There is still plenty of college football to be played this season. Declarations for who will declare for the draft and who will decide to go back to school will also take place in January. However, it is never too early to start taking a look at some of the potential top prospects for the 2026 draft cycle.
1. Arvell Reese, DE/LB, Ohio State
Sometimes it is hard to believe that Reese is only in his first season as a full-time starter for the Buckeyes. Reese can play off-ball linebacker or up on the line of scrimmage. He has already amassed 6.5 sacks on the season, with three regular season games and the postseason to go. Reese is a heavy handed, physical, athletic marvel. Regardless where teams view him playing at the next level, he has played his way into top five consideration this year.
2. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love put up over 1100 yards rushing and over 200 yards receiving during the 2024 season. He has surpassed his receiving numbers from last year and is on the cusp of going over that rushing total already in 2025. He is elusive with the ball in his hands, as evidenced by his 40-plus missed tackles forced already this season. He is a legit weapon in the receiving game. His burst through the line and top-end speed allow him to be a threat to take it to the house on any given play.
3. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Downs is an All-American safety for the Buckeyes. He is considered a coach on the field. He is a tape grinder, which allows him to always be in the right spot, at the right time. He is a reliable tackler on the back end of a defense. He can line up in the box, in single high, or in the slot. He isn’t going to be an elite tester, but the tape speaks for itself. Safeties are not typically selected in the top ten due to perceived positional value; Downs could be an exception this year.
4. Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami
Bain has been putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks at a high rate all season long. He has a 37.4% win-rate on true pass sets so far during 2025. All of that pressure has not translated to sack production this year. He has only three sacks on the season. He is a sawed-off powerhouse at 6’3”, 275 pounds. He possesses knock-back power in his hands, is stout against the run, and has 50 pressures and counting during the 2025 season.
5. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Mendoza has Indiana in the mix for a Big 10 championship and a high ranking in the college football playoffs this year. The California transfer is also in the conversation for the Heisman. His late-game heroics against Penn State this week showcased his mental fortitude. He threw an interception late in the fourth quarter, then responded by driving his team 80 yards down the field for a game-winning touchdown drive. Some of his other attributes include accuracy, underrated mobility, and ball placement.
6. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Fano played left tackle at Utah as a true freshman. The past two seasons, he has kicked over and played at a high level on the right side. This guy moves like a tight end. He is arguably the best run blocker in all of college football. He has a finishing mindset and plays through the whistle. He needs to be more consistent in pass protection, but he has the athleticism to continue improving in that area.
7. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
A down season for Clemson as a team doesn’t mean it has been a lost season for some of the talented players they still have. Woods is firmly in that category. The sack numbers are not overly impressive, with only two so far this season. The advanced numbers tell a better story of the type of talent he is. He has over a 17% win-rate on true pass sets. Combine that with a stop rate over 10% as a run defender. Those numbers have directly correlated with guys that end up being the best defensive tackles in football over the years. Woods is far and away the best defensive tackle in this class, in my opinion.
8. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Tate has taken his game to the next level in 2025. He runs sharp routes, has an elite contested catch rate, and is averaging an astronomical 3.52 yards per route run. Even after missing the game versus Purdue, Tate has over 700 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on the season. Ohio State continues producing first round wide receivers; Tate is the next in line.
9. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
McCoy has yet to play a game in 2025 after suffering a torn ACL in January. How can he still be in the top 10? His tape was that good in 2024. He was a shutdown cornerback for the majority of the year for the Volunteers. His ability to mirror opposing top receivers, ball skills, and ability to be physical at the line in press-man coverage scream future All-Pro in the NFL to me.
10. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Tyson is a player I have zero questions about for his on-field ability. He is a dominant receiver when healthy. The problem has been staying healthy. He has an extensive injury history that includes a torn ACL in 2022, a broken collarbone in 2024, and hamstring issues this year. When healthy, he is a dominant weapon, making plays for his quarterback. He can line up in the slot or on the outside, makes contested catches at a high rate, possesses high-level ball tracking ability down the field, and has excellent body control. His medicals will be key to how high he is ultimately drafted this year.
11. David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech
Bailey transferred to Texas Tech from Stanford ahead of the 2025 season. He is one of the premier pass rushers in all of college football. He already has 66 pressures and 11.5 sacks on the season. He has shown some improvement as a run defender, but that will never be his biggest strength. His explosiveness, flexibility, and bend getting after the quarterback are his calling card. That ability to be a havoc creator off the edge is what should make him a top fifteen draft choice.
12. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Simpson is in the mix to be the number one draft pick if he elects to declare after the season. In his first season as a starter, he is playing fantastic football for the Crimson Tide. Simpson has great ability to maneuver in the pocket, legitimate rushing ability, and throws with great anticipation. His biggest asset might be how calm and collected he stays at all times.
13. Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
Faulk is a big-bodied edge setter at 6’6”, 285 pounds. He provides a high-floor player as a run defender with powerful hands and alignment versatility. His ability as a pass rusher is still a work in progress, which is why he doesn’t make my top 10. He has only 26 pressures and two sacks on the season. Those numbers are quite a bit lower than many of the other top players at the edge position. He is still a young prospect at just 20 years of age. Combining that upside with his ability as a run defender is why he is still likely to be drafted fairly high this year.
14. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The former five-star recruit is in his third year with Miami. He has been the starting right tackle for all three of those seasons. He has allowed only eight pressures so far in 2025. He blocks well on the move, is a mauler in the run game, and has improved his consistency in pass protection this year. Mauigoa should be able to stick at right tackle at the next level, but if not, he could slide inside and likely be a Pro-Bowl caliber guard.
15. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Delane transferred to LSU from Virginia Tech this year. He has been the best cornerback in college football so far this year. He is allowing only a 37% completion rate against him on the season. He will bring experience, a physical tackler, and a player with good ball skills to whatever team drafts him.
16. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Sadiq is an athletic pass catcher for the Ducks. He has had some injuries this year, but when healthy, he looks like the only tight end worthy of a first round selection. Even though he is considered a bit smaller for the position, that doesn’t affect him as a blocker. He is a tenacious player in that aspect, who has multiple blocks where he takes a guy 15-20 yards down the field in the run game. That type of two-way ability will entice somebody to take Sadiq in the first round.
17. Cashius Howell, DE, Texas A&M
Howell was solid in 2024 for the Aggies after transferring from Bowling Green. With the departures of Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton to the NFL, he has really taken a starring role on the defense. He has 10.5 sacks so far this year. He has an array of pass rush moves, a lightning-quick first step, and is a solid run defender on top of it all. There will be some concern about his sub-31” arm length. I think he can be an outlier in that aspect; he is just too talented not to be impactful at the next level.
18. Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Lemon may be primarily a slot receiver in the NFL, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t worthy of a top twenty draft selection. Lemon is elusive with the ball in his hands, a quality route runner, and brings added value as a returner.
19. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The younger brother of AJ Terrell, Avieon, is an absolute dog on the football field. He is undersized at just 5’11 and 180 pounds. He plays much bigger than that. He reminds me of Trent McDuffie. He is competitive at the catch point, ferocious in run support, and knows how to create big plays with turnovers.
20. TJ Parker, DE, Clemson
Parker came into this season considered a top-five player in this draft class. He has not had nearly the same splash play production he did during the 2024 season. In 2024, he had 11 sacks and six forced fumbles. This year, he has only two sacks and zero forced fumbles. He has still been able to generate a decent amount of pressure with 28 on the season. I think his high-floor as a run defender with his violent and active hands is why he could ultimately still be a late first-round draft pick.
21. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Allen is everything teams are looking for in a modern linebacker. He can rush the passer, he has excellent pursuit speed, and he has shown tremendous improvement in coverage this year. His sideline-to-sideline range, football IQ, and experience as a three-year starter are more reasons he seems like a safe bet to go before the end of the first round.
22. Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State
Ioane has been one of the most consistent bright spots for a disappointing Penn State team in 2025. Thickly built at 6’4” 335 pounds, he is a mauler in the run game. He has only allowed two pressures in pass protection the entire season. Ioane has all the makings of an All-Pro for years to come in the NFL.
23. Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
My biggest question with Goosby is if he will elect to declare for the draft this year. A member of the Feldman Freak List, Goosby is reported to have run a 1.44 10-yard split. That type of athleticism makes for a good blindside protector at the next level. He has ideal length, quick feet, and plays with a wide base. He is my favorite left tackle prospect who is draft-eligible.
24. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Styles is a converted safety for the Buckeyes. Still just 20 years old, Styles has already played almost 2000 career snaps for Ohio State. While he hasn’t registered a sack this season, he did have six of them in 2024. He has looked comfortable in coverage, hasn’t missed a tackle this season, and has elite athleticism for the position. While Arvell Reese has burst on the scene, people should not forget just how talented Styles is.
25. Brian Parker II, OL, Duke
Parker currently plays left tackle for the Blue Devils. Most project him to kick inside because he is listed at only 6’5”, 305 pounds. I actually have him listed with my center rankings. I think he could make a similar transition as Graham Barton. He has allowed only one sack in over 2000 career snaps. He is known as a team leader and a guy who constantly stays active, looking for work as a blocker.
26. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
McDonald is one of the best-run defensive tackles in college football. He can absorb double teams and hold the point of attack. While he doesn’t provide much as a pass rusher, he can push the pocket with power on the interior.
27. Chris Bell Jr., WR, Louisville
My biggest question entering the season is how would Bell respond to being the number one wide receiver in the offense? He has passed that test with flying colors. Having amassed almost 800 receiving yards already this season. His size at 6’2”, 227 pounds, combined with game-breaking top-end speed, shows a player with tremendous upside. He still needs to fine-tune the intricacies of playing receiver, but the tools are there.
28. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Hood spent a season at Auburn, a season at Colorado, and is now playing for Tennessee. Hood has great stickiness in coverage, awareness in zone, and really good closing speed. If he declares, he could sneak his way into the back end of round one.
29. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
A player I have been close to moving into the 2027 draft class. Lomu is only a redshirt sophomore this year. If he does declare, his potential likely gets him selected somewhere in the first round. He is an advanced technician for his age. He has a natural kick slide and blocks well on the second level. He isn’t nearly as good of a run defender as his teammate Fano, but is further along in pass protection.
30. Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
Pregnon transferred to Oregon from USC ahead of his final season of college football. It appears to be a great decision, as he is playing the best football of his young career. Pregnon is a high-level pass protector with awareness against stunts and blitzes, active hands, and quick feet. He has only allowed two pressures this season.
31. Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
Ramsey has the versatility to play at free safety or at slot cornerback. He has outstanding instincts, ball skills, and is physical in run support. One of the biggest improvements he has made this year is becoming more reliable as a tackler. In 2024, his missed tackle rate was over 20%. So far in 2025, that number is down to 3.6% on the season.
32. Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
Brazzell has great length at 6’5”. He is a big-play weapon down the field with his ball tracking, body control, straight-line speed, and size. Unlike some previous wide receivers from Tennessee who were strictly downfield weapons, Brazzell can actually run crisp routes and be a weapon in the intermediate game.
33. Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama
Some people still view Proctor as a top fifteen player in this class overall. They are also bullish on thinking he can stick at offensive tackle. To me, this is a day two offensive guard. While he is a good athlete overall for his size, he just doesn’t have the foot speed to stick at tackle. Currently weighing around 370 pounds, he also needs to lose some weight for durability purposes. I have compared him to the mountain from Game of Thrones. He can get beat with speed, has massive size, and needs to get his hands on you to be effective.
34. Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
Abney has impressive footwork and change-of-direction ability. He has displayed good ball skills and the ability to smother opposing receivers down the field. He is willing and capable as a run defender. He hasn’t missed a tackle at all in 2025.
35. A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon
Washington is more flash and potential right now than anything else. While I would like to see more consistency as a run defender, he has tremendous size at 6’3”, 338 pounds. He has rare athleticism at that size, being a member of the Feldman Freak List. Notable numbers included 36” vertical jump, clocking almost 21 miles per hour max speed on the GPS, and bench pressing 475 pounds. If he can turn the flashes into more production down the stretch, he could sneak into the back end of the first round.
36. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Boston has great size at 6’4”, 209 pounds. He is much more than just a contested catch guy, though. He displays toughness over the middle of the field, possesses strong hands, and is more athletic than expected for his size. He even returns punts for the Huskies. He lines up in the slot 20% of the time. That type of versatility is why he should be a top fifty draft selection this year.
37. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
McNeil-Warren is going to be the next Toledo Rocket defensive player to be drafted to play in the NFL. He has excellent length, quick reactionary time, and nine career forced fumbles. Having almost identical coverage and run defense grades around 90.0 on the season per PFF.
38. Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Hill is a versatile player in the front seven. He can line up at off-ball linebacker or play on the edge. In three seasons at Texas, he has already accumulated 17 sacks. He is relentless in pursuit and a physical finisher. While coverage has not been his best attribute, he has shown improvement this season.
39. Matayo Uiagalelei, DE, Oregon
Uiagalelei had double-digit sacks last season, but he has only had four so far this year. That is not completely unexpected. When looking at his pressure numbers over the summer, he converted an unusually high number of pressures (31) to sacks (10.5). Those numbers have come back down to earth with the 4 sacks on 27 pressures. Originally a tight end recruit, there is still a lot of upside for Uiagalelei. He is a relentless effort player who has worked hard to learn the nuances of playing defensive end.
40. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Concepcion is a dynamic weapon as a returner, receiver down the field, and on screens and reverses. Basically, get the ball in his hands and let him go to work. The transfer from North Carolina State has been tremendous for the Aggies in 2025. He has over 600 yards receiving and eight touchdowns already this year.
41. R. Mason Thomas, DE, Oklahoma
Thomas is an undersized pass rusher for the Sooners. He may ultimately be limited to just a defensive pass-rusher specialist role in the NFL. Those players are still valuable. He has tremendous explosiveness off the snap, bend around the edge, and closing speed to chase down the quarterback or running back. He has a 34% win-rate on true pass sets so far during the 2025 season, which is among the highest in the country.
42. Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Banks has been out injured for the majority of the 2025 season. If it wasn’t for that, he would likely be even higher in my rankings. In two games toward the end of the season last year, he showed what type of disruptive presence he could be from the interior. Against LSU, Banks recorded nine pressures. The following week, against Ole Miss, he added another six. Those are incredible numbers for any pass rusher, let alone a defensive tackle. He gives tremendous effort for a guy who is 6’6” and 334 pounds. He moves well at that size, as well. This is a high-risk, high-reward type of prospect.
43. Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo
Shaun Dolac went undrafted last year out of Buffalo. He is playing like a defensive rookie of the year candidate for the Rams. I can’t see teams making the same mistake with Murdock this year. He is a tenacious hitter. He reminds me of Vontaze Burfict at the linebacker position. A downhill thumper that broke the NCAA record with 17 career forced fumbles. He has the instincts at the position that just cannot be taught. While likely not to be the greatest tester, he flat-out knows how to play linebacker.
44. Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
A player I had been reluctant to move to the 2026 class from 2027. He transferred to South Carolina from North Carolina State ahead of the 2025 season. He is one of the faster cornerbacks in the nation. He has allowed just a 40.7% completion rate against him so far this season. That ability to cover one-on-one is the biggest reason he sneaks into my top 50.
45. Caleb Tiernan, OL, Northwestern
Some think he may ultimately need to kick inside due to his 32” arm length. I am not so sure about that. He plays with great patience, technique, and blocks well at the second level. Regardless of the position he ends up playing, he feels like a guy who will start for ten years in the NFL.
46. Justice Haynes, RB, Michigan
While Haynes is currently missing some time with a right foot injury, his performance in the first couple of months of the season cannot be ignored. Running for 7.1 yards per carry, 857 yards, and 10 touchdowns in just seven games played. Haynes is a decisive runner with good short-yardage power who showcased his ability to hit the big play this year for the Wolverines. His father, Verron, was also an NFL running back. Haynes is an ascending talent that should be drafted sometime in the second round this year.
47. Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
Reported to have an over 34” arm length, World has plenty of potential at the tackle position. My biggest issue has been the lack of consistency this season. A former basketball player with quick feet, he needs to play his best football as the Ducks get ready for postseason play. If he can do so, he will remain in consideration within the top fifty draft selections.
48. Anthony Smith, DE, Minnesota
Smith has a massive frame at 6’6” and 285 pounds. While he has been a stout player against the run, it is his improved ability rushing the passer that could move him up draft boards. He has already set career highs with 33 pressures and 8.5 sacks on the season. Possesses good speed to power, strong hands, alignment versatility, and good athleticism for his size.
49. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Thieneman was a highly sought-after transfer from Purdue this season. He ultimately chose the Oregon Ducks. His production hasn’t jumped off the page this year, but he is a versatile piece in the secondary. He is a willing and capable tackler on the back end of a defense. I wish he had better eye discipline. He also takes some funky pursuit angles at times. I do expect he will test well, which could ultimately move him higher up draft boards.
50. Logan Jones, OC, Iowa
Former wrestlers who are offensive linemen from Iowa are typically good bets to have some success in the NFL. He isn’t quite the prospect that Tyler Linderbaum was (not many are), but he is a good player who should be a ten-year starting center in the league. Jones was originally recruited to play defensive tackle. Going against Linderbaum was one of the reasons he decided to make the switch to the other side of the ball. Jones has only allowed three pressures on the season, while facing the likes of A’Mauri Washington, Bear Alexander, and Domonique Orange already this season.
Players that are just outside the top 50: Monroe Freeling (OT) Georgia, LT Overton (DE) Alabama, Chris Johnson (CB) San Diego State, Ja’Kobi Lane (WR) USC, Cayden Green (OL) Missouri, AJ Harris (CB) Penn State, Antonio Williams (WR) Clemson, Zion Young (DE) Missouri, Jermaine Mathews (CB) Ohio State, Lee Hunter (DT) Texas Tech
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