The college football season is upon us, and in a matter of weeks, the season will kick off. A new quest will begin for many teams seeking to punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff. That isn’t the only quest at hand, however.
Though the NIL era has given student-athletes the chance to cash in while playing college sports, some college football stars want more. They want to play the game at the highest level and solidify their rare football careers in the NFL. Their quest begins with eyes on the NFL Draft during their final college football season.
NIL is creating more experienced prospects than ever before. Some eligible fourth-year college football players may decide to return for a fifth season. Eventually, though, their college eligibility will run out, forcing them to decide whether to pursue a professional career or move on from football.
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Here are 25 of the top offensive talents in college football to watch during the 2026 season who could hear their name called in April.
Quarterback
Nov 28, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning warms up before a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Arch Manning – Texas
Dante Moore – Oregon
CJ Carr – Notre Dame
Drew Mestemaker – Oklahoma State
Darian Mensah – Miami (FL)
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2025 was supposed to be loaded at quarterback. Then 2026 was. Will 2027 be the year? NIL could draw at least two of these names away from the NFL Draft. Until then, two transfers and three returning starters headline the list. Could Arch Manning be the wild card to watch if he considers returning for a fifth season?
Offensive Line
Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos offensive tackle Jordan Seaton (77) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Jordan Seaton – LSU
Trevor Goosby – Texas
Austin Siereveld – Ohio State
Kade Pieper – Iowa
Carter Smith – Indiana
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The offensive line group features plenty of intriguing players, but Jordan Seaton may have the highest ceiling. The former five-star prospect enters his first season at LSU after transferring from Colorado and has the size, athleticism and pedigree to establish himself as one of the top tackles in the country. Kade Pieper is another name worth watching. The Iowa offensive lineman brings the physicality expected from a Hawkeye and has the versatility on the interior line to boost his NFL Draft stock with a strong 2026 season.
Wide Receiver
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) runs for a touchdown during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Cam Coleman – Texas
Jeremiah Smith – Ohio State
Ryan Coleman-Williams – Alabama
Omarion Miller – Arizona State
Charlie Becker – Indiana
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The wide receiver class may end up being the most talented group of this decade, at least at the top. There is plenty to watch, including Jeremiah Smith, who could break Ohio State receiving records within a handful of games. Cam Coleman transferred from Auburn to Texas and could have a serious breakout campaign with Manning at quarterback. Can Ryan Coleman-Williams get back to exceeding his incredible freshman heights?
Tight End
Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson carries the ball after a catch as the Oregon Ducks face the Indiana Hoosiers in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Jamari Johnson – Oregon
Trey’Dez Green – LSU
Chris Corbo – GA Tech
Andrew Rappleyea – Penn State
Peter Clarke – Temple
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Jamari Johnson enters the season with a strong case to be one of the first tight ends off the board. After catching 32 passes for 510 yards and three touchdowns for Oregon in 2025, Johnson has already shown he can produce in a high-level offense. He now has a chance to take another step forward in 2026. Trey’Dez Green may be the most physically gifted tight end on this list. At 6-foot-7, Green creates matchup problems with his size, speed and catch radius. He caught 33 passes for 433 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Running Back
Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) runs for a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Kewan Lacy – Ole Miss
Jadan Baugh – Florida
Ahmad Hardy – Missouri
LJ Martin – BYU
Isaac Brown – Louisville
The running back position is loaded with players who could make a major jump in 2026. Kewan Lacy enters the season as one of the most intriguing backs in the country after a massive 2025 campaign at Ole Miss. He combines size, production and big-play ability, giving him a chance to establish himself as one of the top backs in the 2027 NFL Draft class.
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