Who's too high, too low? USA TODAY Sports' Top 100 College Football Players for 2026
Who are the best players in college football ahead of the 2026 season? Here's a ranking of the top 100, with a non-quarterback taking the top spot.
Fernando Mendoza rose to prominence as college football's top player after transferring from Cal to Indiana, winning the Heisman Trophy and guiding the Hoosiers to a national championship. Despite his stellar performance, Mendoza initially failed to make any top-100 players lists entering the 2026 season. Similarly, Jeremiah Smith and Malachi Toney, two other freshman players, struggled initially but quickly developed into two of the best players in the country.
Due to the unpredictable nature of college football rankings, players such as Miami tackle Jackson Cantwell, who appeared on no lists, might not have been considered.
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