The 2025 school soccer season will conclude Monday with the School Soccer Playoff nationwide championship. So how about looking forward to the 2026 NFL draft and stacking the very best gamers within the class?
Loads can change between now and the beginning of the draft on April 23. For one, gamers from Indiana and Miami have till January 23 to declare for the draft. There are nonetheless predraft occasions, the mix and professional days over the following three months. We’ll additionally be taught extra about lingering damage conditions for a handful of high prospects.
With that disclaimer out of the way in which, right here is my preliminary rating for the highest 25 prospects within the 2026 class. Quarterback Dante Moore’s announcement that he is returning to Oregon shook some issues up, as I had him at No. 2 earlier than his resolution. Past my high 25, I even have my rankings by place listed on the backside. (Underclassmen are marked with an asterisk.)
Bounce to place rankings:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | G | C
Edge | DT | LB | CB | S | ST
See extra on the NFL draft:
Consensus rankings
Peak: 6-5 | Weight: 225
The Heisman Trophy winner brings a complete ability set led by distinctive accuracy to all ranges of the sector, a strong arm and a rock-solid stature. Mendoza has accomplished 73% of his passes this season (third highest in FBS), together with 5 separate video games with a completion proportion north of 85%. He has 41 landing passes to 6 interceptions.
Mendoza has the purposeful mobility to navigate the pocket, and he confirmed enhancements along with his decision-making in a single season at Indiana after two years at Cal. He took 22 sacks in 2025 in comparison with 41 in 2024, although he did profit from the Hoosiers having a greater offensive line. Mendoza’s closing school season included clutch moments and poise that recommend he would not be overwhelmed by the early rigors of being a rookie QB.
2. Arvell Reese, Edge/LB, Ohio State*
Peak: 6-4 | Weight: 243
Few gamers boosted their draft inventory greater than Reese this season. He not solely moved right into a full-time beginning position but additionally performed a better proportion of snaps at outdoors linebacker versus inside linebacker. (Reese performed 67.5% of his snaps as an inside linebacker in 2024 to only 37.7% in 2025.) He has glorious size and an unmistakable go off the sting, making him a nightmare task for offensive tackles. Reese has the power to bend, torque and shut the hole and impression QBs within the pocket.
With 6.5 sacks in 2025, I believe Reese is fitted to a full-time rusher position within the NFL. However his versatility will likely be a plus for whichever group picks him.
Peak: 6-0 | Weight: 205
The final security drafted within the high 10 was Jamal Adams in 2017 (No. 6 general). Downs is positioned to finish that streak, seeming to have zero weaknesses. He can wreak havoc close to the road of scrimmage as a run defender and play protection beneath. He has the velocity and acceleration to be a succesful blitzer if referred to as upon. He can even simply patrol the deep center portion of the sector.
It’s uncommon for a security to be a tone-setter for a protection, however Downs suits into that class. He was an instantaneous contributor and chief at Alabama as a freshman earlier than he transferred to Ohio State for 2 seasons. He’s a hard-hitting tackler who can change the complexion of any NFL protection upon arrival, and he completed 2025 with 67 tackles and two interceptions.
Peak: 6-6 | Weight: 315
Mauigoa put collectively an off-the-charts closing season, as the fitting deal with was dominant in each sense of the phrase. He has a rock-solid body, taking part in with terrific steadiness, good physique management and a robust base. He’s a road-grading run blocker with overwhelming energy on the level of assault. Plus, Mauigoa has phenomenal cross safety expertise with the bottom stress proportion allowed out of all tackles within the FBS this season (1.2%). With mild ft, he’s all the time beneath management and a affected person protector.
Peak: 6-3 | Weight: 250
On this deep pool of edge rushers, Bailey has separated himself from the remainder of the category. He led the FBS with 14.5 sacks this season, getting residence with an elite first step, violent arms and energy off the sting. Alongside along with his unimaginable bodily traits, Bailey has proven the instincts and imaginative and prescient to see performs develop; he swatted two passes in Texas Tech’s CFP loss to Oregon, together with on a fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line.
Bailey has a ton of traits that NFL groups will likely be enamored by, however his physicality stands out on tape. He’s a forceful participant who can actually disrupt the quarterback. And he was arguably the very best participant on probably the most dominant entrance seven this season.
