Ranking college football’s best newcomer classes
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Top recruits: DE Rodney Dunham, CB Khary Adams, S Joey O’Brien, RB Javian Osborne
Only a handful of freshmen project to play in 2026, and these seem to have the best paths. Dunham is a long, physical edge with early down run chops and developing pass‑rush traits that should help him find his way into the defensive line rotation and provide needed quality depth. Adams projects into the corner/nickel mix as a long, competitive cover man who can press and mirror in space. O’Brien can crack the safety two‑deep and should contribute on special teams and subpackages with his range and ball‑hawking instincts. As they work to replace one of the best running backs in college football in Jeremiyah Love, Osborne projects into the backfield rotation as a compact, physical runner who fits short‑yardage and downhill work while offering some receiving ability out of the backfield.
Transfers: WR Quincy Porter, DT Francis Brewu, DT Tionne Gray, DE Keon Keeley, CB Jayden Sanders
Notre Dame added veteran help where it was needed. Porter is a boundary/vertical target with contested‑catch ability and should be part of the wide receiver rotation immediately. Brewu and Gray upgrade the interior rotation. Brewu is a stout, powerful tackler who stacks blocks and controls the point of attack. Gray is an active, penetrating interior presence who can collapse pockets. Keeley, a one-time Notre Dame commit during the 2023 cycle, has not met his former five-star status, but he still brings big, explosive edge traits to the end rotation with initial burst and power against the run. Sanders comes with proven cover instincts and the ability to handle the physical demands of ACC/Power 4 receivers. All five are expected to be in the 2026 rotation and give the Irish experienced, NFL‑caliber help up front and in the secondary.
Top recruits: RB KJ Edwards, WR Aaron Gregory, WR Madden Williams, Edge Bryce Perry‑Wright, CB Brandon Arrington
The key freshman to watch is Edwards who projects into the running back rotation as Le’Veon Moss moves on. Edwards, a smaller, explosive, change‑of‑pace back can complement Rueben Owens II with versatility and perimeter quickness. Gregory and Williams project into the receiver rotation. Gregory is more of an outside target with vertical juice, while Williams is a slot receiver with the speed and skills to create after the catch. Perry‑Wright can work his way into the defensive end rotation and brings length and twitch off the edge. He’s the kind of high‑ceiling freshman rusher who can be worked into third‑down packages while he fills out physically.
Transfers: WR Isaiah Horton, CB Rickey Gibson III, Edge Anto Saka, OT Wilkin Formby, OG Trovon Baugh, S Tawfiq Byard, OL Coen Echols, OL Tyree Adams
Mike Elko hit the portal to add proven SEC/Power 4 production at premium spots. Horton joins the receiver rotation as a 6‑4, 208‑pound boundary target from Alabama. He’s a big‑catch playmaker with excellent body control and ball skills who can win jump balls and work the deep middle. Gibson, a quick‑twitch cover corner from Tennessee, is a sticky man defender with instincts and physicality who can be a matchup player on the outside. Up front, Saka has relentless edge energy as an experienced pass rusher who wins more with effort and leverage than elite bend. The Aggies have to replace multiple starters along their offensive line and brought in several transfers to try and do that. Formby and Baugh will bring plug‑and‑play experience on the offensive line. On the back end, Byard steps into the safety rotation after leading Colorado in tackles. He’s a versatile safety with range, instincts and eight TFLs in 2025 — exactly the kind of do‑it‑all presence Elko likes in his scheme.
Top recruits: OT Immanuel Iheanacho, TE‑Y Kendre’ Harrison, RB Tradarian Ball, WR Jalen Lott, S Jett Washington
Oregon’s 2026 class is loaded with immediate-impact talent and upside. Immanuel Iheanacho is the consensus anchor up front and at 6-7, he has rare power and surprisingly fluid movement for a prospect his size. The Ducks’ strength and conditioning program should help him manage his weight. While Oregon doesn’t have an immediately glaring need along the offensive line, he can contribute in Year 1 at tackle or guard and step into a starting role if needed. The Ducks needed depth at tight end and Harrison projects as an on‑the‑line, Y/TE mismatch at 6‑6, 250 pounds. He has an exceptional catch radius and is a seam threat on play‑action and red zone looks. Ball adds explosive, shift‑the‑field ability in space and should work into the backfield/return rotation as a gadget and perimeter weapon. Lott gives the Ducks a polished, slippery perimeter target with suddenness and yards-after-catch upside in quick‑game and vertical packages. Each is on a fast track to rotational snaps in 2026.
