As the 2026 college football season draws near, analysts and fans are already pinpointing a handful of athletes who could reshape the narrative on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Contenders
Leading the conversation is Texas quarterback Arch Manning, whose +750 Heisman odds and projected No. 1 overall pick status in the 2027 NFL Draft have turned him into a focal point of preseason discussion. The quarterback pool also features Oregon’s Dante Moore, who completed 71.8% of his passes for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns, Oklahoma State’s freshman phenom Drew Mestemaker, who led the nation with 4,379 passing yards, and Julian Sayin of Ohio State, another +1100 Heisman candidate who threw for 3,610 yards and 32 scores. Adding to the mix, Ole Miss signal‑caller Trinidad Chambliss posted 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
Running back depth is equally compelling. Kewan Lacy of Ole Miss surged for 1,564 yards and 24 touchdowns, with 64% of his yards coming after contact, while Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy topped the nation’s rushers with 1,649 yards and 16 scores. Louisville’s Isaac Brown added 884 yards and seven touchdowns in just nine games, and Oklahoma State’s Caleb Hawkins compiled 1,434 yards and 25 touchdowns. UCLA’s Wayne Knight forced 101 missed tackles en route to 1,373 yards and nine scores.
Edge rushers are set to make noise as well. Texas’s Colin Simmons recorded 12 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and 53 pressures, while Miami’s Damon Wilson generated 54 pressures, nine sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. Michigan’s John Henry Daley earned a 93.4 PFF pass‑rush grade and 11.5 sacks, and South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart posted a 90.2 PFF pass‑rush grade.
At receiver and tight end, Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith caught 87 passes for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns, Miami’s Malachi Toney gathered 109 receptions for 1,211 yards and 10 scores, and LSU’s Trey’Dez Green contributed 33 catches for 433 yards and seven touchdowns.
Defensively, Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore accumulated seven career interceptions and consistently high PFF coverage grades, while LSU safety Ty Benefield posted 107 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss.
The convergence of Heisman hopefuls, record‑breaking rushers and disruptive pass rushers suggests that the upcoming season could see a dramatic shift in power balances, making these 20 players ones to watch as the schedule unfolds.