2026 NFL draft: Kiper’s early predictions on high prospects

We have lastly arrived at Week 1 of the 2025 faculty soccer season. I am unable to wait to see among the high prospects from the 2026 NFL draft class in motion. Texas quarterback Arch Manning going through off in opposition to Ohio State security Caleb Downs? LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier vs. defensive deal with Peter Woods and a loaded Clemson protection? That is going to be enjoyable.

Now, it is actually early. The 2026 draft remains to be virtually eight months away. However in celebration of school soccer kicking off — and the NFL season not being far behind — I made a decision to make some way-too-early predictions about this class and what may occur when the clock begins on Spherical 1 subsequent April.

What number of QBs will go on Day 1? Which colleges might take over the draft? Which prospects may headline the category? Listed below are 10 issues I feel will occur, plus my picks for the School Soccer Playoff champ and Tremendous Bowl winner as an added bonus. Let's begin with what I consider may very well be an excellent gifted group of signal-callers.

1. Six quarterbacks might be drafted in Spherical 1.

We have seen six quarterbacks chosen in Spherical 1 solely twice within the frequent draft period (since 1967). The primary was in 1983, a couple of years after I started evaluating prospects. That class featured John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino. The second time got here greater than 40 years later in 2024, when Caleb Williams led six QBs taken contained in the opening 12 picks. After this yr's draft produced solely two first-round quarterbacks, I feel the place might growth once more in 2026 — with or with out Texas' Arch Manning.

Manning's draft standing is the elephant within the room; it is nonetheless very unclear. His grandfather, Archie Manning, not too long ago told Texas Monthly that Arch could be again at Texas subsequent season. However Arch Manning rolled that again, telling reporters, “I am actually simply taking it day-to-day proper now.” The reality is we cannot know if the 2026 class will embrace Manning for some time. However even when he returns to high school for one more season, this QB class nonetheless has the juice to dominate Day 1.

Listed below are some names to observe as potential first-rounders, in no specific order: LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), Drew Allar (Penn State), Cade Klubnik (Clemson), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Sam Leavitt (Arizona State), Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) and Nico Iamaleava (UCLA). That is seven guys, and Manning makes eight. I might wager six of them go within the first 32 picks.

Which groups may very well be taking these QBs? The Pittsburgh Steelers undoubtedly come to thoughts since they did not tackle the place till Spherical 6 this yr (Will Howard) and have a 41-year-old on the helm this season in Aaron Rodgers. The Los Angeles Rams additionally make sense, contemplating Matthew Stafford appears to be on year-to-year standing at 37. Maybe the Indianapolis Colts are in play? The New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns have all been linked to QB adjustments subsequent offseason, too — however bear in mind these groups all hand-picked their 2025 quarterbacks and will stick to what they received. Look ahead to some extra groups to emerge, as effectively.

2. The race to go No. 1 will come down to 3 gamers.

We've got to begin by narrowing this to the QB class. Nineteen of the previous 25 drafts have seen a quarterback go No. 1 general. Contemplating the variety of groups that may want a QB in 2026, we are able to anticipate it being 20 of the previous 26.

I see three names who might actually go No. 1. After all, we have seen huge risers lately. Joe Burrow got here out of nowhere in 2020; I had him as a fifth- or sixth-rounder within the preseason. However I view Manning, Sellers and Allar as the fellows who rise above the remaining in the meanwhile.

Manning flashed in 2024 when given an opportunity, albeit principally in opposition to dangerous groups. He threw 9 TD passes to 2 interceptions over 10 video games (two begins), and he ran for 4 extra scores. I feel he'll have an enormous season in 12 months 3 at Texas.

However … I additionally assume he'll return to high school. That opens the door much more for Sellers and Allar. These two are what I name “LTPers” — they give the impression of being the half. They've nice measurement and power, and so they transfer effectively. Sellers threw 18 touchdowns final season, his first because the starter. The bodily traits are all there. He simply has to place all of it collectively. I am additionally a fan of Allar's sport, and Penn State's upgrades at broad receiver ought to assist him step as much as one other stage in 2025. I do know I am projecting a bit bit with each signal-callers, however hey, these are predictions in spite of everything.

3. Clemson may have a minimum of 4 first-round picks.

This could be the primary time Clemson has had this many first-rounders. The closest comp is 2019, when Clelin Ferrell (No. 4), Christian Wilkins (No. 13) and Dexter Lawrence II (No. 17) have been all picked on Day 1. The 2026 class may very well be higher.

The Tigers' defensive entrance has two high prospects proper off the bat. Defensive deal with Peter Woods has unbelievable power, and he is versatile alongside the road. He took the vast majority of his snaps inside final season, however he can transfer exterior to trigger disruption off the sting. He completed 2024 with 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Talking of disruption off the sting, check out T.J. Parker's tape. He's a sack artist who can beat blockers with speed-to-power. His 11 sacks ranked ninth within the FBS final season, and he additionally had 43 pressures and 16.5 tackles for loss. Woods and Parker type one of the best DT-Edge mixture in faculty soccer, and so they each seem like clear top-10 picks. In reality, one — or each — of them might go within the high 5.