Transfers: QB Dylan Raiola, S Koi Perich, TE‑H Andrew Olesh, DT D’Antre Robinson
Oregon supplemented youth with portal players who fit its scheme. Raiola completed 72.4% of his passes in 2025 and can operate the offense’s intermediate and deep windows and move the pocket when needed. Dante Moore‘s return in 2026 blunted the impact of this addition, but for a team with national title aspirations, a quality backup quarterback still brings great value. Perich nicely addressed an immediate hole in their secondary and is a rangy, playmaking safety who can patrol the deep middle and has the athleticism to match modern slot threats (128 tackles, four PDs, six interceptions). Olesh projects as a plus H/TE in heavy packages. He’s a smooth mover with good hands who can stretch seams and sustain blocks in the run game. Robinson adds interior disruption to the defensive line rotation with power and gap‑shooting ability (5.5 TFLs, two sacks). The Ducks were not overly active in the transfer portal but made enough additions to remain in the national title hunt.
Top recruits: OT Jackson Cantwell, S J.J. Dunnigan, TE-Y Gavin Mueller
On a veteran, portal-heavy roster, a few freshmen still have a real path to snaps in 2026. Cantwell is a massive and powerful presence with the agility to handle ACC edge rushers. The five-star looks poised to take over for departing right tackle and former 2023 five-star Francis Mauigoa, who also started his freshman year. Dunnigan could crack the two-deep depth chart at free safety and should contribute on special teams and in sub packages early, with the range and frame to grow into a full-time back-end starter as older safeties move on. Mueller, a bit of football late bloomer, has shown impressive strides. He initially excelled as a blocker and has become a more well-rounded player who can work his way into the tight end rotation in more multiple-TE looks and can block and threaten the seams.
Transfers: QB Darian Mensah, DE Damon Wilson II, S Omar Thornton, WR Cooper Barkate, WR Vandrevius Jacobs
Miami once again leaned on the portal at premium spots. Mensah steps in as the projected starter at quarterback after an ACC title season at Duke, bringing proven production — 3,951 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and just six interceptions in 2025 — and the poise to operate Miami’s wide-open passing game. The Hurricanes also added some targets, including a familiar one in Barkate, who also comes over from Duke, and Jacobs, who could provide some downfield big-play potential. On defense, Wilson gives the Canes a true edge threat, arriving from Missouri with 15.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks and the first-step explosiveness to finish off a much deeper front. Thornton could slide straight into the safety rotation after transferring from Boston College with 110 career tackles, one pass breakup and one interception. He offers a physical, experienced presence to play in the box or over the top and let the staff be aggressive.
Top recruits: RB Savion Hiter, WR Salesi Moa, WR Travis Johnson, DE Titan Davis, DE Carter Meadows, CB Jamarion Vincent
Michigan doesn’t need a huge freshman class to play right away, but this group has some additions tracking toward meaningful roles in 2026. Hiter projects into the running back rotation as a downhill, lead-back type who fits the Wolverines’ physical run game. Moa and Johnson both project into the receiver rotation. Moa, who jumped from Utah after initially signing with the Utes, offers versatility outside (and in the secondary, if needed). Johnson, who has a 6‑foot-4 frame, can win 50‑50 balls on vertical routes and in the red zone passing game. Davis and Meadows are expected to be part of the edge rotation as long, high‑motor defensive ends who can hold the point and rush the passer behind established starters. Davis might be a little more equipped to play sooner, but Meadows can find success in a situational role and brings tremendous upside. Vincent, a long, competitive DB who fits the staff’s preference for bigger, physical corners, should be in the nickel/corner mix.
Transfers: DE John Henry Daley, CB Smith Snowden, TE JJ Buchanan, WR Jaime Ffrench
Michigan went quality over quantity in the portal and hit on some impact players who project to be in the 2026 rotation. Daley is a plug‑and‑play edge rusher in the defensive end rotation. He’s a very productive and stout run defender who holds gap integrity, destroys blocks and wins with power and hustle more than pure bend. Snowden steps into the nickel/corner rotation as a proven ball hawk; he was a two‑year starter who led Utah in passes defended (17 over two seasons) and tallied four interceptions, and he can line up outside or over the slot. Buchanan projects as a top H-back in the passing rotation. He was one of Utah’s leading freshman receivers with great height, ball skills and jump ball ability up the seam, though he’s still developing as a blocker. All three have familiarity with new coach Kyle Whittingham after following him from Utah. Ffrench, a former SC Next 300 receiver who saw limited action at Texas, slots into the receiver rotation as a solid pass catcher with strong hands, body control and contested‑catch skills. Collectively, they upgrade Michigan at several spots as the Wolverines begin a new era.
