NCAAF · 2 hours ago

Joel Klatt Ranks the Top 10 College Football Players Ahead of the 2026 Season

Grant White

Host · Writer

10. Julian Sayin - QB
School: Ohio State Buckeyes
Class: Junior
2025 Stats: 77.0% Completion Percentage, 3,610 Passing Yards, 32 Touchdowns

Julian Sayin didn't take his foot off the pedal once last season. Armored by a full season of virtually unblemished football, we predict the Buckeyes' quarterback will ratchet his production even higher this season.

Sayin was one of the top-ranked pivots in the country last season. His 88.4 QBR was the third-best mark, which his validated by the 10th-most passing yards, fourth-most touchdown passes, and top-ranked completion percentage.

Continuity will be a strength for Sayin. If his offensive line holds up, we could see him slingshot to the top of the Heisman Trophy board before long.
1. Jeremiah Smith - WR
School: Ohio State Buckeyes
Class: Junior
2025 Stats: 87 Receptions, 1,243 Receiving Yards, 12 Touchdowns

It's not surprising to see Jeremiah Smith atop Joel Klatt's player rankings. The Buckeyes' wideout was a Heisman Trophy frontrunner at the outset of his sophomore campaign, and his ceiling looks even higher ahead of 2026.

Smith remains the focal point of the Buckeyes' passing attack. With nearly 1,500 receiving yards last season and six 100-yard games, the junior will once again be a part of the Heisman Trophy conversation.
2. Leonard Moore - CB
School: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Class: Junior
2025 Stats: 31 Tackles, 7 Passes Defensed, 1 Forced Fumble, 2 Interceptions

Notre Dame remains a premier threat in 2026, in large part due to their continuity on defense. Leonard Moore has endeared himself to the unit and will again be a shutdown presence in the secondary.

Moore could cement his position as a top five pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Across two seasons, the All-American has 79 tackles, 18 passes defensed, seven interceptions, and three forced fumbles. That's in addition to his quality defending on every snap.

Moore should finally get the recognition he deserves in 2026.
3. CJ Carr - QB
School: Ohio State Buckeyes
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
2025 Stats: 66.6% Completion Percentage, 2,741 Passing Yards, 24 Touchdowns

After redshirting in 2024, CJ Carr burst onto the scene as Notre Dame's starting quarterback last season. He had standout metrics across the board, and we should see increases to all of his totals as a sophomore.

Carr appeared in all 12 games for the Fighting Irish in 2025, compiling the best marks in yards per passing attempt, adjusted yards per pass attempt, and quarterback rating. Surely, we'll see improvements to his already impressive 66.6% completion percentage, 2,741 passing yards, and 24 touchdowns.

With another year to go before his NFL departure, this is just the tip of the iceberg for Carr.
4. Arch Manning - QB
School: Texas Longhorns
Class: Redshirt Junior
2025 Stats: 61.4% Completion Percentage, 3,163 Passing Yards, 26 Touchdowns

The spotlight has always been firmly directed toward Arch Manning, but he finally started to validate that buzz toward the end of his sophomore season.

Throwing for just 939 yards in limited action as a freshman, Manning soared to 3,136 passing yards in 2026. Along with that, we saw a more confident quarterback as the season progressed.

The Longhorns can't afford any missteps in 2026. Thankfully, Manning has shown that he could deliver on expectations in Austin.
5. Malachi Toney - WR
School: Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Class: Sophomore
2025 Stats: 109 Receptions, 1,211 Receiving Yards, 10 Touchdowns

Not since Michael Crabtree has a wide receiver enjoyed as much success in his freshman campaign. Malachi Toney will look to improve on his standing in 2026.

Toney was virtually unstoppable last season. The Florida native pulled down 109 receptions for 1,211 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns in helping Miami reach the National Championship.

Even with a new quarterback under center, we don't expect Toney to cede any ground as a sophomore.
6. Dante Moore - QB
School: Oregon Ducks
Class: Redshirt Junior
2025 Stats: 71.8% Completion Percentage, 3,565 Passing Yards, 30 Touchdowns

Dante Moore joined a long list of Oregon quarterbacks who shone with the Ducks. Heading into his second full season as the starter, Moore could vault himself into an elite stratosphere.

In 15 games last season, Moore threw for over 3,500 yards and 30 scores. Most impressively, that production came on the strength of a 71.8% completion percentage.

The knock on Moore has been that he tends to disappear against premier competition. This is his chance to prove naysayers wrong and move to the front of the Heisman pack.
7. Colin Simmons - EDGE
School: Texas Longhorns
Class: Junior
2025 Stats: 43 Tackles, 12.0 Sacks, 2 Passes Defensed

Colin Simmons checks all the boxes as a modern day edge rusher. He's terrorized opposing quarterbacks for the past two seasons, and we are predicting an even more ferocious version of Simmons in 2026.

The Longhorns' edge rush rusher was nothing short of sensational as a sophomore. Simmons tallied 12.0 sacks in 13 games, adding 15.5 tackles for a loss, and two passes defensed.

Simmons sets the tone on defense, and that's a hopeless thought for any opponent looking to put up points versus Texas.
8. Jordan Seaton - OT
School: LSU Tigers
Class: Junior
2025 Stats: 9 Games Started

Jordan Seaton missed the final three games of the 2025 season. Still, he did more than enough to capture the eye of the Tigers, as LSU looks to reestablish itself as a college football powerhouse.

A consensus five-star recruit out of high school, Seaton started 22 of 25 games for the Colorado Buffaloes before transferring to LSU this offseason. There, he'll be looking to improve on his All Big 12 Second Team selection, and insulate the Tigers' resurgent offense.
9. Dylan Stewart - EDGE
School: South Carolina Gamecocks
Class: Junior
2025 Stats: 33 Tackles, 4.5 Sacks, 12.0 Tackles for a Loss, 2 Passes Defensed

Few defensive linemen play with the same tenacity as Dylan Stewart. Already, Stewart has compiled a massive trophy case while playing against the premier competition of the SEC.

Stewart busted onto the scene as an All-American freshman. He followed that up with 33 more tackles as a sophomore, complemented by his 4.5 sacks and 12.0 tackles for a loss.

The Gamecocks are powered by defense, and Stewart is the nuclear generator.
10. Julian Sayin - QB
School: Ohio State Buckeyes
Class: Junior
2025 Stats: 77.0% Completion Percentage, 3,610 Passing Yards, 32 Touchdowns

Julian Sayin didn't take his foot off the pedal once last season. Armored by a full season of virtually unblemished football, we predict the Buckeyes' quarterback will ratchet his production even higher this season.

Sayin was one of the top-ranked pivots in the country last season. His 88.4 QBR was the third-best mark, which his validated by the 10th-most passing yards, fourth-most touchdown passes, and top-ranked completion percentage.

Continuity will be a strength for Sayin. If his offensive line holds up, we could see him slingshot to the top of the Heisman Trophy board before long.
1. Jeremiah Smith - WR
School: Ohio State Buckeyes
Class: Junior
2025 Stats: 87 Receptions, 1,243 Receiving Yards, 12 Touchdowns

It's not surprising to see Jeremiah Smith atop Joel Klatt's player rankings. The Buckeyes' wideout was a Heisman Trophy frontrunner at the outset of his sophomore campaign, and his ceiling looks even higher ahead of 2026.

Smith remains the focal point of the Buckeyes' passing attack. With nearly 1,500 receiving yards last season and six 100-yard games, the junior will once again be a part of the Heisman Trophy conversation.

Joel Klatt Ranks the Top 10 College Football Players Ahead of the 2026 Season

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