Before the 2026 college football season even kicks off, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler revealed his early rankings for the 2027 NFL Draft’s top running backs, and Ole Miss junior Kewan Lacy sits right at the top. This guy absolutely tore it up in his first year with the Rebels after transferring from Missouri, racking up a stunning 1,567 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns. Yeah, you read that right, 24 scores. He was top-three in the entire FBS for both rushing yards and touchdowns. That’s the kind of production that makes scouts sit up and take notice, long before draft season officially begins.
Lacy’s Raw Power and First-Round Buzz
Brugler isn’t just throwing around compliments; he’s talking about a player who embodies what the league craves. “The NFL desires several different qualities at the running back position, but above all, the league covets ball carriers who create explosive plays,” Brugler stated. He then went on to say that Lacy, who just turned 20 this summer, is “arguably the most explosive back in college football.” While Brugler noted Lacy isn’t quite on the same prospect level as this year’s No. 3 pick, Jeremiyah Love, he made it clear that Lacy possesses “first-round talent” and has the chance to be picked in the first round next year, just like Love. That’s massive praise for a guy still a year and a half out from draft day. You can bet every highlight reel of those 24 touchdowns is getting replayed in war rooms right now.
Who Else Is Chasing That 2027 Draft Dream?
While Lacy is grabbing all the headlines, Brugler’s list gives us a peek at four other backs who could make a name for themselves. Jadan Baugh from Florida and Ahmad Hardy from Missouri are both underclassmen, looking to boost their stock dramatically this fall. Then you’ve got the seniors, Mark Fletcher Jr. from Miami and Justice Haynes from Georgia Tech, bringing some experience to the table. Brugler highlighted a key trait for Fletcher, saying he shows “flashes of Derrick Henry.” That’s a huge comparison, evoking visions of a bruising, unstoppable force.
The 2026 college football season is about to fire up, and these guys have months to prove they’re worthy of being chosen in the 2027 NFL Draft. It’s gonna be awesome watching to see which of them can really improve their stock and rise up the boards. Get ready for some serious highlight reels, folks!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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