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It's funny how much things can change in a year.

Last year, our list of the best under-21 prospects for the U.S. men's national team was filled with a lot of guys who aren't really prospects. No, it included plenty of first-choice, or first-off-the-bench types, for the senior national team. Giovanni Reyna, Yunus Musah, Ricardo Pepi, Joe Scally, Malik Tillman, Gianluca Busio? They were all there.

And now they're all gone -- most recently Pepi, who turned 22 on Jan. 9. He would be No. 1 on this list were he born just a week or two later. Heck, Busio ranked 10th on this list last time -- had he been just a year younger, with the same track record he had a year ago, he probably would have been first this time, too. Unfortunately, he was born in May 2022.

This is why people talk about "Golden Generations" with national teams. Even when the broader trend of youth talent is broadly positive, as it is with the USMNT, things can get pretty volatile from one year to the next. Sometimes you just get a concentration of excellent players all born in the same year and sometimes, well, you don't -- like this year.

Now that your expectations are sufficiently lowered, let's do it all again. Ahead of the USMNT's friendlies with Venezuela and Costa Rica, who are the program's 15 best under-21 prospects?

Wait, what do we mean by a USMNT 'prospect'?

Manchester City, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea: All of these clubs have Americans under contract right now. The only problem: They're all teenagers without any real professional experience. And the most likely outcome for almost every teenager yet to play a professional game? He won't be a contributor for his national team.

By having so many young players at so many of the world's best clubs, the USMNT is greatly increasing its chances of having a couple of those players turn into USMNT stars, but there is just so much that can and will change for a 17-year-old prospect who -- unless he's Lamine Yamal -- it's foolish to put any kind of confident projection on how any single players' career will pan out.

If this were easy, then most of the best players in the world would be the ones who come through the academies of the best teams in the world. Instead, that's very rarely the case unless, again, you're Lamine Yamal.

And so here's how these rankings are decided, as was the case in last year's edition:

Humility is the No. 1 scouting tool -- we can't be confident in how any 21-and-under player's career will pan out. So, these rankings will be heavily weighted toward players we can have a little more confidence about.

That weight, in order: We care about players who have played a lot of minutes, then we care about players who have played a lot of minutes at a younger age, then we care about what level of competition those players have played those minutes in, then we care about how they have performed within those minutes, and only then do we really care about things like traits or tools or whatever other scouting terms you prefer.

We're also not including players like Burnley's Luca Koleosho and Stuttgart's Anrie Chase, who are eligible for the USMNT despite showing no real interest in actually playing for the USMNT. And like last year, players are divided into tiers, and we'll use those same tiers this time. Here's how it looks:

Tier 1: USMNT stars -- and potentially European stars, too

There are undoubtedly some players out there who have this kind of potential. Some of you are probably smashing the letters "C-A-V-A-N S-U-L-L-I-V-A-N" into an email window as you read this. People have referred to the Philadelphia Union prospect, who will move to Manchester City when he turns 18, as the best 15-year-old in the world.

But just think about that for a second: HE IS 15 YEARS OLD. We literally don't even know how tall Cavan Sullivan is going to be in five years, let alone how effective he will be at soccer.

Someone is going to find his way into this tier eventually, but there are not currently any 21-and-under soccer players who I'm willing to say are more likely than not to become a star for the USMNT.

Tier 2: Fringe USMNT starters, mid-tier European pros

In Europe's Big Five top leagues, here's the list of 21-and-under Americans, per FBref, who have played at least 2,000 minutes:

Just kidding, there's no one. Last year, this tier featured Joe Scally, Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi. This year, it's empty.

Tier 3: Can they make it in Europe?

1. Kevin Paredes, 21, winger, Wolfsburg

2. Caleb Wiley, 20, left back, Strasbourg (on loan from Chelsea)

3. Paxten Aaronson, 21, midfielder, FC Utrecht (on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt)

4. Noahkai Banks, 18, center back, Augsburg

5. Damion Downs, 20, forward, Koln

One of my favorite things to read each week is the Bayesian Quarterback Rankings from NFL analyst Kevin Cole on his Substack, "Unexpected Points." Rather than just adding up the player's stats from the current season to create the rankings, he looks at the stats for each quarterback across his career (while weighing recent performance more heavily), and then projects who is likely to perform the best going forward. Even in a relatively down year by his incredible standards, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes remains at the top each week because his career-long track record is so far ahead of any other player.

