<!–>
The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books. Unsurprisingly, Cam Ward went to the Tennessee Titans with the No. 1 overall pick. After that, there were plenty of surprises. The Jacksonville Jaguars trading up to No. 2 in order to get Travis Hunter was among the biggest.
Of course, the biggest shocker was Shedeur Sanders‘ fall in the draft. The Cleveland Browns took the Colorado quarterback in the fifth round after me and just about everyone else had him as a first-round pick.
In the latest episode of “The Joel Klatt Show,” I shared my thoughts on why Sanders might have slid as far as he did and what he needs to do next. I also gave away my winners from the draft and my favorite moments over the weekend during my time in Green Bay.
Now, let’s turn the page to next year and see which players might be in contention to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here’s a look at my top 10 NFL prospects ahead of the 2025 college football season.
ADVERTISEMENT
–>
[RELATED: Arch Manning goes No. 1 in way-too-early 2026 NFL Mock Draft]
I really love this guy. Love is a home-run threat, rushing for 6.9 yards per carry last season. He’s a phenomenal player with great speed. He’s going to continue this lineage of running backs who get drafted pretty high, partly because he can also catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s also strong and physical, making him an electric player. He’s tailor-made for the NFL with vision, balance, power and speed. I love Jeremiyah Love.
Allar is going to need a good year to get here, but I think he’ll do that because he’s going to have better wide receivers than he’s ever had at Penn State. If we’re just talking about the measurables, watching him throw a football and his development over his first three years of college ball, Allar will have a chance to be a top-10 player in next year’s draft. There’s no doubt about it. Of course, quarterbacks will get drafted more on a curve rather than just pure talent. However, Allar has a strong arm and the stronger receiver corps should help him elevate his game.
Why did Shedeur Sanders slide all the way to the fifth round of the NFL Draft?
Watch out for World. He transferred from Nevada to Oregon this offseason after starting three seasons for the Wolfpack and was ranked as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the portal. He’s 6-foot-8 and 300 pounds, so he’s got good size. I think he’s going to have a monster year in Eugene, which would likely make him a top-10 player in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Even though Bain has battled some injuries, he’s another guy I really love in next year’s class. He dealt with a calf injury that caused him to miss five games in his sophomore year. But I think he’s primed to break out next season. He was a Freshman All-American in 2023. If he gets healthy and pops, look out. Bain’s got real ability.
Fano is another player I love who is draft-eligible in 2026. He started at left tackle as a freshman in 2023 before becoming an All-American at right tackle last season. So, he’s played and excelled at two different spots, which NFL evaluators must like because they love offensive line versatility.
When I was preparing to make this top-10 list, there were a few other Clemson players that I didn’t list, but were under heavy consideration. Quarterback Cade Klubnik was among that group, so Clemson should be really good next season.
Woods had a strong 2024 season. He’s a stout 6-3, 315 pounds in the middle of Clemson’s defensive line, recording three sacks last season. The Tigers‘ defensive line should be a lot better this year than the last couple of years, partly because of Woods.
If you remember, Proctor started as a true freshman for Nick Saban in 2023, briefly left the program in 2024 when he transferred back home to Iowa, before transferring back to Alabama prior to the start of last season. The former five-star recruit is big, standing at 6-7 and weighing 360 pounds. The 19-year-old was named second-team All-SEC in 2024 and I think he only needs one more year before entering the NFL.
Caleb Downs & Arch Manning in Klatt’s way-too-early top prospects in 2026 NFL Draft
I alluded to it when I listed Woods, but Parker is another player along Clemson’s defensive line that should be in early consideration to be a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Parker had 11 sacks in 2024 as a true sophomore, which was the most among all returning players for the 2025 season. Like I said earlier, Clemson’s defensive line is going to be scary this upcoming year. Keep an eye out on Parker and the Tigers.
Truth be told, I don’t think Manning is going to declare for the 2026 draft, but he is eligible for next year’s draft. So, I’ve got to include him, at least for now. Sure, Manning hasn’t started much or even played a ton of football through his first two seasons in Austin. However, you can see the athleticism and arm strength in the little bit he’s played. I really believe Texas is going to take the next step under Steve Sarkisian due to Manning. If the Longhorns aren’t in the national championship game next season, I’m going to be fairly surprised. This Texas program is excellent, with Sarkisian continuously building this team closer and closer to a title. As Manning becomes the full-time starter next year, Texas will also bring in the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. Suffice to say, I’m in on Texas and Manning.
Downs is the second-best player in the country, with his Ohio State teammate and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith being the only other player who’s better. But Smith is only entering his true sophomore season while Downs will be a junior in 2025. Downs has shown us he can be a returner, dazzling with that punt return touchdown he had against Indiana this past season. But he was the best and most impactful player on that Buckeyes‘ national championship-winning defense. Downs is a ballhawk who’s smart, physical and all over the field. Simply put, he’s the best defensive player in the nation.
Joel Klatt is FOX Sports’ lead college football game analyst and the host of the podcast “The Joel Klatt Show.” Follow him at @joelklatt and subscribe to the “Joel Klatt Show” on YouTube.