Top recruits: OT Keenyi Pepe, DE Luke Wafle, WR Ethan Feaster, CB Elbert Hill, TE-H Mark Bowman, OLB Talanoa Ili, DT Jaimeon Winfield, DT Tomuhini Topui
USC is leaning more on its top-ranked high school class, though its group is boosted by some strong portal additions. The Trojans’ work along the defensive line was a key factor in landing the No. 1 high school class in 2026. Expect several freshmen to play roles right away. Wafle was a standout during the All-America games and finished the cycle as a college-ready five-star. Winfield and local product Topui (Mater Dei) are big-time additions in the heart of the trenches, an area where USC needed to get better. Topui is a 300-pounder with excellent quickness and the type of player USC has previously struggled to keep at home. A physical presence, Ili is in the middle linebacker rotation. Bowman is one of the top tight ends in the class, and he could see a significant role as a capable blocker who also can create mismatches in the passing game. Addressing some key losses at receiver, Feaster offers another dynamic young option in the passing game and someone to watch in that receiver room. USC might not need Pepe to step into a starting role, but he is a massive 6-foot-7, 320-pound presence with rare athleticism who could push for playing time.
Transfers: CB Jontez Williams, WR Terrell Anderson, OLB Zuriah Fisher, DT Alex VanSumeren, TE Tucker Ashcraft, LB Deven Bryant
USC peppered the roster with experienced, Power 4-ready talent. Williams was arguably the biggest addition. Healthy once again, he’ll likely start at corner and brings proven coverage skills, logging 67 tackles, 10 passes defended and five interceptions over 32 games at Iowa State. Anderson is a productive receiver with 53 career receptions, 787 yards and six touchdowns at NC State. With Makai Lemon off to the NFL, Anderson can cover some of the lost production and help stretch the field. On defense, Fisher is a disruptive edge defender from Penn State with 42 tackles, seven TFLs and 5.5 sacks who will bolster the pass rush. VanSumeren seems poised start at nose tackle, providing a stout, experienced presence from Michigan State with 79 tackles, 4.5 TFLs and three sacks in the middle of the defensive line. He should allow the talented freshmen — Winfield and Topui — to ease in and get their feet wet as the season progresses.
Top recruits: WR Tristen Keys, WR Tyreek King, QB‑DT Faizon Brandon, DE Jordan Carter, DB Joel Wyatt, OL Gabriel Osenda
At the time, landing a commitment from Brandon was a key quarterback addition in the wake of Nico Iamaleava‘s departure to UCLA. That remains the case now that the Vols need to replace Joey Aguilar, who was denied another year of eligibility. Brandon blends arm strength with good accuracy and nice touch on his deep ball. Tennessee has more experienced options, but Brandon is someone to watch and could ultimately work his way into packages even if he doesn’t win the starting job. While the quarterback situation is unclear, the Vols’ 2026 class supplies some playmakers who can factor into the rotation quickly. Keys is a high‑end perimeter target with length and body control who projects into the outside receiver rotation and red zone packages. King is quick, runs good routes and has big-play speed. Carter Gooden, a savvy high school defensive lineman with active hands, and Carter, who provides an option with bend and burst, could both earn situational snaps as they physically develop.
Transfers: Edge Chaz Coleman, CB Kayin Lee, S T.J. Metcalf, LB Amare Campbell, DT Xavier Gilliam, S Dejuan Lane
Tennessee’s portal class injects proven playmakers. Coleman is an explosive pass rusher who can bend the edge, slip blocks and convert speed to power. He showed early production at Penn State, and he projects as a third‑down threat and rotational edge rusher with still longer-term upside (3 TFLs, one sack). Lee is a physical, Cover 2 boundary corner who reroutes at the line, closes quickly and sets the edge versus the run, which is ideal for press‑heavy matchups (17 pass breakups, three interceptions). With needs at safety, Metcalf is a tall, violent tackler with ball hawk instincts and range in zone. Lane is a player to watch coming over from Penn State and is familiar with new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ scheme from their time with the Nittany Lions. Campbell brings downhill tackling and gap‑fitting and pass‑rush chops after leading the Nittany Lions in tackles and projects as a high‑motor, every-down, off‑ball option. Gilliam is a disruptive interior defender with a quick first step, active hands and the ability to penetrate gaps and collapse the pocket.