The opposite, though, happens with rookie quarterbacks. They come into the rankings with loose expectations based on their draft positions, but that is quickly overwhelmed by the evidence of their initial professional performances. Three games, say, is a small sample, but for a rookie, it's also the entire sample.

This is how I think of prospects in soccer, too. With Christian Pulisic, we have a pretty big sample of what to expect. A single game, or even a couple months, shouldn't really sway our opinion of the player all that much. But with these under-21 guys, I think we need to constantly be updating our opinions with each new bit of information we get.

See: Noahkai Banks. He's been near the top of the list for USMNT prospects-watchers for a while, but I wouldn't have had him here if we did this exercise a week ago. Except then he made his professional debut for Augsburg over the weekend.

All of a sudden, with his hourlong cameo against Stuttgart, Banks is an 18-year-old center-back who has played more minutes in a Big Five league than all but four other U21 Americans. Not only that, but he's also done it at a position that's not kind to teenagers. Among center-backs who were 17 or younger at the start of this season, only two players have been featured in more minutes than Banks, Giovanni Leoni of Parma and Barcelona prodigy Pau Cubarsí.

Kevin Paredes, meanwhile, stays atop the list because we've seen him play nearly 2,000 minutes at a young age in the Bundesliga. He's missed the season with a number of lower-body injuries, but no one else has really done enough to surpass him this season.

Caleb Wiley played a ton of minutes as a teenager in MLS for Atlanta United. That earned him a move to Chelsea -- great sign! But he's spent the season on loan at Chelsea's satellite club, Strasbourg, and has only played 250-plus minutes in Ligue 1, thanks to a succession of knee and shoulder injuries. He looked like a Ligue 1-quality player at just 20, but just hasn't played enough.

Paxten Aaronson, meanwhile, has been fantastic in midfield for third-place Utrecht, but unless you're playing for a Champions League team, it's really hard to judge the true quality of a prospect's minutes in the Eredivisie. Plenty go on to flourish at a higher level, while plenty of others wilt under the increased physicality and defensive organization in the Big Five leagues. We'll learn a lot more if he heads back to Germany next year.

Finally, Damion Downs played a little bit for Koln in their relegation season last year, but he's been one of the best forwards in the German second division for easily the best team in the German second division this season.

Tier 4: How do you judge any of them?

6. Gaga Slonina, 20, goalkeeper, Chelsea

7. Rokas Pukstas, 20, midfielder, Hajduk Split

8. Cole Campbell, 18, forward, Borussia Dortmund

9. Diego Kochen, 18, goalkeeper, Barcelona

On the one hand, Gaga Slonina's career has stalled. He went on loan to Barnsley in League One this summer, but that loan was just terminated after he struggled for playing time and then with a seasonlong injury. On the other hand, goalkeepers tend to peak much later than outfield players, and he was a starter in MLS and the Belgian first division before he turned 20. The early career minutes at a position typically reserved for older players bodes well for Slonina's future projection, even if this is going to be a lost season.

Rokas Pukstas broke out last year by becoming a full-time starter for one of the best teams in Croatia as a teenager. This season, he's playing significantly fewer minutes, but he's still been out there for more than half of the available game time. He's doing it for the team that's tied on points atop the Croatian league table. And he's still only 20.

Cole Campbell is another favorite of USMNT-prospect-watchers, and he's played just a little over 30 minutes for Dortmund as an 18-year-old. That's barely anything, but when you combine the pedigree with a Champions League appearance, I feel comfortable sliding him into the tier above the guys playing lots of minutes in lower-level leagues.

Same goes for Diego Kochen, who has literally zero professional minutes under his belt. But unlike Campbell, who can come on for tiny stretches at the end of matches in Dortmund's attack, Kochen is a goalkeeper, and managers don't sub their goalkeepers. Just ask Matt Turner.

Kochen, though, has already appeared on Barcelona's bench 30 times in his career. That's sort of a sad thing to celebrate, I guess, but there's probably at least a little of a signal in a goalkeeper who makes it that far up the pecking order for one of the biggest clubs in the world well before his 21st birthday.

Tier 5: Six more, plus everyone else

10. Quinn Sullivan, 20, winger, Philadelphia Union

11. Jack McGlynn, 21, midfielder, Philadelphia Union

12. Brian Gutierrez, 21, midfielder, Chicago Fire

13. Cade Cowell, winger, 21, Chivas Guadalajara

14. Chris Brady, 20, goalkeeper, Chicago Fire

15. Diego Luna, 21, attacking midfielder, Real Salt Lake

Last year, I said the bottom tier was occupied by the guys I listed in the bottom tier -- and then a long list of other players who didn't make the top 15. I think that's mostly true again this year, but I do think these six have separated themselves a tiny bit from the rest of the player pool below them.

