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We made it to Week 4 college football! This is a weekly article for anyone who doesn’t keep up with college football but wants to see some of the potential draft-eligible players for the 2027 NFL Draft. Each week, we preview their upcoming match ups and what to watch for from each college prospect. We also briefly mention what they did the week before as the season progresses.
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2027 NFL Draft Prospects to Scout | Week 4 College Football
2027 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch This Weekend | Week 4 Scouting Guide
Looking for college football players to scout this weekend? Here are 10 potential 2027 NFL Draft prospects to watch in Week 4, including their matchups, kickoff times and the traits dynasty managers should be evaluating.
| 2027 NFL Draft Prospect | Pos. | School | Week 4 Matchup | Time | What to Scout This Weekend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeSean Bishop | RB | Tennessee | vs. Texas | 12:00 PM | Explosiveness after his hip injury, efficiency against a strong front, red-zone usage and whether he maintains the lead-back role |
| Collin Dixon | WR | Illinois | vs. Ohio State | 12:00 PM | Route running and separation against an elite secondary, plus whether his touchdown production continues |
| Jadan Baugh | RB | Florida | vs. Ole Miss | 3:30 PM | Efficiency and physical rushing ability against his toughest defensive test of the season |
| John Mateer | QB | Oklahoma | vs. Georgia | 3:30 PM | Processing under pressure, quicker decisions and, most importantly, limiting turnovers |
| LaNorris Sellers | QB | South Carolina | vs. Alabama | 7:00 PM | Accuracy, ball security and using his mobility to create plays against a high-level defense |
| Dante Moore | QB | Oregon | vs. USC | 7:30 PM | Whether improved footwork and confidence carry over against better competition, plus decision-making against a turnover-producing defense |
| Jayden Maiava | QB | USC | vs. Oregon | 7:30 PM | Accuracy, decision-making and whether his breakout production translates against a top-ranked opponent |
| Mario Craver | WR | Texas A&M | vs. LSU | 7:30 PM | Target volume, explosive plays and his ability to win against talented LSU defensive backs |
| Fluff Bothwell | RB | Mississippi State | vs. Missouri | 7:45 PM | Physical rushing ability against better competition and improvement in pass protection |
| Javon Tracy | WR | Minnesota | vs. Washington | 11:00 PM | Speed and twitch against a talented secondary, plus his ability to establish himself as a legitimate sleeper prospect |
DeSean Bishop | RB | Tennessee
Last week stats: 9 Atts, 42 Yds, TD | 1 Rec, 15 Yds
Week 4 | Texas @ 12:00p Day (Saturday, Sept. 26th)
Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop gave the team a scare after leaving in the second quarter last week with a hip injury. Fortunately, the injury wasn’t severe, and he is expected to play in Week 4. Bishop has played well through the first three weeks, averaging 6.0 YPC and scoring a touchdown in every game.
Now, he faces a tough Texas defensive front in his first major challenge of the season. Texas has held opposing running backs with at least 10 carries to under 4.0 YPC this year. We want to see whether the injury limits Bishop at all and if he can remain explosive against a talented front seven. His red-zone role will also be important to watch, especially after Daune Morris played well in relief of Bishop last week. We could see more of a split in the backfield in Week 4, making this an important game for Bishop to show he can remain the lead option.
Dante Moore | QB | Oregon
Last week stats: 82.6 Comp %, 280 Pass Yds, 4 TDs
Week 4 | USC @ 7:30p Night (Saturday, Sept. 26th)
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore had himself a game in Week 3. As expected, we wanted to see Moore bounce back against a terrible Portland State team, and he did just that. Moore looked much more confident throughout the game. His footwork also looked better after being an issue early in the season, and he handled pressure well against an inferior opponent. Now, Moore gets back to facing top-tier talent against a red-hot USC team.
We want to see Moore carry that progress over against a much tougher defense. USC has a solid secondary, but its depth could be an area Moore can exploit. The Trojans can also create turnovers, so Moore will need to make smart decisions with the football. This is an opportunity for Moore to reestablish himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2027 class.
Jadan Baugh | RB | Florida
Last week stats: 26 Atts, 162 Yds, 3 TDs | 1 Rec, 6 Yds
Week 4 | Ole Miss @ 3:30p Day (Saturday, Sept. 26th)
Jadan Baugh has established himself as a potential RB1 in the 2027 class with some monster performances to start the season. He already has over 500 rushing yards and has been a touchdown machine with 8 scores.
This matchup against Ole Miss may be the final test we need to confirm Baugh belongs at the top of the class. The Rebels have a disruptive defense, even if they have been inconsistent at times. It should be the toughest overall defense Baugh has faced this season.
We just want to see Baugh continue to dominate against a top-ranked opponent while maintaining the high efficiency he has shown to start the year. Another big performance would only strengthen his case as one of the premier running backs in the 2027 class.
Jayden Maiava | QB | USC
Last week stats: 62.5 Comp %, 277 Pass Yds, 2 TDs
Week 4 | Oregon @ 7:30p Night (Saturday, Sept. 26th)
A true breakout in 2026, Jayden Maiava currently leads all FBS quarterbacks with 1,173 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. Oregon’s supposedly great and deep secondary has struggled at times to start the season, especially against Oklahoma State in Week 2. The Ducks consistently allowed receivers to get open and gave up several big plays.
Nonetheless, Oregon is still a top-ranked program and presents a major Week 4 test for Maiava. We want to see him thrive against a high-level opponent while cleaning up his decision making. He needs to stay sharp and improve his accuracy, which has dipped over the last two games.
