What happened: McLaurin said an Ohio State receiver could be the top pick in the upcoming NFL draft. He described the prospect as a generational, unselfish football player.

Why it matters: Endorsements like that can amplify early draft buzz as evaluators sort the top of the board. A non-quarterback drawing No. 1 overall talk would stand out well before the draft order is set.

What to watch: Watch whether that praise turns into broader top-pick chatter as the season moves forward. The next inflection point will be whether more evaluators start framing the class around a pass catcher instead of a quarterback.