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Jamari Johnson Due for Big Season as Oregon's TE1
Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson, who transferred from Louisville ahead of the 2025 season, tallied 32 receptions for 510 yards and three touchdowns in his first campaign with the Ducks. With first-round NFL Draft choice Kenyon Sadiq off campus, Johnson could be in for a splash season as Dante Moore's clear TE1. Johnson is already viewed as one of the top tight end prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft, so his potential breakout campaign won't come as a surprise. As always at Oregon, there is plenty of talent in the wide receiver room, so if he can earn targets and produce this season in a crowded pass-catching group, he will prove he is the real deal in 2026.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Aneyas Williams has Big Shoes to Fill at Notre Dame
Notre Dame running back Aneyas Williams is slated for a significant workload following the departure of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Notre Dame's No. 1 and No. 2 running backs were selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, leaving an important hole to fill in the Irish offense. Williams, who has flashed in limited action, is a prime breakout candidate at the RB spot this season. The 20-year-old rising junior has tallied 58 rushing attempts for 443 yards and caught 20 passes for 212 yards across 27 career games. He also added seven total touchdowns. The sample size is small, but he's made a solid impact when called upon behind two stud ball carriers. While sophomore Kedren Young and freshman Javion Osborne will likely play a part in the backfield, Williams is in the driver's seat to handle the most touches for the National Championship hopefuls.
Source: Sports Reference CFB
Source: Sports Reference CFB
Mike Norvell Faces Toughest ACC Schedule in Critical Season
Florida State head coach Mike Norvell enters the 2026 season firmly on the hot seat after posting a 7-17 record over the last few seasons. Unfortunately for him, Andy Staples of On3 ranked FSU's schedule as the toughest in the ACC. After what should be an easy win in Week 1 against New Mexico State, the Noles host ACC contender SMU before a road trip to Alabama. They get a brief reprieve before a three-game stand against Virginia, Louisville, and Miami, who combined to go 33-10 last season and are among the top teams in the conference. Clemson, Pittsburgh, NC State, and Florida won't be pushovers, either. Norvell needs an impressive year to keep his job in Tallahassee, but the odds are against him given the cards he draws in his eighth season at the helm of the program.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Arch Manning Named Preseason Walter Camp All-American
Texas quarterback Arch Manning was selected as a first-team All-American by Walter Camp, the oldest college football All-American selection publication. The rising junior entered last season with sky-high expectations, but he showed signs of being a first-year starter in the early part of the 2025 campaign. However, Manning performed at a high level in the second half of the year, leading the Longhorns to seven wins over their final eight games. In his final six games, Manning tallied 19 touchdowns and threw just two interceptions. Three of those contests were against top-10 opponents. With Auburn transfer Cam Coleman in the wide receiver room alongside Trey Wingo, Manning has one of the best wide receiver duos in the country at his disposal. The additions of transfer running back Raleek Brown (Arizona State) and Hollywood Smothers (NC State) should help open up the offense, too.
Source: Walter Camp
Source: Walter Camp
Jayden Limar Tasked with Replacing Jonah Coleman
Washington Huskies running back Jayden Limar is expected to assume the starting role in Seattle after three seasons with the rival Oregon Ducks. Oregon's backfield was crowded during his time in Eugene, limiting him to 95 carries for 442 yards, 20 receptions for 207 yards, and five total touchdowns in 33 career game appearances. He'll be tasked with replacing standout running back Jonah Coleman, who tallied 2,342 total yards and 27 total touchdowns over the last two seasons. Coleman was selected in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Limar is a former four-star recruit and could be one of the Big Ten's surprise breakouts in 2026 playing alongside stud quarterback Demond Williams Jr.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Deuce Alexander the Next Breakout Ole Miss Wide Receiver?
Ole Miss wide receiver Deuce Alexander posted a productive sophomore season (his first with Ole Miss), catching 44 passes for 684 yards and two touchdowns. He trailed just Harrison Wallace III and De'Zhaun Stribling in receivering yards for the Rebels last season. With that pair of wide receivers, along with Cayden Lee and Dae'Quan Wright out of Oxford, Alexander could be the next breakout star wideout for Ole Miss. His quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss, was asked to name a breakout player for Ole Miss during the Manning Passing Academy, and he said "If I had to put money on it, it would probably be Deuce Alexander." Alexander has the most chemistry with one of the best quarterbacks in college football, making him a prime candidate for an explosive season in 2026. Overall, Alexander has tallied 82 receptions for 1,114 yards and five touchdowns in 29 career games with Wake Forest and Ole Miss.
Source: On3
Source: On3
DJ Miller Primed for WR1 Duties for Kentucky?