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Texas Tech shuts down Oregon on 4th-and-goal
Texas Tech’s David Bailey stuffs Dante Moore’s throw on fourth down to finish Oregon’s drive.
Peak: 6-0 | Weight: 214
Love has elite change-of-direction expertise and the acceleration to show a modest run into a bit play. He had 39 rushes of 10-plus yards in 2025 and a 90-plus-yard run in every of the previous two seasons. In all, he ran for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. However Love can also be a playmaker within the passing recreation along with his pure route-running expertise and gentle arms. Like final 12 months with Ashton Jeanty, we are going to debate how excessive a operating again ought to go over the following three months. However I doubt Love will fall out of the highest 10 picks.
Peak: 6-6 | Weight: 302
Fano was a standout cross protector throughout his three seasons at Utah, two of which have been performed at proper deal with (after a 12 months at left deal with in 2023). He allowed a measly 4 pressures and 0 sacks on 749 snaps at proper deal with in 2025. He has nimble and lightweight ft to match and mirror rushers and the power to redirect and in addition deal with cross-face rushers.
Fano’s listed weight has some scouts considering he could possibly be moved inside to protect, however I am bullish that he’s greatest suited at proper deal with. And although he might thrive in any scheme, a zone speeding assault could be a premiere match given his mild ft.
Peak: 6-2 | Weight: 200
A wholesome debate will happen about who the very best large receiver is on this class, largely specializing in Tyson and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate. Proper now, I am giving Tyson the sting regardless of his tape being higher in 2024 than 2025. In that method, he jogs my memory of Chicago’s Luther Burden III, who has put collectively a productive rookie 12 months regardless of a disappointing closing collegiate season.
Tyson is a pure separator who could be very snug selecting up additional yards after the catch. He has dealt with punt return duties previously, has glorious ball expertise and has the velocity to rattle off large performs. A hamstring damage restricted his play this previous season, however his full school physique of labor is terrific. He had only one drop on 100 targets in 2025, racking up 711 yards and eight TDs.
Peak: 6-3 | Weight: 195
Tate is arguably probably the most pro-ready prospect on this class, and he is a lock to increase Ohio State’s streak of first-round receivers to 5 straight drafts — a feat that is already an NFL file for a single school. He can stretch the sector, hauling in a 40-plus-yard catch in six of 11 video games this season, however the hallmark of his recreation is how easy he makes all of it look. Tate is an in depth route runner who didn’t drop a single cross within the 2023 or 2025 seasons. His terrific physique management and contested catch expertise flashed on sideline routes. He completed the 12 months with 875 yards and 9 scores.
Peak: 6-4 | Weight: 243
Types is a former security whose vary and protection expertise shine on tape. He can cowl a ton of floor in a rush, making him a scheme match for just about any group and giving him a bonus towards athletic NFL tight ends. Types confirmed off timing and anticipation as a blitzer throughout the 2024 season, serving to him attain six sacks and eight pressures. His nice size has made his transition to a brand new place look simple.
Peak: 5-11 | Weight: 195
There are few gamers I loved watching greater than Lemon, who capped off his collegiate profession with 110 catches and 1,156 yards in 2025. He does not dominate with blazing velocity or large measurement, as a substitute counting on his route operating and talent to make troublesome catches. In my eyes, Lemon is the very best on this class at making contested catches — he had precisely one drop in every of his three seasons. His instincts and get in touch with steadiness make him the most effective within the draft with the ball in his arms.
Peak: 6-3 | Weight: 315
Woods was a extremely touted prospect coming into the season, however he has seemingly fallen out of the top-five choose vary after a modest 2025 marketing campaign. He wreaks havoc within the run recreation, with quickness each up the sector and laterally. His energy on the level of assault permits him to lock out blockers and subsequently disengage. And whereas he registered solely 5 sacks in three seasons, his impression goes past the field rating.
There are some questions from scouts concerning his peak and arm size, so it will not shock me if his vary winds up slightly bit decrease than this — however these aren’t vital issues in my eyes.
Peak: 6-0 | Weight: 190
Delane spent his first three collegiate seasons at Virginia Tech earlier than one 12 months at LSU. He has the scale of an NFL cornerback and was terrific in protection this previous season. He allowed opposing quarterbacks to finish simply 27.7% of their passes when he was the focused defender, the third-lowest charge within the nation. Plus, his instincts and robust balls expertise led to 11 cross breakups.