While it's really hard to value a player's performance in a full-time MLS role vs. a bit-part role at a major European club, it's a lot easier to compare all of the players across MLS. Here, we can also start to take a look at actual performance, in addition to playing time. And we can do that by using Michael Imburgio's DAVIES model, which is the best publicly available metric that values everything a player does with the ball.

The model has data dating to the 2017-18 season for some European leagues and 2019 for MLS. Among 21-and-under seasons by American players, the best -- by far -- was Folarin Balogun's 2022-23 season with Reims. His overall DAVIES total -- a number that represents the goals a player provided above average, when controlling for both age and position -- was 7.85. No other under-21 American has broken 5.0.

However, Jack McGlynn's season with the Union last year was the fourth best from a 21-and-under American. Except, Quinn Sullivan's age-20 season last year with the Union was better than McGlynn's the year before, so we're giving Sullivan the slight edge.

One constant, from the DAVIES data is that most of the recent players who have gone on to become starters for the USMNT have put up positive seasons at age 20 or even younger. Brian Gutierrez did it at 19 and 20 and then he had another really nice season at 21 this past year. Cade Cowell, too, put up value-adding seasons at 18 and 19 in MLS and now he's playing half of the minutes for Chivas in Liga MX. All four of these guys should end up being solid pros somewhere -- and possibly back-end depth for the USMNT.

Chris Brady doesn't have any DAVIES data because he's a goalkeeper, but his Fire teammate Gutierrez is the only 21-and-under player still in MLS who has played more career minutes. He's still only 20 and already has two full seasons of league-average shot stopping in MLS. He's also a couple months older than Slonina.

Lastly, there's Diego Luna, who was on the same level as McGlynn, Sullivan and Guttierez last season, but doesn't also have those one or two seasons of above-average performance before turning 21. Chances are that someone in this group goes on to become a solid USMNT contributor over the next few years. Luna, though, seems the least likely of the six to get there.

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With one month remaining until spring training arrives, there is still plenty of work left to be done this MLB offseason.

Eight of Kiley McDaniel's top 25 free agents entering the winter have yet to sign, and trade candidates including Nolan Arenado and Luis Robert Jr. have yet to be dealt. Who could be the next star to move, and when will the next major deals go down?

Here is the latest intel our MLB reporters are hearing about the biggest names and storylines left this offseason, starting with two premium free agent sluggers still searching for a team.

What's the latest you are hearing on Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman?

Buster Olney: The perception from some of the teams involved is that Scott Boras, who represents Bregman, might simply be waiting for someone to get closer to the financial terms they wanted -- at a time when some execs think Bregman's market has been largely defined. The Giants signed one of his peers, Matt Chapman, to a six-year, $156 million deal, and that is just about what the Astros offered. Now the Astros have moved on and the Red Sox, Tigers and Blue Jays all have varying degrees of interest. One of the execs speculates that in the end, the Jays are in position to offer the most money, given their level of desperation. Now Bregman has choices to make.

Alonso's reported offer with the Mets underscores the reality of his market: All along, he has been worth more to the Mets than to any other team. Some rival evaluators speculate that eventually, he'll work out some kind of deal to go back, because there aren't a lot of teams ready to invest a nine-figure deal in a first baseman.

Jeff Passan: All it takes for either to sign is one team. And in Alonso's case, the obvious team is the Mets. They've got leverage -- there are no others in the market for a first baseman at $25 million-plus a year -- and they can squeeze Alonso by threatening to move on to other options. The Mets have discussed the possibility of other free agents taking first-base reps, sources said.

With a long-term contract not materializing for him, Alonso could continue to pursue a deal with the Mets or simply wait. Let's remember: When the preferred markets did not materialize for four Boras clients last winter, they signed on Feb. 28 (Cody Bellinger), March 2 (Matt Chapman), March 18 (Blake Snell) and March 26 (Jordan Montgomery). What we know is that time tends to erode deal length. While there are exceptions -- Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Prince Fielder all signed nine-year-plus deals in February or March -- Bregman still wants years, and with no team inclined to meet his price yet, a February signing could place him on the Chapman track. Should Bregman's term shorten, other teams theoretically could jump into the fray like Arizona did with Corbin Burnes. But February tends not to be a month for surprise $30 million-a-year expenditures, leaving the teams known to have been engaged so far as the distinct favorites the longer these free agencies last.

