NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in College Football Week 0: Jayden Maiava, King Miller and More Take Center Stage

It’s week 0 of the college football season (does anyone else find the fact that it's called week 0 annoying?). It's never too early to dive into prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft.

This initial week of college football usually does not feature the top prospects, but it gives scouts a chance to evaluate lesser prospects in real time — players who may be drowned out by the blue chips on a typical week during the college football season.

College Football Week 0 NFL Prospects to Watch

Jayden Maiava | QB | USC

With most quarterbacks the evaluation starts with the arm, and Jayden Maiava is no exception. He has natural arm talent that allows him to zip the ball into tight spaces. It gives him the confidence to believe he can make any throw at any time regardless of the position he is in. He is aggressive attacking the third level because of it.

Although you love Maiava's aggression as a passer and playmaker, he puts the football in too much peril. He needs to value possessions more and cut down on turnovers. Maiava flashes such creativity in the pocket and does a really good job of manipulating the pocket while creating more time to drive the ball down the field. If he can clean up the turnover issues and create more possessions for USC, his stock is bound to rise.

King Miller | RB | USC

At 6-foot and 215 pounds, King Miller has an NFL frame that could hold more mass. His contact balance is elite, and defenders bounce off him while he's able to keep his feet moving forward while running. He absorbs shoulder tackles and runs through guys who arm tackle. He has elite straight-line acceleration, which allows him to make one cut and explode like a bullet down the field. It makes him a home run possibility on any rush attempt.

If he sees a sliver of daylight, he could find himself in the end zone. We'll be looking to see if he has improved in his pass protection, but we'll keep watching to see how many times he springs one for a touchdown.

Duce Robinson | WR | FSU

Duce Robinson's 6-foot-6, 220+ pound frame makes him a bit of a freak attraction on a football field, but his catch radius can't be ignored. This is why he's become a legitimate downfield target and an absolute nightmare in the red zone. His long strides and ability to gallop on plays give him a deceptively fast gait. It surprises defenses, and cornerbacks don't realize they're being beat until it's too late to respond and they're already in trail mode. This is one of the major reasons why Robinson has been able to generate over 19 yards per reception throughout his collegiate career.

This season, if he can clean up his route running in short and intermediate routes and create more separation, he can really climb up draft boards.

Jaden Craig | QB | TCU

Jaden Craig is an intriguing prospect as he moves on from FCS Ivy League Harvard to TCU In the Big 12. One of the big questions is: Will the magic he was able to show at Harvard against Ivy League competition follow him to the Big 12 with faster defenses and more complex schemes?

Craig is an elite processor and is able to get through multiple reads quickly and deliver the ball efficiently. That is the biggest part of his genius as a passer. The other part is his 6-foot-3, 230-pound battering ram frame.

CJ Bailey | QB | NC State

CJ Bailey's long, 6-foot-6 frame allows him to sit in the pocket and see above the defense while he surveys the land to find receivers to deliver the football at will. It allows him to play with a level of calm and poise that keeps the entire team even keel while they're operating throughout the game.

He still needs to clean up his footwork to go with his ability to throw various styles of passes. But as that continues to improve, there's no doubt that Bailey will be a favorite of many scouts to evaluate.

FCS Spotlight: Quinten Christensen | OT | South Dakota State

Quinten Christensen has been a proven performer over his time at South Dakota State, one of the best offensive linemen at any level. His balance and hand usage allows him to control defenders, whether it's in run blocking or in pass pro.

He gets into the chest of a defender and bends him to his will. He has the athleticism to climb to the second level and make blocks or cut off defenders on the backside. If he continues to improve his pass-set depth, which will allow him to handle speed rushers easier, he could see his draft stock continue to climb throughout the 2026 campaign.

Published Aug 28, 2026, 10:47 AM ETUpdated Aug 28, 2026, 3:10 PM ET