While this week was almost a warm-up for a stacked-looking Week 10, there were still some worthwhile NFL Draft prospects in Week 9 to watch.
Maiava had a solid night as the Trojans pulled off the upset. He finished with 15 completions on 22 attempts, for 222 yards, with one touchdown, and no interceptions.
It looked like Lincoln Riley was determined to play his offense in this one, and so it was; Maiava got the ball out quickly on a variety of shorter passes. Maiava is perfect for this offense, as his release is quick, and he's a good seller of the play-action pass.
Early on in the game, Maiava was under pressure from the Ohio State defense, but had more time as the game progressed. He was fortunate that an interception was ruled out by a penalty, as it wasn't a good decision. He was flushed to his right and, instead of throwing the ball away, forced it and didn't see Jermaine Mathews Jr. under his receiver.
In the 2026 NFL Draft, the quarterbacks taken in the top 100 were all solid progression passers. Maiava can do this, but his processing does need to be faster. When given time in the pocket, you can see him working through his reads, but it's all a bit slow.
Overall, Maiava has a good arm, a quick release, enough mobility to extend when needed, good size (6'2″, 230 lbs), and throws a catchable ball. He looks to be someone who will need time to develop, with his processing speed being the number one area of weakness. That is likely to mean he's more of a day two level prospect, but in what is turning into a weak class, the bottom of the first round can't be discounted.
USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) passes during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026.
Stewart is a fascinating prospect. It's very much a traits-over-sack-production discussion for him. Throw in his back injury (last season and into this) and "indefinite" suspension, which was only one game after throwing punches against Alabama and getting into heated conversations with his coaches, and he's not a slam-dunk top-10 pick.
For box score scouts, Stewart was again held without a sack in this one. He remains on two in 2026 from the five games he has played (all SEC opponents, so no cupcakes). He blew up one running play and drew two holding calls, but was credited with just one solo tackle and one assist.
There were flashes of his undoubted elite traits. He's easy to spot when he's on the field, as his arms are extremely long. His get-off at times is special, but this is only on show in flashes.
Stewart loves to use a swim move, perhaps a little too much. This is effective when he is fresh, but when he gets tired, he's too upright, and it exposes his chest, which blockers can punch. When this happens, he has no counter moves.
Generally, Stewart worked hard and was engaged. He chased down one slip screen successfully and worked hard to chase another later in the game. Although he was hit and miss against the run, he was physical and didn't back down when Oklahoma got after him.
Every year, there are NFL Draft prospects who have elite traits, but the production or tape doesn't match. Stewart fits into this category, with 13 sacks over two-and-a-bit seasons, despite being the best athlete on the field most weeks. He has a boom-or-bust element about him as a prospect, and he will need to land in the right situations; if he doesn't, he could break some hearts…
As the season moves into crunch time, there are games worth watching for the occasion as much as the matchup. The annual Florida v. Georgia battle is one example.
Bolden has a wiry frame, listed at 6'0″, 195 lbs, but it doesn't prevent him from coming downhill and hitting hard. He's not only able to support the run, but he reads swing passes and the like well, and will work through traffic to make plays.
Georgia used a lot of two-deep coverage in this one, but Bolden was still able to show off his versatility. He also saw snaps at single high free safety, in the box, and out over a slot receiver (particularly in goal line defense). While he wasn't tested in coverage, his break-up on the ball was still evident, although he can be a little over-aggressive at times.
Bolden was reliable as a tackler in this one, outside of one miss when Jadan Baugh made him miss. Later in the game, he was against Baugh in space, but made no mistake a second time, breaking down effectively to make a sure tackle. Bolden's lack of size is of concern, as bigger backs and tight ends might be an issue to bring to the ground for him.
Oct 31, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) runs the ball as Georgia Bulldogs defensive back KJ Bolden (4) attempts a tackle during the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Overall, Bolden had a solid game. It wasn't the greatest test of him in coverage, but he showed his downhill ability and willingness to support the run. The occasion was certainly not too big for him, and he will have more big games down the stretch, where he will be tested in coverage.
While the matchup for McClain was tougher than for KJ Bolden, it was good to watch the two back-to-back to stack them on an early 2027 NFL Draft board.