The outfield market is still stocked with big names. How are you hearing it could play out?

Passan: The biggest names are Anthony Santander and Jurickson Profar. Beyond that, Jesse Winker and Randal Grichuk are coming off excellent 2024s while Austin Hays, Alex Verdugo and Harrison Bader are veterans likely to wind up on Opening Day rosters. The teams that have entertained signing an outfielder include the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels and Cincinnati Reds. The Kansas City Royals need another bat, the Pittsburgh Pirates could use a solid corner option, and the A's just need to spend on someone. The majority of those teams have playoff aspirations -- and now, as much as when the hot stove was aflame at the winter meetings, is when pennants can be won.

That's because whoever signs Santander, coming off a 44-homer season, will be better in 2025. And whoever signs Profar, he of the .380 on-base percentage last season, will also be better in 2025. Outfielders haven't panicked yet because the combination of need and contending teams should get them paid. Winker and Grichuk will find solid platoon homes in hopes of fuller-time at-bats, and while Hays, Verdugo and Bader are staring at one-year deals, the possibility of solid seasons on relatively low-cost deals makes each appealing in his own right.

Alden Gonzalez: There's a reason it's the middle of January and the likes of Santander, Profar and Luis Robert Jr. (via trade) are still available: The asking prices are too high, at least relative to what the market is dictating. Santander, a 30-year-old who grades poorly on defense and possesses a lot of swing-and-miss at the plate, was reportedly seeking a five-year deal at the start of the offseason. Profar, a 31-year-old who beat his career OPS by 123 points last year, sought three. The Chicago White Sox's trade demand for Robert, meanwhile, had been described as too rich by potential suitors.

But there's a silver lining in all of this. Santander and Profar, both highly impactful players for vastly different reasons, could find robust markets if they're willing to accept shorter deals with higher annual values, which at this point seems likely. The Blue Jays, Red Sox, Mets, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels are among the teams that have been linked to Santander, to varying degrees, and could still use outfield help. A reunion between Profar and the Padres, meanwhile, has been seen by some as an inevitability.

As for Robert -- the White Sox can afford to wait. He is controllable for up to three more years and played in just 100 games last season. But there are enough aspiring contenders with unfinished business that perhaps someone meets their asking price.

Why have relievers taken so long to sign, and which teams are in the market for top bullpen options?

Jesse Rogers: The pace of the reliever market is being slowed by a belief across many front offices that relievers are interchangeable. And that includes closers who are prized possessions during the season -- but then get discarded in November. Just look at All-Star Kyle Finnegan, who was non-tendered by the Nationals and is still in search of a team for evidence. The Reds, Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs are among teams still looking for bullpen help.

Olney: It's all about supply and demand, and it's working against this group of players. There are so many unsigned relievers that teams are operating under the assumption that if they don't get one at the price they want, they can just wait and eventually they'll get a good reliever at a better number.

Should we expect any more big trades this offseason?

Rogers: Yes, there's enough chatter and players available that it could still lead to a major deal or two going down before April. Remember, Dylan Cease was moved on the eve of the season last year so whether it's Cease -- again -- or Nolan Arenado or one of the Mariners' fantastic starters, there's still work to be done on the trade front, and it could happen at any point between now and Opening Day.

Passan: The answer is yes, but more because it's just in executives' nature to want to deal. There are no obvious "gotta happen" trades. Unless a can't-miss opportunity presents itself, San Diego will hold on to Cease. Arenado's market isn't teeming. Seattle doesn't want to move its starters. On top of that, St. Louis' inaction this winter has surprised teams that thought multiple Cardinals would move, normally active Tampa Bay hasn't wheeled and dealed quite like it typically does, and Minnesota has entertained plenty but consummated nothing. So when you have all of those teams and all of these opportunities and free agents who are holding firm (for now) on prices, teams are going to get a little twitchy. And that's when trades happen.

Will the Yankees and Dodgers make any more big moves?

