College Football Week 9: 2027 NFL Draft storylines to watch
By Jack Brentnall
A quarterback making a case for QB1 and a tackle facing an increasingly productive pass rusher headline this week’s storylines. We also have a cornerback looking to build on a big performance and a rising talent at defensive tackle.
Here are six storylines to watch in Week 9.
Spotlight Game - Austin Simmons (QB, Missouri) vs Arkansas
A prospect taking centre stage in one of the weekend’s biggest matchups.
This might not be the biggest college football matchup on paper, but when it comes to NFL Draft relevance I’ll be watching it very closely. Missouri is coming into this game after scoring just three points against Ole Miss, though quarterback Austin Simmons played considerably better than the box score suggests.
There was an awful lot to like about what he put on tape in that game. Simmons has one of the most natural arms in the class and he’s willing to use it to work the middle of the field and test tight throws. Against Ole Miss he showed a good feel for when to get the ball out quickly and when to hang in the pocket and work through his reads.
It is that collection of tools, decision making and anticipatory throwing that means for me he belongs in the conversation for QB1.
There are still questions to answer. His limited mobility leaves him with fewer solutions when protection breaks down, and he needs to respond more quickly when forced out of structure. He’s also still in his first year as a starter, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him take advantage of NIL and return.
Nevertheless, with the 2027 quarterback class seemingly getting more disappointing by the week, Simmons has a chance to make a name for himself if he can continue stacking these performances.
The Proving Ground - Niki Prongos (OT, Stanford) vs Louisville
A prospect facing one of the toughest individual matchups on his schedule.
Niki Prongos faces the most dangerous pass rusher on his schedule this weekend in Louisville’s Clev Lubin, who has recorded at least one sack in each of his last five games.
Prongos’ appeal starts with his movement skills. The Stanford tackle has light feet and the lateral quickness to mirror rushers effectively in space as a pass protector, qualities that should be particularly valuable against Lubin.
Both players lean on their quickness and athleticism, making this an intriguing technical contest. Prongos has the range to meet speed around the edge and the ability to redirect against inside counters. He also varies his punches and uses his hands independently, giving him ways to disrupt a rusher’s timing rather than simply chasing him around the arc.
Prongos’ limited functional strength remains a concern in his NFL projection. He struggles to generate displacement in the run game and he doesn’t have the mean finishing streak you look for in an offensive tackle.
He has been having a really nice 2026 season so far, and this is an opportunity to show that his strongest traits can carry him through against one of the better edge rushers in college football.
Rising Stock - AJ Holmes (DT, Texas Tech) vs Arizona
A prospect whose stock is rising and who has an opportunity to build further momentum.
Texas Tech may have lost a lot of their defensive line talent to the 2026 NFL Draft, but AJ Holmes is still there and is in the midst of an excellent season. He has recorded 32 pressures, including seven sacks, and is becoming a name worth paying closer attention to in the 2027 class.
His first-step quickness is central to his appeal. Holmes has the burst to shoot gaps and get across a blocker’s face before they can establish contact. He pairs that with an effective club move and good leverage, allowing him to create quick penetration despite lacking ideal length.
There are still limitations to his game. His short arms make it difficult to keep blockers out of his chest, and he doesn’t have the power to consistently collapse the pocket once engaged. When his initial move is stopped, he can struggle to disengage and find another way through.
That said, if he can continue to produce as he has through the first half of the season then you can expect him to earn a lot more buzz. This weekend’s matchup against a good Arizona team is another chance to add to that momentum.
Backing It Up - Zeke Berry (CB, Michigan) vs Rutgers
A prospect coming off a standout performance with the chance to show it wasn’t a one-off.
Zeke Berry faced a significant challenge last week, going up against Indiana’s talented duo of Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker. He came through it with his best performance of the season.
His fluidity and light feet were on full display, allowing him to stay connected in coverage. He also showed off his ability at the catch point, with a nice pass breakup and a really impressive interception.
His aggression against the run was just as encouraging. Competitive toughness has long been one of Berry’s strengths, and his willingness to come downhill and involve himself physically was evident against Indiana.
Rutgers now presents a different kind of challenge through KJ Duff.
Berry has the movement skills to mirror more athletic receivers, but his lack of strength can become an issue against bigger opponents. At 6’5” and 225, Duff’s size and physicality should make for a real challenge for Berry, and one that scouts will be eager to see.
Berry turned heads with his play last weekend. If he can lock up KJ Duff this weekend then he will head into the final stretch of the season with real momentum behind him.
Return to Action - Austin Siereveld (OT, Ohio State) at USC
A prospect returning from injury and looking to get back to his best.
Austin Siereveld returns to Ohio State’s offensive line this weekend after an illness forced him to miss two games. The meeting with USC gives him an immediate opportunity to settle back into the lineup as the Buckeyes enter an important stretch of their season.
For Siereveld, this is a chance to resume building his profile against Big Ten opposition. USC might not have lived up to expectations this year but they have a talented defensive line. Edge rushers Luke Wafle and Kameryn Crawford will ask plenty of him, as will hybrid defensive tackle/edge Jide Abasiri.
Though he has spent most of his college career as a tackle, Siereveld feels like a guard at the pro level, where his relentless finishing mentality and core strength can really be put to work. How quickly he looks like himself again will be the thing to watch on his return.
Bounce Back - Trinidad Chambliss (QB, Ole Miss) vs Auburn
A prospect looking to respond after a disappointing performance.
Trinidad Chambliss has been having a strong season, but he had a performance to forget last week against Texas, throwing three interceptions. He has an immediate opportunity to respond this weekend against Auburn though.
Chambliss’ ability to create plays and come up clutch in key situations has been central to his appeal. He has good pocket awareness, can keep plays alive with his movement and throws accurately in the short and intermediate areas.
The concern is how consistently he recognises what a defense is doing after the snap. Coverage rotations have caused problems on his tape, with some questionable decisions when the picture changes from the one he anticipated. This was evident on a number of occasions last week against the Longhorns.
Chambliss has been discussed as a potential first-round pick, but if that is to continue he will need to show that last week was an outlier. As an older, undersized quarterback his margin for error is narrower than most and scouts will be keen to see a statement performance against Auburn.
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.
