2026 NFL Draft: 36 prospects to watch

That’s a wrap on the 2025 NFL Draft. For scouting departments and general managers across the league, the mindset is “on to 2026.”

Maybe the March for Arch will be fruitful, bringing fortune to an NFL team that flops early and never recovers in 2025.

Arch Manning is the No. 1-ranked player projected to be available in the 2026 draft next April. But the spring preseason draft board and the version nailed down approximately 11 months from now won’t be carbon copies.

Not only is Manning a massive projection given his relative inexperience, there is more than enough time for another quarterback — or playmaker, a la Travis Hunter — to emerge as the best of the Class of 2026.

Here are names to know entering the 2025 college football season:

1. QB Arch Manning, Texas

Junior in 2025

Bloodlines for days with a pair of uncles in Eli and Peyton who were drafted No. 1 and a grandpa picked No. 2 by the Saints in 1978, the cameo appearances we’ve witnessed at Texas point to potential greatness from the next Manning progeny. He’s the best athlete of them all and shares the QB bloodhound instincts of his famous uncles with athletic traits reminiscent of grandpa Archie. Need we say more? Inexperience stands as the lone question. But we’ll have an answer very soon as Arch Manning replaces Quinn Ewers in Austin. In a nutshell, he can make every throw and run a little, too.

2. S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Junior in 2025

“Special” only starts to tell the story with Downs, our top-ranked defensive player in 2026 entering the upcoming season. We can keep up the talk about bloodlines with Downs, too. Dad, Gary, was a running back in the NFL. Caleb is the nephew of former NFL cornerback Dre Bly and younger brother of Colts WR Josh Downs. Caleb Downs transferred from Alabama after a standout freshman season to play at Ohio State. The do-it-all safety grabbed the spotlight. His football IQ and processing are uncanny. He can dominate in single-high with physicality and playmaking or win in the box. He’s a potential top-5 pick.

3. OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

Junior in 2025

Squarely built right tackle prospect with a blend of explosive power, body control and rare athleticism for a 6-6, 320-pound force of nature. Former five-star recruit has met expectations since starting for the Hurricanes as a freshman. Coaches praise his drive, rapid development and attention to detail. If he’s not the first offensive tackle selected with the No. 1 pick since Eric Fisher in 2013, we’re positive he won’t be waiting long.

4. DL T.J. Parker, Clemson

Junior in 2025

Menacing pass rusher (16.5 career sacks) ended the season with seven sacks in the Tigers’ final six games. Parker gives the Tigers an anchor on one of the best defensive lines in the country. Had he been available in 2025, Parker would’ve been in the conversation as the top pass rusher in the draft. He should reign terror on opposing quarterbacks for years to come.

5. DL Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

Junior in 2025

Bain has 11 sacks in his first two seasons and didn’t play four games last season because of a calf injury. His upside is undeniable and practice reps head-to-head with the top-ranked OT on this list won’t hurt his development as a power end with potential to duck inside in some schemes.

6. Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Junior in 2025

Cloaked in huge expectations and already a physically imposing monster for a defensive end, Faulk is listed at 6-6, 275, and is only 20 years old entering the college football season. He had 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2024.

7. QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

Senior in 2025

Another Clipboard U graduate in the Southeastern Conference, Nussmeier waited for his opportunity for what seemed like ages at LSU. He’ll be 24 in February 2026, which some teams might overplay as a downside. Most of them would’ve loved to have Nussmeier’s predecessor, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels in 2024. He turns 25 in December.

8. CB Ashton Stamps, LSU

Junior in 2025

He’s a do-it-all cornerback the Tigers trust on an island because of his ability to lock down any assignment. Excellent physicality and mirroring ability to handle press or man coverage with the speed and instincts to make plays in zone. Should be highly touted and climbs this list by simply maintaining current trajectory.

9. DT Peter Woods, Clemson

Junior in 2025

Another force up front for the Tigers, Woods played most of last season at defensive end and was unblockable at times. He weighs over 300 pounds but only the scale knows. Clemson uses him anywhere and everywhere on the front seven, underscoring rare athleticism at his size. His pro potential is through the roof. With Woods playing alongside T.J Parker., Clemson has one of the scariest tandems in football.

10. RB Nick Singleton, Penn State

Senior in 2025

Singleton could have been among the top three at running back in the 2025 draft had he declared, but he stayed to chase a championship. His combination of acceleration and power helps the Penn State offense thrive.

–Here’s a couple of dozen more intriguing prospects we’ll be studying before the 2026 draft:

DL Aaron Graves, Iowa

Senior in 2025

Film junkies should rewatch the Washington game from 2024. Strong and anchored in the lower half, his background in wrestling is evident in an uncanny ability to maintain ground. Add his name to the long list of hard-nosed and disciplined defenders out of Iowa City.

DT Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State

Redshirt Senior in 2025

Massive nose tackle prospect has production and athleticism to ace pre-draft tests. He contributes in the passing game, which means scheme diversity to be a fit for every team. With more refinement, Jackson has the traits to be a playmaker inside.

LB Harold Perkins, LSU

Senior in 2025

Undersized but scrappy player who can win as a pass rusher with the athleticism to make plays in space. One of the most dominant defenders in the FBS with a knack for making an impact. Coming off of a torn ACL last season, he should be back healthy and dominant in 2025.

DT Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati

Redshirt junior in 2025

Google Corleone to confirm: his hulking arms are nearly the same circumference of his massive legs. Or ask Chat GTP to show you the strongest defensive tackle in college football. Corleone’s name percolated with evaluators for a few years, but he returned to school rather than cash in a Top 100 spot in April. He’s quick with superhero power — squat is over 600 pounds and deadlift of 700 — and he’s faster than you think. Where does he fit in the NFL? Pro teams always check on serious medical matters and Corleone’s blood clot diagnosis in June 2024 will be scrutinized by doctors.