Top recruits: DE Jake Kreul, RB Jonathan Hatton, WR Daniel Odom, WR Jayden Petit, DE/OLB Dane Bathurst
Oklahoma’s 2026 class got off to a slow start but picked up steam in late summer and ultimately added some dynamic playmakers and high-upside talent. Kreul, a five-star edge defender, brings an explosive first step, good bend and a relentless motor that should earn rotational snaps in 2026 and even further strengthen the Sooners D-line. Bathurst, a player with a good burst and active hands, seems like another addition who will be tough to keep off the field with his versatility as DE/OLB. Jacob Curry was an intriguing add, and as a player who tested well on the camp circuit, he could be a valuable special teams contributor out the gate. For a receiver unit that will have several new faces, Odom, a 6-foot-2 target with length and polished routes, projects into the rotation as a vertical threat. Petit is another freshman receiver who could work his way in the mix; a big target at roughly 6-foot-4, he was a very productive high school player who set Southwest Florida’s all-time career receiving mark. Looking to bolster the Sooners’ rushing attack, Hatton is someone to watch in the running back mix, as he is big and physical and offers an excellent blend of size (200 pounds) and speed (21 mph on film).
Transfers: WR Trell Harris, WR Parker Livingstone, OT E’Marion Harris, TE Hayden Hansen, TE Jack Van Dorselaer
Oklahoma hit the portal to bring in immediate starters and proven Power 4 depth. Trell Harris is a productive veteran from Virginia who can create underneath, take the top off coverage and win 50-50 balls with strong hands and physical yards after catch (113 career receptions, 1,604 yards, nine touchdowns), and he should start. Livingstone, coming from Texas, also helps rebuild that position as a speedy, 6-foot-4 target with great hands and route-running skills who stretches the field and tracks the deep ball exceptionally well (29 career receptions, 516 yards, 6 touchdowns). On the offensive line, E’Marion Harris is the projected starter at right tackle. He started 24 games at Arkansas, bringing an impressive 6-foot-7, 313-pound frame, long arms and the ability to mirror pass rushers with sound technique. Hansen (from Florida) and Van Dorselaer (Tennessee) add critical depth and competition to the tight end room as well as pass-catching upside and blocking versatility.
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Jesse Palmer rips the current state of college football and offers solutions for paying players and tweaking the transfer portal.
Top recruits: ATH Davion Brown, RB Messiah Mickens, QB Troy Huhn, OT Thomas Wilder, CB Amauri Polydor
Coach James Franklin wasted no time earning a top-25 recruiting class after arriving in Blacksburg and brought in a lot of familiar faces. Brown is a multiple‑tool athlete who projects as a gadget slot/return weapon and special teams playmaker. Mickens fits the backfield rotation as a compact, one‑cut runner with contact balance and third‑down receiving chops. Huhn is not likely to start, but as a dual-threat QB, he can push the position and work into packages as a high‑ceiling option. With an O-line rebuild, Wilder gives Virginia Tech tackle depth with the size and movement to grow into a Power 4 starter. Polydor brings length and physicality at corner with immediate special‑teams upside and a path into the nickel/boundary mix.
Transfers: QB Ethan Grunkemeyer, TE Luke Reynolds, WR Que’Sean Brown, DE Javion Hilson, OLB Daniel Jennings, OL Logan Howland
Virginia Tech’s portal class is built for instant, scheme‑fit upgrades. Grunkemeyer is a rhythm/timing passer who finished strong at Penn State. He threw for 1,348 yards and had nine total touchdowns in 2025, and his arm strength, pocket instincts and competitiveness should immediately stabilize the Hokies’ quarterback room. Reynolds is a prototypical H/TE mismatch (35 catches, 368 yards at Penn State) who finds seams against zone defenses, wins jump balls and blocks enough to be trusted inline on play‑action and heavy personnel packages. Brown is a quick slot and return weapon who turns short throws into explosive gains with soft hands and elite body control (105 career catches, 1,291 yards, seven touchdowns). On defense, Hilson adds rotational edge power after transferring from Missouri, and Jennings brings versatile off‑ball linebacker play in coverage and the box.
