Pro Football Focus has just released its eagerly anticipated Top 50 list for the 2026 college football season, a snapshot of the players who are expected to shape the narrative on Saturdays next fall.
At the very summit sits Ohio State’s rising star Jeremiah Smith, whose two‑year production of 163 receptions, 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns has already turned heads. His 15.7 yards per catch underscores a blend of size, speed and route precision that few can match.
Who Made the Cut?
Close behind, Notre Dame’s defensive stalwart Leonard Moore has earned the distinction of being the top defender on the list, posting 79 tackles, two tackles for loss, seven interceptions and 18 pass break‑ups over the past two seasons.
Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons follows, his 91 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss and 21 sacks painting a picture of a pass‑rush threat that could redefine the Longhorns’ front line.
Quarterback play is also well represented. Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, ranked fourth overall, threw for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns and a FBS‑leading 77 % completion rate, while Miami’s sophomore sensation Malachi Toney cracked the top five with 109 catches for 1,211 yards and ten scores.
Running back rankings highlight Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy, who amassed 256 carries for 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns, while Oregon’s Carter Smith leads the way among offensive linemen, ranking in the top ten for both run and pass blocking metrics.
The list also offers a glimpse at future NFL prospects. Texas quarterback Arch Manning, listed as a top‑10 player but QB3 in PFF’s own hierarchy, finished with 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns and a 61.4 % completion rate, adding 399 rushing yards and ten rushing scores.
Other notable names include Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy, who topped the top‑10 running back slot with 306 carries for 1,567 yards and 24 touchdowns, and Indiana’s Carter Smith, whose blocking prowess placed him among the nation’s elite linemen.
Beyond individual stats, the rankings serve as a barometer for how the 2026 season could unfold, influencing Heisman conversations, draft projections and the overall competitive balance across conferences.