Gonzalez: The Dodgers' only remaining need -- outside of bringing back Clayton Kershaw and holding out hope for Roki Sasaki, further bolstering a deep group of starting pitchers -- is in the back end of their bullpen. And "need" is actually a stretch. With Michael Kopech, Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips, Anthony Banda, Ryan Brasier and Alex Vesia, the Dodgers have six high-leverage arms to start the season. Add Dustin May, who's out of options and eventually could get bumped from the rotation, and that makes seven. But they'll be there if Tanner Scott's market falls and they can be opportunistic on another high-leverage arm. They just don't need to force anything here. And given how Andrew Friedman has historically approached the bullpen market, they probably won't.

Jorge Castillo: The Yankees quickly executed a series of moves in their pivot from Juan Soto, raising the floor on a roster that was top-heavy in 2024, but they could use either a second baseman or third baseman to complete their offseason. If the Yankees acquire a third baseman, Jazz Chisholm Jr. would play second base, or third if they acquire a second baseman. DJ LeMahieu remains on the roster for $30 million over the next two seasons, giving the Yankees a prominent internal option for third base, but the veteran's dreadful, injury-plagued 2024 campaign does not suggest he's worthy of an every-day role entering his age-36 campaign. Other possibilities on the 40-man roster include Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Cabrera and Jorbit Vivas. Expect the Yankees to at least add depth at one of the two positions.

The Orioles, Braves and Mariners have been among the quietest teams this offseason. Should we expect a big move from any of them?

Olney: The Braves' scuttled deal with Jeff Hoffman was something they considered very early in the offseason, and the intention was to use Hoffman as a starting pitcher. After that fell apart, Atlanta seems poised to go into spring training with Ian Anderson and Grant Holmes -- who are both out of options and can't be sent to the minors without being passed through waivers -- competing for a spot or two at the end of their rotation. It wouldn't be a surprise if they added one of the many relievers available. The Orioles and Mariners continue to operate as if they have little financial flexibility and the longer they wait, the more likely it may be that the market prices drop into an acceptable range.

Rogers: I expect to see at least one big move made, but I'm not sure all three are going to make splashy headlines. At least Baltimore did something to replace Corbin Burnes by signing Charlie Morton as a needed veteran rotation addition, and the Braves will get a boost from within by getting Spencer Strider back. But how are the Mariners going to improve an offense in need of more production? Moving a starter is the best way to go about it, and the Mariners have plenty they could move. I pick Seattle for the biggest move left among the three.

Which completed moves that fans might have overlooked have created the most buzz in the industry?

Gonzalez: Some have celebrated the Astros' return for Kyle Tucker, getting a young, productive corner infielder in Isaac Paredes, a recent first-round pick in Cam Smith and a depth arm in Hayden Wesneski for a pending free agent. Others aren't quite as enthusiastic. But here's one thing almost everyone agrees on: Kyle Daniel Tucker is one of the sport's best players when healthy. And though it might only be for one season, the Cubs did well to get him in their hopes to win a very winnable National League Central.

Castillo: The A's finally spent some money this winter (they apparently faced some pressure to do so), which is a positive development, but their three-year, $67 million investment in Luis Severino sent shock waves through the industry. The deal -- the largest in franchise history -- was widely viewed as a significant overpay, and it set the stage for a few contracts that surpassed expectations for other free agent starting pitchers. Then again, the A's, playing in a minor league ballpark for at least the next three seasons, will have to essentially pay a tax to lure free agents until their move to Las Vegas is complete.

What else are you hearing?

Passan: Of the remaining starting pitching options, right-hander Jack Flaherty is clearly at the top of the market and right-hander Nick Pivetta next in line. Salaries for starters have been exceptional all winter, and with no qualifying offer attached to him and a tremendous 2024 season, Flaherty is still going to cash in, though it could be on a shorter-term deal. Pivetta was saddled with a qualifying offer, which has hindered his market, but teams still adore his stuff, and he'll find a rotation home before pitchers and catchers report.

Olney: There is an assumption among other teams that Jordan Montgomery and Marcus Stroman will move at some point, but there are execs who believe that won't happen until the Diamondbacks and Yankees agree to swallow a lot of money to make a deal happen. The Stroman talks will be greatly complicated by his vesting option: If he throws 140 innings in 2025, he'll have a player option to make $18.3 million next year. One evaluator held up Martin Perez, recently signed by the White Sox for $5 million, as a market comparable; if the D-Backs and Yankees want to move Montgomery, Stroman, they may have to pay down their respective salaries closer to that range.

Passan: It's going to be a very busy month leading up to the mid-February opening of camps. There are 100 or so players in search of major league deals. Perhaps half of them will get one. And the rest will be forced to take non-roster invitations to spring camps.