As with Bolden, McClain lined up mostly in a two-deep look, but did have some snaps at single-high free safety, as the middle of three safeties in obvious passing situations, and occasionally over a slot receiver. He occasionally crept down in the box, including a late-game blitz.
McClain is listed at 6'0″, 203 lbs, and looks slightly thicker in build than the Georgia man. As a downhill force, McClain was not as impressive as Bolden. He didn't get involved as much as Bolden against Florida, although there was more of a pass threat from the offense he was facing.
As a tackler, McClain generally wrapped up effectively, including against bigger ball carriers. However, he did get his angle wrong on the early USC touchdown. Plus, he was also hurdled by Mark Bowman on his long catch-and-run, where he ducked his head and didn't see what he was hitting.
In coverage, he did take false steps as USC used play-action fakes on the back of a solid night running the ball. On one play as one of three safeties, he took false steps on one such play (as did the linebacker), and the receiver was able to get open.
Comparing McClain against Bolden in this one game week, Bolden was more impressive as a downhill force and therefore ahead of the Ohio State man. Both are aggressive, and it will be interesting to watch Georgia against a team that throws the ball better than Florida to fully compare the two.
Holmes is listed at 6'3″, 300 lbs, but looks lighter than his listed weight. He has an athletic-looking frame, but the lack of length is a limitation. Tech used him up and down the line, including as a wide-nine on a third-down play, on which he was double-teamed!
Holmes came into the game with 6.5 sacks to his name, and Arizona clearly had a game plan to stop him. He was doubled for much of the day, even from the edge when a tight end or back would chip him. It did mean a quiet day, that is, until the fourth quarter, when he came alive with a pressure and a sack.
Holmes struggled as a pass rusher when blockers with longer arms got into his chest. He was active with his hands, but without effect, as he just couldn't find a way to counter. When on the edge, he was ineffective, lacking the speed to threaten outside as one would expect from a 300 lb man.
As the game went into the fourth quarter and Arizona became one-dimensional, Holmes started to impact the game. His best pass rush was a push-pull and then a swim move against the left guard, resulting in pressure on the quarterback. He had a sack shortly thereafter, with a bull rush, but it was more of a coverage sack.
Holmes' pass rush production is going to demand attention from NFL scouts. He's a Javon Hargrave-type of interior prospect, although not as explosive as the Green Bay Packers man. It will be interesting to get accurate weight and arm length measurements in the post-season process, and see how he tests at the Combine, but he looks more of an early day three level prospect from this watch.
Texas Tech's A.J. Holmes Jr. celebrates a tackle during a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at Galaxy Stadium.
Carter has been struggling with injuries this season. He has had to deal with separate shoulder and foot issues that have caused him to miss time. While he only had three catches in this one, he was still able to make an impact, as one was for a touchdown.
Carter is listed at 6'2″, 245 lbs, but, as with Holmes, looks lighter than this listed weight. His height will fall below NFL thresholds at the position and might in itself limit him to day three of the NFL Draft. Tech used Carter as an H-Back and also out wide.
Carter's straight-line speed is not elite. Coupled with his lack of height, despite impressive College production, it does likely signal day three at best.
While Carter isn't the biggest, he does give excellent effort as a blocker. At H-Back, he was able to make some nice blocks at the point of attack. He's not an overpowering blocker, but he's savvy and generally does a solid job.
His route running is impressive. He loves to lull defenders to sleep by coming slowly off the line and then accelerating. His touchdown reception was one such example, and he has the ability to sell a fake block before running his route.
Carter is a fine College player, but projecting him forward to the NFL, he has major limitations that will impact his NFL Draft stock. It doesn't mean he can't produce in the league, but he will need to find a niche role in the right system.
Smith is listed at 6'4″, 234 lbs, and plays the "Bandit" position for Troy, which is an edge rusher position in a hybrid front. He has a thin frame for the position and will need to get bigger and stronger to remain on the edge in the NFL. Unlike Dylan Stewart, there's no rotation for Smith; he's always on the field, and he coped with that well.
