-
Mel Kiper Jr.
We have lastly arrived at Week 1 of the 2025 college football season. I can not wait to see among the high prospects from the 2026 NFL draft class in motion. Texas quarterback Arch Manning going through off towards Ohio State security Caleb Downs? LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier vs. defensive sort out Peter Woods and a loaded Clemson protection? That is going to be enjoyable.
Now, it is actually early. The 2026 draft remains to be nearly eight months away. However in celebration of faculty soccer kicking off — and the NFL season not being far behind — I made a decision to make some way-too-early predictions about this class and what would possibly occur when the clock begins on Spherical 1 subsequent April.
What number of QBs will go on Day 1? Which colleges might take over the draft? Which prospects would possibly headline the category? Listed below are 10 issues I feel will occur, plus my picks for the College Football Playoff champ and Super Bowl winner as an added bonus. Let’s begin with what I consider could possibly be an excellent gifted group of signal-callers.
1. Six quarterbacks shall be drafted in Spherical 1.
We have seen six quarterbacks chosen in Spherical 1 solely twice within the widespread draft period (since 1967). The primary was in 1983, just a few years after I started evaluating prospects. That class featured John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino. The second time got here greater than 40 years later in 2024, when Caleb Williams led six QBs taken inside the opening 12 picks. After this 12 months’s draft produced solely two first-round quarterbacks, I feel the place might increase once more in 2026 — with or with out Texas’ Arch Manning.
Manning’s draft standing is the elephant within the room; it is nonetheless very unclear. His grandfather, Archie Manning, lately told Texas Monthly that Arch can be again at Texas subsequent season. However Arch Manning rolled that back, telling reporters, “I am actually simply taking it day-to-day proper now.” The reality is we can’t know if the 2026 class will embrace Manning for some time. However even when he returns to highschool for an additional season, this QB class nonetheless has the juice to dominate Day 1.
Listed below are some names to look at as potential first-rounders, in no specific order: LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), Drew Allar (Penn State), Cade Klubnik (Clemson), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Sam Leavitt (Arizona State), Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) and Nico Iamaleava (UCLA). That is seven guys, and Manning makes eight. I would wager six of them go within the first 32 picks.
Which groups could possibly be taking these QBs? The Pittsburgh Steelers positively come to thoughts since they did not handle the place till Spherical 6 this 12 months (Will Howard) and have a 41-year-old at the helm this season in Aaron Rodgers. The Los Angeles Rams additionally make sense, contemplating Matthew Stafford appears to be on year-to-year standing at 37. Maybe the Indianapolis Colts are in play? The New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns have all been linked to QB adjustments subsequent offseason, too — however keep in mind these groups all hand-picked their 2025 quarterbacks and will follow what they received. Look ahead to some extra groups to emerge, as properly.
2. The race to go No. 1 will come down to a few gamers.
Now we have to begin by narrowing this to the QB class. Nineteen of the previous 25 drafts have seen a quarterback go No. 1 general. Contemplating the variety of groups which may want a QB in 2026, we are able to anticipate it being 20 of the previous 26.
I see three names who might actually go No. 1. After all, we have seen large risers lately. Joe Burrow got here out of nowhere in 2020; I had him as a fifth- or sixth-rounder within the preseason. However I view Manning, Sellers and Allar as the blokes who rise above the remaining for the time being.
Manning flashed in 2024 when given an opportunity, albeit principally towards dangerous groups. He threw 9 TD passes to 2 interceptions over 10 video games (two begins), and he ran for 4 extra scores. I feel he’ll have an enormous season in 12 months 3 at Texas.
However … I additionally assume he’ll return to highschool. That opens the door much more for Sellers and Allar. These two are what I name “LTPers” — they give the impression of being the half. They’ve nice dimension and energy, and so they transfer properly. Sellers threw 18 touchdowns final season, his first because the starter. The bodily traits are all there. He simply has to place all of it collectively. I am additionally a fan of Allar’s recreation, and Penn State’s upgrades at vast receiver ought to assist him step as much as one other stage in 2025. I do know I am projecting somewhat bit with each signal-callers, however hey, these are predictions in spite of everything.
