2027 NFL Draft: Charlie Becker vs. Jyaire Hill, 8 Prospect Matchups to Watch in Week 8

By Daniel “The Draftnick” Rios

It’ll be hard for college football to live up to last weekend’s slate, but there are still intriguing matchups.

Every single weekend seems to have games that surprise us, and this weekend could do the same. Among them are sneaky-good prospect matchups that will have NFL scouts watching. So, who are those matchups?

Here are some head-to-head prospect matchups to watch out for in five games this weekend.

Indiana at Michigan 

WR Charlie Becker vs. CB Jyaire Hill

Becker is one of two Indiana receivers who can go in the first round with his elite acceleration down the field. This season, Becker has truly expanded his route tree compared to last season. With Fernando Mendoza at quarterback, Becker was used more as a vertical and back shoulder threat. While he still does that for the Hoosiers, he’s started to run more in-breaking routes, which only boosts his stock.

Michigan has a ton of intriguing defensive backs, but Hill is the one who stands out. Hill has a long frame and, mixed with his long strides, could be a tough matchup for Becker. While he’s coming off his worst game of the season against Penn State, a good matchup against Becker could boost his stock right back up.

OT Carter Smith vs. Edge John Henry Daley

Some people see Smith as a guard, and others as a tackle at the next level. His draft range is a big topic for debate, but you can’t ignore the experience he has. Smith has started 50 games in his college career and was a unanimous All-American last season for the Hoosiers. He doesn’t have the longest frame, but his footwork makes up for it in both the passing and running game.

Following Kyle Whittingham from Utah, John Henry Daley transferred to Michigan this offseason. In 2025, Daley had 11.5 sacks with Utah, and this season for Michigan he’s up to four. He’s got great athleticism and power, which makes him hard to block. He lacks overall length, which hurts him in the running game, and if he doesn’t win quickly, Daley tends to get washed out.

Ole Miss vs. Texas 

OT Trevor Goosby vs. DT Will Echoles

The Texas offense hasn’t been nearly as efficient as expected. While the offensive line was a major letdown last season, it’s been better this season. Goosby leads the unit with a strong, quick lower body. He can move well in the running game and packs a strong punch when he gets engaged on defenders. Goosby could benefit from more balance in pass protection; even so, he hasn’t given up a sack yet this season.

It’ll be unclear how much Echoles will line up against Goosby, but both are playing like first-round picks. Echoles is coming off his second-best game this year against Missouri last week, with one sack and five total tackles. He’s one of the stronger defensive tackles in this class and could give Goosby some trouble in the run game.

QB Trinidad Chambliss and RB Kewan Lacy vs. LB Rasheem Biles and DB Jelani McDonald

Ole Miss is coming off a routing of Missouri. Chambliss and Lacy both had great games against the Tigers, showing why they’re among the country’s best players. Lacy runs with a hard-nosed style in his 205-pound frame, but his feet are light. Chambliss’ size will always be the question with him as a prospect, but watching him, he screams first-round talent.

Those two will be tested this weekend. While Texas isn’t having the season many expected, it still has top-50 defensive talent. Jelani McDonald is one of the most aggressive safeties in the country when coming downhill to make tackles, and Biles offers exceptional athleticism for the linebacker position. Expect both players to be flying around the field, looking to bait Chambliss into bad decisions.

LSU at Auburn 

WR Keshaun Singleton vs. DB Ty Benefield and DB Tamarcus Cooley

Auburn is coming off an upset win over Georgia, and Singleton played a part in catching a touchdown in that game. He may not light up the scoreboard every week, but his size and speed are intriguing for a wide receiver. Singleton is 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, but his long strides down the field make him a downfield threat. His speed showed up against Florida earlier this season, but it’s all over his tape. He’ll present a vertical challenge to this LSU defense.

LSU has multiple draft picks on its defense. Around seven starters could go into the draft and get picked this year, with Benefield and Cooley being two. Benefield transferred from Boise State last season and is just a rocket around the field. He makes tackles with strength, and he doesn’t shy away from contact. Cooley flies around the field, but isn’t as aggressive as Benefield. Benefield lacks coverage, but Cooley does a better job there.

Tennessee at South Carolina 

OT Jacarrius Peak vs. Edge Tyree Weathersby and DT Xavier Gilliam

Peak missed the first two games of this season with a knee injury, but has slowly started to show the signs of why he could go in the top two rounds. He’s not the biggest tackle frame-wise, but he has good arm length and is a great athlete. Peak will have his hands full in pass pro this weekend, with long-armed defenders, and if he can withstand it, it could raise his draft stock.

The Volunteers’ defense has been lights out, and it’s thanks to the defensive line. Weathersby and Gilliam both had disruptive performances against Alabama last week, with Weathersby having two sacks. Gilliam has shot up draft boards this season, with his athleticism at defensive tackle letting him shoot up the field and win with quick hands. Both of these defensive linemen for Tennessee would make an impact in this game no matter what.

QB LaNorris Sellers and WR Nyck Harbor vs. CB Kayin Lee

The entire South Carolina offense has to be worried about the two pass rushers mentioned above, but they have the athleticism to beat it. Sellers has been talked about for years as a draft prospect, and while he’s been inconsistent, he’s put up some promising things on his tape this season. Sellers is coming off a four-touchdown performance against Florida, with one going to Harbor. Like Sellers, Harbor has the size and speed to get into the NFL; it’s just about what he does with it.

Tennessee also has talent in the back end. Lee isn’t as big as Harbor, being around 5-foot-10, but has great athleticism that makes up for it. He has adequate speed and has shown to have balanced footwork that keeps him attached in man coverage. The slender build could prove to be too much if he lines up against Harbor, but the athleticism could put him into spots where he can jump routes to pick off Sellers.

Virginia Tech at Clemson 

TE Luke Reynolds vs. LB Sammy Brown

The biggest question for Reynolds coming into this season was whether he could produce more. He followed his former head coach James Franklin from Penn State this offseason, and he’s produced. Reynolds has over 400 yards and four touchdowns. He’s coming off a quiet performance against Georgia Tech, but the cameras will be on him against Clemson. Reynolds has the size, athleticism, and strength that will intrigue NFL teams.

Clemson is disappointing for a second year in a row, even with NFL talent littered throughout its roster. Brown came into this season as a first-round talent, but hasn’t lived up to those expectations. He has the athleticism to be an NFL linebacker; he just hasn’t put it together this season. His eyes haven’t been consistent enough, and he’s been fooled by misdirection plays. A good matchup in coverage against Reynolds should get his stock right back up.