Football

Even though the 2026 NFL Draft is less than a month away, it’s never too early to start paying attention to collegiate athletes who’ll make a huge impact during the 2026 College Football season before they declare for the 2027 NFL Draft. Though some of these guys could’ve declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, sometimes these players want to maximize their earning potential with NIL deals, improve their draft stock for the next NFL Draft, and potentially avoid injuries that would derail their NFL careers before taking the field on Sundays.  These college football players should have a solid 2026 season and make some noise, attracting NFL Scouts with their on-field production and stats they’ll produce, whether it’s record-breaking or career-highs. Here at TPS, we’re going to take a look at these college athletes NFL fans should be paying attention to for the 2026 college football season, for the potential of watching them get drafted to the NFL in 2027.   Here are 10 College Football Players to Pay Attention to in the Upcoming 2026 season for the 2027 NFL Draft. Who are the college prospects to look out for in next year’s NFL Draft? Arch Manning: Quarterback: TexasArch Manning (Image Credits: Imagn) Despite losing 14-7 to Ohio State in the first week of the 2025 season, Manning pieced together a productive year in his first full season as a starter for the Longhorns, completing 248 passes for 3,163 yards, throwing 26 touchdowns against seven interceptions, and leading the team to a 41-27 win over Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. With Manning returning to the Longhorns for the 2026 season, he should improve upon the mistakes he shook off from the previous season. Manning and the Longhorns are also aiming to make a return to the College Football Playoff for the first time since the 2024 season. Manning should be able to lead the Longhorns to the College Football Playoffs, as well as become a Heisman Trophy finalist, depending upon how he performs during the regular season. He will also have a blast working with wide receiver Cam Coleman, who transferred over from Auburn, giving him another weapon to utilize during key games against fierce SEC opponents.  If Manning continues to show significant growth during the 2026 season, don’t be surprised if he gets drafted first overall in the 2027 NFL Draft by a quarterback-needy team, depending upon how the 2026 NFL season shapes up. Jeremiah Smith: Wide Receiver: Ohio StateOhio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) catches a punt during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026. The Ohio State University is widely considered “Wide Receiver U,” as we’ve seen incredible wideouts emerge from the program over the years, with Smith being the next big name wide receiver to watch out for in the upcoming 2026 season, as he returns to the Buckeyes’ lineup. Smith caught 87 receptions for 1,243 yards, scored 12 touchdowns, rushed for 21 yards on three carries, and scored a rushing touchdown to add to his résumé, despite suffering a quad injury in November of the 2025 season.  Smith will be healthy and 100 percent ready to roll in the Buckeyes’ offense for the 2026 season, causing havoc against opposing secondaries as he did in 2025 and 2024. Clips have emerged of Smith looking even stronger and faster for the upcoming 2026 season, as he’ll make opposing secondaries fear what he has in store for them. Especially during conference play against some of the Big Ten’s best defenses.  That should make NFL scouts drool for wanting to draft him to a team desperately needing that effective pass catcher to complement their quarterbacks for the 2027 NFL season.   Darian Mensah: Quarterback: MiamiDec 6, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) celebrates after the Blue Devils score a touchdown in overtime during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images After dealing with some NIL drama behind the scenes, Mensah’s transfer to the Miami Hurricanes will be a great addition to the team’s offense for the 2026 season.  Mensah is coming off a 2025 season where he completed 334 passes for 3,973 yards and threw 34 touchdowns against six interceptions during his lone season with the Duke Blue Devils. He also led the team to a 42-39 win over Arizona State in the Sun Bowl.  Mensah will be a part of a Hurricanes team that almost led a comeback win over the Indiana Hoosiers in the 2026 College Football National Championship game. He’ll elevate their offensive attack, making them more lethal. Mensah will work with Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney and fellow Duke transfer Cooper Barkate, making for a more dangerous passing attack. We, as football fans, are looking forward to seeing this upgraded passing attack in action for the 2026 season. Mensah has the talent and potential to take the Hurricanes’ offense far in the 2026 season under head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson’s system.  Don’t be surprised if Mensah becomes a Heisman Trophy finalist and a potential first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft when the 2026 college football season is all said and done. Carter Smith: Offensive Tackle: IndianaIndiana Hoosiers offensive lineman Carter Smith (65) stretches Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, ahead of the College Football Playoff Championship game at HardRock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The defending College Football National Champions will have one of their best offensive linemen back in Bloomington, ready to protect newly transferred quarterback Josh Hoover from TCU.  Smith started all 15 games for the Hoosiers during their magical run, becoming National Champions over the Miami Hurricanes, didn’t allow a single sack against Fernando Mendoza, and is ranked as the best lineman in the Big Ten, per Pro Football Focus.  Smith returning for his senior season also bolsters the offensive line, which lost Pat Coogan and Kahlil Benson to graduation and the 2026 NFL Draft.  He is incredibly reliable and will continue to do wonders on the Hoosiers’ offensive line for their title defense in the 2026 season. Smith has seniority, excellent leadership, and will help keep Indiana extremely competitive during the 2026 season.  Smith is also the guy NFL Scouts will keep their eyes on, as they look for talent who’ll form a great offensive wall, making their quarterbacks feel comfortable in the 2027 season. Trust us, Smith is the real deal for incredible offensive tackle talent.  Dylan Stewart: Edge: South CarolinaOct 18, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Dylan Stewart (6) attempt to knock down a pass by Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images Stewart returning to the Gamecocks’ defense is must-watch football for the upcoming 2026 season. He had 33 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two pass deflections, and three forced fumbles during the 2025 season. Stewart will be a mainstay on the Gamecocks’ defense, as the team looks to improve upon its disastrous 4-8 record from the 2025 season, despite playing through a back injury. Stewart will be healthy and ready to cause havoc against opposing offenses in the 2026 season in a fierce and competitive SEC, thanks to the leadership he’ll bring to the team. He is expected to be one of the nation’s top pass rushers, as he is set to cause some intense havoc against opposing SEC quarterbacks in the 2026 season, despite his back injury from the 2025 season.  