2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic Bumper Preview
The time is almost here for another College Football Classic, returning to the Aviva Stadium, Dublin for the 5th straight year. Kickoff is almost exactly 24 hours away, and excitement is building in and around Ireland’s capital city. This year sees an inter-conference matchup and a repeat of Bill Belichick’s first game in charge of the University of North Carolina, as UNC takes on Texas Christian University (TCU). With the current spread at 8.5 in favour of the TCU Horned Frogs, there is clearly a favourite and an underdog heading into this matchup, which might just suit the boys from Chapel Hill, NC. Last year, UNC entered the season with unrealistic expectations from the outside, including being put in a marquee Monday Week 1 night slot on ESPN and came crashing down to earth with a 48-14 drubbing at the hands of tomorrow’s opponent. North Carolina improved at times during the 2025 season but not enough to impress alumni, who were expecting the revival of UNC football in the ACC. I’m here to provide a comprehensive preview of both teams ahead of this Week 0 matchup and give you 12 players to watch, all of whom are eligible for the 2027 draft.
The Teams
TCU
2025 Record: 9–4 (5–4 Big 12)
TCU has been the picture of stability in the Big 12. They’ve gone 9-4 in consecutive seasons, and their coach Sonny Dykes is entering his 5th season as Head Coach (joint-4th longest tenured HC in the conference). Before that, Gary Patterson was the coach for 21 seasons, so this is not a programme that tends to have a ton of turnover. This season is a bit different for the Horned Frogs as starting QB Josh Hoover left for 2025 national champions Indiana to replace a Heisman winner, while South Carolina lured OC Kendal Briles to the SEC. In steps former UConn OC Gordon Sammis as co-offensive coordinator alongside holdover A.J. Ricker. Sammis brings his pro-style offense from the Huskies, an offense that took current Baltimore Ravens UDFA QB Joe Fagnano to new heights in 2025. TCU dived in the portal to bring the best QB in the Ivy League to Texas, Harvard’s Jaden Craig, to run the offense. Craig is a player many (including myself) think could be the breakout star of the Big 12. There’s enough returning production on offense for Craig to start fast, but Dykes may be looking for his defense to shine in Dublin this weekend in the (likely) wet conditions. TCU had 3 defensive players drafted in April, including their 2 starting LBs and will be depending on a mix of new starters and veteran leadership up the spine of that side of the ball. Names like Deal, Carroll and Johnson could feature prominently over the PA system on the famed Lansdowne Road.
North Carolina
2025 Record: 4–8 (2–6 ACC)
Well, if TCU are the picture of stability, UNC certainly is not. Last year’s OC and former Cleveland Browns HC Freddie Kitchens is out, as is former South Alabama and current Wake Forest QB Gio Lopez. In comes the never-fully-out-of-the-spotlight Bobby Petrino and freshly named starter Billy Edwards Jr., who last played meaningful snaps in an up-and-down season as Maryland’s starter in 2024. DC Steve Belichick returned but will not coach this game, with the elder Belichick likely calling the shots, even if he wouldn’t admit to it in his press conferences this week. The Michael Lombardi controversy doesn’t help, although I don’t believe it will have a major impact on the play on the field. UNC may rely heavily on the run game on offense, with senior WR Jordan Shipp likely counted on to move the chains again in big situations. Sophomore RB Demon June was particularly impressive in 2025, while former Ohio State TE Jelani Thurman is a possible breakout candidate and could be a Mackey Award contender. On defense, look out for #9 Melkart Abou-Jaoude, who led the ACC with 10.5 sacks in 2025 and returns as the No.1 draft prospect in Carolina Blue. The secondary also returns plenty of starters, including nickel back and defensive captain Kaleb Cost; however, there remain some question marks at other spots on the defensive side that have yet to be fully addressed in Fall camp.
The Players to Watch
1) Jaden Craig, QB, TCU
The former Harvard signal-caller may well be my sleeper QB in this class. He joins the Big 12 having led Harvard to back-to-back Ivy League championships as the starter. The offense was fairly rudimentary with the Crimson, but Craig flashes some serious NFL traits in his arm talent, anticipation, and ball placement. He has no issues pushing the ball outside the hashes and would have had more gaudy numbers if not for some receiving deficiencies. Craig's biggest obstacle may be himself, as he has developed some bad habits while playing against lower-level competition, missing layups and having some really bad overthrows on film, particularly over the middle, which will lead to more picks in the Power 4. Right now, Craig is within Tier 2 of QBs in the 2027 draft class, and I would have no issue drafting him on Day 2 based on his Harvard film and could move him up if the TCU tape equally impresses.
Draft Grade: 2nd round
Pro Comp: Jordan Love
2) Jamel Johnson, S, TCU
Johnson is one of the more underrated safeties in the 2027 class. Playing alongside Seahawks 2026 2nd-rounder Bud Clark may have masked his playmaking ability, as he excels against the run and makes tackles for fun in space. His coverage skills come and go, as I saw some nice breaks on the ball, but he was routinely beaten on seams by TEs with inside releases or gave up too much depth underneath. Johnson returns as the unquestioned leader of the TCU secondary, and if he takes to that role like a duck to water, he has a chance to go in the range of his former safety teammate.