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In the 14 years I've covered the NFL draft, one statement from a general manager has stuck with me: "Smart teams scout ahead."

The 2025 NFL draft might be more than three months away, but that doesn't mean teams aren't already preparing for the 2026 draft. The best front offices prepare for future classes to inform their decisions on the upcoming one. Teams knew the 2025 draft class was weak at quarterback, so they loaded up in 2024 by selecting six signal-callers in the first 12 picks.

Lack of quarterback star power shouldn't be an issue in 2026. But don't bank on Texas' Arch Manning definitely being in this class. The nephew of Peyton Manning and Eli Manning is talented, but he might start two seasons in college before entering the NFL, which would put Arch in the 2027 draft class. The expanded College Football Playoff has also altered the entry deadline. While most players had to declare by the standard Jan. 15 deadline for the 2025 class, players in the CFP National Championship game have until Jan. 24 to make a decision. So the 2026 class could still change as a result.

Who are the top names to know for next year? Let's dive in and take a first look at the class of 2026.

Jump to position:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | IOL
EDGE | DT | LB | CB | S

Quarterbacks

Drew Allar, Penn State

Allar would have been a QB1 candidate had he decided to enter the 2025 draft. At 6-foot-5, 238 pounds, he has a build which scouts have compared to Bills quarterback Josh Allen and brings big-time arm talent. He's entering his third season as a starter for Penn State after completing 66.5% of his passes in 2024 for 3,327 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His QBR of 78.1 ranked 15th in the FBS.

Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

The 6-2, 200-pound Nussmeier did well in replacing 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, throwing for 4,040 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His QBR of 80.0 ranked 10th in the FBS. There was some scouting buzz about Nussmeier possibly being the QB1 in 2025, too, but another season of starting experience should help his stock. Scouts like Nussmeier's arm talent and how he aggressively attacks down the field.

Cade Klubnik, Clemson

Klubnik showed his NFL potential in Clemson's first-round loss to Texas in the College Football Playoff, throwing for 336 yards and three touchdowns. That capped a season in which he passed for 3,636 yards, 36 touchdowns and only six interceptions with a QBR of 78.7 (11th in the FBS). The 6-2, 210-pound Klubnik doesn't have the biggest arm, but he is accurate and savvy moving in and out of the pocket.

Sleeper: Carson Beck, Miami

Running backs

Makhi Hughes, Oregon

Hughes dominated in two seasons at Tulane, compiling a combined 2,779 yards and 22 touchdowns. The 5-11, 210-pounder ran for 1,401 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024 and will get a chance to star on a bigger stage at Oregon. Hughes' production and excellent pop and power make him an RB1 candidate in 2026.

Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Love provided big-play pop for the Fighting Irish as a sophomore, rushing for 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns on only 148 carries (7.3 YPC). He's a powerful runner at 6-foot, 206 pounds but also has the long speed to run away from defenses -- check out his 98-yard touchdown against Indiana in the first round of the playoffs. Love's combination of size and speed reminds me of Packers running back Josh Jacobs.

play

End zone to end zone! Jeremiyah Love goes 98 yards for ND TD

Jeremiyah Love blows past the Indiana defense for a 98-yard rushing touchdown to give Notre Dame the lead after a rapid start.

Jaydn Ott, California

Ott was considered one of the top backs in the 2025 draft, but a lingering ankle injury limited him to 385 yards this past season after he rushed for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023. When healthy, the 6-foot, 210-pound Ott is the total package, as he is an NFL-caliber receiver out of the backfield. He'll be a top-100 pick if he can stay healthy and produce in 2025.

Sleeper: Quintrevion Wisner, Texas

Wide receivers

Nyck Harbor, South Carolina

Harbor's potential is off the charts; he is built like Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf and has rare skills for a 6-5, 235-pound player. Harbor has been more upside than production thus far, but he has a chance to significantly improve upon his 2024 production (26 catches, 376 yards, 3 touchdowns) and shoot up draft boards.

Evan Stewart, Oregon

Stewart was considered a top-50 prospect in the 2025 draft, but he decided to return to Oregon. The former five-star recruit is a speedster at 6-foot, 175 pounds and was productive in 2024, with 48 receptions for 613 yards and five touchdowns. He has a knack for spectacular catches and has a chance to thrive as the Ducks' No. 1 receiver.

Antonio Williams, Clemson

Williams is my No. 1 returning receiver, possessing a blend of legitimate WR1 tools and production (75 catches, 904 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024). Even though he's only 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, Williams' ability to track the ball helps him play bigger, and he has sprinter-type speed that allows him to create yards after the catch.

