The NFL season is still a few days away, but the college schedule is well underway with Week 1 games already having started. This year, I wanted to bring a new piece to The Phinsider taking a look at college prospects from a college game on the schedule. The goal is share some of the 2027 NFL Draft prospects who could land on the Miami Dolphins’ radar when the 2026 season ends and we start to move toward the draft.
This week, we’ll look at the Texas State vs. Texas game. Kickoff is Saturday, September
5, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. Eastern, with ESPN on the broadcast. The game will be at Darrell K Royal—Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on the University of Texas campus.
Below are five players to watch from the game. These are not necessarily the top-ranked prospects for each team, but they are players who could be factors when the NFL Draft rolls around.
Texas 2027 Draft prospects
Arch Manning, quarterback (Redshirt Junior) – Manning is in contention to be the first-overall pick in 2027, assuming his play lives up to the offseason hype. Manning still has eligibility left, so he could also elect to return to college for another year. He has the potential to be something special; he has the tools and the arm to succeed in the NFL, and he has the pedigree. He has to be consistent and he needs to turn Texas into a contender this year if he wants to hold on to that top spot like uncles Payton and Eli.
Collin Simmons, edge (Junior) – Simmons could prove to be the first edge rusher to come off the board in the spring. He is nasty, especially when he comes in with a speed rush, using his bend to get around the corner. He knows how to set the corner and attack running backs as well, though he will miss tackles. If a team that already has a quarterback in place lands the first-overall pick, Simmons could prove to be the pick.
Derek Williams, Jr., safety (Redshirt Junior) – Williams came into Texas as one of the top high school prospects out of Louisiana. Nothing has gone the way anyone expected. A 2024 injury ended that season early and, when he returned to the field in 2025, he settled into a depth role. He is expected to start at free safety this year and he has the size and speed an NFL team could look for at safety, but there is going to be some gamble that he can put the knee injury behind him and reach the potential he had coming out of high school. This season will be critical for Williams if he plans on declaring for the draft.
Texas State 2027 Draft prospects
Jaylen Early, guard (Redshirt Senior) – Early began his college career at Florida State, then transferred to Missouri, and is now at Texas State. He has primarily served as a backup guard but should be the starter all year at Texas State. The experience will be important in his development. He does have experience playing at tackle, but is probably better suited at guard. He could use the exposure of a game against a big-name opponent like Texas to show off his potential for the NFL. He is probably destined for a later-round pick or undrafted free agent signing, but a strong performance on Saturday and throughout the year could push him a little earlier.
Beau Sparks, wide receiver (Junior) – A slot receiver with glue for hands, Sparks saw a massive production jump from 2024 (25 receptions, 271 yards, 2 touchdowns) to 2025 (84 receptions, 1200 yards, 10 touchdowns) and likely continues that upward trajectory into this season. He is a precise route runner, and he has the speed to create separation against man, but he excels in finding the soft spots in the zone. He is probably a day three prospect, but one who could find a solid role in the NFL if he declares.
