Kids who will be playing on Sundays: Notre Dame's CJ Carr headlines elite QBs

Carr's grandfather, former Michigan Wolverines HC Lloyd Carr, coached Brady from 1995-99. Perhaps he showed him tape on the former New England Patriots QB to teach him the position. Whether he did or not, CJ Carr's putting his grandfather's wisdom to good use, which has him in the first-round discussion. In Tankathon's latest mock draft, the Minnesota Vikings select him with pick No. 31. 

Missouri Tigers  senior QB Austin Simmons

Last season, Ole Miss Rebels senior QB Trinidad Chambliss replaced Simmons after he struggled early and suffered an ankle injury. At Missouri, he's escaping Chambliss' shadow.

In a 45-17 home upset win over the Florida Gators on Saturday, Simmons went 23-of-30 passing for 340 yards and two TDs. The QB is now tied for ninth in the country in TD passes (13 in five games).

"The lefty has a loose and live arm to sling the ball with unforced velocity to every inch of the field," wrote The Athletic's Dane Brugler on Sunday. "He is very much on the NFL radar." 

Simmons, who turns 21 on Nov. 8, has one more year of eligibility after the 2026 season. But his stock will keep skyrocketing if he keeps producing elite numbers, which may convince him he's ready to enter the 2027 NFL Draft (scheduled April 29-May 1 in Washington). 

Ohio State Buckeyes junior QB Julian Sayin

Ohio State junior WR Jeremiah Smith should be making a trip to the 2026 Heisman Trophy ceremony on Dec. 12 in New York after breaking the program's records for receptions (207) and TD catches (36) in a 31-14 road win over the Iowa Hawkeyes. Sayin may be joining him on that trip. 

Against Iowa, 2025 Heisman finalist Sayin threw for 324 yards and three TDs on 20-of-27 passes. The Ohio State star now leads the nation in QBR (92.1) and ranks fourth in passing yards (1,530).

Brugler wrote Sayin has an "NFL future" but needs more tape to convince teams he's a first-rounder. Scouts still have questions about his size (6-foot-1, 214 pounds) and athleticism. 

If Sayin lands in the right situation, he could follow a similar path to San Francisco 49ers fifth-year QB Brock Purdy. Like Sayin, Purdy (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) is a smaller QB, but his accuracy offsets that concern. Purdy completed 71.7 percent of his passes in his final season with the Iowa State Cyclones; Sayin has completed 72.5 percent of his passes through five games this season.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights junior WR KJ Duff 

Duff makes a 1-4 Rutgers squad watchable. 

In a 47-15 blowout loss to the Indiana Hoosiers, the star wideout produced one of Rutgers' few highlights. In the second quarter, he made a 41-yard one-handed grab while falling. He finished with four receptions for 78 yards.

Duff now ranks third in the FBS in receiving yards (628 on 33 receptions) and fifth in TD catches (seven). His numbers and penchant for making ridiculous catches make him a potential first-rounder. Tankathon has the Kansas City Chiefs taking him with pick No. 32.

Pro Football Network noted Duff is an "unorthodox prospect" because of his height (6-foot-6, 225 pounds) but projects as a clear NFL starter.

Minnesota Golden Gophers senior O-lineman Greg Johnson 

Minnesota beat Michigan at home for the first time since 1977 in a 20-14 victory. Johnson may have been the offensive player of the game in the program's historic win. 

Johnson, who started his second game at center, allowed no pressures (via Pro Football Focus), which is even more impressive considering that Michigan's defense features NFL prospects in edge-rushers John Henry Daley and Dom Nichols. 

With his performance against Michigan, Johnson is continuing to establish himself as the No. 1 interior O-lineman in the draft. On his latest big board, ESPN's Jordan Reid ranks him No. 15 among 50 players. 

"Johnson [6-foot-6, 325 pounds] is a hulking interior blocker whose strength helps him latch and sustain the point of attack," Reid wrote.