Top recruits: TE‑H Kaiden Prothro, CB Justice Fitzpatrick, OT Ekene Ogboko, S Zechariah Fort
Kirby Smart’s 2026 class adds size and matchup weapons that can play early. Prothro is a long, athletic hybrid WR/TE and can be a seam and red zone target with the length to win jump balls. Whether he’s utilized more in a role like Brock Bowers or a George Pickens, Prothro has a rare blend of physical tools and can bring immediate playmaking potential regardless of position. Fitzpatrick is a rangy boundary corner with the size/speed profile. Ogboko’s length at tackle, coupled with his mobility, makes him the most likely freshman to crack the rotation. Fort is a physical, rangy safety who can help in run support and the deep middle.
Transfers: DE Amaris Williams, S Khalil Barnes, WR Isiah Canion
Georgia used the portal to add immediate, complementary players. Williams brings explosive power and early bend to the rotation and should be a situational rush threat. Barnes is one of several notable defensive backs arriving via the portal to help replace productive depth lost after the season. He’s a big‑frame safety/box defender with range who adds depth and versatility. Canion, jumping over from Georgia Tech, is a big, physical receiver with great hands and route running skills. He averaged 14.5 yards per catch in 2025 and could be a breakout addition.
Top recruits: WR Brady Marchese, LB Jaquez Wilkes,
Transfers will play a key role in shaping Auburn’s transition to the Alex Golesh era, but the Tigers still managed to collect a good foundation of young talent who could push for playing time in 2026. Marchese leads a group of young receivers who could find a role. He has big-play speed, strong hands and playmaking ability at all three levels. With Auburn’s needs at receiver, Marchese is most likely to get the first chance to crack that mix. Along the front seven, Wilkes is in the mix at linebacker and brings rare production and versatility out of high school, where he was a 2,000‑yard rusher and 100‑tackle defender as a senior. Wilkes has the range, instincts and toughness to grow into an every‑down SEC linebacker.
Transfers: QB Byrum Brown, RB Bryson Washington, CB Andre Jordan, DE Da’Shawn Womack, WR Keshaun Singleton, WR Jeremiah Koger, OT Stanton Ramil, OL Cole Best
The Tigers dealt with a great deal of roster turnover and were quite active in the portal following a coaching change. Golesh unsurprisingly secured some familiar talent from South Florida, his previous job, including arguably the most vital addition, Byrum Brown, who is a proven dual‑threat quarterback after a 2025 season with 3,158 passing yards, 1,008 rushing yards and 42 total touchdowns. He’s an unorthodox, yet highly productive and dynamic playmaker with a strong arm, poise and the ability to extend and finish plays with his legs. Brown has already shown he is an ideal fit for Golesh’s up-tempo attack. Singleton should help replenish Auburn’s lost production at receiver. He’s a big, reliable target with a wide catch radius. The 6-foot-3 Koger also has plenty of length and flashed as a freshman with South Florida. He should help in 2026 but also has long-term potential. Washington is a Baylor transfer who could headline Auburn’s running back rotation. He’s a strong, downhill runner who runs behind his pads, bounces off first contact and also brings pass‑catching skills out of the backfield, where he has 339 career carries for 1,861 yards along with 41 catches. Jordan is a Power 4 corner who can plug directly into the rotation, bringing size, athleticism and experience in coverage and special teams (28 games, 57 tackles, 15 pass breakups).
Top recruits: WR Jabari Brady, DT Tajh Overton, DE DeMarcus Johnson (JUCO)
Missouri’s transfer additions across the offensive line should address its initial need at the position. Still, big men lead the Tigers’ high school haul, and there will be opportunity for SC Next 300 offensive linemen Johnnie Jones and Brandon Anderson. Both are talented enough to work their way into the mix, even if they’re more likely big-picture additions. At receiver, Brady is a 6-foot-2 vertical target with a massive catch radius who can work outside and in the slot, providing a contested‑catch option with yards-after-catch potential. Overton brings raw power and initial quickness to the defensive front and could carve out rotational snaps for a position short on experience. The biggest impact add likely comes via the junior college route in Johnson, the No. 2 prospect in the JC50.
