With the NFL season kicking off this week, college football is already off and running. Week 1 delivered much of what was expected: powerhouse programs taking care of business against inferior opponents. But it also brought plenty of excitement, including near season-altering scares for a couple of teams — most notably Michigan and Oregon.

In these recaps, I’ll highlight some of the top performances of the week among draft-eligible prospects. Given the importance and intrigue of the position, quarterbacks will have their own category, allowing each standout player a chance to shine.

Quarterbacks – Stock Up 
1. Jayden Maiava/USC (Fifth-year Senior)

Game Statline: 23 for 25 (92 percent Completion Rate), 349 yards, 3 touchdowns vs. Fresno State

Perhaps no quarterback in the nation has gotten off to a better start to the 2026 season than Maiava. While he has benefited from already playing two games, he has made the most of those opportunities. As it stands, he has thrown just one more incompletion than touchdowns — a remarkable tally regardless of the competition. He was left off my initial ranking of the top draft-eligible quarterbacks, and so far, that looks like my biggest miss.

Though the season is only just beginning, Maiava has showcased a strong start despite the departures of Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane. Under Lincoln Riley, USC has yet to break through and make the playoff. If Maiava continues playing the way he has over the past two games, he looks capable of changing that fortune.

2. Darian Mensah/Miami (Fourth-year Junior)

Game Statline: 27 for 30 (90 percent Completion Rate), 401 yards, 5 touchdowns at Stanford

Unlike Maiava, Mensah was on my list of top quarterbacks entering the season — and if this performance was any indication, I had him ranked too low. Mensah has been on my radar since early last season, when he was still at Duke and appeared to elevate the team’s ceiling with his talent. Had he declared for the draft, it would not have been surprising to see him become the second quarterback selected.

Instead, he opened his Miami career by setting records. His 401 passing yards and five touchdowns were the most ever by a Hurricanes quarterback in their debut. It took a lot for Miami to lure the superstar to South Beach, but early signs suggest it was money well spent. His connection with WR Malachi Toney proved lethal and nearly unstoppable. Mensah has both the individual talent and surrounding pieces to remain firmly in the Heisman Trophy race by season’s end.

3. Dante Moore/Oregon (Fourth-year Junior)

Game Statline: 28 for 37 (75.7 percent Completion Rate), 388 yards, 3 touchdowns vs. Boise State

Boise State gave Oregon a scare, though the Broncos proved to be a quality opponent. It took longer than expected for Dante Moore and the Oregon offense to find their rhythm, but once they did, the explosive plays followed. After settling in, Moore showcased exactly why he was in the discussion as a potential top pick had he declared after last season. At the very least, his performance suggests Arch Manning’s seat atop the quarterback rankings is far from secure.

As a team, Oregon still has plenty to clean up if it wants to reach its goals this season. However, Moore demonstrated the ability to pull his team back into the game even when everything around him wasn’t operating at its peak — exactly the type of trait you want to see from a potential NFL franchise quarterback.

Quarterbacks – Stock Down
1. DJ Lagway/Baylor (Third-year Junior)

Game Statline: 27 for 54 (50 percent Completion Rate), 333 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception vs. Auburn

Lagway was included in my initial rankings, and he remains a player I have high hopes for. His performance on Saturday captured everything that makes him so promising yet so frustrating. Time and again, he delivered wow throws that few quarterbacks in the country would even attempt. Then, on the next play, he would either overthrow his target by a mile or make a head-scratching decision that left you wondering what he saw.

He suffered an ankle injury during the game, which limited both his mobility and his ability to step into throws. How much it impacts his season will be worth monitoring, but he left this game the same way he entered it: inconsistent.

2. Byrum Brown/Auburn (Fifth-year Senior)

Game Statline: 26 for 35 (74.3 percent Completion Rate), 259 yards, 3 interceptions vs. Baylor

Brown didn’t enter the season as a headline quarterback prospect for next year’s draft, but he did carry plenty of hype after setting records at USF. Many felt his dual-threat ability could give him a Cam Newton-esque feel — similar play style, not calling him Cam Newton before I get attacked. However, his debut left a lot to be desired.

At times, he looked overwhelmed with the ball in his hands. Whether his receivers weren’t creating separation or he simply wasn’t seeing the field clearly, Brown appeared late in his processing throughout the afternoon. When the ball did leave his hand, it often came out inaccurately. With an SEC schedule ahead, Auburn could be in for a long season if its passing offense doesn’t start showing signs of life.

Other Standout Performances
1. Jordan Ross/LSU EDGE (Third-year Junior)

Game Statline: 1 interception (Pick-six), 1 sack, 4 pressures vs. Clemson

In my top-10 rankings, I listed Ross as one of my biggest potential risers if he could fully tap into his potential. While I won’t say he reached his ceiling after one performance, he delivered in primetime, consistently wreaking havoc in the backfield. He put together one of the more complete defensive performances of Week 1.

2. Rasheem Biles/Texas LB (Fourth-year Senior)

Game Statline: 5 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception vs. Texas State

In my preseason rankings, I noted that some players simply have a nose for the ball. Biles is one of those players, and he proved it again on Saturday, forcing two turnovers in his Longhorns debut. On a defense in need of a leader at the second level, he emphatically submitted his application with that performance. Next week’s matchup against Ohio State should bring fireworks, given the talent on both sides of the ball.

3. Kamari Moulton/Iowa RB (Fourth-year Junior)

Game Statline: 11 carries, 183 yards, 2 touchdowns vs Northern Illinois

Not originally on my radar, Moulton burst onto the scene with a sensational Week 1 performance. In the first quarter alone, he racked up 132 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries. He’ll be someone to watch as the season progresses to see if he can catapult up the running back rankings.