7 2027 NFL Draft Prospects Who Can Break Out in the 2026 College Football Season

NFL training camps have arrived, and the start of the college football season is just over a month away. While fans of both college and pro football probably aren't thinking at all about the 2027 NFL draft, it's never too early to look ahead.

We know the headliners of the 2027 draft are likely to be current superstars such as quarterback Arch Manning, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and edge-rusher Dylan Stewart. However, some 2027 prospects are sure to shake up the draft landscape in the coming months.

Let's not forget Fernando Mendoza was not considered a future NFL star before he transferred to Indiana, won the Heisman and led the Hoosiers to an undefeated championship run.

While the following 2027 prospects probably won't shoot up to the very top spot in the draft, they all have legitimate breakout potential in 2026.

Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Mississippi

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The 2027 quarterback class will be headlined by the likes of Manning, Darian Mensah, Dante Moore, CJ Carr, and Drew Mestemaker. Mississippi's Trinidad Chambliss isn't expected to be one of next year's top signal-callers.

In fact, Chambliss—who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA this offseason in an effort to secure a sixth year of eligibility—wasn't viewed as a top prospect in a 2026 class that featured much less overall QB talent.

Before he was granted an injunction that led to his 2026 college return, the 23-year-old was ranked 75th overall and fourth among quarterbacks by the Bleacher Report Scouting Department.

This season, though, Chambliss will have the chance to raise his stock, even in the face of a loaded 2027 QB class.

A dynamic dual-threat, he will stay on the NFL radar if he can keep Mississippi in championship contention under head coach Pete Golding.

As a smaller quarterback (listed at 6'0", 205 lbs), Chambliss probably won't enter the first-round conversation in 2027. However, he could become a strong Day-2 option if he shows solid growth in areas like pre-snap recognition and post-snap processing.

Justice Haynes, RB, Georgia Tech

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Georgia Tech football is likely to get a lot of eyeballs in 2026, due to incoming transfer Alberto Mendoza. The younger brother of the 2025 No. 1 overall pick is expected to be the Yellow Jackets' starter after being a backup at Indiana.

Those extra eyeballs should inevitably turn to running back Justice Haynes, a transfer from Michigan who could immediately become Georgia Tech's leading rusher.

Quarterback Haynes King led the team with 953 rushing yards last season.

Haynes, who began his career at Alabama, rushed for 857 yards and 7.1 yards per carry last season before suffering a foot injury. He has also flashed his receiving ability with 30 catches over the past two seasons.

While Haynes is expected to split time with Malachi Hosley and will need to stay healthy to stay on top of the depth chart, he has a prime opportunity to become one of the more coveted backs in next year's draft.

Lance Heard, OT, Kentucky

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Quality offensive linemen are always in demand at draft time, and Lance Heard has a chance to become one of next year's top prospects. A 6'6", 325-pound transfer from Tennessee, Heard should be a big part of Kentucky's 2026 transformation.

The Wildcats are entering a new era with new head coach Will Stein, who was the offensive coordinator at Oregon over the last three seasons. Kentucky also has a new quarterback in Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey.

Heard, who was a third-team All-SEC selection last season, figures to be one of Minchey's top protectors and a focal point of the ground game.

"To me, we got a big left tackle named Lance Heard. I'm so fired up to have on our team. How do we get him out in space?" Stein told Pardon My Take (h/t Nick Roush of On3).

Heard may not wind up as a first-round pick, but a strong season in a new home should put him high on 2027 draft boards.

Lawson Luckie, TE, Georgia

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Last season, Georgia's Lawson Luckie split time with Oscar Delp, who was drafted in the third round by the New Orleans Saints. With Delp gone, Luckie figures to be the Bulldog's top option at tight end.

After catching 15 passes for 148 yards and four touchdowns in 2025, Luckie could see a statistical jump in 2026. Delp had 20 catches for 261 yards and a score, even though Luckie is considered the more natural receiver.

"Luckie is a strong pass-catcher who has developed significantly as a blocker during his time at Georgia." Jordan D. Hill of 247Sports recently wrote. "...In comparing the two, Luckie is the superior receiving threat, but Delp has the upper hand as a blocker."

Georgia is a program that regularly produces NFL talent, so any progress Luckie shows as a player this season will get noticed by NFL decision-makers. Luckie isn't considered one the top 2027 tight end prospects now, but the 6'4", 240-pound pass-catcher has a chance to climb boards in the coming months.

Antwan Peek Jr., LB/S, Cincinnati

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Cincinnati hybrid defender Antwan Peek Jr. will be a fascinating prospect to watch over the coming season. A combination linebacker and defensive back, Peek has done a little bit of everything for the Bearcats in his three seasons.

This past season, Peek tallied 59 tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles. He has recorded six forced fumbles over the last two seasons. He was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's best defensive back.

At 6'1" and 220 pounds, Peek has good size for a future NFL safety, though he might be a bit small for the hybrid linebacker role. Still, his versatility should draw attention in 2026, especially if the Bearcats are relevant in the Big 12.

Much will depend on how Peek is deployed by new defensive coordinator Nate Woody, who spent last season at Army. If Peek's versatility and playmaking ability are on display, he could solidify himself as a middle-round pick.

Tony Rojas, LB, Penn State

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Penn State linebacker Tony Rojas was off to a very promising start in 2025 before suffering a torn ACL after just four games. In his four appearances, he logged 25 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. The previous season, Rojas recorded 58 tackles, six tackles for loss, a sack, and three interceptions.

Rojas expects to be healthy and part of a Penn State turnaround under new head coach Matt Campbell in 2026.

"I think we'll be back better than people expect," Rojas said, per Chase Fisher of SI.com.

If the Nittany Lions do return to prominence in their first year under Campbell, 2027 prospects like Rojas will draw plenty of attention. The 6'2", 236-pound linebacker should be able to solidify himself as a Day 2 selection with another statistically impressive campaign and by proving that he's back to pre-injury form.

It certainly won't hurt if Rojas helps Penn State bounce back from last season's 7-6 campaign.

Duce Robinson, WR, Florida State

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Wide receiver Duce Robinson began his college career at USC but transferred to Florida State ahead of last season. He made an immediate impact for the Seminoles, tallying 1,081 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 56 catches.

Robinson also ranked second in the nation (tied with Wyatt Young) with five games of 120 or more receiving yards. He could have entered the 2026 NFL draft but chose to spend another season with Florida State.

"I just want to be a part of that turnaround because of how much Florida State means to me," Robinson said, per Dustin Lewis of SI.com. "Then, also because of how much they've given to me.

While Robinson isn't widely considered a first-round prospect now, that could change over the course of the coming season. At 6'6" and 230 pounds, he'll certainly stand out on film, and he'll have the chance to replicate or exceed his 2025 production.

Of course, a lot will hinge on how former Stanford starter and Auburn transfer Ashton Daniels performs at quarterback. However, another strong season could put Robinson into the first-round conversation.