The scouts ahead of the 2027 Draft should be impressed with his leadership and then some, as they look to improve their defenses for the 2027 NFL season.  Ryan Coleman-Williams: Wide Receiver: AlabamaDec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) runs after making a catch during the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Williams, now going by Coleman-Williams, had a decent 2025 season, despite dealing with a concussion.  Williams caught 49 receptions for 689 yards and scored four touchdowns with the Crimson Tide in 2025, and helped them reach the 2025-26 Rose Bowl in the College Football Playoffs, before losing to the eventual champion Indiana Hoosiers 38-3.  Coleman-Williams returning to the Tide helps with their offense, as he’ll be healthy and ready to square up against opposing secondaries for the 2026 season. The 2026 Alabama Crimson Tide will either be led by Austin Mack or Keelen Russell, eying the starting quarterback job. Mack and Russell should work well with Coleman-Williams during the 2026 season. Scouts will keep their eyes on Cooper-Williams improvements, as the Crimson Tide offense is expected to have a competitive season and have a fast-paced look under head coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.  We look forward to seeing Coleman-Williams continue his development for the 2026 season.  Colin Simmons: Edge: TexasNov 22, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Colin Simmons (1) reacts after a fumble was recovered for a touchdown during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Just like Arch Manning on offense, Simmons returning to the Longhorns on defense will make for some exciting football to watch in Austin. Simmons had 43 tackles, a career-high 12 sacks, two pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in the 2025 season. Simmons is expected to be a dominant force on the Longhorns’ pass rush, as his on-field maturity continues to increase.  His goals for the 2026 season are to break the team’s sack record, currently held by Kiki DeAyala with 40.5, and lead the SEC Conference in defensive productivity. Simmons currently has 21 sacks, so far. He needs 20 more sacks to break the record.  Simmons had more penalties than sacks at the beginning of the 2025 season, but with improvements under defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, Simmons should be able to clean that up just in time for the upcoming 2026 season.  The 2026 season will likely be Simmons’ final season with the Longhorns, as his continued defensive performance will attract NFL draft scouts from far and wide looking to bolster their defenses for the 2027 season.  Dante Moore: Quarterback: OregonOregon quarterback Dante Moore throws a pass as the Oregon Ducks face the Indiana Hoosiers in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Moore and the Oregon Ducks had a very good 2025 season, finishing the season with a 13-2 record. Moore completed 296 passes for 3,565 yards, threw 30 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.  Even though Moore was expected to be a first-round draft pick in 2026, his decision to return to Oregon is great for the program, and his draft capital in a loaded quarterback class for the 2027 NFL Draft. Moore and the Oregon Ducks’ offense have their eyes set on a National Championship or bust, as they look to further improve upon their 2025 season, after their College Football Semi-Final beatdown loss against the Indiana Hoosiers.  Moore will continue to work with running backs Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill on the ground. Not to mention Moore will still have wide receivers Evan Stewart and Dakorien Moore to throw the ball to in the passing attack for more vertical shots, instead of short passes.  If Moore continues to shine on the field, he’ll likely be a Heisman Trophy finalist and a top 10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.   Cam Cook: Running Back: West VirginiaJax State’s Cam Cook tries to evade the tackle of Kennesaw State’s Alexander Ford during the C-USA Championship at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama December 5, 2025. (Dave Hyatt / Hyatt Media LLC) After a single season at Jacksonville State University, Cook announced his plans to transfer to West Virginia University and join the Mountaineers’ offense for the 2026 season. Cook rushed for 1,659 yards on 295 attempts (the most rushing yards in the country in 2025), scored 16 rushing touchdowns, and caught 30 receptions for 286 yards.  Cook brings elite speed, vision, and a physical workhorse mentality to a Mountaineers’ offense that struggled in the Big 12, finishing the 2025 season with a 4-8 record and 2-7 in conference play.  Cook’s athleticism and speed should help the Mountaineers’ offense, which has a lot of work ahead of it before the start of the 2026 season. However, scouts shouldn’t be worried about the team around Cook, but rather focus their attention on Cook’s performance on the field during the season. Sure, the West Virginia Mountaineers aren’t the flashiest program in college football, but they have talent, and Cook is expected to be the primary running back to open the 2026 season against Coastal Carolina.  Analysts have mentioned that Cook is a perfect fit for West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez’s system and schemes for the upcoming season. Cook also won the Conference USA Player of the Year award for his production in 2025. We can’t wait to see him potentially repeat that production in the Big 12 for the 2026 season. Omarion Miller: Wide Receiver: Arizona StateOct 25, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Omarion Miller (4) is tackled by Utah Utes defensive back JC Hart (14) during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images Miller stunned the college world by announcing his plans to transfer out of Colorado and take his talents to Arizona State for the 2026 season. Miller finished the 2025 season with 45 receptions for 808 yards and scored eight touchdowns, which were career highs for him at the time.  He joins an Arizona State team that has former Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver Hines Ward as their wide receiver coach. Miller should see a spike in production and stats under Ward’s tutelage, even though the team is still looking for their next starting quarterback for the 2026 season. The Sun Devils will prioritize a strong passing attack, which Miller will likely benefit from under offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo. Miller should excel in the Sun Devils’ offense and help them improve upon their 2025 performance, and a fresh start after being on a Colorado Buffaloes team that finished the 2025 season with a 3-9 record. If Miller’s stats and production increase in the 2026 season, look out for NFL teams wanting to select him in the first or early second round of the 2027 NFL Draft.