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.
<!–>
recommended
Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
–>
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Bryson Stott scores on a wild pitch from Kyle Finnegan, securing the Phillies’ 7-6 win over Nationals
Major League Baseball Video Details Bryson Stott scored on a wild pitch from Kyle Finnegan, securing the Philadelphia Phillies' 7-6 win over Washington Nationals. JUST IN・Major League Baseball・0:11
Pacers eliminate Bucks from playoffs in brutal fashion, closing OT with 8-0 run
<!--> Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers stole one from the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.Indiana forced two turnovers in the final 29 seconds of overtime, and Haliburton blew past Giannis Antetokounmpo for the go-ahead layup with 1.3 seconds left to give the Pacers a 119-118 victory and a 4-1 series win.The Pacers closed the game with an 8-0 run over the final 40 seconds of OT to eliminate the Bucks in the first round for the second straight season. They will face top-seeded Cleveland in the Eastern Conference semifinals.ADVERTISEMENT -->Haliburton had 26 points and 10 assists as he improved to 9-0 in home playoff games. This chippy playoff series ended fittingly with a shoving match between the teams at midcourt.Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, tried to will the short-handed Bucks to victory, finishing with 30 points, 20 rebounds and 13 […]
Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho falls, makes behind-the-back grab to rob Red Sox’s Jarren Duran of hit
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho pulled off an improbable play that is immediately up for catch of the year.In the top of the fourth inning, Boston Red Sox leadoff hitter Jarren Duran hit a fly ball toward the wall in center field. Varsho ran toward the wall but tripped at the warning track, rolled, got up on one knee and tracked the ball before sticking his glove behind his back to catch it.The incredible play comes after the Blue Jays activated Varsho off the injured list earlier in the day to make his season debut. The reigning Gold Glove winner missed the first 28 games of the season while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. HOW— pic.twitter.com/ianiIVKdWe — MLB (@MLB) April 30, 2025Last season, Varsho hit .214/.293/.407 with 58 RBIs in 136 games with Toronto. He’s in his third year […]
Milton Neves indica técnico para seleção brasileira após negativa de Ancelotti: “Nada de Jorge Jesus”
Jorge Jesus, técnico do Al-Hilal (Divulgação/X @Alhilal_FC) Milton Neves lamentou o fim das conversas entre CBF e Carlo Ancelotti. Logo após um impasse entre o técnico italiano e o Real Madrid para a sua liberação, as partes optaram por não dar prosseguimento na negociação. O jornalista não escondeu sua frustração com a vinda de Ancelotti, até então encaminhada, não ter evoluído. “Era bom demais para ser verdade!”, exclamou em seu blog no UOL. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Na visão do colunista, o treinador europeu é um dos melhores do mundo e sua vinda para a seleção brasileira visando a Copa do Mundo 2026 seria um grande acréscimo para o escrete canarinho. Milton Neves faz coro por Abel Ferreira Deste modo, Miltão ressaltou sua rejeição ao nome de Jorge Jesus. Assim, voltou a pedir Abel Ferreira como o sucessor de Dorival Júnior, mandando […]
Milton Neves indica técnico para seleção brasileira após negativa de Ancelotti: “Nada de Jorge Jesus”
Jorge Jesus, técnico do Al-Hilal (Divulgação/X @Alhilal_FC) Milton Neves lamentou o fim das conversas entre CBF e Carlo Ancelotti. Logo após um impasse entre o técnico italiano e o Real Madrid para a sua liberação, as partes optaram por não dar prosseguimento na negociação. O jornalista não escondeu sua frustração com a vinda de Ancelotti, até então encaminhada, não ter evoluído. “Era bom demais para ser verdade!”, exclamou em seu blog no UOL. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Na visão do colunista, o treinador europeu é um dos melhores do mundo e sua vinda para a seleção brasileira visando a Copa do Mundo 2026 seria um grande acréscimo para o escrete canarinho. Milton Neves faz coro por Abel Ferreira Deste modo, Miltão ressaltou sua rejeição ao nome de Jorge Jesus. Assim, voltou a pedir Abel Ferreira como o sucessor de Dorival Júnior, mandando […]
Aided by epic Bucks collapse, Pacers advance with thrilling OT win
An incredible Game 5 collapse by the Milwaukee Bucks stunned NBA fans Tuesday night as Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers closed out their first-round playoff series with a dramatic 119-118 overtime victory.The Bucks held a 20-point lead early in the game, only to see the Pacers battle back and eventually force overtime. Milwaukee then built a seven-point lead in the extra period before falling apart.AdvertisementIndiana’s stunning turnaround began with 40 seconds left in OT and Milwaukee leading, 118-111. After corralling a rebound off a missed free throw, Pacers forward Pascal Siakam passed it to guard Andrew Nembhard for a deep 3 to cut the deficit to four and force a Bucks timeout. Nembhard added to his heroics with a steal shortly after the inbounds pass, setting the stage for Haliburton.A timely and-1 by Haliburton after a foul on Bucks […]
