Mel Kiper calls Penn State Whiteout Game vs. Oregon a 'spotlight game' for NFL Draft prospects

It’s never too early to talk a little NFL Draft, and ESPN analyst Mel Kiper is already hard at it, getting ready for the 2026 edition. That means he’s got a definite eye on one particular college game coming up: Penn State vs. Oregon.

One of the first major conference showdowns of the year will pit two of the teams with the most NFL talent against each other. Kiper circled it on a recent edition of First Draft on ESPN.

“That Sept. 27 game, guys, that’s the game,” Kiper said. “That’s Oregon at Penn State. That’s the white-out. That’s Dante Moore‘s opportunity. That’s Kenyon Sadiq, that’s all those Penn State guys, Drew Allar, that’s everybody because that’s the spotlight game. That’s the white-out game. That’s going to be huge.”

Moore is quickly emerging as one of the top potential draft candidates on either side, Oregon or Penn State. The Ducks quarterback has been excellent since taking over the starting role.

He has gone 50-of-64 passing for 657 yards and seven touchdowns, against one interception, during his first three starts. He has also run for 34 yards, though that’s not really a featured element of his game.

He’ll be on display against a very good Penn State quarterback, though one who has perhaps not unlocked his full potential yet. Drew Allar has the hype; he’s just looking to back it up a little better.

Allar is 57-of-88 passing for 626 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. He has also run for 27 yards. Like Moore, he hasn’t used his legs as a primary threat.

Getting to see those Oregon and Penn State battle it out should be an absolute pleasure for the fans. The stakes in the game will be huge.

“You talk about crowd noise, you talk about the entertainment value of college football,” Kiper said. “I don’t care if you’re a fan of Oregon or Penn State or not, you’re going to be watching that game. From a scouting standpoint, so many good players going up against each other in that game Sept. 27 at Happy Valley.”

There’s one other element that could be a major factor in the game. While Penn State has a bye weekend ahead of the contest, Oregon will be in action against rival Oregon State this weekend.

In theory, that gives the Nittany Lions a little more time to prepare for the monster contest. Will that prove a difference-maker? We shall see.

But for Mel Kiper, few games stand out as much as this one. It’s a who’s who of potential NFL Draft picks.