The opposite two Clemson gamers who ought to go in Spherical 1 are Klubnik and cornerback Avieon Terrell. Klubnik, who's getting into his third season because the starter, seems like a QB3 or QB4 candidate on this class. He has the arm to cube up defenses by means of the air (36 landing passes final season however solely six INTs) and the legs to maneuver the sticks on the bottom (seven speeding scores in 2024). And Terrell is a gifted cowl nook with three picks over two seasons. His 12 go breakups tied for tenth within the nation final yr, and he restricted opponents to a slim 4.7 yards per go try into his protection. Look ahead to each of those guys to listen to their names within the first 32 picks.

4. Penn State may have essentially the most drafted gamers.

Clemson might need a bunch of first-rounders, however it is going to be Penn State with essentially the most general draft picks. I depend 17 draftable gamers primarily based on my preseason grades — 11 on offense, six on protection. Some will return to College Park and a few may fall off, besides, I am calling for a minimum of 12-13 Nittany Lions to get chosen in April.

Listed below are some names, past the beforehand talked about Allar: working backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton; broad receivers Kyron Hudson, Devonte Ross and Trebor Pena; offensive linemen Drew Shelton, Nolan Rucci and Olaivavega Ioane; defensive linemen Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant; linebacker Tony Rojas; cornerback A.J. Harris; and security Zakee Wheatley.

The Huge Ten has been a draft manufacturing facility lately. Michigan had 13 gamers picked in 2024, and Ohio State led all schools with 14 this yr. However Penn State will take the crown for essentially the most chosen gamers in 2026. PSU has produced a minimum of a dozen draft picks solely as soon as earlier than, when it had 13 in 1987, in response to ESPN Analysis. That was certainly one of two earlier cases when the Nittany Lions led all schools in picks, with 10 in 1996 being the opposite. Huge yr on deck!

5. Caleb Downs would be the highest-drafted security since 2010.

Downs has the products to be a top-five decide. He is one of the best pure soccer participant within the class and undoubtedly has the cleanest tape. Downs — the brother of NFL receiver Josh Downs and son of former NFL working again Gary Downs — performed like a senior as a freshman at Alabama in 2023. He then transferred to Ohio State earlier than the 2024 season and made a right away affect because the centerpiece of a nationwide champion protection.

At 6-foot and 205 kilos, he is a superb tackler within the open subject (186 tackles over the previous two years). He diagnoses rapidly with nice pre-snap instincts. And Downs' protection abilities are strong; he has 4 profession interceptions from the again finish.

We have seen some nice safeties get picked within the high 20 lately, regardless of it not being thought-about a premium draft place. Kyle Hamilton went 14th in 2022. Minkah Fitzpatrick went eleventh in 2018, six spots forward of Derwin James Jr. We even noticed Jamal Adams go No. 6 in 2017. However Downs will finest all of them and be the highest-picked security since Eric Berry went No. 5 in 2010. Per ESPN Analysis, Berry is certainly one of six safeties taken within the high 5 within the frequent draft period (Kenny Easley, Bennie Blades, Rickey Dixon, Eric Turner and Sean Taylor), so Downs could be becoming a member of a choose group. He is that good.

6. One other working again will go within the high 10.

There have been 12 working backs chosen within the high 10 over the previous 20 drafts. After a four-year hiatus, we noticed two previously three years (Bijan Robinson and Ashton Jeanty). Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love would be the subsequent.

Love (6-foot, 214 kilos) has all of the traits that scouts wish to see to take a working again this early. He has burst each inside and out of doors. He breaks tackles with ease and creates yards after contact (62 pressured missed tackles final season). He has the imaginative and prescient and breakaway pace to hit residence runs. And he shows loads of receiving expertise. Love — who might be solely 20 years outdated at draft time — is an elite working again prospect.

In 2024, Love ran for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns (at 6.9 yards per rush); he caught 28 passes for 237 extra yards and a further two scores. The important thing to Love hitting one other stage in 2025 may fall on one other a part of the Preventing Irish roster — the play of quarterbacks CJ Carr and/or Kenny Minchey. The passing sport needs to be efficient to maintain opponents from simply stacking the field to cease Love. But when the whole lot comes collectively, Love might have one other nice yr to lock in early-Spherical 1 standing.

7. Anthony Hill Jr. would be the highest-drafted Texas defender in additional than 20 years.

Solely three Texas defensive gamers have been picked within the high 5 within the frequent draft period. Defensive deal with Kenneth Sims went No. 1 general in 1982 because of his inside go rush and talent to cease the run. Cornerback Bryant Westbrook went No. 5 in 1997. And eventually fellow nook Quentin Jammer was the No. 5 decide in 2002.