Sleeper: Duce Robinson, Florida State

Tight ends

Oscar Delp, Georgia

Delp's stats this season won't blow you away (21 catches, 248 yards, 4 touchdowns), but Georgia's offense isn't catered toward tight ends. Delp has everything an NFL team would want as far as size (6-foot-5, 245 pounds) and movement ability, and he can run, catch and block at a high level. He can play both in-line and in the slot.

Luke Hasz, Ole Miss

I've had my eye on Hasz since watching him in practice at Arkansas prior to his freshman season. He is moving to Ole Miss after catching 42 passes for 577 yards and seven touchdowns in two seasons with the Razorbacks. He never had great quarterback play at Arkansas, so I'm excited to see what the 6-3, 241-pound Hasz can produce in Ole Miss' pass-happy scheme.

Brett Norfleet, Missouri

Norfleet never quite got going this past season, as he couldn't shake an early-season shoulder injury. But the 6-foot-7, 235-pound tight end is in position to move up draft boards as Missouri's top returning pass-catching threat. Norfleet was considered a Day 2 prospect for the 2025 draft but could now break out like Penn State's Tyler Warren did this past season.

Sleeper: Max Klare, Ohio State

Offensive tackles

Francis Mauigoa, Miami

Even though the 6-6, 315-pound Mauigoa plays right tackle at Miami, he has the skills to line up at either side in the NFL. He showed drastic improvement in 2024, not allowing a sack after giving up five the year before as a true freshman. He could be the top overall prospect in the 2026 draft if he continues to improve.

Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

At 6-7, 360 pounds, Proctor jumps out on tape. The left tackle possesses elite strength and good movement ability for his size, allowing him to mirror-and-match with smaller pass rushers and serve as a bulldozer in the run game. He's also improving, going from nine sacks allowed as a true freshman in 2023 to three this past season. Proctor's stock is on the rise.

Ethan Onianwa, Ohio State

Onianwa had a stellar three-year run at Rice before transferring to Ohio State, highlighted by a 2024 season in which he didn't allow a sack and only committed two penalties. Transitioning to the Big Ten will be a challenge for the 6-6, 345-pound Onianwa, but scouts are giddy about his potential. He would have been a likely Day 2 pick in the 2025 draft but could improve that position with the Buckeyes.

Sleeper: Caleb Lomu, Utah

Interior offensive line

Parker Brailsford, Alabama

Many scouts were surprised that Brailsford returned to Alabama, as his 2024 tape showed tremendous growth. At 6-2, 275 pounds, Brailsford is a center with awesome first-step quickness who plays with easy leverage and has better anchor strength than expected for his size. He would be a perfect fit for a zone-blocking team and is one of the FBS' best run blockers.

Cayden Green, Missouri

Missouri's line was loaded this past season, but Green stood out the most to me, even more than likely top-50 pick Armand Membou. The 6-5, 316-pound Green has good movement skills and all-around strength that pops on tape. There have been talks about him being moved to tackle; he has Round 1 ability there and at guard.

Connor Tollison, Missouri

Tollison would have been my top-ranked center had he entered the 2025 draft, but a late-season injury brought him back to Mizzou for another season. While he could stand to add weight and strength, the 6-4, 286-pound Tollison is one of the nation's best interior linemen. His movement traits make him great for a wide-zone-blocking scheme.

Sleeper: Roderick Kearney, Florida

Edge rushers

Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

Bain burst onto the scene with 7.5 sacks as a freshman before falling to 3.5 during an injury-filled 2024 campaign in which he missed four games. But the 6-3, 275-pounder has an incredibly high ceiling. He had 20 pressures despite the injuries, and his first-step quickness, length, burst and power make him a difference-making pass rusher.

T.J. Parker, Clemson

Parker will start the 2026 draft process as my No. 1 overall player after a breakout sophomore season. He had 11 sacks and six forced fumbles to anchor a talented Clemson defensive line and already has NFL-ready size at 6-3, 265 pounds.

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Clemson comes away with a strip-sack on the opening drive

T.J. Parker comes up big with a strip-sack on the opening drive of the ACC championship.

Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon

Uiagalelei broke out in 2024, as his 10.5 sacks put him on NFL scouts' radar. He has pro size at 6-5 and 270 pounds and lines up as a true 4-3 defensive end for Oregon, which is where he would fit in the NFL. He is the total package as far as strength, speed and production.

