CFB Player Rank: The top 100 players ahead of the 2026 season

Key Points:

• ESPN's 2026 preseason top 100 college football players list highlights returning stars based on past performance and future potential, with Oregon leading the way with eight players, followed by Indiana and Texas with seven each.
• The list reflects challenges in predicting breakout players, as last year's top 100 missed several key stars, including Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, underscoring the sport's rapid emergence of new talent.
• Top-ranked players include Jeremiah Smith (WR, Ohio State), Leonard Moore (CB, Notre Dame), and Colin Simmons (EDGE, Texas), with notable mentions of quarterbacks Dante Moore (Oregon), Arch Manning (Texas), and Jayden Maiava (USC).
• Several players returned from transfers or overcame injuries, such as Ahmad Hardy (RB, Missouri), who is recovering from a gunshot wound, and Drew Mestemaker (QB, Oklahoma State), who transitioned from a walk-on to a key offensive leader.
• The list features a mix of experienced seniors and rising sophomores, showcasing the depth and evolving talent across conferences, emphasizing the unpredictability and excitement of college football heading into the 2026 season.