RADIO
Brant's early All-American Team predictions for 2026 college football, including stars Jeremiah Smith, Trinidad Chambliss, Kewan Lacy, Leonard and Moore.
College football may be a little under four months away, but it is never too early to start speculating on the season. In last season’s way-too-early All-American team, we had some hits and some misses, as there will inevitably be here as well.
There will be no shortage of star power on the gridiron this upcoming season on both sides of the ball.
The college football landscape will change as the season draws on, but for now, here are my way-too-early All-American selections as we head toward another great season of the best sport in the world.
2026 College Football All-American Offense
Quarterback - Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
College football’s most unlikely star from a season ago is back after suing the NCAA after being deemed ineligible. Trinidad Chambliss will enter his first full season as Ole Miss’ starting quarterback as one of the Heisman favorites.
A season ago, Chambliss threw for 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns, and three interceptions while rushing for 527 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. He led the Rebels to the semifinals, and they were just a few plays away from advancing to the national championship game.
The former Ferris State star will go from one of the most unknown names in the sport a season ago to one of the most popular this season. Chambliss is more than just a big name; he’s a big play waiting to happen. His magician-like capabilities on the gridiron make him a very fun watch, and it will be appointment television every time the Rebels take the field in 2026.
Running Back - Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss
Chambliss wasn’t the only transfer to erupt for Ole Miss in 2025. Running back Kewan Lacy burst onto the scene with 1,567 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns as a sophomore after transferring from Missouri last season.
Lacy is one of college football’s most talented returning players and forms an electric backfield with Chambliss for Pete Golding’s Rebels. This may be his last season of college football, as the true junior is at the top of many NFL Draft boards at the running back position.
Running Back - Jadan Baugh, Florida
This was originally going to be Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy, but Hardy was recently shot in the leg at a concert and may miss significant time this upcoming college football season. Best wishes for the talented young man to make a full recovery.
Mizzou star RB Hardy shot, in stable condition. Latest here from @espn. https://t.co/N6pgfaXojV
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 11, 2026
In the meantime, Florida running back Jadan Baugh has All-American talent. Baugh broke onto the scene as a sophomore with 1,170 rushing yards, eight touchdowns, 210 receiving yards, and two more scores through the air. He did that all while being limited by a horrendous Gators offense.
The Florida offense will continue to run through Baugh. At 6-foot-1, 231 pounds, he is not easy to bring down. The young running back could easily become a household name this season under Jon Sumrall.
Wide Receiver - Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Speaking of household names, everybody knows Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith. With 2,558 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns through the air in his first two collegiate seasons, Smith needs just 310 more yards to break the all-time Ohio State receiving record.
Smith was a unanimous First Team All-American last season, and it would be shocking for him not to repeat the honors in his final collegiate season.
Wide Receiver - Malachi Toney, Miami
One of college football’s breakout stars from a season ago, Miami’s Malachi Toney put up 109 receptions for 1,211 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a true freshman. Toney was named the FWAA National Offensive Freshman of the Year after his historic season at just 17 years old, as well as an AP Second Team All-American.
#Miami WR Malachi Toney. 5’10.5, 188.
However you need it, he gets it done. Animal. pic.twitter.com/7YLuGRJWt9
— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) April 14, 2026
Toney is arguably getting an upgrade at quarterback from Carson Beck to Darian Mensah and should remain the focal point of the Hurricanes' offense. He’s the second-best receiver in the sport behind Jeremiah Smith.
Tight End - Trey'Dez Green, LSU
Trey’Dez Green emerged as a strong red-zone target last season for LSU, scoring seven receiving touchdowns. Standing 6-foot-7, 240 pounds, Green is a mismatch nightmare.
6'7" Trey'Dez Green came down with this 😳 pic.twitter.com/eqGd8Uj38f
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 28, 2025
Lane Kiffin has been heavily praising Green all spring, stating that he will be a focal point of the offense in 2026. LSU’s receiving room is stacked with weapons, but its offense should be potent. If Green can double his touchdown production from last year, which is certainly within the cards, he could earn All-American honors.
