The 2025 NFL Draft is over and we start the next one. The 2026 draft class has some exciting prospects. The quarterback position should have a rebound year, with more first-round signal callers expected. Just like the 2025 group, the defensive line level is also very strong.
Who is the highest QB to know before the season? Who was the early sleeper? Which teams and prospects are the most interesting during the 2025 college football season? NFL draft analysts Matt Miller and Field Yates joined college football reporter Adam Rittenberg to answer seven big questions about the 2026 draft - 12 months.
For more information on next year’s class and its expected top picks, check out Jordan Reid’s first-round mock draft. But this is an introduction to the best player in the 2026 draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh.
Jump to:
Top QB | Top Non-QB | Sleeper
Early Power | Compared with 2025
The Sneak CFB Team | The Best Tape
Who is the quarterback in the 2026 grade?
Matt Miller: Next year's course doesn't have a clear QB1 to enter the season, but there's a strong group of passers-by scramble for the location. Clemson's Cade Klubnik has been strongly acclaimed for the 2024 season. Joining him are Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) and Drew Allar (Pennsylvania State) as well-known prospects. Scouts also viewed Sawyer Robertson (Baylor) and Lanorris Sellers (South Carolina) as advanced prospects.
Yates: This time of year always looks longer than the April draft day. However, I will provide Nussmeier as the key name. I believe his trajectory is a first-round draft pick, and he is the most studied draft pick I have so far (he qualifies for the 2025 draft but has elected another season). Nussmeier throws with excellent accuracy, touch and expectation abilities. He is a sufficient porter to run well in his pocket. Nusmeer threw 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns last season.
Adam Ratenberg: The conversation started with the SEC, except Allar, who had all the ideal NFL quarterback traits but lacked match success. Nussmeier will gain extensive experience in the same program in 2025. The seller will also be the SEC starter for many years and he can see his stock rise. What we haven't mentioned is Arch Manning of Texas, who will be in the brightest spotlight given his family relationship and his role. But will Manning enter the 2026 draft? His belt only has two starting points.
Sam Leavitt of Arizona State is a quarterback outside the SEC and the top 10 people who really attracted me. Coach Kenny Dillingham believes his potential is high.
What prospects may end up being the highest non-QB in the class?
miller: Ohio State's Caleb Downs will start the 2025 season and even if it's not a senior position in terms of value, my overall outlook is also my overall outlook. No one can fall down - he is the best player in college football and the most exciting prospect. I saw explosiveness and versatility on tape. I'm also happy to see what Miami's offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa did in his junior season. He has outstanding prospects.
Yates: Whether he will eventually be drafted remains to be seen, but I agree with Towns' Matt. He was the most talented player in the Buckeyes defense last season, blending outstanding athletic features, deep cover capping ability and serious strength in space, becoming a subversive force against running. In two seasons, Towns has started 30 times, four interceptions and 184 tackles.
Rittenberg: Clemson's defense should rebound, possibly again reaching elite levels under new coordinator Tom Allen. He inherits talented yarders Peter Woods and TJ Parker, who will enter the 2025 season as the highest first-round draft pick is expected. Woods is a powerful defensive tackle, and during the offseason, the Woods narrowed down significantly. His sack count should increase under Allen, who helped Penn State's Abdul Carter to be third in 2025. Last season, Parker had 11.5 sacks and a show record of six forced. He should be one of the top hottest players on the draft board.
Who is the early sleeper draft pick that can rise this season?
miller: I'm watching a transfer portal that potentially affects participants, and what caught my attention in the winter window is New Oregon Safety Dillon Thieneman. He has performed well at Purdue over the past two seasons, with 174 tackles and 6 interceptions. Since Downs also took part in the class, Thieneman will not be at the highest safety profile, but he is a transfer under the radar.
Yates: I did a lot of work on Tacario Davis last season, despite the long corner decision to move from Arizona to Washington – reunited with coach Jedd Fisch – rather than announce an NFL draft. Once, I got a second round score on him. Davis's body (6-foot-4, 190 pounds) and ball skills give him a chance to break through next season. He has 19 pass breakups in the past two seasons.
Rittenberg: I will choose a former Purdue player who is different from Matt. Tensions at New Ohio State Max Klare may not qualify for the sleeper as he played for the defending champion in 2025, but Klare has gotten a lot of positive feedback from the coach I talked to during the offseason. Last season, he had impressive numbers - 51 receptions, 685 yards and 4 touchdowns. At Ohio State should help him develop to a stronger prospect.
What are the early advantages of the class?
miller: Just like Class 2025, next year's group will be very strong on the defensive line. Clemson stars Woods and Parker are probably the best players in their respective positions and are selected in the top five. They join Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami), Keldric Faulk (Auburn), Lt Overton (Alabama), Matayo Uiagalelei (Oregon), Patrick Payton (LSU), David Bailey (LSU), David Bailey (Texas Tech) (Texas Tech) and Tim Keenan III (Alabama) as a defensive list for my plaintiffs list.
How does the 2025 category compare with the 2024 group?
Yates: The most obvious difference is the potential of the QB class. We can delve into any draft, but the number of quarterbacks that will eventually be drafted early will play a major role in the way the entire class is seen as a whole. It’s too early to predict who will get the exact number of first-round results, but this class will certainly offer more options than in 2025. I only have one player who has such a score (Cam Ward).
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Lang lists the highest returned SEC QB to keep an eye on
SEC Now's Alyssa Lang ended which quarterbacks seem ready to enter a big year for the 2025-26 season.
What is the prospect of sneaky college team watching 2026?
Rittenberg: Illinois has only one player this year - wide receiver Pat Bryant (No. 74 for the Broncos) - but that number should rise in April next year. Last season, Illini retained several players, with 10-win team draft results including outside linebacker Gabe Jacas. He may be the first round choice for 2026.
Illinois has taken high draft picks from the sub-level in the past and returned to cornerback Xavier Scott, a first-team all-around ten choice. Left tackle JC Davis will be an interesting prospect with lots of experience, and quarterback Luke Altmyer should be the chance to help him after being the starter of Illini in the third season. Others worth watching include: right tackle Melvin Priestly, defensive tackle James Thompson Jr.
When you start setting up a pre-season board, which lead’s videotape are you happy to watch?
miller: During the annual evaluation process, I take notes of potential customer records that have not met the criteria but popped up on tape. Utah offensive tackles Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu were the first non-quarters I would dive. Fano is excellent for both tackles UTEs, but due to his inadequate size (6-foot-5, 304 pounds), he might be projecting it as a center. Lomu is a raised left tackle and is a Redshirt sophomore.
Yates: Like Matt, I filtered the draft of the ineligible Prospect into a corner and took notes on it. I tested the strategy on Keldric Faulk in Auburn. The long and explosive edge stormtroopers broke out in seven sacks in 2024, as I looked at other Auburn prospects for the 2025 draft, including guard Eugene Asante. Falk will be a true junior next season. I look forward to watching him more.