Transfers: QB Austin Simmons, LB Robert Woodyard Jr., OL Josh Atkins, WR Horatio Fields, WR Cayden Lee, OG Zack Owens, DL Donta Simpson, OL Luke Work, K Bruno Reus, WR Caleb Goodie
After one season with Beau Pribula at the helm, the Tigers are starting over at quarterback. Simmons seems poised to step into the starting role in 2026. He arrives with some SEC experience and is a big‑armed passer who won the 2025 job at Ole Miss to start the season. Simmons can drive the field vertically and stabilize the quarterback room while developing timing with new targets. One of those new targets will be a familiar face in Lee, who can provide instant chemistry in the slot/perimeter as a shifty, elusive pass‑catcher who knows Simmons’ game from their time at Ole Miss and has 106 career catches for 1,623 yards.
With Josiah Trotter leaving for the NFL, Woodyard is a key addition. He’s a plug-and-play type with Power 4 starting experience; he made 11 starts and played 560 snaps at Auburn. Missouri added several offensive linemen who could play key roles, including Owens, who is well-traveled and bolsters interior guard depth with power and 11 games of starting experience. The defensive line lost quite a bit of experience inside, but Simpson, a 2025 three-star, jumps over from Miami having shown some potential as a freshman. Simpson should play a role in Mizzou’s rotation this season.
Top recruits: S Matt Sieg, CB Vincent Smith, OT Kevin Brown, RB Amari Latimer, WR Landon Drumm, WR Kedrick Triplett (JUCO), Keon Hutchins (JUCO)
With a full year to work, Rich Rodriguez signed a huge class that is more in line with his vision for rebuilding the roster. West Virginia left no stone unturned, dipping into the high school and junior college ranks as well as the transfer portal. Its freshman class appears to have several quick contributors. SC Next 300 signees Sieg and Brown were huge finds, and fans shouldn’t have to wait long to see them. Both former Penn State commits, Brown is the son of a former Mountaineers offensive lineman and is a big, flexible player who could be a plug-and-play option at one of the tackle spots. Sieg is a rangy, instinctive back‑end defender but could find his way on the field in a variety of ways in all three phases. Smith, a big corner at nearly 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, brings physicality and enough quickness to compete for boundary/nickel snaps as he refines his coverage technique. Latimer is a well‑built back with size and speed who can push for carries over time. Drumm projects as an outside receiver with length and ball skills.
Transfers: RB Cam Cook, QB Michael Hawkins Jr., OL Carsten Casady, DB Jacob Bradford, DE Tobi Haastrup, WR TaRon Francis, DE Ezekiel Durham-Campbell, LB Tyler Stolsky
Cook arrives as a true feature‑back candidate. He has played in 34 career games with 19 starts, amassing 2,177 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns on 430 carries at TCU and Jacksonville State. He’s a shifty, elusive runner with burst through the hole and deceptive power to break first contact, and he rarely leaves yards on the field. Cook should give a young running backs room a proven, productive anchor for 2026. Finding consistency at quarterback will be a key, and while returner Scotty Fox will have a say, Hawkins comes over from Oklahoma with game experience and could be the one to seize that QB1 role. The offensive line needed an overhaul, and several players, including Casady, could help overhaul the line. Many more transfers will play a role, and while there are many new faces, we feel the Mountaineers improved their roster for 2026.
Top recruits: DE Elijah Reeder, OT Mason Bandhauer, DE Jackson Ford
The Nittany Lions’ 2026 class disintegrated during the coaching change, so it will be impressive if Matt Campbell finds any immediate production from his rebuilt class. Penn State did land two talented defensive players who could work their way into the mix as the season unfolds. Reeder was a late hidden gem pickup by Iowa State whom Campbell brought over to Penn State. He has burst, bend and an aggressive motor, and he could find a situational pass rush role as he further develops physically. Ford wore several hats in high school, including tight end and covering kicks. As a prospect with good size and versatility on a roster with a lot of turnover, he could easily find a role. Bandhauer can add depth as interior option because he can get push in the run game, but time to further develop would serve him well.
