Week 5 Scouting Notebook: Makai Lemon looks sharp, diverging QB stock, and more

By Jack Brentnall

This was a great weekend from an NFL Draft perspective. We were treated to several heavyweight matchups and got to see some top prospects tested against high-level competition.

This week’s scouting notebook includes a pair of first round wide receiver prospects, some changing quarterback stock, and a former top-50 recruit that had a breakout performance.

Makai Lemon looks sharp

USC’s heartbreaking loss to Illinois was not for a lack of elite play from wide receiver Makai Lemon, who delivered another Biletnikoff Award-worthy performance and spearheaded the Trojans’ furious fourth-quarter rally.

Lemon was a production machine, racking up 11 catches for 151 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns. His 3.51 yards per route run is a testament to his dominance in this one.

This game was another great example of Lemon’s talent. He is a player who clearly has a great feel for his position, whether that is understanding how to manipulate defensive backs in man coverage, find soft spots in zone coverage, or create after the catch.

He pairs this technical savvy with perhaps the best hands in the entire class. Against the Illini he was able to consistently secure the ball in traffic, showing strong and active hands on numerous occasions and no fear when working across the middle of the field. 

While he may not possess the size of a prototypical alpha receiver, Lemon is a supremely talented pass catcher who has become one of the most reliable players in all of college football. He has comfortably played his way into the first round with his play in the first five weeks of the season – the question now is how high he can go.

Dante Moore and Drew Allar’s diverging NFL stock

The highly anticipated showdown between Oregon and Penn State served as more than just a critical early-season contest – it was also an opportunity to compare two high-profile quarterback prospects in Dante Moore and Drew Allar. If the game proved anything, it’s that the draft trajectories for these former five-star recruits are headed in dramatically opposite directions.

Moore delivered an evening of clinical efficiency that has been a hallmark of his season so far. He completed 29 of his 39 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns, finishing with a passer  rating of 116.2.

He was the picture of a point guard running an offense, distributing the ball with poise and surgical accuracy. His willingness to take what the defense gave him was very impressive, as was his ability to stay calm and make plays under duress. He is evolving into the precise, mentally sharp quarterback scouts covet.

On the opposite side, the immense physical gifts of Drew Allar once again failed to translate into high-level production against top competition. He is now 0-6 in games against AP Top-6 ranked teams. 

His accuracy remained frustratingly inconsistent, with him missing several easy throws. His inability to throw with precision when attempting tight-window throws also showed up again in this one.

For Allar, the game was a stark reminder that physical tools can only carry a prospect so far. He has more than three times as many starts in his career than Moore, but if either looked like the inexperienced one, it was the Penn State man. Allar’s game-ending interception, where he failed to recognise the post-snap defensive adjustment epitomised this.

In what may ultimately be remembered as a pivotal night for the 2026 quarterback class, the contrast between Moore and Allar could not have been clearer. While Moore showcased the poise and precision of a first round prospect, Allar did nothing to quell the growing concerns about his accuracy, processing, and ability to perform in big games, something that will likely drop him out of the early round discussion.

Will Lee III passes a tough test

The offensive fireworks failed to materialise for Texas A&M in the 16-10 defensive slugfest against Auburn, but the game did see Aggies cornerback Will Lee III record a statement performance against top competition.

Facing Auburn’s talented wideouts Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr. was always going to be a key test for Lee’s NFL projection, and he passed with flying colours.

In man coverage, Lee looked sticky, using his length and play strength to prevent his opponents from generating separation. He held his own against the big, contested-catch prowess of Coleman, who was coming off an elite Week 4 performance, even managing to record a nice pass breakup. While Singleton did manage to beat Lee for a big reception down the sideline, Lee’s coverage was tight throughout the play.

He also looked good in zone coverage, showing a nice feel for spacing and a clear understanding of route disruption and positioning. He looked reliable as an open field tackler too.

Against arguably the toughest competition he will face all season, Lee looked great. If he can keep this up for the rest of the season he will definitely find himself in the conversation as one of the best cornerbacks in the 2026 class.

Bear Alexander mauls Penn State's offense

Defensive tackle Bear Alexander turned in his best performance of the season for Oregon in their double-overtime win against Penn State.

His impact was readily apparent in the run game, where he accounted for five defensive stops. This performance helped limit Penn State’s vaunted running back duo to a season-low yards-per-carry average. 

Alexander was a top 50 recruit in the 2022 class and that pedigree showed in his combination of play strength and explosiveness.

He did an outstanding job of clogging lanes and eating up double teams, ensuring that his linebackers were kept clean to make plays on the ball. He also flashes some outstanding first step quickness, with several plays that saw him shoot gaps and meet the runner in the backfield.

There is still clear room for development, particularly as a pass rusher. Alexander registered two pressures on the day and while the flashes were promising, there is a long way to go in terms of consistency.

The talent and pedigree that made Alexander a top recruit are undeniable, and his performance against Penn State suggests that sort of game-wrecking ability is still on the cards for him. However, the off-field concerns present a major hurdle for his draft stock. Having attended four high schools in four years and now on his third college team (Georgia, USC, Oregon) in four years – including quitting USC mid-season last year to redshirt – NFL teams will have concerns about his commitment and character. Until those questions are answered, the risk may outweigh the reward with Alexander.

Another big game from Jordyn Tyson

Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson delivered a spectacular performance against TCU, underlining his status as one of college football’s premier receiving threats and an early favourite for the 2026 NFL Draft’s top wideout.

He finished the game with eight catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing a complete receiving skill set.

Some wayward passes from Sam Leavitt forced him to make several tough adjustments, but he came through and made several outrageous catches against the Horned Frogs. Tyson could easily have had even more production too, had Leavitt shown more willingness to stay in the pocket and work through his reads.

Tyson is a high-level athlete who is a consistent separator at all three levels of the field. The fact that he’s been able to maintain this level of performance while dealing with inconsistent quarterback play and moving to a much more boundary-heavy role is very encouraging for his NFL projection.

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.

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