This is Sportsvival’s first BIG BOARD of 2026 — an early, comprehensive ranking built from film, production, and measurable traits. Consider it a starting snapshot that blends proven production with high-ceiling athletes; the order will change as medicals, workouts, and offseason evaluations add new information. Treat this as the opening chapter of the 2026 draft conversation — Sportsvival will update the board as the offseason unfolds.
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana- Accurate, poised timing/anticipation thrower; 73% season, 41 TDs; Day-1 starter profile.
Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State- Versatile off-ball/edge playmaker with explosive burst and instincts.
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)- Power-built edge with violent hands and elite production despite length concerns.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State- Scheme-proof safety who can play deep, in the slot, or in the box with elite range and football IQ.
Peter Woods, DL, Clemson- Young, powerful interior disruptor with rare strength and leverage for a true junior.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame- Three-down, homerun back with burst, contact balance, and receiving value.
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL) — Nasty, physical right tackle whom some project inside thanks to his power and anchor.
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah- Athletic mover with guard/tackle versatility and plus pass-pro upside.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State- Efficient, explosive ball-winner who pairs strong hands with vertical tracking.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State- Dynamic route runner with separation quickness and run-after-catch juice.
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech- Twitched-up pass rusher whose pressure output and burst scream early impact.
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn- Power-based, long edge who sets a firm edge and converts speed to power.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee- Top-10 caliber cover man pre-injury with shutdown traits if the medicals check out.
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU- Smooth, physical outside corner with a high floor and rising ball production.
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State- Big, rangy hybrid who plays fast at linebacker and can handle coverage assignments.
Makai Lemon, WR, USC- Polished route runner with strong hands and inside/outside versatility.
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon- Modern mismatch tight end who threatens the seams and wins on the move.
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson- Sticky, competitive cover corner whose mirror ability shows up snap-to-snap.
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama- Massive, toolsy tackle with rare size/athleticism and a road-grader temperament.
Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State- Heavy-handed interior mauler with plus anchor and a finishing mentality.
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State- Stout, powerful interior with pocket-push and early-down run-stopping chops.
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson- Power rusher with a bulldozing bullrush and strong run-defense resume.
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama- Tools-rich passer with mobility and arm talent who still needs refinement.
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington- Big-frame target who threatens vertically and wins in contested windows.
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah- Smooth pass protector with high-end movement skills and room to add play strength.
Kevin Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M- Explosive YAC creator who can stress defenses horizontally and vertically.
C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia- Instinctive, rangy second-level defender who diagnoses quickly and finishes.
Caleb Banks, DL, Florida- Long, heavy-handed interior with disruptive flashes and scheme versatility.
Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina- Press-capable cover man with physicality at the catch point.
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee- Confident perimeter corner with ball skills and closing burst.
Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon- Athletic guard with movement skills for zone schemes and climb ability to the second level.
Christen Miller, DL, Georgia- Strong, high-motor tackle who stacks/sheds and finds the football.
Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa- Tough, finish-oriented blocker who brings an edge in the run game.
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia- Light-footed tackle with developmental upside in pass protection.
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL) — Quick, bendy rusher with grown-man production and a top-50 trajectory.
R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma- Speed-to-power threat with disruptive upfield get-off.
Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech- Long, explosive edge whose traits hint at ascending pass-rush production.
Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas- Explosive athlete who can blitz, scrape, and carry in coverage.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo- Rangy backend defender with ball skills and closing speed.
Chris Bell, WR, Louisville- Physical wideout who breaks tackles after the catch and wins through contact.
Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana- Sure-handed target with strong body control and contested-catch chops.
L.T. Overton, EDGE, Alabama- Power-profile edge with heavy hands and early-down reliability.
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State- Speedy, aggressive corner who plays the ball and tackles.
Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia- Electric returner/slot with instant acceleration and game-breaking space skills.
Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech- Strong, block-absorbing interior who clogs lanes and flashes pocket push.
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon- instinctive, productive safety with range and playmaking angles.
Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri - Lengthy edge presence who converts long-arm leverage into pocket disruption.
Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern- Tall, long tackle with improving anchor and pass-set balance.
Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama- Smooth separator with route tempo and inside/out utility.
Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee- Size/speed vertical option who can stack DBs and finish over the top.
Connor Lew, IOL, Auburn- Smart, athletic center/guard who fits wide-zone run games.
Max Klare, TE, Ohio State- Big, reliable chain-mover who can work the seams and settle in zones.
Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke- Competitive nickel with short-area quicks and route recognition.
Carter Smith, OT, Indiana- Athletic tackle with light feet and developmental strength upside.
D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana- Undersized but feisty playmaker who’s allowed little and taken the ball away.
Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State- Quick-trigger corner with mirror skills and competitive toughness.
Trey Zuhn III, OT, Texas A&M- Experienced, steady tackle with starter traits on the right side.
Kamari Ramsey, S, USC- Versatile safety with downhill temperament and coverage chops.
Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M- Instinctive, compact backer who diagnoses quickly and closes with intent.
Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati- Athletic hybrid who can play off-ball or attack as a situational rusher.
Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State- Big, strong edge-setter with improving pass-pro mechanics.
Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia- Well-rounded tight end with inline toughness and reliable hands.
Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame- Slashing runner with burst and third-down utility behind Love.
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss- Big-armed, mobile passer with developmental upside; ESPN top-5 QB in 2026 stacks.