Draft Grade: 3rd round
Pro Comp: Kamari Ramsey
3) Melkart Abou-Jaoude, Edge, UNC
Abou-Jaoude is one of the guys to really root for in the 2027 edge class. From walk-on to one of the best pass rushers in the ACC, it's been a meteoric rise for the former Delaware man. He lacks the bend and true freakish athleticism of the best guys in the class, but he is right there in Day 2 consideration due to his blend of motor and raw power in his upper body, which overwhelms tackles at times to great effect. He returns as one of the most productive pass rushers in the nation and recently earned himself a nomination to the Bronco Nagurski Award Preseason Watch List, an award annually given to the best defensive player in college football.
Draft Grade: 3rd round
Pro Comp: Marshawn Kneeland
4) Jordan Shipp, WR, UNC
Shipp is one of the most dependable receiver prospects in the 2027 class. He has led by example for a Tar Heels receiving corps and offense that have struggled mightily for multiple years now. He is not one of the most athletic or quickest receivers, so he will need to win with craft and catching ability. His athletic testing will be key to his draft stock to see how he stacks up to similar body-type receivers in the NFL. For me, Shipp is a high-character receiver who should carve out at the very least a multi-year NFL career as a special teams or WR3/4.
Draft Grade: 3rd round
Pro Comp: Elijah Sarratt
5) Jaiden Patterson, DB, UNC
Slated to start at cornerback once again in 2026, Patterson has been one of the more valuable and versatile defensive backs for UNC since he entered the starting lineup during the 2025 season. I like his length, fundamentals and solidity in coverage, where he plays physical, and hasn’t allowed a single TD in coverage as a starter. He is a bit high-waisted, meaning receivers can beat him inside, while his play instincts have room for improvement. Patterson has a chance to be a Day 2 player who could fill a number of roles in an NFL secondary.
Draft Grade: 3rd round
Pro Comp: Jalon Kilgore
6) Ben Taylor-Whitfield, OT, TCU
Taylor-Whitfield is set to man the blind side for TCU in 2026 and, with a strong season, could vault himself into mid-round conversation in the 2027 draft. He moves his feet well in pass pro, allowing zero sacks after his move to the left side in Week 7. He does need to play with better pad level and is susceptible to bendier rushers, so I'd like to see him move his feet more consistently on contact. The TCU offense could be potent in 2026 if the offensive line can hold up, with Taylor-Whitfield likely to be a key cog in that machine.
Draft Grade: 5th round
Pro Comp: Cameron Williams
7) Jeremy Payne, RB, TCU
Payne has shown potential as a runner with limited game experience, as he is set to take the starting duties for the first time in 2026. He has a strong running style, capable of breaking tackles with decent speed to test the boundary of the line of scrimmage. I don't see an elite athlete or creator on film, so he will be more of a bruising RB2 rather than securing an RB1 role at the NFL level, but I am keen to see how he starts this upcoming year and whether he can continue to ascend in the 2027 class.
Draft Grade: 5th round
Pro Comp: Tyler Goodson
8) Kaleb Cost, CB, UNC
Cost has emerged as a leader in the UNC secondary as he sets the tone with some of his tackling and instincts. Entering his senior season, I would question his ceiling as he lacks real pop on his film and looks a step slow in operating from the slot or nickel positions. However, he fights in coverage and plays with a physicality at the nickel teams look for. If he can improve his ball production and consistency, he should stay in Day 3 consideration.
Draft Grade: 7th round
Pro Comp: Collin Wright
9) Aidan Banfield, IOL, UNC
Banfield returns to UNC after missing most of the 2025 season with a chance to ascend in the class. He needs to clean up quite a bit to be considered a draftable prospect, but there are some tools to work with. He shows good football IQ, he plays with strong natural leverage while being light on his feet. However, the lows are very low as his lack of size and refinement in pass pro left his QB on an island far too often even in limited action last year. A strong 2026 could move Banfield into late-round consideration as a versatile lineman in the right spot.
Draft Grade: UDFA
Pro Comp: Jordan McFadden
10) Billy Edwards Jr., QB, UNC
Edwards Jr. is a huge projection at this stage. He last took meaningful snaps as the starter for the Maryland Terrapins back in 2024. He didn't exactly excel, as he went 4-8 as the starter with a TD: INT ratio of 15:9. The former Wisconsin QB has good size for the position with a more than solid arm to match, with just enough touch to be an effective college starter. His NFL stock, however, is much murkier, as his lack of starting experience, struggles under pressure, and propensity for turning the ball over in tough situations will worry any team looking to bring him onto their roster.
Draft Grade: UDFA
Pro Comp: Graham Mertz
11) Markis Deal, DL, TCU
Deal has some tools at TCU, but his lack of play strength at the point of attack, despite his size and 4-star billing, is concerning. He is on the ground a lot on film and offers nothing as a pass rusher, only recording a single pressure through the first 11 weeks of the 2025 season. Now, his production did improve down the stretch for the Horned Frogs, and with some departures, Deal could ascend into a strong starting nose tackle role and possibly earn himself a job in the NFL.
Draft Grade: UDFA
Pro Comp: Ross Blacklock
12) Ka'Morreun Pimpton, TE, TCU
Pimpton is a bit of an unknown entering his junior year. Used sparingly in 2 TE sets at TCU, most expected him to transfer again after the 2025 season, but he has returned to Fort Worth with a larger role envisioned. His only reception of 2025 came on a box-out TD vs Baylor, foreshadowing a possible redzone role for him this upcoming year. He is an incredible athlete, but has really offered nothing in terms of production and lacks some maturity to his game. Right now, Pimpton is not on the NFL radar, but he could be if he can show his talents this Autumn for the Horned Frogs. Don’t be too surprised if he ends up much higher on this list in terms of draft results when it’s all said and done.
Draft Grade: UDFA
Pro Comp: Michael Trigg