Top Prospects Emerge as College Football Kicks Off

As the 2025 college football season gets underway, the 2026 NFL draft is already generating buzz. ESPN’s expert analysts are making their early predictions, and the consensus is that this class has the potential to be one of the most talented in recent history.

At the forefront of the discussion is the quarterback position, where six players could be drafted in the first round. Arch Manning, the highly touted Texas quarterback, is a prime candidate to be taken in the top five. However, his draft status remains uncertain, as he has yet to confirm whether he will return to school for another season. Manning’s grandfather, Archie Manning, recently told Texas Monthly that Arch would be back at Texas next season, but Arch himself has stated that he is taking things one day at a time.

Manning’s absence would open the door for other top prospects, including LaNorris Sellers of South Carolina and Drew Allar of Penn State. Sellers, who threw 18 touchdowns last season, has the physical traits to be a top pick, with a strong arm and the ability to make plays with his legs. He is also a leader on and off the field, which is a quality that many NFL teams value in their quarterbacks.

Allar, on the other hand, has a strong arm and the ability to make precision throws. He also has the athleticism to extend plays with his feet, which is a valuable asset in the NFL. Penn State’s upgrades at wide receiver should help him step up to another level in 2025, and he is expected to have a breakout season.

Clemson is expected to have a strong showing in the draft, with at least four players potentially being taken in the first round. Defensive tackle Peter Woods and edge rusher T.J. Parker are the top prospects on the Tigers’ defensive line, with Woods being a versatile player who can line up inside or outside. He has incredible strength and the ability to disrupt the opposing offense. Parker, on the other hand, is a sack artist who can beat blockers with speed-to-power.

Quarterback Cade Klubnik and cornerback Avieon Terrell are also expected to be selected in the top 32 picks. Klubnik has the arm to dice up defenses through the air and the legs to move the sticks on the ground, with 36 touchdown passes and only six interceptions last season. Terrell, on the other hand, is a talented cover corner with three picks over two seasons and 12 pass breakups last year.

Penn State is projected to have the most drafted players, with at least 12 Nittany Lions being taken in the 2026 draft. Quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, and wide receivers Kyron Hudson and Trebor Pena are among the top prospects from the Penn State roster. The Big Ten has been a draft factory in recent years, and Penn State is expected to continue that trend.

The safety position is also expected to be a hot commodity in the draft, with Ohio State’s Caleb Downs being projected as the highest-drafted safety since 2010. Downs is a physical freak, with the size, speed, and athleticism to be a top-five pick. He has the ability to make plays in the box and in the secondary, and his instincts and football IQ are among the best in the class.

Other top prospects include running back Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame, who is expected to be taken in the top 10. Love has all the traits that scouts want to see to take a running back this early, with burst both inside and outside, the ability to break tackles and create yards after contact, and the vision and breakaway speed to hit home runs.

Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. could be the highest-drafted Texas defender in over 20 years, with a strong chance of going in the top 10. He has the size, speed, and athleticism to be a top linebacker prospect, with 111 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks last season.

In addition to the individual prospects, the 2026 NFL draft is expected to have a strong FCS presence, with North Dakota State receiver Bryce Lance, Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings, and William & Mary cornerback Jalen Jones all being considered top prospects. Lance, who is the brother of former NFL quarterback Trey Lance, had a breakout season with 75 catches for 1,071 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024. Demmings, on the other hand, is a hard-working and instinctive football player who made plays on the ball with five picks and 26 pass defenses over the past three seasons.

The 2026 NFL draft is shaping up to be one for the ages, with a talented crop of prospects that could make a significant impact in the NFL. As the season gets underway, teams and analysts will continue to monitor the performances of these top prospects, and the draft will begin to take shape.