This was an odd game, with James Madison rushing out to a three-touchdown lead, but Troy came back and won in overtime. Smith, like his team, was quiet initially, but then showed up more.
Smith's strength is as a pass rusher. He's a smooth mover who can fake an inside rush and redirect outside quickly. He has the requisite closing burst to play at the next level.
Where Smith comes undone as a pass rusher is when he tries his bull rush. While he drives his feet on contact, he's not big or strong enough for it to really concern blockers. He also struggles when blockers get into his chest and must develop counters.
Against the run, Smith had his struggles. An example was JMU's third touchdown, where they ran at him, and he couldn't get off the left guard's block. He also needs to be more responsible on the edge; he committed inside on some zone-read runs and one naked boot, and left the backdoor wide open.
Only on occasion did Smith drop into space, but given his weight, it might be here that he has to make his NFL living. An All-Star game will be a nice showcase for him, both in terms of level of competition and showing he can play as an off-ball linebacker.
There is something there athletically with Smith, but he doesn't project well as an EDGE in the NFL due to his lack of size. His 6'4″ frame should be able to carry more weight, and ideally, he would want to be north of 240 lbs at the NFL Combine. Right now, he looks like a day three project with athletic upside.
Rucker had foot surgery in August and has only recently returned to action. He had double-digit sacks last year and was named to the Shrine Bowl 1,000 Watch List in the preseason.
Rucker is listed at 6'3″, 244 lbs, but is more of a power player than a speed rusher. When he rushes outside, there is tightness evident in his hips, and he lacks the speed to be able to win with the move. His go-to move is an inside rush, and he had some success with it in this one.
The Fighting Hawks used stunts frequently, and Rucker was dangerous when stunting against guards. While he lacks the speed to threaten a tackle's outside shoulder, he has short-area quickness that is a problem for interior offensive linemen. He had a sack, his first of the year, on such a play where he beat the guard and was just able to trip up the quarterback.
Rucker's propensity to come inside hurt him at times against the run. It meant he gave up the edge too easily. When he stayed at home, he was able to anchor and funnel the play back inside.
Rucker is likely more of an undrafted free agent-level prospect. He's a little different than you might think for an undersized pass rusher, but he's not without pass rush talent, which makes him worth a look in camp.
Leigh is one of the top-rated FCS prospects in this NFL Draft class. He was one of just two FCS prospects on the Senior Bowl Top 300 list . At a mammoth 6'6″, 324 lbs with 35.5″ arms, he certainly has NFL size!
Leigh was largely untroubled in this one. Right now, he's a much better run blocker than pass protector. He's a powerful man and works to finish, which includes driving an unfortunate North Dakota defender into the bench area on one play!
In pass protection, while Leigh has the arm length to stay at tackle, his technique is not quite there. His base is too narrow, and despite his size, he can get walked back into his quarterback. To his credit, he's able to re-anchor effectively, but that will be harder against NFL players.
At this level, Leigh's bulk helps him win in pass protection, but projecting him forward, he would struggle right now. Leigh only played one year of high school football, so there is considerable upside there. He may need a little time, however, so he would be a year two or three contributor rather than as a rookie.
While teams like Miami and Indiana survived upsets in Week 9, Ohio State came unstuck on the road at Southern California. Jayden Maiava had his part to play in the upset win, with an efficient performance. His selling of play-action fakes was encouraging, but he will need to speed up his processing to start in the NFL.
Watching two highly ranked safeties back-to-back was worthwhile. KJ Bolden had the easier matchup, but he looked to be more of a downhill force than Jaylen McClain. The Ohio State man will not appreciate being hurdled, or reminded of that everywhere, but it was a chastening reminder to follow Chris Spielman's regular advice: "See what you hit and hit what you see".
Of the other featured prospects in Week 9, Terrance Carter Jr. is the most interesting. While he lacks size and speed, his route running is good, and in the right NFL system, he can contribute. Given that he's been battling injuries this year, he's the type who slips to the late rounds and ends up making a roster.
Week 10 sees several outstanding matchups, with the highlight being Miami at Notre Dame, where we can see prospects from both schools truly tested for the first time this season. It's going to be the perfect November Saturday to stay in and watch College Football all day!
