Top 100 College Football Players for 2026
ESPN releases its annual top 100 player rankings for the 2026 college football season, highlighting stars who could shape the landscape.
The update
ESPN has released its annual preseason ranking of the top 100 players in college football for the 2026 season. The ranking highlights returning stars based on past performance and expectations for the upcoming year. Oregon leads the way with eight players making the list, while defending national champion Indiana and Texas each have seven players included. The ranking process involved ESPN’s college football experts evaluating players to determine who belongs among the sport’s best entering the 2026 season.
Why it matters
These preseason rankings provide early insight into which players and teams might have the most impact in the upcoming season. The list helps shape preseason predictions, media narratives, and potentially even betting odds. For NFL draft prospects, strong performances could boost their draft stock, especially for underclassmen who might consider declaring early for the NFL.
What to watch
How these preseason rankings compare to the postseason version will reveal which players exceeded expectations. The list will likely change significantly as new transfers, freshmen, and unexpected stars emerge during the season. Which underclassmen will use this ranking as motivation to improve their draft stock? Will Oregon’s eight players help them contend for a national title?