Like a lifetime NFL draft Obsession, I always try to keep two different annual group rankings.
The first one focuses on the best teams in the country, they have the best coach, discipline, consistency and mental strength. That list shows the favorites to win the national title. The second is about detailing the best talent in the country.
Here’s a look back — the 12 most talented teams based on 2027 NFL Draft potential.
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Chad Graf
1. Notre Dame
Not only is Notre Dame’s roster loaded with premium talent like out-of-this-world cornerback Leonard Moore and quarterback C.J. Carr, but the Irish arguably have the deepest talent of any.
The secondary is one of the most talented singles we’ve ever seen. Moore is the best cornerback prospect since Sauce Gardner — and he might be even better when he’s done. Brownta Johnson is one of the most athletic, explosive, hybrid-style safeties in the country. And Adon Shuler, a two-time captain, is a fearless downhill DB. Add in DJ McKinney and Christian Gray, and that’s five potential top-100 players for the 2027 draft in Notre Dame’s secondary alone.
Linebacker Kingston Williams-Asa, DT Francis Brew and OL Anthony Knapp are also names to watch. This might be Notre Dame’s deepest roster in a generation.
2. Ohio State
The Buckeyes got the best player in college football the last two years in superstar receiver Jeremiah Smith. Ohio State’s top defensive prospect, 6-foot-5, 260-pound edge Kenyatta Jackson Jr., was drafted somewhere in 2026 but is now one of the top rushing prospects in the 2027 class.
Overall, there are at least nine Buckeyes with top-100 potential for 2027: Smith, Jackson, OL Austin Siereveld, OL Luke Montgomery, QB Julian Sayin, DB Jaylen McClain, DB Earl Little Jr. and WR Devin McCuin. Don’t rule out DB Terry Moore either.
3. Texas
Texas has a lot. Premium Talent in the country, a total of four players in the My preseason top 10: WR Cam Coleman (No. 4), Edge Colin Simmons (No. 5), OT Trevor Goosby (No. 8) and QB Arch Manning (No. 10). Notre Dame and Ohio State have deeper records in terms of 2027 draft talent, but not by much.
Safety Jelani McDonald (6-2,194) has serious offensive potential, and the Longhorns have two running backs with pro potential in Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown. Ryan Wingo, who opened the year with seven catches for 121 yards and a touchdown against Texas State, is another top-100 prospect. This is the most talented team since Steve Sarkisian was at Texas.
4. Oregon
Dante Moore will be in a battle with Manning as QB1 – and No. 1 pick – all season. His season opener against Boise State was impressive; He quickly adjusted to a new play caller before taking over the game and getting the win.
Rookie TE Johnson (6-4, 245) has first-round potential and plenty of upside, and WR Evan Stewart is still one of the fastest players in the country.
On the defensive side, Oregon’s front is one of the best in college football, with Matayo Ugalele and Tatum Tuoti finishing ends Maury Washington and Bear Alexander. All four players have top-100 potential.
5. LSU
Junior tight end Trey’Dez Green is not only a TE1 for 2027, but one of the best offensive talents in the class. The 6-foot-6, 238-pounder is basically a giant receiver who isn’t afraid to get his hands in the dirt and block. Hits the ball with great burst and at the top of the fairways, the green sinks and bends like a little athlete, plus it has huge mitts and the largest grip radius in this class. He’s this year’s version of Kenyon Sadiq.
Elsewhere, QT Jordan Seaton, safety T Benefield and QB Sam Levitt were in my top 50. I’m a little more up on Levitt now, mostly because of his potential and what I believe is a great fit with Lane Kiffin. He had some impressive moments with Arizona State two years ago and could have a big 2026.
6. Ole Miss
Every time I look at Trinidad ChamblissI love him more. (Unrelated: His “EA Sports College Football 27“ (The commercial with Vince Vaughn was the best commercial I saw on opening weekend.)
