2026 NFL Draft: Risers & sliders after Week 1 ft. Thomas Castellanos makes his arrival heard

For probably the most half, Week 1 in faculty soccer was a ho-hum schedule, as colleges are finetuning for convention video games. We have been fortunate to see some main battles between powerhouses, as Ohio State shut down Arch Manning and Texas and Florida State shocked Alabama whereas LSU pulled an upset over Clemson. We additionally noticed a number of next-level prospects who’ve taken backseats the previous few seasons stand up and impress NFL scouts. Here are the risers and sliders for Week 1 of the school season.

Risers

#1 – Josh Josephs/Edge/Tennessee

The Volunteers put a beatdown on Syracuse through the Aflac Kick-off, because the Orange have been taking part in catch-up from the beginning of the sport. Josephs, who lived within the shadow of Falcons’ first-round decide James Pearce Jr. final season, instantly established himself as a move rusher scouts will likely be intently monitoring in 2025. Josephs completed with seven tackles whereas recording one sack and one TFL and forcing a fumble. He was omnipresent, making performs all around the discipline as a move rusher and stopping the run. Josephs is an athletic 6-foot-2.5 and 240 kilos, successfully stands over sort out and performs out of a three-point stance and tasks as a Day 2 alternative.

#2 – Keyron Crawford/Edge/Auburn

Crawford is one other who takes a backseat to a teammate, this one being Keldric Faulk, a possible top-10 decide within the 2026 NFL Draft. Yet Crawford is establishing himself as a authentic Sunday prospect and proved as a lot through the Week 1 victory over Baylor. Crawford outplayed his teammate through the win, main Auburn with seven tackles whereas recording one sack and a TFL. He’s corresponding to Kyle Kennard, the previous South Carolina move rusher who’s now residing on the Los Angeles Chargers depth chart, as Crawford is a pass-rush specialist who tasks as a Day 3 choice.

#3 – DeShon Singleton/S/Nebraska

There was discuss that Singleton would enter final April’s draft, but he hung round for an additional season on the school discipline to shine his recreation, and he’s off to a sizzling begin. Singleton is a forceful security who’s greatest taking part in downhill or between the numbers. During the win over Cincinnati, Singleton led the Cornhuskers with seven tackles and was credited with a half sort out for loss. He’s explosive and comes with terrific measurement (6-foot-2.5) in addition to pace (4.53 seconds within the 40). He tasks as a late-round decide, but if he retains taking part in at this stage then reveals nicely in postseason All-Star video games, Singleton may leap into the center of Day 3.

#4 – Tommy Castellanos/QB/Florida State

The outspoken quarterback who transferred to FSU after shedding his job at Boston College backed up his phrases and dominated Alabama and its proficient protection. Castellanos was not spectacular, quite he was environment friendly, finishing 9 of 14 passes for 152 yards whereas main the Seminoles with 78 yards dashing on 16 carries. Most importantly, he didn’t flip the ball over through the Seminoles’ 31-17 victory over Alabama. Castellanos has been largely ignored by scouts, as he lacks next-level measurement and his play has been inconsistent the previous few seasons. Yet he’s an athletic RPO quarterback who will get critical late-round consideration if he builds off the efficiency towards Florida State.

Sleeper Prospect

#1 – Jalen McMurray/CB/Tennessee

Ignored within the scouting group, McMurray is somebody who has been on my radar since his days at Temple. He possesses stable measurement and instincts, and his ball abilities have regularly improved. McMurray went from rotational participant within the Volunteers secondary final season to the workforce’s nickel again this 12 months. He made a number of essential move defenses Saturday, denying Syracuse in its try to claw again into the sport. The junior received’t be ignored by scouts if he continues to progress on the sphere, as he possesses sufficient capability to land within the late rounds of the draft then line up as a dime again on Sundays.

Small School Prospect

#1 – Kyle Dixon/WR/Culver-Stockton

The Culver-Stockton Wildcats began the season in effective type, thrashing Texas State 40-0. Dixon was a giant a part of the profitable equation, main all receivers with 5 receptions for 71 yards. The big-bodied possession wideout comes with terrific measurement at 6-foot-2.5, 220 kilos and instances the 40 in a decent 4.55 seconds. One 12 months in the past, Dixon caught 60 passes for 1,112 yards with 12 TDs in 11 video games. Scouts grade the senior as a free agent, but he possesses the bodily and soccer abilities to sneak into the late rounds.

Sliders

#1 – Anto Saka/DE/Northwestern

Hopes have been excessive for Saka getting into the season. Just a junior, he’s already graded as a possible top-75 prospect by scouts with the prospect to pierce the primary spherical, however after the loss to Tulane, you marvel if Saka realizes the season has began. The explosive edge rusher was credited with only a single sort out through the recreation and was by no means an element, because the Green Wave offensive line managed the motion. There’s loads of time for Saka to proper the ship, and he has the expertise to take action, but extra performances such because the one witnessed Saturday will solely increase extra questions.