Maiava is making a case to be in the Heisman conversation while also establishing himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2027 class. A strong performance against Oregon would go a long way toward strengthening both cases.
Mario Craver | WR | Texas A&M
Last week stats: 11 Recs, 119 Yds
Week 4 | LSU @ 7:30p Night (Saturday, Sept. 26th)
Mario Craver was on my players-to-watch list last week, and we wanted to see him put up a big game against a tough Kentucky secondary. He did just that, posting his first 100-yard game of the season despite not finding the end zone. He did bang up his ankle, so hopefully there are no lingering issues heading into Week 4.
Craver’s next challenge is producing against a top-tier program as he faces LSU. The Tigers have some highly talented players in their secondary, including Ty Benefield and cornerback DJ Pickett, but they lack depth. We want to see Craver maintain his volume and create explosive plays against this talented unit.
Playing at LSU is never easy, which gives Craver another opportunity to prove himself on a big stage. If he can build off last week’s performance against this secondary, he will continue to be one of the more intriguing receivers in the 2027 class.
John Mateer | QB | Oklahoma
Last week stats: 76 Comp %, 238 Pass Yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Week 4 | Georgia @ 3:30p Day (Saturday, Sept. 26th)
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer gets his biggest challenge to date against Georgia. Mateer has been average at best over his last two games, with limited passing production and three interceptions. Now, he’ll have to bounce back against one of the most talented defenses in the country.
Georgia’s secondary is elite, led by Ellis Robinson IV and KJ Bolden, who have both been impressive this season. Mateer will also have to deal with a Georgia pass rush that already has eight sacks on the year. We want to see Mateer process the defense better and get the ball out quicker to help neutralize that pressure.
Most importantly, Mateer needs to limit the turnovers that have hurt him over the last two games. That won’t be easy against Georgia, but this is a major opportunity for him to prove he can perform against top-tier competition. It’s a big game for Mateer and his outlook for the rest of the 2026 season.
LaNorris Sellers | QB | South Carolina
Last week stats: 62.5 Comp %, 282 Pass Yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs | 14 Atts, 52 Yds
Week 4 | Alabama @ 7:00p Night (Saturday, Sept. 26th)
LaNorris Sellers has a massive matchup this week against Alabama. Sellers has struggled over his last two games, including a loss to top-25 Mississippi State in which he committed two turnovers. He has a chance to get back on track against Alabama, but it won’t come easy.
Alabama has been one of the top defenses in the country, allowing a historically low third-down conversion rate. Yhonzae Pierre and Caleb Woodson have helped this defense generate plenty of pressure so far this season. However, Alabama’s secondary showed some weaknesses against Florida State, which could give Sellers opportunities through the air.
We want to see Sellers clean up the turnovers and regain the accuracy he showed previously. He also needs to continue using his mobility to extend plays and move the offense downfield. A strong performance against Alabama would be a major bounce-back game for Sellers.
Collin Dixon | WR | Illinois
Last week stats: 8 Recs, 131 Yds, 2 TDs
Week 4 | Ohio State @ 12:00p Day (Saturday, Sept. 26th)
Lesser-known receiver Collin Dixon has been on the rise during the 2026 season. He is currently on pace to break his career highs and potentially surpass 1,000 receiving yards. He has also been a touchdown machine, finding the end zone seven times through just three games.
Dixon gets a major test this week against Ohio State’s elite secondary, which has held every opposing receiver under 65 yards this season. We want to see if Dixon can continue producing against top-tier talent. His polished route running has helped him consistently create separation and become a reliable weapon in the passing game.
Keep an eye on whether Illinois can continue finding Dixon in the end zone, where he has shown a nose for scoring this season. Dixon is a good lesser-known name to watch this weekend as he gets an opportunity to prove himself against one of the best secondaries in the country.
Fluff Bothwell | RB | Mississippi State
Last week stats: 21 Atts, 115 Yds | 1 Rec, 22 Yds
Week 4 | Missouri @ 7:45p Night (Saturday, Sept. 26th)
Running back Fluff Bothwell is a junior from Mississippi State who appears to be having a rebound season. He flashed as a freshman before taking a step back in 2025, but Bothwell has been solid against mid-tier competition this year, posting back-to-back 100-yard games.
Now, he faces a ranked Missouri team that has been inconsistent against the run but still represents a tougher defense than what Bothwell has faced so far. What we want to see is whether Bothwell can continue to show the physical dominance he has displayed on the ground this season. Missouri also has a strong pass rush, so Bothwell’s ability to hold up in pass protection will be something to watch. Pass protection is a key trait for any running back looking to make the jump to the NFL, and while Bothwell appears to have improved in that area this season, Week 4 should provide a good test.
Javon Tracy | WR | Minnesota
Last week stats: 5 Recs, 91 Yds
Week 4 | Washington @ 11:00p Night (Saturday, Sept. 26th)
Another lesser-known player worth watching in Week 4 is senior receiver Javon Tracy. He has put together a solid start to the season, topping 90 receiving yards in 2 of his first 3 games. You may also remember Tracy for his wild punt return when he accidentally stepped out of bounds with a wide-open field in front of him. Offensively, Tracy had a decent 2024 season but appears to be putting together a strong senior campaign.
Tracy will face a 3-0 Washington team with a talented and tough secondary that has allowed just one receiver to surpass 60 yards this season. His work on special teams adds value to his stock, but this will also be an opportunity for Tracy to showcase his twitchy play style and speed on offense. He remains a lower-level prospect, but a strong performance against the Huskies could put him on more sleeper radars.
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