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Brant identifies nine breakout freshmen to keep your eyes on for the 2026 college football season. This mix of SEC and Big Ten future stars could become household names.
Every year, a true freshman emerges in college football and instantly becomes a star. Last year, it was Malachi Toney who helped lead Miami to a national title game appearance. The year before, it was Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, who led the Buckeyes to a title.
It’s no guarantee that one of these nine players will lead their team to the national title game like those two previously mentioned players, but these stars of tomorrow all have a path to be a major contributor as a true freshman.
Many of these nine freshmen were heavily recruited and are already standing out this spring. I anticipate that they all will earn roles early on in their careers and eventually find themselves as high-end NFL prospects.
Jermaine Bishop, WR, Texas
Touted as “the Travis Hunter of the 2026 freshman class,” Jermaine Bishop is a five-star athlete who can play on both sides of the ball. As of right now, Bishop is practicing with the receivers and looks to be starting out his career on the offensive side of the ball. Despite that, Steve Sarkisian has left the door open to him playing on the defensive side of the ball at some point.
Texas may have the most stacked receiver room in the nation. Cam Coleman is set to lead the way, with Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley V rounding out the projected starting lineup. However, Bishop is currently running with the second team and has reportedly been wowing coaches with his impressive playmaking. Even Dez Bryant has taken notice.
I want to go on record and say Jermaine Bishop will be Texas Longhorns #1 WR. The eye test doesn't lie. He's oozing with confidence..I can tell by the way he carries himself. He already runs routes like a pro. Legit playmaker.. I'm looking forward to watching him perform this…
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) March 11, 2026
Mosley is currently recovering from a foot injury and only played in nine games last season. Durability has been an issue throughout his career thus far. Bishop seems to already be nearing “can’t leave him off the field” status, and one injury to the Longhorns’ starting trio would likely solidify him in a full-time role in the offense as a freshman.
Bishop’s career may start a little slower due to the crowded receiver room, but he will get opportunities to play this season, and he will be a player that college football fans will need to keep their eyes on.
DeShawn Spencer, WR, Auburn
The best bet to be this year’s Malachi Toney is Auburn’s DeShawn Spencer, a three-star prospect who just started playing receiver two seasons ago in high school. Spencer has been standing out all spring at Auburn, most recently leading the way in the spring game with nine receptions for 93 yards.
Standing 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, Spencer has a smaller stature but is electric with the ball in his hands. He’s been running with the second team behind USF transfers Keshaun Singleton, Christian Neptune, Jeremiah Koger, and Chas Nimrod, but it is sounding like it is going to be hard to keep the talented freshman on the sidelines as we get closer to the season.
Jared Curtis, QB, Vanderbilt
Ranked as the second quarterback in the class of 2026, five-star Jared Curtis shocked the world when he flipped from Georgia to Vanderbilt. He’s essentially locked in as the starter in Year 1 with Clark Lea and company.
Curtis has a big arm, but could suffer from typical freshman growing pains in his inaugural season of college football. Starting at any position as a freshman can be a struggle, but none more than quarterback. Not to mention that this isn’t some lower level of play; Curtis is jumping straight from high school ball to the SEC.
All of the natural talent is there, and all eyes will be on Curtis as he opens SEC play at Auburn on September 26. Veteran running back Sedrick Alexander and receiver Junior Sherrill will help take some of the pressure off the talented freshman.
Last season, Bryce Underwood was the hyped-up freshman quarterback who did not quite live up to expectations in Year 1. Can Curtis surpass the high expectations that Commodores fans have for him?
Jackson Cantwell, OT, Miami
Replacing a first-rounder is never an easy task, and Francis Mauigoa is essentially a first-round lock heading into Thursday’s NFL Draft. Five-star true freshman Jackson Cantwell is expected to be the one-for-one replacement on Miami’s offensive line for the departed star.
Listed at 6-foot-8, 330 pounds, Cantwell has practically already locked himself into the starting lineup for a team that has national title aspirations this year. This is a guy who is widely expected to be a top NFL pick in three years, but there is a long way to go before then. Where better to develop than under former offensive line coach Mario Cristobal?