Chambis is small—it has a good chance of measuring under 6 feet at the withers. But he is also special. He and Carr may feel very instinctive for their place in this room. He’s very quick with his eyes, the ball explodes off his hands and rarely misses. If he has a huge year, someone will draft him in the bottom of the 1st round despite his warts.
Even better news for Ole Miss? He is not their best hope. Kewan Lacy is my RB1 for 2027; Will Echols is DT1. Hybrid cornerback Suntarin Perkins (6-1, 216) is one of the rare defenders in this class — he had three pressures and a sack in Week 1.
7. Georgia
As usual, Kirby Smart’s roster is loaded with top-notch defensive talent, with cornerback Ellis Robinson IV and safety KJ Bolden, two players with first-round potential. In a class full of big, athletic safeties, the more average-sized Bolden (6-0, 190) is probably the team’s smartest DB. It is a real table setter with positioning flexibility on the back end.
Junior linebacker Chris Cole may have the most potential of anyone on the roster. He is a little raw and untested, but he is still growing and has not reached the ceiling. Others to watch: TE Lawson Luckie, RB Nate Frazier, LB Raylen Wilson and edge Gabe Harris.
8. South Carolina
Freaky junior edge Dylan Stewart could challenge Moore to be the top-ranked defensive end in the class — the 6-foot-5, 245-pounder has all the length, burst and bounce off the edge. Stewart is an NFL playmaker with the athleticism and power to line up anywhere in the box. He could blossom into a truly dominant pass rusher.
Highly talented 6-foot-3, 245-pound QB LaNorris Sellers is back for his senior year under a new offensive coordinator (Kendall Briles). Sellers have all the tools: arm, speed, IQ and size cannon. If the rest of this offense (including OT Jacarrius Peak and WR Nyck Harbor) supports him, Sellers has first-round potential.
The Gamecocks also have Vicari Swain, one of the nation’s top safety prospects.
9. Indiana
Freshman QB Josh Hoover is a very accomplished college passer. He’s physically a step down from Fernando Mendoza, but his support is more talented than last year’s national title team. Charlie Baker was one of the most underrated players in America last season — a 6-foot-3, 207-pound receiver with great speed and body control who can play all three positions. The Hoosiers added another freaky WR from the portal: 6-foot-3, 213-pound junior Nick Marsh.
The Hoosiers also brought in top 100 OT Carter Smith, who will probably be a guard at the next level.
10. Alabama
Alabama’s top 2027 prospect is Yonozaye Pierre, a fourth-year edge who had a breakout 45-pressure, eight-sack season last year. He played as hard as any defensive back in America and made an impact on all three downs, including six picks against East Carolina in Week 1.
Elsewhere on defense, safety Bray Hubbard and corner Zabien Brown have a chance to crack the 100s.
Junior receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams is one of the most difficult players to slot right now. He is one of the most talented offensive linemen in America, but he only weighs 170 pounds and was very unreliable with his hands. After catching 10 and seven as a true freshman last year, he had several drops in the opener.
11. Miami
Darian Mensah is the early favorite to be the transfer quarterback this offseason, as he fits perfectly with Shannon Dawson’s Miami offense. His 27-for-30, 401-yard, five-touchdown passing performance in Stanford’s opener was a masterpiece. (By the way, WR Malachi Toney is easily one of the best players in America, but he’s only a sophomore and, thus, not yet draft-eligible.)
Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. is a 6-foot-1, 226-pound hammer, who is the nationally undersized ball carrier, and former Missouri edge Damon Wilson II has top-60 potential.
12. Clemson
The Tigers were embarrassed by LSU in their season opener, but lack of talent had nothing to do with it. Defensively, Clemson had three players in the preseason top 50: LB Sammy Brown, CB Ashton Hampton and edge Will Heldt.
I also had WR Bryant Wesco in the top 50, and fellow WR TJ Moore had at least one issue.
It just missed the cut: Oklahoma, Penn State, Florida, Michigan, USC, BYU, Tennessee, Kentucky, Auburn, Texas A&M, Texas Tech