Offensive Tackle - Carter Smith, Indiana
Indiana’s offense got a massive boost when defending national champion offensive tackle Carter Smith announced that he would be forgoing the NFL Draft to return to Bloomington for the 2026 season.
Per PFF, Smith was the top offensive lineman in the Big Ten in 2025 and will be the best returning tackle in college football in 2026. He will anchor a strong Hoosiers offensive line in hopes of getting them back to the national title game.
Offensive Guard - Kade Pieper, Iowa
The Iowa offensive line never fails to produce studs, and guard Kade Pieper is the next one in line. Pieper ranked fifth among all guards in college football in PFF grading in 2025 and committed just one penalty all season.
He grades as one of the top guard prospects for 2026. As Iowa looks to be a run-heavy offense in 2026, Pieper will be leading the way up front.
Center - Iapani Laloulu, Oregon
Iapani Laloulu has been the starting center for Oregon since 2024, and he has been an anchor on the Ducks' offensive line ever since his freshman season in 2023. Laloulu was an FWAA First Team All-American and an AP Third Team All-American a season ago.
His return to Eugene in 2026 provides a big boost to Oregon’s offense, and he is one of the best interior linemen in the sport this upcoming season.
Offensive Guard - Luke Montgomery, Ohio State
Luke Montgomery first earned a full-time starting role for Ohio State last season, and he did not disappoint as he earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors.
Montgomery is one of four returning starters on the offensive line for the Buckeyes, set to anchor what should be an improved unit. With a season of starting experience under his belt, Montgomery has the talent to elevate to a First Team All-American by the end of 2026.
Offensive Tackle - Trevor Goosby, Texas
The Texas offensive line is in good hands with Trevor Goosby back in the fold. A Bruce Feldman Freak Lister, Goosby has only allowed three total sacks despite playing in 30 games and making 15 career starts. He was considered a potential first-rounder this past draft, but opted to return to Austin.
Goosby very well could be the top tackle off the board in 2027, and has a great shot to land on the First Team All-American team.
2026 College Football All-American Defense
Defensive End - Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
From the moment he stepped on the field as a true freshman, Dylan Stewart looked special. He recorded 6.5 sacks as a freshman, and followed that up with a 4.5-sack campaign as a sophomore. He’s forced six fumbles in his two-year career.
Stewart was a Second Team All-SEC player last season after taking a slight production step back, but he remains as talented as any player in the sport. An increase in production as a junior should have him wavering near any All-American team.
Defensive Tackle - Tyrique Tucker, Indiana
Once a James Madison transfer, forever a national champion. Tyrique Tucker was dominant on the interior defensive line for Indiana during its title run, recording six sacks over the course of the season.
Chapter 3 loading🎥… pic.twitter.com/xfF0C9xRUm
— Tyrique Tucker (@TuckerTyrique) March 12, 2026
He will be one of the stars for Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers in his return to Bloomington for his senior season.
Defensive Tackle - A'Mauri Washington, Oregon
He didn’t become a full-time player until last season, but A’Mauri Washington’s presence in the middle of the field makes it very tough to run the ball on Oregon. Washington recorded 1.5 sacks last year on his way to a breakout season.
Washington led Big Ten defensive linemen in pass breakups with six, and was the seventh-ranked Big Ten defensive lineman by PFF. He joins defensive line teammates Teitum Tuioti, Matayo Uiagalelei, and Bear Alexander, all returning to Oregon for another go-around.
Defensive End - Colin Simmons, Texas
Colin Simmons is college football’s most dominant edge-rusher. The rising junior recorded 12 sacks as a true freshman and had nine last season, along with an interception.
Simmons is one of the most dominant edge-rushers we’ve seen in recent history in the sport, and his dominance is very likely to continue into 2026. He was a Second Team All-American and was on First Team All-SEC last season.
Linebacker - Whit Weeks, LSU
One of college football’s best linebackers, Whit Weeks, broke out as a sophomore with 120 tackles, 3.5 sacks, four passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and an interception. If a play was being made by the Tigers defense, odds were that Weeks was nearby.
Good news for Tiger fans. #LSU linebacker Whit Weeks returned as a full participant in Thursdays practice.