Chris Henry Jr., WR, Ohio State
At Ohio State’s spring game, all of the buzz was about incoming freshman receiver Chris Henry Jr. Henry was a highly rated recruit, and caught four passes for 96 yards and a score in the spring game. He reminds Buckeye fans of a young Jeremiah Smith just two seasons ago, coming in and taking the world by storm.
Henry joins the Ohio State receiver room at a good time. Carnell Tate is off to the NFL, and the top two backups, Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter, opted to transfer to Notre Dame. All he has to do is beat out one of Brandon Inniss, Devin McCuin, or Kyle Parker to find considerable playing time.
TSC to CHJ for six 🗣️
📺 Big Ten Network pic.twitter.com/OPow9dkZta
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 18, 2026
Smith set the expectations ridiculously high with his freshman breakout two years ago, and while they should be brought down a bit, the opportunity is right there for Henry to become Smith’s running mate as a true freshman in a high-powered passing attack.
Savion Hiter, RB, Michigan
The No. 1 running back in the 2026 class, Savion Hiter, was talented enough to immediately force Justice Haynes into the transfer portal. Hiter was the leading rusher for Michigan in the Maize vs. Blue spring game with 44 yards on the ground.
He measures in at 6 feet, 210 pounds, already touting an NFL-ready frame. Kyle Whittingham has reportedly been very impressed with his pass blocking, which should earn him playing time right out of the gate alongside incumbent star Jordan Marshall.
Between Hiter, Marshall, and quarterback Bryce Underwood, the Wolverines should have a lethal rushing attack this season.
Luke Wafle, EDGE, USC
Five-star edge-rusher Luke Wafle, considered the No. 1 recruit in the entire class by some outlets, is a Day 1 starter at USC. Standing 6-foot-5, 270 pounds, he has already put on 15 pounds since joining the Trojans program.
Lincoln Riley’s defenses have been lackluster since transitioning to the Big Ten, but the addition of Wafle gives him some much-needed flair on that side of the ball. Wafle is deemed ready to start from Day 1 and could even become a household name this season. When watching the Trojans early this year, keep an eye out for the young budding star on the defensive side of the ball.
Eddie Whiting, TE, Michigan State
Pat Fitzgerald’s roster in Year 1 at Michigan State may be devoid of talent, but freshman tight end Eddie Whiting is an unknown guy who college football fans need to keep their eyes on this upcoming season. Standing 6-foot-6 out of South Dakota, Whiting went under the radar as a three-star prospect.
Under the radar no more, Whiting is in the mix to earn an every-down role as a true freshman. He has elite size and athleticism, two unteachable traits, paired with what has been described as a “blue-collar” work ethic by the coaching staff.
On a team lacking receiving options after the departure of its top three receiving leaders in Nick Marsh, Omari Kelly, and Jack Velling, Whiting is in the mix for a potentially massive role as a true freshman.
Salesi Moa, WR, Michigan
Originally committed to play for Kyle Whittingham at Utah, Salesi Moa flipped to Michigan after Whittingham took the Wolverines' job. Much like Jermaine Bishop, Moa was recruited as a two-way star.
Whittingham notoriously used a plethora of players on both sides of the ball last season at Utah. Smith Snowden recorded 97 yards and a touchdown despite being the team’s top cornerback. Lander Barton, a star linebacker, recorded a touchdown and six receptions as a red-zone target.
Moa is gearing up to play receiver, but don’t be surprised if Whittingham finds a few packages to get him involved on the defensive side of the ball as well.
Freshman Salesi Moa hauls in the one-handed catch 🙌 @UMichFootball
📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/HA84YDSUZr
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) April 18, 2026
Whittingham has already called out that Moa is one of the team’s top four receivers, and teammates are comparing his play style to former Wolverines star Roman Wilson. It would not come as a complete shock to see the true freshman be the top receiver for the Wolverines this year.
