2026 NFL Draft College Football Team of the Week: Week 1 Standouts

The opening weekend of the 2025 college football season gave us an early look at which 2026 NFL Draft prospects are ready to separate themselves. Using a combination of scouting grades, statistical production, and strength of competition, Football Scout 365 highlights the top draft-eligible performers from Week 1. From LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s clutch playmaking in a win over Clemson, to Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr.’s disruptive dominance versus Notre Dame, these are the players who set the tone for the season ahead.

Offensive Team of The Week

Quarterback – Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

Nussmeier showed poise in a primetime win over Clemson, finishing 20-of-34 for 230 yards and a go-ahead touchdown. He delivered 134 of those yards in the second half, leading two critical scoring drives while displaying pocket command and late-game composure—traits NFL scouts value in a pro-ready passer.

Running Back – Robert Henry Jr., UTSA

Henry erupted for 177 yards and two scores on just 16 carries against Texas A&M, averaging 11.1 yards per rush. His explosive 75-yard touchdown showed his breakaway speed, while his consistent efficiency confirmed he can create chunk plays even against SEC defenses.

Wide Receiver – Germie Bernard, Alabama

Bernard was Ty Simpson’s clear WR1, posting 8 catches for 146 yards in a breakout performance. The Michigan State/Washington transfer consistently separated and flashed physicality as a blocker, giving Alabama the reliable outside target it desperately needed after Ryan Williams’ injury exit.

Tight End – Dorian Thomas, New Mexico

The Arizona transfer was the Lobos’ go-to target, hauling in 10 receptions for 71 yards and two touchdowns versus Michigan. His ability to work underneath zones and win in the red zone highlighted both reliability and playmaking—two traits NFL teams covet in mid-round TE prospects.

Offensive Lineman – Spencer Fano, Utah

Fano anchored Utah’s front with dominance against UCLA, earning an 85.5 PFF grade while allowing just one pressure. His blend of strength and balance was evident on multiple highlight-reel pancakes, cementing his reputation as one of the premier draft-eligible tackles in the nation.

Defensive Team of The Week

EDGE – Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

Bain reminded everyone of his disruptive ceiling with 6 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, and an interception in the win over Notre Dame. Constantly in the backfield, he earned one of the week’s top PFF defensive grades and looked every bit like an NFL-ready pass rusher.

Defensive Line – Daniel Lyons, Florida State

Back from injury, Lyons wasted no time flashing his impact potential—recording a sack, 5 hurries, and a forced fumble against Alabama. His relentless motor and interior quickness gave FSU a consistent inside presence, validating preseason optimism about his breakout.

Linebacker – Arvell Reese, Ohio State

Reese piled up 9 tackles (4 solo), a sack, and a key fourth-down stop in a statement win over Texas. At 6’4”, 243, his combination of size and explosiveness stood out on tape, and his sack of Arch Manning was a defining moment in the Buckeyes’ defensive showcase.

Cornerback – Jermaine Mathews Jr., Ohio State

Mathews locked down Texas’ passing attack, finishing with 3 tackles, a pass breakup, and a momentum-shifting interception. Already earning a top-10 PFF coverage grade for Week 1, he showcased the ball skills and route anticipation that make him a rising NFL Draft prospect.

Safety – Earl Little Jr., Florida State

The Alabama transfer led FSU with 9 tackles in a physical upset win over the Tide. Playing the rover role in Tony White’s 3-3-5, he brought downhill aggression and versatility, proving he can thrive as both an enforcer and a coverage hybrid at the next level.

Offensive Player of the Week: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

In a top-10 showdown with Clemson, Garrett Nussmeier delivered the type of performance that cements his place among the premier quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft class. The LSU signal-caller finished 20-of-34 for 230 yards and a go-ahead touchdown, but it was the way he closed the game that stood out. Nussmeier threw for 134 of his 230 yards in the second half, leading back-to-back touchdown drives when LSU needed him most.

This wasn’t just about the numbers—it was about poise under pressure. Against a Clemson defense loaded with NFL talent, Nussmeier displayed calm pocket mechanics, processing ability, and pinpoint accuracy in high-leverage moments. Scouts already knew he had the arm strength and production (4,000+ yards in 2024), but Saturday night proved he can elevate in big-game environments. That combination of experience, leadership, and clutch execution will keep him firmly in first-round discussions.

Defensive Player of the Week: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

Miami’s defense made life miserable for Notre Dame, and Rueben Bain Jr. was at the center of the chaos. The draft-eligible edge rusher stuffed the stat sheet with 6 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, and an interception—rare production for a player who was already in the backfield on what felt like every other snap. Bain earned one of the highest defensive grades of the week according to PFF, and his disruptive presence was impossible to miss.

What stood out most was Bain’s versatility. He aligned all over the defensive line, winning with power at the point of attack while flashing the kind of lateral quickness and explosiveness you don’t often see from a player listed at 6’3”, 275 pounds. His athleticism was on full display on a highlight interception, where he came across the field on a tip drill to make the play. For NFL scouts, that kind of complete defensive profile—pressure, run defense, and ball skills—is a major box-checking performance. After an offseason spent rehabbing and refining, Bain looked like one of the most NFL-ready defenders in the country, and his return to form is a massive boost for Miami’s playoff hopes.