Transfers: QB Rocco Becht, S Marcus Neal Jr., TE Benjamin Brahmer, LB Caleb Bacon, S Jeremiah Cooper, OL Brock Riker, RB Carson Hansen, RB James Peoples, WR Chase Sowell
The Nittany Lions added proven production, especially from Iowa State, bringing along several former Cyclones contributors who should provide immediate impact in 2026. Becht is the headliner at quarterback. He’s a high‑volume, multiyear starter with 9,274 passing yards and 64 touchdowns over three seasons. He’s a quick processor who beats zone defenses with timing and touch, and his running ability (19 rushing touchdowns) is underrated. Tight ends will play a key role in this offense, and Brahmer is a big addition as a seam-stretching TE/H who can win jump balls (37 catches, 446 yards), block effectively and even serve as a Wildcat option. Riker adds veteran interior line presence. Defensively, Neal is a physical safety/box‑hybrid (77 tackles, 11 TFLs), and a healthy Cooper can step in as a starter and adds ball‑hawking range. In the short term, Bacon is a plug‑and‑play off‑ball linebacker with strong run‑fit instincts and a high motor. Bacon’s a great example of Campbell’s ability to identify under-the-radar talent after he walked on at Iowa State.
Top recruits: CB Chauncey Kennon, LB Izayia Williams, WR Devin Carter, WR Brandon Bennett, WR Jasen Lopez, TE Xavier Tiller
Florida State’s 2026 class is built around a handful of blue-chip players who can realistically help get the program back to its 2023 standard with Mike Norvell heading into the season on the hot seat. On defense, Kennon is a major in‑state win. He’s a long, rangy corner who can run, press and eventually erase one side of the field when he works into the rotation. Williams adds true sideline‑to‑sideline speed and range to the second level, fitting modern off‑ball demands. At receiver, Carter (the son of former FSU RB Dexter Carter) and Bennett provide explosive short‑area quickness and big‑play ability on the perimeter. Lopez, who is also a talented basketball player, could end up being the breakout addition. Jaden O’Neal, a pocket passer with a smooth delivery, is more likely a long-term option but a QB to watch as a freshman.
Transfers: OT Xavier Chaplin, RB Tre Wisner, LB Chris Jones, QB Ashton Daniels, TE Desirrio Riles, DE Rylan Kennedy, LB Mikai Gbayor, S Ma’Khi Jones
As in the previous two cycles, the Seminoles have been active in the portal as they work to right the ship and get back into playoff contention. A key position will be QB. Daniels, who jumps over from Auburn, started three games late in the 2025 season and showed good returns in a dual-threat role. Wisner, a running back and productive receiver at Texas (66 receptions, 457 receiving yards), is a factor out of the backfield. On the ground, he runs with good pad level and patience. He will also break tackles with balance and effort and arrives with 1,661 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 24 games over the past two seasons. Chaplin is a massive left tackle and two‑year starter who brings size, strength and real upside. His 6‑6, 330‑pound frame and initial quickness let him cover up and seal defenders in the run game and push speed rushers past the pocket as a pass protector. His technique continues to be refined (37 career starts, 2,270 snaps, 11 sacks allowed). Several portal additions should also get plugged in on defense, including, Jones a downhill tackling machine from Southern Miss (179 total tackles, 4.5 sacks) who should step into the middle linebacker job in Tallahassee.
Top recruits: WR Denairius Gray, WR Kenny Darby, CB Andre Clarke
Kentucky’s passing game already needed more explosiveness, and it lost its three most productive receivers from 2025, so there’s plenty of opportunity for Gray and Darby to make early contributions. A four-star, Gray consistently performed well during the high school evaluation process and played for a top program (Chaminade-Madonna) in South Florida. He’s a 6-1 athlete with suddenness, strong hands and good route running. Gray’s ability to create separation and win contested catches should help get him in the mix. Darby is not a pure burner but is a smooth mover who can also develop into a sharp route runner with good hands. Clarke, a former Michigan signee, was a big addition at corner. His excellent length and quickness will be tough to keep on the sideline. Clarke will likely contribute defensively and, at the very least, on special teams.
Transfers: OT Lance Heard, QB Kenny Minchey, C Coleton Price, OT Tegra Tshabola, LB Elijah Barnes, RB C.J. Baxter, WR Nic Anderson
A Tennessee transfer, Heard is a massive 6-foot-6, 330-pound plug-and-play addition with SEC experience (25 career starts) who brings power, length and the feet to mirror speed rushers. Minchey is likely Kentucky’s quarterback answer in 2026. He blends a strong arm and mobility to extend plays, makes off‑platform throws and can run when the pocket breaks down. Price is a seasoned center (30 career starts) who can steady the interior with his recognition of stunts and combo blocks. Tshabola also comes over to help reshape the offensive line. Baxter brings a compact, physical running style and receiving ability out of the backfield. While they signed some freshmen to keep an eye on, Anderson should provide more immediate help for Kentucky’s passing game. He supplies slot/vertical juice and immediate chemistry in the passing game with 50 career catches for 904 yards and 12 touchdowns over four seasons at Oklahoma and LSU, including a 10-touchdown season in 2023. Defensively, Barnes adds linebacker depth with immediate rotational value.
