College football is officially back, and if you’re not already scouting the future stars, you’re gonna want to start right now. The 2027 NFL Draft class is shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory, and honestly, if you’re not hyped about Notre Dame’s Leonard Moore, you’re missing the boat big time. When the draft process is all said and done, this guy could very well be the best player in the entire class, and that’s not an exaggeration.
Notre Dame’s Future-Pro Pipeline Is Stacked
Yeah, everyone’s gonna obsess over guys like Jeremiah Smith, but trust me, Leonard Moore is the dude every opposing offense is going to be game-planning for, scanning for him at the line of scrimmage on every single snap. In man coverage? There’s literally no one better in college football this year. This Wisconsin matchup was just a taste of how he’s gonna showcase himself all season.
But wait, there’s more from Notre Dame’s secondary! While defenses are freaking out about Moore, that opens up chances for DJ McKinney playing opposite him. McKinney is a long, lanky-built cornerback who transferred in from Colorado, and he’s shown he can track the ball super well and be reliable in man coverage. He’s gonna get his shots to make plays all year.
Then you’ve got Tae Johnson. This safety is already popping up in the middle of first-round mock drafts early in the process. Some are calling him a blue-chip prospect because of the coverage skills and run support he provides. The safety position has been loaded with first-round talent lately, and while it’s tough to say if Johnson fits the exact mold of a Dillon Thieneman or a Malaki Starks, he definitely has the talent to carve out his own tier.
And let’s not forget CJ Carr, the Fighting Irish quarterback. This is a massive projection for some, who are already talking about him as a top-five pick come April. To hit that mark, he’s gotta dominate in the games where he’s expected to shine. Against Wisconsin, we saw glimpses: good decision-making, natural arm talent, and fantastic touch on his passes. He has the potential to be the complete package at a position where we seldom see it all come together.
Wisconsin’s Lone Home Run Threat
The Wisconsin side might not have been as stacked with prospects in this specific game, but make no mistake: Abu Sama III is a player you need to know. He’s the lone Wisconsin player we were tracking, and this running back transferred in from Iowa State, where he was a reliable piece in a multi-backfield offense. In his first game with Wisconsin, he faced the toughest defense of his career. They were likely down early, so his touches might have been limited, but even with those few opportunities, he remains an absolute home run threat.
Seriously, this Notre Dame-Wisconsin showdown was just Week 1, but it gave us a serious look at some top-tier talent. The 2027 NFL Draft is going to be insane, with players like these making names for themselves right now. Keep your eyes glued to these guys all season long, because the future of the league is already unfolding before our eyes.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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