One of the most anticipated nights in Georgia is Friday Night Lights; high school football in Georgia is electric no matter where you are in the state. However, if you don’t have the opportunity to be a part of your local Friday Night Lights festivities, there are eight college football games you can watch, starting at 6:30 pm EST.
For Atlanta Falcons fans, it’s about more than just watching the start of college football; they’re looking for the Falcons’ future. So, I went ahead and pinpointed one
2027 NFL Draft prospect from each of the eight Friday night games to watch for Falcons fans.
San Jose State @ Eastern Michigan – Rynearson Stadium, Ypsilanti, MI – 6:30 pm EST – ESPN+
Ethan Powell, LB, San Jose State
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 220
If this season has shown Falcons fans anything, they need depth at every position, including linebacker. Ethan Powell is a tough-nosed outside linebacker who looks like he would be a great special teams player and a solid addition to an NFL roster.
Indiana State @ Purdue – Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN – 7 pm EST – Big Ten Network
CJ Madden, DE, Purdue
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 263
Former Cedar Grove High School product and Georgia Bulldog CJ Madden heads a Purdue team rebuilding its roster after a two-win season in 2025. Madden is a powerful defensive end with strong hands and can set the edge well in the run game. We will see how he has developed as he has become a leader of this Purdue defensive front.
North Carolina A&T @ Georgia State – Center Parc Stadium, Atlanta, GA – 7 pm EST – ESPN+
Cameran Brown, QB, Georgia State
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 230
From Warner Robins to West Georgia to Texas Tech and back to Georgia State, Cameran Brown can’t help but stay close to home in Georgia. Brown shows some fun mobility and a live arm that should make Georgia State games that much more enjoyable. Also, a backfield of him and redshirt sophomore Savion Hart should make for a running game that will be hard to stop.
UTEP @ Oklahoma – Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK – 8 pm EST – SEC Network
David Stone, DT, Oklahoma
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 312
We’re not going to beat around the bush here: David Stone is a monster in the middle of the Oklahoma Sooner defense. He has pass-rush juice, and he is elite against the run. Stone is one of those prospects where it’s very hard to see how they can fail.
Long Island University @ Kansas – David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS – 8 pm – ESPNU
Jaron Willis, LB, Kansas
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 235
From Albany, GA, Jaron Willis’ versatility is exactly what Jeff Ulbrich likes in his linebackers. A former strong safety, Willis hasn’t had too many opportunities to play with a guy like South Carolina’s Fred Johnson stealing the show in front of him. In his limited play, he’s made an impact, picking up two fumble recoveries, returning one for a touchdown against South Carolina State. This is a chance for Willis to make his own mark with the Jayhawks.
Toledo @ Michigan State – Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI – 8 pm – FS1
Jordan Hall, LB, Michigan State
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 249
If you’re looking for a more prototypical linebacker, Jordan Hall, at almost 250 pounds, can move sideline to sideline very well while being exceptional in coverage. Hall may end up being a do-it-all linebacker that the Falcons can luck into on day two.
Miami @ Stanford – Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA – 9 pm – ESPN
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 205
There isn’t a better player to highlight on the night than Miami’s Darian Mensah for the Falcons, given their current quarterback woes. Mensah is looking to follow the Cam Ward trend of transferring to Miami and becoming the most sought-after quarterback in a draft class. And he has the tools to do it. Mensah showed an ability to make virtually every throw while at Duke, finishing 2nd in passing yards (3,973), behind only Drew Mestemaker, and tied for 2nd in passing touchdowns (34) with Mestemaker, and behind former first-overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza. Mensah has all the tools to be one of the top quarterbacks in this draft: athletic, big arm, good accuracy. Can he put it all together and lead this Miami roster back to the CFP?
Fresno State @ USC – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA – 8 pm – Fox
Elijah Paige, OT, USC
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 320
Guys, 320 pounds is not supposed to move this fluently. Paige is a massive human being who has quick feet that give him good positioning in the pass game and make him ready to move defenders in the run game. Paige could fly up draft boards given his play in 2026.