1:16
Kiper: The stress on Arch Manning is immense
Mel Kiper Jr. expresses his issues over Arch Manning forward of Texas’ Week 1 recreation vs. Ohio State.
3. Clemson may have at the least 4 first-round picks.
This is able to be the primary time Clemson has had this many first-rounders. The closest comp is 2019, when Clelin Ferrell (No. 4), Christian Wilkins (No. 13) and Dexter Lawrence II (No. 17) had been all picked on Day 1. The 2026 class could possibly be higher.
The Tigers’ defensive entrance has two high prospects proper off the bat. Defensive sort out Peter Woods has unbelievable energy, and he is versatile alongside the road. He took nearly all of his snaps inside final season, however he can transfer outdoors to trigger disruption off the sting. He completed 2024 with 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Talking of disruption off the sting, check out T.J. Parker‘s tape. He’s a sack artist who can beat blockers with speed-to-power. His 11 sacks ranked ninth within the FBS final season, and he additionally had 43 pressures and 16.5 tackles for loss. Woods and Parker type the very best DT-Edge mixture in faculty soccer, and so they each appear like clear top-10 picks. In truth, one — or each — of them might go within the high 5.
The opposite two Clemson gamers who ought to go in Spherical 1 are Klubnik and cornerback Avieon Terrell. Klubnik, who’s coming into his third season because the starter, appears like a QB3 or QB4 candidate on this class. He has the arm to cube up defenses by way of the air (36 landing passes final season however solely six INTs) and the legs to maneuver the sticks on the bottom (seven speeding scores in 2024). And Terrell is a gifted cowl nook with three picks over two seasons. His 12 go breakups tied for tenth within the nation final 12 months, and he restricted opponents to a slim 4.7 yards per go try into his protection. Look ahead to each of those guys to listen to their names within the first 32 picks.
4. Penn State may have essentially the most drafted gamers.
Clemson may need a bunch of first-rounders, however it is going to be Penn State with essentially the most general draft picks. I depend 17 draftable gamers based mostly on my preseason grades — 11 on offense, six on protection. Some will return to College Park and a few would possibly fall off, besides, I am calling for at the least 12-13 Nittany Lions to get chosen in April.
Listed below are some names, past the beforehand talked about Allar: operating backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton; vast receivers Kyron Hudson, Devonte Ross and Trebor Pena; offensive linemen Drew Shelton, Nolan Rucci and Olaivavega Ioane; defensive linemen Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant; linebacker Tony Rojas; cornerback A.J. Harris; and security Zakee Wheatley.
1:25
Why Penn State has the very best shot at profitable the CFP
Heather Dinich and Harry Douglas clarify why they consider Penn State has the very best probability at profitable its first faculty soccer nationwide title since 1986.
The Huge Ten has been a draft manufacturing facility lately. Michigan had 13 gamers picked in 2024, and Ohio State led all faculties with 14 this 12 months. However Penn State will take the crown for essentially the most chosen gamers in 2026. PSU has produced at the least a dozen draft picks solely as soon as earlier than, when it had 13 in 1987, in accordance with ESPN Analysis. That was one in all two earlier situations when the Nittany Lions led all faculties in choices, with 10 in 1996 being the opposite. Huge 12 months on deck!
5. Caleb Downs would be the highest-drafted security since 2010.
Downs has the products to be a top-five decide. He is the very best pure soccer participant within the class and positively has the cleanest tape. Downs — the brother of NFL receiver Josh Downs and son of former NFL operating again Gary Downs — performed like a senior as a freshman at Alabama in 2023. He then transferred to Ohio State earlier than the 2024 season and made an instantaneous impression because the centerpiece of a nationwide champion protection.
