Stock up, stock down from college football Week 4: Dylan Stewart’s draft stock plummets

NCAAF College Football
September 29, 2026
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The college football regular season is already a quarter of the way over and conference play is in full effect. There were six ranked-on-ranked matchups this past weekend, and three of them came down to a one-score game.

We certainly learned a lot more from this past weekend, including which teams’ and players’ stock went up. But also, some stock dropped. Let’s dive into it.

MORE: College football overreactions after Week 4: USC won’t change under Lincoln Riley

Stock up: Jeremiah Smith’s Heisman campaign

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) catches a pass during the NCAA football game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sept. 26, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

The last time a wide receiver won the Heisman Trophy was Devonta Smith from Alabama back in 2020. Through four weeks, it’s hard to argue against Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

Ohio State suffered an early loss against Texas, but aside from that loss, the Buckeyes have cruised to victories and Smith hasn’t had to play full games. That hasn’t stopped his numbers from being sky-high. In Week 4, against Illinois, Smith caught 12 passes for 217 yards and four touchdowns.

On the season, Smith leads the nation with 617 receiving yards and is tied at the top with seven touchdowns. He’s unstoppable, and Smith is well on his way to contend for the Heisman.

Stock down: Dylan Stewart’s draft stock

Sep 26, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell (12) makes a sidearm throw around South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart (6) at Saban Field at Bryant Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Entering the 2026 season, South Carolina’s junior edge rusher, Dylan Stewart, was easily a projected top-10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. But no player has wrecked his draft projection more than Stewart has. Not only did he begin the season injured, but he self-destructed this weekend.

Stewart was seen punching an Alabama player in the Gamecocks’ 49-18 loss. But that might not have been the worst thing he did all game. The dynamic junior refused to get subbed out, was seen arguing with coaches, and had to get pulled off the bench to stand with his team.

From all of that, he is now suspended indefinitely by South Carolina. Not a great look for his image.

Stock up: Florida, Mississippi State

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) breaks through tackles against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Both Florida and Mississippi State have been middling to below average SEC teams for quite some time. But not this season.

The Gators landed their true statement win of the season after blasting Ole Miss, 52-28, at home. The Gators are now 4-0 and jumped 13 spots to No. 8 in the latest AP Top 25 poll. Running back Jadan Baugh has been great, and head coach Jon Sumrall has really turned the program around in a quarter of a season.

As for Mississippi State, the Bulldogs might have the most electrifying player in college football at quarterback. Kamario Taylor is must-watch football, and he’s at the top of the Heisman list with Jeremiah Smith. Mississippi State is 4-0, ranked No. 16, and has a date with Alabama this weekend.

Stock down: USC’s marriage with Lincoln Riley

Sep 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley walks off the field after the game against the Oregon Ducks at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

If it’s not 2026, when will Lincoln Riley get the job done at USC? He has not had a 10-plus-win season since he arrived in Los Angeles, and entering his fifth season, Riley was supposed to contend for a College Football Playoff berth.

But in his first big game of the season, Riley and USC got beaten by Oregon, 41-27. Ducks’ quarterback Dante Moore went out early, but that didn’t stop backup Dylan Raiola from doing whatever he wanted against USC’s defense.

Riley is on the chopping block if things don’t improve in a hurry.

Stock up: Georgia Bulldogs

Sep 26, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws a pass intended for running back Chauncey Bowens (5) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

All Georgia has done this season is win impressively. Granted, the level of competition hasn’t been high, but the Bulldogs have done exactly what any good team should do: take care of business. It was no different this past weekend against what was supposed to be a good Oklahoma team.

Instead, John Mateer looked terrible, and UGA cruised to a 41-13 win over the Sooners. Gunner Stockton has taken care of the football, tossing just one interception in four games, and the Bulldogs’ offense appears to be as good as their defense — which is a scary thought.

Stock down: Michigan, Penn State’s chances at the Big Ten

Iowa quarterback Hank Brown (9) makes a pass against Michigan defensive end Tariq Boney (41) during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

There’s Ohio State, Indiana, and now Oregon at the top of the Big Ten — with Iowa sneaking its way up there. But both Michigan and Penn State took major hits this past weekend.

The Wolverines suffered a 20-19 loss to the Hawkeyes at home. Michigan dominated the box score, but Iowa drove 91 yards and threw a 16-yard touchdown pass as time expired to upset Michigan. The Hawkeyes entered the game ranked higher than Michigan, but the way the Wolverines lost the game was very disappointing for fans.

As for Penn State, the Nittany Lions lost a home game to Wisconsin, 24-20. The Badgers scored a 72-yard touchdown with 1:13 left in the game to upset Penn State. Once again, regardless of who the coach is, Penn State suffers a loss it’s not supposed to.

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