The important thing query scouts are sifting by means of with Delane is his velocity. If he opts to run a 40-yard sprint throughout the predraft course of, that would have a serious impression on his ceiling in April.
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Mansoor Delane comes up with an interception
Mansoor Delane grabs interception vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
Peak: 6-6 | Weight: 285
Faulk checks all of the bins along with his measurables, however he adopted up a really promising 2024 season with a much less dominant 2025 (seven sacks in 2024 versus two in 2025). He’s clean and flexible off the sting, and a few scouts have in contrast Faulk to Mykel Williams — San Francisco’s first-round choose in 2025 — due to their frames. However I might argue Faulk has greater upside as a rusher if he can constantly hone his abilities. He did not do this sufficient this previous season.
Peak: 6-3 | Weight: 275
Bain took residence ACC Defensive Participant of the 12 months honors in 2025. He has glorious energy, performs with robust leverage and has a relentless motor as a rusher. If wanted, Bain can even kick right down to a decreased alignment and rush over inside linemen.
Whereas some view Bain as a top-10 choose, there are break up opinions amongst NFL evaluators given his body. Scouts have questions on his size, velocity off the sting and what sort of entrance he would greatest slot in on the subsequent degree. With that being stated, he constantly made school quarterbacks uncomfortable and is barely 21 years outdated. He has 68 pressures and eight.5 sacks this season.
Peak: 6-6 | Weight: 304
Lomu took over for Fano as Utah’s beginning left deal with in 2024, and he has been a steadying power since then. He has adept cross safety expertise, not permitting a single sack in 792 snaps this season. Lomu can even add to the run recreation as an correct striker when climbing to the second degree. He should add some bulk with a purpose to keep at deal with within the NFL, although.
Peak: 6-0 | Weight: 193
There won’t be a extra complicated analysis of potential first-round picks than McCoy, who missed the entire 2025 season after tearing his ACL final January. His 2024 tape was distinctive, together with 4 interceptions and 9 cross breakups. If McCoy have been eligible to declare for the 2025 draft, he might nicely have been a top-15 choice — the tape was that sharp. However with a 12 months away from soccer, it is a lot tougher to peg his vary.
Peak: 6-2 | Weight: 248
A group on the lookout for instantaneous juice off the sting will discover it in Howell, a former Bowling Inexperienced star who performed his closing two seasons at Texas A&M. In 2025, Howell posted 11.5 sacks (tied for fourth most within the FBS) and received SEC Defensive Participant of the 12 months. He has a blazing first step to get offensive tackles on their heels. And he can actually torque his physique to show the nook when chasing down pocket passers. Regardless of this pure speeding capacity, some scouts have wrestled along with his lack of arm size.
Peak: 6-3 | Weight: 245
Sadiq is a moveable chess piece who made a large leap after Terrance Ferguson departed for the 2025 draft. Sadiq greater than doubled his profession receiving touchdowns this 12 months alone, ending with eight. He has excellent acceleration, burst and steadiness, which makes it troublesome for linebackers to hold with him in man protection. The one draw back for him is an absence of premiere size, however he’s a prepared blocker who additionally led Oregon in particular groups snaps in 2024. That kind of selflessness has not gone unnoticed by scouts.
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Dante Moore throws 21-yard landing cross to Kenyon Sadiq
Dante Moore throws a 21-yard landing cross to Kenyon Sadiq
Peak: 6-4 | Weight: 330
Ioane is a ready-to-roll guard within the NFL. He performs with bullying energy to displace gamers within the operating recreation and create lanes for backs. He’s able to attending to the second degree and is a usually fluid mover in house. Penn State typically moved Ioane across the line to reap the benefits of his motion expertise, and he has been downright stellar as a cross protector with zero sacks allowed over the previous two seasons.
Peak: 6-4 | Weight: 209
Boston is greater than only a large goal on the perimeter. He confirmed alignment versatility from the slot, plus his understanding of zone protection and route operating makes him efficient within the intermediate passing recreation. Nevertheless, his measurement will likely be engaging for groups that want a pink zone menace. He snagged 20 receiving touchdowns over the previous two seasons, which is tied for the third most within the nation over that point span. Boston’s play velocity improved every year at Washington as nicely.