Kentucky wide receiver DJ Miller appeared in seven games as a true freshman last year, catching 13 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. He is one of just a handful of returning contributors from last year's team, but new starting quarterback Kenny Minchey has high expectations for the St. Louis native. While taking part in the Manning Passing Academy, Minchey was asked to name a breakout pick. "DJ Miller," Minchey said. "He's the best receiver in the country. He's very athletic. His tenacity and his size." Miller has several transfer wideouts to compete with for targets, but based on Minchey's comments, the QB and WR have developed chemistry quickly this offseason. The 6'3" field-stretcher had a breakout game late in last year's campaign, snagging five passes for 120 yards and two scores against Tennessee. He's a player to watch in Will Stein's new-look Wildcats offense this season.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Kevin Jennings Lists Yamir Knight as Breakout Pick in 2026
SMU wide receiver Yamir Knight enjoyed a solid first season with the Mustangs after transferring from James Madison, catching 54 passes for 637 yards and five touchdowns in 2025. He was the third-leading receiver on a team that lost its first, second, fourth, and fifth-leading receivers after last year's campaign. Needless to say, there is opportunity for Knight to become the unquestioned WR1, and quarterback Kevin Jennings shouted him out as a breakout player for 2026. He's underrated," Jennings said. "Just looking at the (EA SPORTS College Football 27) ratings, he's rated at an 85 overall, which is crazy. He's going to have a big, breakout year, and they'll have to boost his attributes a little bit." Jennings is heading into his third full season as a starter and has 39 games of experience under his belt. If he takes another step forward, Knight could be due for big-time receiving production.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Nebraska Running Back Mekhi Nelson Arrested on Battery Charge
Nebraska running back Mekhi Nelson was arrested on Monday following an alleged altercation with his pregnant girlfriend, according to the New York Post. The redshirt sophomore was taken into custody at the Blue Flamingo Resort in Key West and booked on a misdemeanor battery charge. The woman in the incident alleges that Nelson threw her phone across the room and ripped her bathing suit top and bottoms off her, scratching her stomach in the process. "The Nebraska Athletic Department and football program are aware of the arrest of Mekhi Nelson in Florida." the school said in a statement. "We have no further comment at this time." After redshirting in 2024, Nelson played in 12 games in 2025, rushing 27 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns. It remains to be seen if he'll be punished during the 2026 campaign.
Source: New York Post
Source: New York Post
Ohio State Lands Commitment From Marcus Fakatou
247Sports Composite five-star defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou committed to Ohio State on Monday. The California native is the No. 2 defensive line prospect in the Class of 2027 and the No. 26 prospect overall. At 6'6", 275 pounds, the rising high school senior will step on campus with ample size to make an immediate impact. The Buckeyes have had seven defensive linemen/edge defenders selected in the last three NFL Drafts, making Columbus one of the top destinations for high school prospects on the defensive front.
Source: 247 Sports
Source: 247 Sports
Caleb Hawkins Looking to Lead Big 12 in Rushing?
Perhaps the most underrated transfer this offseason was Oklahoma State's addition of former North Texas running back Caleb Hawkins, who led the NCAA in rushing touchdowns last season despite a slow ramp-up as the Mean Green's workhorse. As a true freshman, Hawkins rushed for 1,434 yards and 25 touchdowns while adding 370 receiving yards and four scores through the air. While the Big 12 defenses he is set to face won't quite be the AAC defenses he faced a season ago, the talented running back will look to prove he's more than a piece of a successful offensive system. The Cowboys have a recent history of great running backs between Ollie Gordon II, Chuba Hubbard, and Justice Hill, and Hawkins looks to be the next one in line.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
CJ Carr a Heisman Favorite in 2026?
As of right now, Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr is the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy in 2026. Carr had a productive season as a redshirt freshman, completing 66.6% of his passes for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He led the Irish on a 10-game winning streak to end the season and became very efficient as the year went on. Without Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price to carry the load offensively in 2026, Carr is expected to take on a heavier workload. It remains to be seen how Carr will look with the run game expected to take a step back, and we will get our first glimpse of the Heisman hopeful on September 6 in Lambeau as the Irish take on Wisconsin.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Bryce Underwood Due for Sophomore Jump?
Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood showed potential as a true freshman last season, but ultimately had a very underwhelming season. Underwood completed just 60.3% of his passes for 2,428 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also scrambled for 392 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. The former five-star certainly looked like a freshman for most of the season. However, there is reason to believe that the young signal caller can take a step forward in his sophomore campaign. With Sherrone Moore out and Kyle Whittingham in, the shift in leadership should make Michigan a more serious program. The addition of a locker room leader could help Underwood's leadership and game evolve to the next level as he attempts to build on his freshman season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Malik Washington Set For Breakout Sophomore Campaign?
Maryland quarterback Malik Washington impressed as a true freshman. In his first season of college football, he threw for 2,963 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while adding 303 rushing yards and four scores on the ground. Washington is very physically gifted, standing 6-foot-5 with a big arm and quick acceleration. Despite his rock-solid freshman season, the individual success did not translate into a successful season for the Terrapins. Maryland won just one Big Ten game and ended the season on an eight-game losing streak. With head coach Mike Locksley firmly on the hot seat, Washington is looking to take a step forward as a sophomore in an attempt to stack more wins for the Terrapins in 2026.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Darian Mensah Faces Lofty Expectations in 2026
Miami quarterback Darian Mensah will be playing for his third school in three seasons this fall when he suits up for the Hurricanes. Mensah has thrown for 6,696 yards, 56 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions through his first two seasons at Tulane and Duke, and follows in the footsteps of Cam Ward and Carson Beck as an experienced signal-caller set to lead Mario Cristobal's offense. Miami's ceiling is extremely high in 2026, as they return a lot of offensive production in Mark Fletcher Jr. and Malachi Toney from last season's national title runner-up team. In a weak ACC, the expectation is playoff or bust for the Hurricanes. Mensah, meanwhile, will also be attempting to raise his NFL Draft stock while competing for a national title in a pivotal season for the young signal caller.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
