player in summer scouting; while I wasn’t as high on him as some – he was my CB7 – it is easy to understand the excitement about his NFL potential. At 6’1” and 211 lbs he has the size to match up against bigger slot receivers, along with impressive explosiveness. He’s got some good ball production throughout his career too.
His play this season has been a little up and down, marked by inconsistent tackling and a limited impact in coverage. With the way things are going I can see him returning to school, but a big game this weekend could help his cause were he to declare.
The Gamecocks face a good Oklahoma offense with real talent in the slot. Kilgore will likely spend most of his time matched up against tight end Jaren Kanak and the crafty slot receiver Isaiah Setagna. If he can keep that duo quiet he will undoubtedly boost his stock.
Raleek Brown - RB, Arizona State (5-9, 195, rs-Junior)
Brown is enjoying a breakout season. A former four-star recruit and the No. 3 ranked running back in the 2022 class, he began his career at USC, leading the Pac-12 in kick return yards as a freshman, before redshirting the 2023 season following a switch to wide receiver.
After an injury-limited season in 2024, Brown has dominant in 2025. Through six games he has recorded 573 yards and two touchdowns on 91 carries, with a further 124 yards on 20 catches. His 35 forced missed tackles lead the Big 12.
Whilst he is on the smaller side, Brown’s ability to make a difference as a runner, receiver, and returner will no doubt earn interest from NFL scouts. His athleticism is excellent too, evidenced by his high school 10.91-second 100m dash.
This weekend, he faces an outstanding Texas Tech defensive front, which is helmed by high-level edge rushers David Bailey and Romello Height. This will be a great test of his ability to create against a tough, disruptive front.
Anthony Lucas - EDGE, USC (6-5, 279, Senior)
One of the headlines of Week 8 will be the rivalry game between USC-Notre Dame, a game that feels like a must-win affair for both schools. When things kick off in South Bend, my eyes will be firmly fixed on Trojans edge rusher Anthony Lucas.
Lucas is one of the freakiest athletes in the 2026 class. At 6’5” and 279 lbs with a wingspan of over 84”, he offers an imposing frame, which he pairs with rare fluidity and explosiveness for a bigger defender.
As a prospect he offers a high floor as a run defender and can reliably set the edge, playing with surprisingly good leverage. The critical question, however, is whether he can take the next step and develop into a more consistent finisher. For all the flashes and disruption, Lucas has logged just two sacks to this point in his career.
A rivalry game like this is an excellent opportunity for Lucas to show what he is capable of as both a run defender and pass rusher. NFL scouts will certainly have the matchup circled on their calendars.
Chris Brazzell - WR, Tennessee (6-5, 200, rs-Junior)
With each passing week, this year’s wide receiver class gets more exciting. While the big three – Jordyn Tyson, Makai Lemon, and Carnell Tate – have been getting plenty of attention, I’ve also been incredibly impressed by Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell.
Brazzell wasn’t even on my radar in summer scouting after a fairly average first season with the Volunteers. However, the former Tulane man has been outstanding so far this season, racking up 536 yards and seven touchdowns in six games.
Tennessee wide receivers don’t have the best reputation when it comes to their NFL projection, but Brazzell is a departure from his predecessors. He is a surprisingly refined route runner, with nuance in his releases and through his stems, and impressive fluidity for his size.
This weekend’s game against Alabama is a big opportunity for him to impress after a quiet outing against Arkansas in Week 7. If he looks anything like the player we saw against Georgia and Mississippi State earlier this season, expect to see a lot more talk about him.
Harold Perkins - LB, LSU (6-1, 220, rs-Junior)
Perkins is a name that has been on NFL Draft radars since he first burst on to the scene as a true freshman in 2022.
While he hasn’t quite developed into the blue chip prospect some expected, he’s had some really nice moments so far this season and has put the torn ACL he suffered in 2024 behind him.
Through six games, he has recorded 15 defensive stops and 11 pressures, including one sack. Five of those stops came last week against South Carolina. As a prospect, Perkins displays excellent explosiveness and range when working downhill, coupled with a ferocious mentality as a blitzer.
His projection to the NFL is admittedly murky – partly due to the hybrid role he plays in LSU’s defense, but also his tiny frame – but as a situational weapon that can make plays when working downhill he will certainly have some appeal. This weekend he will have his work cut out against a creative Vanderbilt offense with a mobile quarterback and an athletic tight end. This should be a great test.
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.