At 6-foot and 205 kilos, he is a superb tackler within the open subject (186 tackles over the previous two years). He diagnoses rapidly with nice pre-snap instincts. And Downs’ protection expertise are stable; he has 4 profession interceptions from the again finish.
We have seen some nice safeties get picked within the high 20 lately, regardless of it not being thought-about a premium draft place. Kyle Hamilton went 14th in 2022. Minkah Fitzpatrick went eleventh in 2018, six spots forward of Derwin James Jr. We even noticed Jamal Adams go No. 6 in 2017. However Downs will finest all of them and be the highest-picked security since Eric Berry went No. 5 in 2010. Per ESPN Analysis, Berry is one in all six safeties taken within the high 5 within the widespread draft period (Kenny Easley, Bennie Blades, Rickey Dixon, Eric Turner and Sean Taylor), so Downs can be becoming a member of a choose group. He is that good.
6. One other operating again will go within the high 10.
There have been 12 operating backs chosen within the high 10 over the previous 20 drafts. After a four-year hiatus, we noticed two prior to now three years (Bijan Robinson and Ashton Jeanty). Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love would be the subsequent.
Love (6-foot, 214 kilos) has all of the traits that scouts wish to see to take a operating again this early. He has burst each inside and outdoors. He breaks tackles with ease and creates yards after contact (62 compelled missed tackles final season). He has the imaginative and prescient and breakaway pace to hit dwelling runs. And he shows loads of receiving expertise. Love — who shall be solely 20 years outdated at draft time — is an elite operating again prospect.
In 2024, Love ran for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns (at 6.9 yards per rush); he caught 28 passes for 237 extra yards and an extra two scores. The important thing to Love hitting one other stage in 2025 would possibly fall on one other a part of the Combating Irish roster — the play of quarterbacks CJ Carr and/or Kenny Minchey. The passing recreation needs to be efficient to maintain opponents from simply stacking the field to cease Love. But when all the pieces comes collectively, Love might have one other nice 12 months to lock in early-Spherical 1 standing.
7. Anthony Hill Jr. would be the highest-drafted Texas defender in additional than 20 years.
Solely three Texas defensive gamers have been picked within the high 5 within the widespread draft period. Defensive sort out Kenneth Sims went No. 1 general in 1982 because of his inside go rush and skill to cease the run. Cornerback Bryant Westbrook went No. 5 in 1997. And at last fellow nook Quentin Jammer was the No. 5 decide in 2002.
Hill might be part of the group — if issues go the fitting method. At 6-foot-3 and 238 kilos, he eats up numerous subject at linebacker. Hill is coming off a formidable season that included 111 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He additionally compelled three fumbles and picked off a go. That is an impression participant.
However to go within the high 5, he wants the Longhorns to play him extra on the skin and let him get after the passer. We hardly ever see linebackers taken early. Latest notables embrace Devin White going fifth in 2019 and Roquan Smith going eighth in 2018. I would put Hill within the high 10 proper now comfortably, however there is no doubt he improves his ceiling and inventory if he has the possibility to slip outdoors extra typically in 2025. Take into account that Hill’s 16.9% stress fee would have tied for sixth within the nation final season, had it certified. He simply wants the chance.
8. Nyck Harbor will rise into the WR1 combine.
Proper now, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson can be my WR1 within the class. At 6-foot-2 and 200 kilos, he caught 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 scores final season. He was balling late in 2024 with at the least 125 yards in three straight video games earlier than an injury compelled him out. With Leavitt throwing him the ball, the manufacturing ought to maintain rolling in for Tyson now that he is again on the sphere.
Nevertheless, I’ve a sleeper within the race to be the primary receiver off the board subsequent April: South Carolina’s Harbor. He is mainly the offensive model of former Gamecocks teammate Nick Emmanwori; he is large, quick and loaded with NFL-level traits. Harbor was on the South Carolina monitor crew as a sprinter earlier than quitting to deal with soccer. So I am anticipating an eye-popping 40-yard sprint time on the mix for the 6-foot-5, 235-pounder.