CB Domani Jackson, Alabama

Senior in 2025

After two seasons at Southern California, one year at Alabama made a notable difference in Jackson’s play. He has elite traits, high-caliber athleticism and could get even better with another year of development. Jackson has a chance to go from potential first-round pick to a possible top-10 selection.

DT Bear Alexander, Oregon

Junior in 2025

Georgia to USC to Oregon, Keithian Alexander — known as Bear — was largely in hibernation with the Trojans in 2024. A one-time top recruit, he’s a pass-rushing defensive tackle with can’t-lose traits in one-on-one matchups inside. He has a combination of size and athleticism to be a top-10 pick if he’s locked in during the 2025 season, which will be his first at Oregon.

LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Senior in 2025

Safety convert added some weight and moved toward the line of scrimmage. Instinctual player with the speed to cover running backs and tight ends on passing downs. Fun chess piece could be dangerous as he advances technique-wise.

CB Tacario Davis, Washington

Senior in 2025

Arizona transfer with plenty of hype and three seasons as a starter for the Wildcats. Long-limbed and can erase receivers on the outside but isn’t shy about moving over the middle.

QB LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

Junior in 2025

If you don’t know Sellers’ name, it’s time to get SEC Network. He has a rocket for a throwing arm and enough athletic ability to be much more as he enters his second season as a starter.

S Rod Moore, Michigan

Senior in 2025

If Moore had entered the 2025 draft, he’d likely would have squarely in the first-round conversation. Athletic and intelligent, he can drop down to cover in the slot and handle man responsibilities. High praise regarding his leadership and splash play ability comes from coaches and opponents. He’ll have some proving to do after he was injured in 2024.

DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State

Senior in 2025

Dennis-Sutton opted to return in the role of Nittany Lions’ star pass rusher. A great run defender with an impressive frame, he has power to get through any blocker. Dennis-Sutton will be out to prove he was more than a beneficiary of playing opposite 2024 No. 3 pick Abdul Carter.

CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State

Senior in 2025

A key piece of the Ohio State secondary in 2024, he also drew a whopping 13 penalties. Grabby corners get benched in the NFL. Igbinosun has the size, physicality and athleticism teams are looking for if he breaks the handsy habits.

QB Carson Beck, Miami

Grad transfer in 2025

Beck spent years behind 2023 fourth-rounder Stetson Bennett IV and took advantage of his opportunity as a starter before injuring his right elbow in the SEC title game. A modern-day pocket passer with good accuracy, quick release and instincts to anticipate windows, he’ll keep himself in the draft mix if health isn’t a setback.

WR Nic Anderson, LSU

Redshirt junior in 2025

Anderson was a stud as a freshman at Oklahoma with 10 TD catches. But he has only six starts (17 games) under his belt. A 6-foot-4 target with a track background, he’ll pair with a pro-caliber QB at LSU with a chance to prove his high ceiling and first-round projection.

TE Tanner Koziol, Wisconsin

Senior in 2025

Ball State transfer is built like a power forward with extremely long limbs. Exciting pass catcher with quick feet and solid awareness. Moving up in competition to the Big Ten will give him a chance to prove he’s the top tight end in college football.

WR Antonio Williams, Clemson

Junior in 2025

Smooth route-runner with 17 career TD grabs. He opted to return for another season with Cade Klubnik.

RB Makhi Hughes, Oregon

Redshirt Junior in 2025

Hughes’ choice to move up to Oregon from Tulane could make him a highly touted prospect as he replaces Jordan James. Great power and vision make him a true RB1.

DE Damon Wilson II, Missouri

Junior in 2025

Working rotationally at Georgia, Wilson opted to hit the portal after the 2024 season for a chance to be a primary defender in Missouri’s pass rush. The versatile lineman can drop into coverage, set the edge, or break into the backfield on any given snap.

OG DJ Campbell, Texas

Senior in 2025

It was hard to acknowledge all the talent Texas had on the offensive line, but watch a few snaps and No. 52 stands out at right guard. Campbell has a great frame and body control to win at the point of attack and keep his jersey clean.

RB Anthony Hankerson, Oregon State

Senior in 2025

Hankerson is the ideal goal-line back. He runs with energy and contact balance reminiscent of Cowboys RB Javonte Williams.

S Michael Taaffe, Texas

Senior in 2025

An under-the-radar riser in 2024, Taaffe chose to return to the Longhorns to help the team’s chances of claiming a national title. A former walk-on turned second-team All-American, his constant playmaking ability comes up big for the Longhorns.

LB Kyle Louis, Pitt

Junior in 2025

High-motor defender operates all over the field and always finds the football. Utilized as a pass rusher, run stopper, slot defender and much more and never looked out of place.

RB Eli Sanders, USC

Senior in 2025

Sanders lit up the competition at New Mexico and figures to do the same for the Trojans. He currently projects as a second- or third-round pick.

OG Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M

Senior in 2025

Great blend of flexibility and power to match speed or strength on the interior. Tremendous frame with excellent body control. Another year developing his technique could have Reed-Adams as one of the top guard prospects in the class.

TE Max Klare, Ohio State

Junior in 2025

Purdue transfer consistently found ways to contribute in the quick passing attack. With defenses looking to limit Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate downfield, Klare should see opportunities to produce underneath.

TE Oscar Delp, Georgia

Senior in 2025

Had high expectations entering 2024 but Brock Bowers left enormous shoes to fill. With another year as the lead guy and a new QB, Delp has the tools to emerge as a top-50 prospect.

–Field Level Media