2026 College Football & NFL Draft Outlook: Quarterback Battles, Rising Stars, and League-Wide Shifts Reach New Heights

The 2026 college football season continues to be one of the most dynamic and transformative in recent memory. Fueled by elite quarterback competitions, burgeoning offensive and defensive talents, and sweeping systemic changes, the landscape is shifting rapidly—setting the stage for a compelling NFL Draft and long-term evolution of college football. As spring practices wind down, the NFL Scouting Combine has become the focal point for player evaluations, while ongoing transfer and NIL developments add further complexity to team compositions and recruiting strategies.

High-Profile Quarterback Battles: The Heartbeat of 2026

Quarterback competitions across premier programs have taken center stage, shaping team fortunes and influencing draft projections more than ever before.

CJ Carr (Notre Dame): The Unquestioned Front-Runner

CJ Carr’s stellar performances have cemented his status as a top NFL prospect. His elite arm strength, sharp decision-making, and leadership qualities set him apart. Early-season game film and positive fall camp reports have highlighted his calmness under pressure, a trait scouts covet. Analysts now widely project Carr as a potential top-five pick in the upcoming draft, with the expectation that he can lead Notre Dame’s offense to new heights and demonstrate a high NFL ceiling. Maintaining consistency through the season remains critical for his draft stock.

Ty Simpson (Alabama): Rising Through Combine & On-Field Performance

Ty Simpson’s momentum has surged, especially after announcing his intention to throw at the NFL Scouting Combine—a move emphasizing his confidence and readiness to showcase his arm talent on a national stage. His command of Alabama’s complex offense, combined with notable athleticism and mobility, positions him firmly in the top-tier quarterback conversations. Experts like James Skrmetta suggest that if Simpson sustains his upward trajectory, he could climb into the top five in draft rankings. NFL teams are increasingly valuing dual-threat quarterbacks capable of extending plays and creating opportunities with their legs, making Simpson particularly appealing.

Arch Manning: The Generational Talent

Arch Manning continues to impress with early-season displays of football intelligence, leadership, and physical tools. His pedigree and performances reinforce his status as a first-round NFL Draft candidate, with many scouts predicting he could rise into the upper echelon of the quarterback class by season’s end. The ongoing development of Manning’s skill set will be closely watched, as he remains a central figure in the quarterback landscape.

Ole Miss’s Deuce Knight & Transfer Dynamics

Deuce Knight has emerged as a key contender at Ole Miss, especially amid ongoing transfer disputes involving players like Trinidad Chambliss. Knight’s athletic resilience, leadership, and adaptability have garnered positive attention. However, his NFL prospects depend heavily on NCAA waiver rulings and his on-field production. A standout season, demonstrating durability and leadership, could significantly boost his draft stock.

The SEC & Big Ten Quarterback Battles

• Georgia and Michigan are engaged in internal quarterback competitions, each striving to maintain offensive dominance.
• Oregon has embarked on an offensive scheme overhaul, seeking a quarterback capable of executing a versatile, dynamic offense.
• Ohio State emphasizes leadership, situational awareness, and poise under pressure, aiming to uphold its tradition of strong quarterback play.

Overall, early performances, strategic decisions like Simpson’s combine plans, and coaching developments are shaping perceptions of who will lead their teams into postseason success—and ultimately, the NFL Draft.

Rising Stars & Impact Players: Offensive and Defensive Standouts

Beyond the quarterbacks, a cadre of offensive and defensive players is making waves, significantly influencing draft chatter and game outcomes.

Offensive Playmakers

• Jeremiyah Love (Kansas State): The explosive wide receiver has demonstrated speed, agility, and contested-catch ability. His recent performances suggest he could be a versatile weapon for NFL offenses seeking explosiveness. His combine testing—particularly in the 40-yard dash and agility drills—has heightened his draft profile and led some analysts to consider him a sleeper top-five pick.

• Jordyn Tyson: Known for his versatility and route-running, Tyson’s performance at the NFL Scouting Combine has turned heads. His timed drills and interview sessions are fueling speculation that he could climb significantly in receiver rankings, potentially cracking the top five overall. Recent mock drafts by experts like Gennaro Filice indicate Tyson and Love might crack the top five, with NFL teams such as the Chiefs and Falcons showing strong interest.

Defensive Impact Players

• DaShawn Spears (LSU): After a transfer portal scare, Spears proved his impact in the secondary, displaying ball-hawking instincts, leadership, and versatility. Many evaluators now see him as a potential All-American in 2026 and a top defensive back prospect. His combine performance—particularly in agility and coverage drills—has further boosted his draft prospects.