Harbor has solely 38 profession catches, which he transformed into 571 yards and 4 TDs over two seasons. However he needs to be a a lot greater a part of the sport plan this season, and with a expertise like Sellers throwing him the ball, Harbor could possibly be a quick riser. File this one away. NFL groups love guys with a ton of high-end bodily traits.
9. Eric Singleton Jr. will run a sub-4.3 on the mix.
Singleton can fly. He is solely 5-foot-10 and 180 kilos, which some groups will low cost at draft time. However together with his pace and manufacturing, he is a possible first-round expertise. Singleton transferred to Auburn after two superb 700-plus-yard seasons at Georgia Tech. Look ahead to these numbers to blow up with the Tigers, partially as a result of Cam Coleman shall be taking away some consideration on the opposite aspect of the sphere. Singleton is a dynamic participant, and he was the 100-, 200- and 400-meter Georgia state champion in highschool.
Pound for pound, he’s the quickest participant within the class … and I feel he might turn out to be the twenty third participant since 2003 to run within the 4.2s on the mix.
10. Highest-drafted FCS participant will come down to a few gamers.
I am hedging somewhat bit right here, as a result of these three guys are all actually shut. However the first FCS participant taken shall be both North Dakota State receiver Bryce Lance, Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings or William & Mary cornerback Jalen Jones. All three are presently within the fourth-round vary, however good 2025 seasons might propel them into the later elements of Day 2. And good all-star recreation performances to show the flexibility to compete with FBS-level competitors shall be essential.
You would possibly keep in mind one other Lance out of NDSU. Sure, Bryce is Trey Lance‘s brother. In 2022 and 2023 mixed, Lance had one catch for 7 yards. In 2024, he had 75 catches for 1,071 yards and 17 touchdowns. That is fairly the breakout. Within the playoffs alone, he had 25 catches for 375 yards and 7 scores. The 6-foot-3, 209-pounder high-points the ball together with his size, and he has robust palms to safe the catch. Lance has proven some after-the-catch capability, too. He has performed particular groups prior to now, and that may solely assist his draft standing and skill to stay on an NFL roster.
Demmings (6-foot-1, 190 kilos) is a hard-working and instinctive soccer participant. He makes performs on the ball, with 5 picks and 26 go defenses over the previous three seasons. His recreation remains to be creating since he did not play soccer till his senior 12 months in highschool, which implies there’s numerous upside there, too.
And Jones’ pace, size and athleticism will entice some NFL groups within the center rounds. He is explosive, and he was a Virginia state champion lengthy jumper in highschool. Jones goes to check very well on the mix and William & Mary’s professional day. However the 6-foot, 195-pound nook additionally has the constant on-ball manufacturing to make an impression. He had 22 go defenses final season! Jones additionally has six profession interceptions, together with 4 in 2022.
1:45
Mel Kiper Jr.’s high gamers to look at for the 2026 NFL draft
Mel Kiper Jr. breaks down his high prospects to look at for the 2026 NFL draft, together with Penn State quarterback Drew Allar,
Bonus: Championship picks
Penn State will win the nationwide championship. I’ve the Nittany Lions beating Texas to win the School Soccer Playoff, with Clemson ending only a beat behind these two. This seems like a three-team race, however Penn State has a lot expertise on that roster, and I am shopping for an enormous 12 months for Allar. (By the best way, the CFP nationwide champion has produced essentially the most draft picks in faculty soccer — or at the least tied for essentially the most — for six straight years.)
The Baltimore Ravens will win the Tremendous Bowl. That is Baltimore’s 12 months. Lamar Jackson. John Harbaugh. A ton of expertise on each side of the ball. I’ve the Ravens beating Micah Parsons and the Green Bay Packers to win their third Tremendous Bowl.