Related
Bryson Stott scores on a wild pitch from Kyle Finnegan, securing the Phillies’ 7-6 win over Nationals
Major League Baseball Video Details Bryson Stott scored on a wild pitch from Kyle Finnegan, securing the Philadelphia Phillies' 7-6 win over Washington Nationals. JUST IN・Major League Baseball・0:11
Pacers eliminate Bucks from playoffs in brutal fashion, closing OT with 8-0 run
<!--> Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers stole one from the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.Indiana forced two turnovers in the final 29 seconds of overtime, and Haliburton blew past Giannis Antetokounmpo for the go-ahead layup with 1.3 seconds left to give the Pacers a 119-118 victory and a 4-1 series win.The Pacers closed the game with an 8-0 run over the final 40 seconds of OT to eliminate the Bucks in the first round for the second straight season. They will face top-seeded Cleveland in the Eastern Conference semifinals.ADVERTISEMENT -->Haliburton had 26 points and 10 assists as he improved to 9-0 in home playoff games. This chippy playoff series ended fittingly with a shoving match between the teams at midcourt.Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, tried to will the short-handed Bucks to victory, finishing with 30 points, 20 rebounds and 13 […]
Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho falls, makes behind-the-back grab to rob Red Sox’s Jarren Duran of hit
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho pulled off an improbable play that is immediately up for catch of the year.In the top of the fourth inning, Boston Red Sox leadoff hitter Jarren Duran hit a fly ball toward the wall in center field. Varsho ran toward the wall but tripped at the warning track, rolled, got up on one knee and tracked the ball before sticking his glove behind his back to catch it.The incredible play comes after the Blue Jays activated Varsho off the injured list earlier in the day to make his season debut. The reigning Gold Glove winner missed the first 28 games of the season while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. HOW— pic.twitter.com/ianiIVKdWe — MLB (@MLB) April 30, 2025Last season, Varsho hit .214/.293/.407 with 58 RBIs in 136 games with Toronto. He’s in his third year […]
Milton Neves indica técnico para seleção brasileira após negativa de Ancelotti: “Nada de Jorge Jesus”
Jorge Jesus, técnico do Al-Hilal (Divulgação/X @Alhilal_FC) Milton Neves lamentou o fim das conversas entre CBF e Carlo Ancelotti. Logo após um impasse entre o técnico italiano e o Real Madrid para a sua liberação, as partes optaram por não dar prosseguimento na negociação. O jornalista não escondeu sua frustração com a vinda de Ancelotti, até então encaminhada, não ter evoluído. “Era bom demais para ser verdade!”, exclamou em seu blog no UOL. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Na visão do colunista, o treinador europeu é um dos melhores do mundo e sua vinda para a seleção brasileira visando a Copa do Mundo 2026 seria um grande acréscimo para o escrete canarinho. Milton Neves faz coro por Abel Ferreira Deste modo, Miltão ressaltou sua rejeição ao nome de Jorge Jesus. Assim, voltou a pedir Abel Ferreira como o sucessor de Dorival Júnior, mandando […]
Milton Neves indica técnico para seleção brasileira após negativa de Ancelotti: “Nada de Jorge Jesus”
Jorge Jesus, técnico do Al-Hilal (Divulgação/X @Alhilal_FC) Milton Neves lamentou o fim das conversas entre CBF e Carlo Ancelotti. Logo após um impasse entre o técnico italiano e o Real Madrid para a sua liberação, as partes optaram por não dar prosseguimento na negociação. O jornalista não escondeu sua frustração com a vinda de Ancelotti, até então encaminhada, não ter evoluído. “Era bom demais para ser verdade!”, exclamou em seu blog no UOL. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Na visão do colunista, o treinador europeu é um dos melhores do mundo e sua vinda para a seleção brasileira visando a Copa do Mundo 2026 seria um grande acréscimo para o escrete canarinho. Milton Neves faz coro por Abel Ferreira Deste modo, Miltão ressaltou sua rejeição ao nome de Jorge Jesus. Assim, voltou a pedir Abel Ferreira como o sucessor de Dorival Júnior, mandando […]
Aided by epic Bucks collapse, Pacers advance with thrilling OT win
An incredible Game 5 collapse by the Milwaukee Bucks stunned NBA fans Tuesday night as Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers closed out their first-round playoff series with a dramatic 119-118 overtime victory.The Bucks held a 20-point lead early in the game, only to see the Pacers battle back and eventually force overtime. Milwaukee then built a seven-point lead in the extra period before falling apart.AdvertisementIndiana’s stunning turnaround began with 40 seconds left in OT and Milwaukee leading, 118-111. After corralling a rebound off a missed free throw, Pacers forward Pascal Siakam passed it to guard Andrew Nembhard for a deep 3 to cut the deficit to four and force a Bucks timeout. Nembhard added to his heroics with a steal shortly after the inbounds pass, setting the stage for Haliburton.A timely and-1 by Haliburton after a foul on Bucks […]
Be the first to leave a comment