Peak: 6-7 | Weight: 315
In full disclosure, I had Freeling earmarked as extra prone to return to varsity than declare for the draft, as he has only a bit over one full 12 months of beginning expertise — he took over as a starter with 4 video games left within the 2024 season. It is easy to see why scouts have been enamored along with his motion traits and large body. He should add some weight to his construct to enhance his core energy and general base, however his starter package of traits screams NFL left deal with: size, footwork, cross safety expertise and extra. He is a reputation to file away as a possible riser throughout the predraft course of.
23. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia*
Peak: 6-1 | Weight: 235
There may be an old-school nature to Allen’s recreation, as Georgia’s defensive quarterback brings some severe physicality. He’s fearless within the operating recreation, brings some cross rush juice and has strong protection expertise. Allen allowed a completion proportion of simply 47.4% when focused as the first defender this season. His intelligence throughout the snap comes up on tape, and there’s a robust monitor file of current Georgia linebackers translating to the NFL degree. Allen is subsequent up.
Peak: 6-3 | Weight: 280
Mesidor is a tall process for opposing offensive tackles since he’s exceptionally explosive and highly effective. He has a various arsenal of pass-rush strikes and confirmed out in large video games this season. Mesidor registered 1.5 sacks towards Texas A&M in Miami’s first CFP recreation. Per week later towards Ohio State, he staked a declare for the very best defensive participant on the sector with two sacks. He has 10.5 on the season. Regardless of being one of many oldest prospects within the class (turning 25 simply weeks earlier than the draft), he has an opportunity to crack the primary spherical.
Peak: 5-11 | Weight: 180
The youthful brother of Falcons standout A.J. Terrell Jr., Avieon Terrell packs a ton of punch inside his comparatively small body. He was everywhere in the discipline for Clemson in 2025, ending with three sacks, 9 cross breakups and an astounding 5 pressured fumbles. He’s a real “discover the soccer” cornerback, which ought to translate nicely to the NFL.
Place rankings
Quarterbacks
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama
3. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
4. Drew Allar, Penn State
5. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Working backs
1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
2. Jadarian Value, Notre Dame
3. Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
4. Kaytron Allen, Penn State
5. Jonah Coleman, Washington
Fullbacks/H-backs
1. Justin Joly, NC State
2. Michael Trigg, Baylor
3. Oscar Delp, Georgia
Large receivers
1. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
2. Carnell Tate, Ohio State
3. Makai Lemon, USC
4. Denzel Boston, Washington
5. KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Tight ends
1. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
2. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
3. Joe Royer, Cincinnati
4. Max Klare, Ohio State
5. Jack Endries, Texas
Offensive tackles
1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami
2. Spencer Fano, Utah
3. Caleb Lomu, Utah
4. Monroe Freeling, Georgia
5. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Guards
1. Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
2. Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech
3. Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
4. Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
5. DJ Campbell, Texas
Facilities
1. Logan Jones, Iowa
2. Connor Lew, Auburn
3. Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M
4. Jake Slaughter, Florida
5. Parker Brailsford, Alabama
Edge rushers
1. Arvell Reese, Ohio State
2. David Bailey, Texas Tech
3. Keldric Faulk, Auburn
4. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
5. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
6. Akheem Mesidor, Miami
7. Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
8. Zion Younger, Missouri
Defensive tackles
1. Peter Woods, Clemson
2. Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
3. Caleb Banks, Florida
4. Domonique Orange, Iowa State
5. Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
Linebackers
1. Sonny Types, Ohio State
2. CJ Allen, Georgia
3. Jake Golday, Cincinnati
4. Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
5. Josiah Trotter, Missouri
Cornerbacks
1. Mansoor Delane, LSU
2. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
3. Avieon Terrell, Clemson
4. Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
5. Devin Moore, Florida
Safeties
1. Caleb Downs, Ohio State
2. Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
3. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
4. A.J. Haulcy, LSU
5. Kamari Ramsey, USC
Kickers
1. Dominic Zvada, Michigan
2. Drew Stevens, Iowa
Punters
1. Brett Thorson, Georgia
2. Evan Crenshaw, Troy
3. Palmer Williams, Baylor
Lengthy-snappers
1. Luke Basso, Oregon
2. Garrison Grimes, BYU
3. Tyler Duzansky, Penn State