Sleeper: Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Defensive tackles

Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State

At 6-5, 330 pounds, Jackson has the dimensions of a space-eating defensive tackle and the agility and movement skills of a smaller defensive end. He had 3.5 sacks in 2024 and would have had a top-100 grade from NFL scouts if he had entered the upcoming draft, but a breakout season in 2025 could make his draft stock rise even more.

LT Overton, Alabama

Overton might have been a first-rounder in the 2025 draft had he declared, but he could cement himself as a Round 1 pick in 2026. At 6-5, 283 pounds, Overton has a potent combination of size and speed that scouts love, as he can play defensive tackle and defensive end. He had two sacks this past season in a heavy rotation and will start the 2026 draft process with a first-round grade.

Peter Woods, Clemson

Woods reminds me a lot of former Clemson defensive tackle and current Raiders standout Christian Wilkins. The 6-3, 315-pound Woods is an ideal 3-technique in the NFL and has Round 1 potential. He had three sacks and 17 hurries as a sophomore this past season despite missing three games due to injury.

Sleeper: Lee Hunter, UCF

Linebackers

Anthony Hill Jr., Texas

Hill did it all this past season, with 15.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks and 1 interception. He can spy mobile quarterbacks, drop into zone coverage or rush passers off the edge and in the blitz. Off-ball linebackers aren't usually given top-10 grades, but the 6-3, 235-pound Hill could be an exception.

Harold Perkins Jr., LSU

Perkins was projected to be a first-rounder in the 2025 draft but had his season cut short by a right knee injury in late September. That, plus some regression in his draft stock, have him back at LSU. Perkins can play all three downs, with 13 career sacks and two interceptions. At 6-1, 225 pounds, there's debate on where Perkins fits in the NFL, but he's an elite playmaker.

Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss

Ole Miss' defense was loaded in 2024, with three players in my top 40 of the 2025 draft, but Perkins often stood out as the best of the group. He can rush off the edge (10.5 sacks), drop into coverage (one interception) and make tackles in space. At 6-1, 210 pounds, Perkins is undersized and might need to transition to safety in the NFL, but his talent is undeniable.

Sleeper: Aiden Fisher, Indiana

Cornerbacks

Tacario Davis, Washington

Davis had Round 1 hype in the 2025 class after breaking up 14 passes for Arizona in 2023. Things were quieter in 2024, but he moves on to Washington and reunites with Jedd Fisch, his former coach at Arizona. Davis has ideal NFL size at 6-4, 190 pounds and very good closing speed. If he can make more plays on the ball (only one career interception), he could be CB1.

Josh Moten, Marshall

Moten broke out with five interceptions last season, his second productive campaign after transferring from Texas A&M. His slight build (6-1, 165 pounds) is a bit of concern, but Moten has shown great ball skills along with being silky smooth in transitions and possessing speed to carry receivers down the field. A bit more weight could have him ranked high on the corner board.

Malik Muhammad, Texas

Muhammad has started since arriving at Texas and has scouts buzzing about his development potential. He didn't have an interception this past season, but he broke up 11 passes. He must work on defending deep balls (allowed six passes of more than 20 yards), but his movement ability coupled with great size and length (6-foot, 190 pounds) make Muhammad a Round 1 candidate.

Sleeper: DJ Harvey, San Jose State

Safeties

Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Downs could be the best returning player at any position entering the 2025 season. He was a unanimous All-America selection this past season after transferring from Alabama, picking off one pass while adding 61 tackles. He is an eraser in coverage and has the size (6-foot, 205 pounds) to eliminate receivers and tight ends over the middle.

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OSU seals game with late INT

Caleb Downs picks off Quinn Ewers late in the fourth to punch ticket to the National Championship vs. Notre Dame.

Keon Sabb, Alabama

Sabb made an impact this past season after transferring from Michigan before suffering a season-ending injury in October. The 6-1, 206-pound Sabb has four interceptions in two college seasons and is the size of a prototypical NFL safety. He has top-50 potential.

Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

Thieneman is an impact safety who had six interceptions as a freshman at Purdue in 2023. Quarterbacks stayed away from him this past season, but the 6-foot, 207-pound Thieneman registered 104 tackles for the Boilermakers before transferring to Oregon. While Downs seems set as the top safety in the class, Thieneman's tape projects him as a solid Round 1 option.

Sleeper: Cole Wisniewski, Texas Tech