Hill might be part of the group — if issues go the precise approach. At 6-foot-3 and 238 kilos, he eats up plenty of subject at linebacker. Hill is coming off a powerful season that included 111 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He additionally pressured three fumbles and picked off a go. That is an affect participant.

However to go within the high 5, he wants the Longhorns to play him extra on the skin and let him get after the passer. We hardly ever see linebackers taken early. Latest notables embrace Devin White going fifth in 2019 and Roquan Smith going eighth in 2018. I might put Hill within the high 10 proper now comfortably, however there isn't any doubt he improves his ceiling and inventory if he has the possibility to slip exterior extra typically in 2025. Take into account that Hill's 16.9% strain fee would have tied for sixth within the nation final season, had it certified. He simply wants the chance.

8. Nyck Harbor will rise into the WR1 combine.

Proper now, Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson could be my WR1 within the class. At 6-foot-2 and 200 kilos, he caught 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 scores final season. He was balling late in 2024 with a minimum of 125 yards in three straight video games earlier than an harm pressured him out. With Leavitt throwing him the ball, the manufacturing ought to preserve rolling in for Tyson now that he is again on the sector.

Nevertheless, I've a sleeper within the race to be the primary receiver off the board subsequent April: South Carolina's Harbor. He is principally the offensive model of former Gamecocks teammate Nick Emmanwori; he is enormous, quick and loaded with NFL-level traits. Harbor was on the South Carolina observe group as a sprinter earlier than quitting to deal with soccer. So I am anticipating an eye-popping 40-yard sprint time on the mix for the 6-foot-5, 235-pounder.

Harbor has solely 38 profession catches, which he transformed into 571 yards and 4 TDs over two seasons. However he needs to be a a lot larger a part of the sport plan this season, and with a expertise like Sellers throwing him the ball, Harbor may very well be a quick riser. File this one away. NFL groups love guys with a ton of high-end bodily traits.

9. Eric Singleton Jr. will run a sub-4.3 on the mix.

Singleton can fly. He is solely 5-foot-10 and 180 kilos, which some groups will low cost at draft time. However along with his pace and manufacturing, he is a possible first-round expertise. Singleton transferred to Auburn after two superb 700-plus-yard seasons at Georgia Tech. Look ahead to these numbers to blow up with the Tigers, partly as a result of Cam Coleman might be taking away some consideration on the opposite aspect of the sector. Singleton is a dynamic participant, and he was the 100-, 200- and 400-meter Georgia state champion in highschool.

Pound for pound, he's the quickest participant within the class … and I feel he might grow to be the twenty third participant since 2003 to run within the 4.2s on the mix.

10. Highest-drafted FCS participant will come down to 3 gamers.

I am hedging a bit bit right here, as a result of these three guys are all actually shut. However the first FCS participant taken might be both North Dakota State receiver Bryce Lance, Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings or William & Mary cornerback Jalen Jones. All three are at present within the fourth-round vary, however good 2025 seasons might propel them into the later elements of Day 2. And good all-star sport performances to show the power to compete with FBS-level competitors might be essential.

You may bear in mind one other Lance out of NDSU. Sure, Bryce is Trey Lance's brother. In 2022 and 2023 mixed, Lance had one catch for 7 yards. In 2024, he had 75 catches for 1,071 yards and 17 touchdowns. That is fairly the breakout. Within the playoffs alone, he had 25 catches for 375 yards and 7 scores. The 6-foot-3, 209-pounder high-points the ball along with his size, and he has sturdy palms to safe the catch. Lance has proven some after-the-catch capability, too. He has performed particular groups previously, and that can solely assist his draft standing and talent to stay on an NFL roster.

Demmings (6-foot-1, 190 kilos) is a hard-working and instinctive soccer participant. He makes performs on the ball, with 5 picks and 26 go defenses over the previous three seasons. His sport remains to be creating since he did not play soccer till his senior yr in highschool, which suggests there's plenty of upside there, too.

And Jones' pace, size and athleticism will entice some NFL groups within the center rounds. He is explosive, and he was a Virginia state champion lengthy jumper in highschool. Jones goes to check rather well on the mix and William & Mary's professional day. However the 6-foot, 195-pound nook additionally has the constant on-ball manufacturing to make an affect. He had 22 go defenses final season! Jones additionally has six profession interceptions, together with 4 in 2022.

Bonus: Championship picks

Penn State will win the nationwide championship. I've the Nittany Lions beating Texas to win the School Soccer Playoff, with Clemson ending only a beat behind these two. This appears like a three-team race, however Penn State has a lot expertise on that roster, and I am shopping for a giant yr for Allar. (By the way in which, the CFP nationwide champion has produced essentially the most draft picks in faculty soccer — or a minimum of tied for essentially the most — for six straight years.)

The Baltimore Ravens will win the Tremendous Bowl. That is Baltimore's yr. Lamar Jackson. John Harbaugh. A ton of expertise on either side of the ball. I've the Ravens beating Micah Parsons and the Inexperienced Bay Packers to win their third Tremendous Bowl.