Kids who will be playing on Sundays: Indiana WR Charlie Becker generating top-10 buzz after clutch performance vs. Minnesota

"Any Becker doubters are overthinking this: He is one of the top players in this draft (and has been since this summer)," wrote The Athletic's Dane Brugler in a story published Sunday. 

Texas Longhorns senior LB Rasheem Biles

Following a 31-3 home win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Biles revealed his great-uncle died this past Thursday, forcing his mom to miss a game for the first time in his career. They prayed over a phone call before the matchup, and she challenged him to have more than one sack after he logged that many in his first seven games; he did just that. 

Against Mississippi State, Biles had three sacks and forced two fumbles. Defensive lineman Maraad Watson recovered one of Biles' forced fumbles and returned it for a 61-yard TD, giving the Longhorns a 17-0 lead before halftime.

Earlier this week, Biles was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, given to college football's top LB. Saturday's performance will help him close the gap with Georgia Bulldogs LB Chris Cole, the early favorite.

"I gotta go win it," Biles said. "I told my mom that's why I came here." 

Winning the Butkus Award would help Biles generate much more buzz. As of Sunday, Tankathon rates him as its LB4 in the draft. 

Oklahoma State Cowboys sophomore QB Drew Mestemaker 

NFL scouts reportedly view Mestemaker as the clear QB1 in the 2027 class. After throwing for five TDs and 323 yards in a 51-49 road loss to the Iowa State Cyclones, he should tighten his grip on that lead. 

The one question regarding Mestemaker may be his inexperience. He didn't start at QB at Vandegrift High School in Austin; he played safety and punter. He began starting at QB after walking on to the North Texas Eagles in 2024. 

Despite that, Mestemaker is tied for first in the country in TD passes (25) through nine weeks. So, he just may be natural at QB, making teams more willing to use a top-five pick on him in the draft. 

"[Mestemaker] doesn't turn 21 until January," wrote ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. on his latest big board. "So, there's a lot of untapped potential." 

Northwestern Wildcats senior WR Griffin Wilde

Wilde is one of the biggest risers in a class deep at WR and why Northwestern finds itself 6-2. 

In a 34-26 road loss to the Oregon Ducks, Wilde caught five passes for a season-high 146 yards and one TD. He now ranks 14th in the nation in receiving yards (761).

"The South Dakota State transfer combines a solid frame [6-foot-2, 200 pounds] and good catch radius with quickness, physicality and polished route running," wrote The Ringer's Todd McShay Sunday. "He's becoming the reliable, consistent weapon I expected to see as the season progressed."

North Carolina Tar Heels junior TE Jelani Thurman 

Thurman helped North Carolina nearly pull off an upset in a 38-35 home loss to the Miami Hurricanes. The TE caught five passes for 70 yards and two TDs. 

Thurman has emerged as a reliable red zone option for the Tar Heels, catching a team-leading six TDs (tied for No. 22 in the FBS). NFL teams covet that in TEs.

"The Ohio State transfer is a smooth mover, with large, accepting hands to pluck the football," wrote Brugler. "A fourth-year junior, Thurman would be a nice boost to the '27 TE class if he goes pro."