Top recruits: OT Darius Gray, OT Zyon Guiles, DE Julian Walker, DE Keenan Britt, DB/LB J’Zavien Currence, WR Sequel Patterson
South Carolina’s 2026 class quietly adds real SEC traits up front and on the perimeter. Gray and Guiles give the Gamecocks two long, physical tackles to develop. Gray has the feet to grow into a true offensive tackle, while the 6-5, 295‑pound Guiles is a mauler who fits at either tackle or guard. While some time to develop would be ideal, either could end up playing a role as freshman as the Gamecocks push to improve along the offensive line. Gray has elite length and body quickness for his size. On the edge, Walker and Britt bring complementary pass rush tools. Walker was a riser in the final rankings coming off a strong All-American outing and brings length and three‑down upside. Currence is a versatile DB/LB hybrid with the size and range to play in the secondary or slide into the second level in modern sub‑packages. Patterson is a sharp route runner who can separate and produce from the slot.
Transfers: OT Jacarrius Peak, DL Tomiwa Durojaiye, S/NB Quay’sheed Scott OL Emmanuel Poku, DL Kelby Collins
South Carolina was active in the portal with additions and subtractions. Strengthening the offensive line is key, and Peak has plug‑and‑play ability at tackle after starting down the stretch in 2023, all of 2024 at right tackle and then earning first‑team All‑ACC honors at left tackle in 2025. In total, he has started 32 games, played 2,202 snaps and allowed just seven sacks, though an offseason knee injury casts some shadow on his ability to pick things up and quickly work his way into the mix. That makes the addition of Poku, an East Carolina transfer, even more valuable. He could step into a role at guard or possibly tackle. On defense, the well-traveled Durojaiye, who had four previous stops, is a stout, long interior lineman. He was a nice addition coming off a strong year at Illinois, with the pad level, hands and length to hold his gap and enough power to push the pocket (42 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks). Scott adds starting SEC experience and physicality on the back end, projecting into the safety/nickel rotation as a reliable tackler and coverage player who can help right away (23 games, 45 tackles, two pass breakups, one interception).
Top recruits: RB Kaydin Jones, LB Taurean Davis
Oklahoma State’s 2026 high school haul is small but with targeted impact. Two newcomers clearly project to help early. Jones, a running back flip from Kansas, is the headliner. The all‑time leading rusher for Oklahoma power Jenks High School brings a productive, workhorse profile with vision, toughness between the tackles and enough burst to turn creases into chunk gains. He’s a strong candidate to grow into the primary backup behind the transfer backs. On defense, Davis arrives as a top‑10 junior college prospect at linebacker. He’s a physical, downhill presence who can scrape and fill, yet still runs well enough to stay on the field in modern sub‑packages.
Transfers: QB Drew Mestemaker, RB Caleb Hawkins, WR Wyatt Young, WR Chris Barnes, TE Donovan Green, WR Justin Bowick, DL Jerry Lawson, DE Keviyan Huddleston
It’s a restart for a Cowboys program that fell hard after many seasons of consistent success. While the bar is set low (one win in 2025), a rebound with an active transfer class should help pave the way for more success in 2026. New coach Eric Morris brings experience in this area as he rebuilt the North Texas roster and is hitting the ground running to emulate that success in Stillwater. The roster is built around a prolific core of players he already trusts from his time with the Mean Green. A key add is Mestemaker, who led the FBS in passing yards and passing TDs as a redshirt freshman in 2025. He’s a high‑volume distributor with poise, full‑field progression ability and outstanding touch downfield (4,841 career yards, 36 TDs). Hawkins, who is originally from Oklahoma, led the FBS in rushing TDs as a true freshman and is a shifty but powerful back who hugs his blocks and explodes through creases. He rushed for over 1,400 yards last season. In the slot and outside, Young (18.1 yards per catch in 2025) and Barnes, who comes over from Wake Forest, give OSU explosive, multi‑position weapons. Young is a smooth, tackle‑breaking vertical threat, and Barnes is a 4.45‑type all‑purpose playmaker who can turn the quick game and returns into long touchdowns.