Weeks had been recovering from a nagging ankle injury, but he looks good out there. pic.twitter.com/M0trntqGz5
— Andre Champagne (@andrechampagnee) April 23, 2026
He missed time last season and only played in six games due to injury. As long as he remains healthy this year, Weeks should return to dominance under new head coach Lane Kiffin.
Linebacker - Xavier Atkins, Auburn
The biggest win for Alex Golesh was retaining rising junior linebacker Xavier Atkins, who broke out last season for Auburn. Atkins recorded 84 total tackles, nine sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception in 2025 as the heart of the Tigers' defense. He earned the highest-rated pass-rush grade, per PFF, of all inside linebackers a season ago.
Auburn LB Xavier Atkins flies everywhere pic.twitter.com/FG5wQ7twSl
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) May 6, 2026
Atkins is one of the very few players returning to Auburn for the 2026 season and will once again lead the way as he attempts to earn a first-round grade for the 2027 NFL Draft.
Linebacker - Rolijah Hardy, Indiana
Rolijah Hardy is one of a handful of returning stars from Curt Cignetti’s national title-winning defense. Hardy notched 103 total tackles, eight sacks, and 15 tackles for loss in his breakout sophomore campaign, earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors.
Hardy will undoubtedly be the heartbeat of the 2026 Hoosiers defense and has a good shot to earn an All-American bid.
Cornerback - Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
Leonard Moore made this list last year, too, and ended up being a unanimous First Team All-American after an incredible sophomore season. Moore is on track to be the top cornerback in the 2027 NFL Draft class and enters the season as the premier corner in college football.
Moore recorded five interceptions, a forced fumble, seven passes defensed, and a touchdown last season, cementing himself as a lockdown cornerback. He’s a write-in on any preseason All-American team, and it would be a shock for him not to make the team by season’s end.
Cornerback - Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon
Brandon Finney Jr. broke out as a true freshman last season, starting from Day 1 at Oregon and earning First Team Freshman All-American and Second Team All-Big Ten status.
Brandon Finney Jr 6 TKL, 2 INT, 1 FR vs Texas Tech College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Today.pic.twitter.com/7Rod2dW9DZ https://t.co/fy4lfV7F4p
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) January 1, 2026
Finney defended seven passes, notched three interceptions, two forced fumbles, a sack, and a touchdown in 2025. The star cornerback is set to become a household name as a sophomore.
Safety - KJ Bolden, Georgia
KJ Bolden earned Second Team All-American status last season, defending five passes and recording two interceptions.
While his stats don’t jump off the screen, Bolden is recognized as one of the nation’s premier defenders and enters the season as Georgia’s star defender.
Safety - Tae Johnson, Notre Dame
While Leonard Moore is the nationally known name in Notre Dame’s secondary, there is a real shot that the Fighting Irish could have multiple First Team All-American-caliber players in the unit. Safety Tae Johnson broke out last season, grabbing four interceptions and a touchdown.
Johnson redshirted in 2024, making last season his freshman year. He finished up the year with Freshman All-American honors, and could make the jump to a national All-American as a redshirt sophomore.
Specialists
Kicker - Lucas Carneiro, Ole Miss
The world saw what Lucas Carneiro is capable of during Ole Miss’ playoff stretch. The star kicker went 4-of-5 on 50+ yard field goals over the run, exhibiting NFL-caliber talent and a legit clutch gene.
He connected on 88.6% of his field goals in 2025 and returns to the Rebels for his senior season as college football’s premier kicker.
Punter - Palmer Williams, Baylor
Palmer Williams led the nation in average yards per punt last season (49.3) and possesses the ability to flip the field. He was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award in 2025, and with a lot of college football’s talented punters moving on, he is one of the most proven returnees.
Return Specialist - Da'Realyst Clark, Kent State
Outside of his elite name, Kent State’s Da’Realyst Clark is also an elite kick returner who makes MACtion worth tuning into. Clark returned two kicks for touchdowns last season, earning the MAC Special Teams Player of the Year Award and a unanimous First Team All-MAC selection as a returner.
DA’REALYST CLARK
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) August 30, 2025