• Other standout defenders, including IDP linebackers and secondary players, have delivered impressive performances, further fueling draft conversations. Their rising profiles suggest a defensive surge capable of reshaping positional rankings and influencing team strategies.

Combine Performances Reshuffle the Boards

The NFL Scouting Combine remains a crucial event for prospects aiming to boost their draft stocks. Highlights include:

• Jeremiyah Love: His explosive testing has already fueled speculation about a top-five climb, potentially redefining receiver rankings.
• Jordyn Tyson: His timed drills and interviews continue to impress, with recent mock drafts indicating Tyson and Love could crack the top five, significantly impacting team strategies.
• Ty Simpson: His combine throwing performance will be pivotal in solidifying his draft position.

Notable Combine Takeaways

• Athletic testing and drills are actively reshuffling draft boards, with speedsters like Javon Smith and Cam Johnson among the top performers.
• The rise of less-heralded prospects making impressive showings underscores the importance of combine performances in influencing draft positioning.

Broader Institutional & Structural Shifts: The Big Picture

NIL & Transfer Market: A New Era of Roster Strategy

The NIL era continues to redefine how programs approach roster management. Schools like Texas A&M are leveraging NIL deals to retain top talent and attract high-profile transfers, fueling an arms race that raises questions about NIL transparency and fairness. Recent legislative proposals aim to regulate NIL deals, seeking to prevent inequities and maintain competitive balance across programs.

NCAA Tampering & Transfer Violations: Enforcement & Penalties

In a significant development, Jon Duncan, the NCAA’s vice president of enforcement, announced a memorandum of understanding emphasizing strict penalties for transfer-related violations. The NCAA is considering 7-figure fines and head coach suspensions for violations related to tampering and improper transfer dealings. This move follows increased scrutiny over transfer market activities and aims to curb rule-breaking—potentially impacting programs’ ability to rapidly reshape rosters.

Coaching Movements & Strategic Innovations

Recent coaching changes reflect broader strategic shifts:

• Kyle Whittingham’s move to Michigan introduces a disciplined defensive philosophy into the Big Ten.
• Bill Belichick’s transition to North Carolina signals a move toward offensive innovation, with implications for recruiting and program culture.

Conference Realignment & Playoff Expansion

A monumental development has been the proposed expansion of the College Football Playoff to 24 teams. Advocates argue that this will broaden access and increase fan engagement, while critics warn it could dilute the event’s prestige. Early surveys show divided opinions, but the consensus suggests the expanded format will significantly alter postseason dynamics, increasing opportunities for underdog stories and potentially reshaping how programs prioritize regular season success.

Financial & Roster Stability Concerns

Analysts like Matt Brown warn of financial risks associated with conference realignments, citing costs exceeding $23 million for some schools. Meanwhile, skyrocketing coaching salaries—such as Georgia’s staff earning over $8 million annually—are contributing to roster volatility. Incidents like Michigan State QB Logan Todd’s season-ending injury underscore the importance of roster stability amid ongoing NIL and transfer activity, which continues to reshape team chemistry.

Recent Spring Practice & Transfer Developments

Early spring practices are providing valuable insight into team competitions:

• Oregon’s quarterback race remains highly competitive, with multiple contenders showcasing potential to lead.
• Michigan’s QB battle is tightening, with transfers and freshmen making compelling cases.
• Alabama emphasizes quarterback consistency and defensive cohesion as it prepares for a pivotal season.
• USC’s spring drills highlight intense positional battles, especially among wide receivers, with Zachariah Williams shifting roles—highlighted by CBS Sports as a key factor for USC’s offensive identity in 2026.

Transfer waiver outcomes and NIL-related roster restructuring continue to shape team chemistry and performance, adding extra layers of complexity to program trajectories.

Current Outlook & Implications

As the NFL Scouting Combine unfolds, prospects like Ty Simpson and Jeremiyah Love are leveraging combine performances to elevate their draft stocks. Early mock drafts, including those by Gennaro Filice, suggest Love and Tyson could crack the top five, influencing NFL team strategies.

Simultaneously, league-wide reforms—including NIL regulations, transfer enforcement, and playoff expansion—are reshaping the college football ecosystem. These systemic shifts promise long-term impacts on player development, league economics, and competitive balance.

In conclusion, the 2026 season is shaping up as a watershed moment driven by elite quarterback rivalries, emerging stars, and profound structural changes. With spring practices and combine performances still underway, the future of college football and its NFL pipeline appears brighter, more competitive, and more unpredictable than ever—setting a transformative course for years to come.