Tonight marks the beginning of Week 3 of the NFL preseason. College football’s Week 0 kicks off the day after tomorrow, and the day after that, NFL teams will cut their rosters down to the 53-player size they’ll maintain through the regular season. Just a few days later, college football season will officially get underway in earnest, and a week after that, the NFL regular season kicks off. We’re almost there.

On Monday, I released an updated 2027 mock draft featuring many of the top prospects in the class in a projected draft order. Today, I’m updating my top 50 big board for the 2027 class. Summer scouting is always a balance of tape evaluation and projection, and evaluators will vary dramatically in their opinions on certain prospects, even moreso than when final grades come in around April.

With apologies to the prospects who didn’t quite make the cut, here are my top 50 players ahead of college football’s 2026 kickoff:

1 — Notre Dame CB Leonard Moore

A 6-2, 197-pound true junior, Moore is the highest-graded cornerback I’ve had coming out of summer scouting since Derek Stingley Jr. (though I did love Will Johnson, too). He’s long, fluid and explosive, setting the tone with physicality while effortlessly mirroring receivers. Moore can play man or zone with equal effectiveness, is scheme-versatile and consistently won his matchups against the best receivers he faced. There’s little to criticize with his game.

2 — Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith

Big receivers aren’t supposed to move the way Smith does. Despite being listed at 6-3, 223 pounds, Smith runs crisp routes and creates separation against athletic man coverage. He can make anyone miss with the ball in his hands and is as physical as they come at the catch point. You’d be hard-pressed to find an easier projection in a class for a do-everything No. 1 receiver in an NFL offense.

3 — South Carolina ED Dylan Stewart

A freakish athlete at 6-5, 250 pounds, Stewart is a dream prospect for NFL defensive coordinators. His powerful lower half gives him the play strength of much bigger edge rushers, plowing through blocks as needed and setting a hard edge. Stewart’s bend around the edge and explosive burst make him much more versatile than just a power player, and the sky’s the limit when it comes to what he can develop into.

4 — Texas ED Colin Simmons

A 6-3, 246-pound Texas native, Simmons is the prototypical speed rusher prospect. He wins quickly and cleanly around the edge, flattening back to the quarterback to apply immediate pressure. His hands are always working, staying active to execute his moves and keep tackles guessing. From a pure pass rushing standpoint, Simmons is the best edge defender prospect in the class.

5 — Miami QB Darian Mensah

A 6-3, 205-pound Tulane transfer via Duke, Mensah has two years of first-round-caliber tape under his belt. His accuracy and rhythm are what set him apart, and his film is littered with high-level, NFL-caliber throws. He’ll dice up the middle of the field, throwing with anticipation and passing his receivers open. Though he’s not really a runner, Mensah makes plays consistently out of structure, breaking the pocket as needed to buy time and find open receivers. Mensah is my top quarterback in this class coming out of the summer.

6 — Texas QB Arch Manning

The version of Manning we saw open the 2025 season struggled to be a college-level starting quarterback. By the time the season ended, he looked like he could’ve been the No. 1 pick in this past class. With a name that grabs scouts’ and fans’ attention alike and a high recruiting pedigree, much was expected of Manning in his first season as a starter. His 6-4, 222-pound frame, arm talent, athleticism and overall ability were never in question. And as he got more comfortable, his ball placement and command of the offense improved considerably. Now, it’s time for him to put together a full season of good tape.

7 — Miami DT Justin Scott

A 6-4, 303-pound true junior, Scott has a chance to go absolutely nuclear this season. A powerful interior pass rusher, he possesses rare quickness at his size, consistently creating backfield disruption and denting the offensive line. His long, powerful arms make him a good tackler and hand fighter, and he holds his ground against double teams well in the run game. Though he still needs to add some mass, Miami’s coaches rave about his mentality and leadership qualities, a promising sign for a young player.

8 — Georgia CB Ellis Robinson IV

A 6-0, 180-pound redshirt sophomore, Robinson has just one season of collegiate experience under his belt. But he put on a show last season, demonstrating impressive fluidity in his coverage reps that allowed him to stay sticky with receivers of all shapes and sizes. With plus length and athleticism for man coverage, Robinson also shows out as a run defender, maintaining his physical, disciplined playstyle in the less glamorous responsibilities of the cornerback position.

9 — Texas OT Trevor Goosby

A mammoth 6-7, 325-pound tackle, Goosby saw some action late in 2024 before becoming a weekly starter the following season. His development over the course of the year was impressive to watch. A true people-mover, Goosby is a force of a drive blocker with enough versatility to succeed in zone-blocking schemes, as well. As a pass protector, he has good hands and is an athletic enough mover to match speed rushers around the arc while still protecting his inside shoulder.

10 — Missouri OT Cayden Green

Despite moving from guard to tackle just two weeks before the start of the 2025 season, Green put together some phenomenal tape for the Tigers. At 6-5, 324 pounds, he looks and plays like an All-Pro guard — but he also grew into the tackle position throughout last season. An ascending player with dominant anchor strength and drive-blocking power, I was impressed with Green’s hand usage and recovery speed on the outside. Another year of development at tackle could see Green’s stock soar.

11 — USC QB Jayden Maiava

Now entering his third season at USC after transferring from UNLV, the 6-4, 230-pound Maiava will start for the Trojans for the second consecutive year. The best touch passer in the class, he showcases a veteran’s bag of tricks — throwing off-platform, on the move and with varying arm angles — and he can drop it in the bucket as easily as he can laser a pass between two converging defenders. With his big frame, Maiava stands tall in the pocket and delivers passes through contact, and he can scramble a bit too, particularly in the red zone.

12 — Florida RB Jadan Baugh

A massive 6-1, 225-pound back, Baugh is a punishingly physical runner. He runs through arm tackles with impunity, crushing would-be tacklers through contact and making people regret coming near him. Baugh adds a unique finesse element to his game, though, with rare wiggle and burst to his game at his size. A supreme athlete with receiving utility as well, Baugh really has it all at the running back position.

13 — Georgia S KJ Bolden

A speedy, versatile safety at 6-0, 195 pounds, Bolden is exceptionally fast with the range to play in true single-high looks. But he’s not limited to that role: he’s a punishing tackler, bringing physicality down into the box and blowing up run plays consistently. In zone coverage, he plays with great eyes and high awareness, and as a premium athlete has the skills to play man coverage in the slot.

14 — Oregon DT A’Mauri Washington

A gifted athlete at 6-3, 330 pounds, Washington’s five best plays can stack up with anyone else in the class. At his best, he creates havoc, bulldozing the offensive line or dancing around them to create instant pressure or a tackle for a loss. Consistency will be key for Washington in 2026 — if he becomes more impactful from snap to snap, he’ll go in the top 10.

15 — Texas A&M WR Mario Craver

An electric 5-9, 165-pound slot receiver, Craver will have a tough time actually being selected this high due to his size. But you won’t find a better separator in this class. Craver has speed for days and combines that with impressive lateral agility and stop/start athleticism. This skillset allows him to lose defenders in an instant, cutting on a dime and making people miss after the catch. An advanced route runner, Craver is more than just a gadget/designed touches guy. In fact, he did a lot more true receiver work than not last season.

16 — Oregon QB Dante Moore

Standing at 6-3, 206 pounds, Moore could have been the No. 2 overall selection in the 2026 draft. Instead, he chose to return to Oregon to continue refining his skills. Though he’s largely pocket-bound, Moore has a strong arm and real zip on his passes, delivering the ball on a rope between defenders and hitting closing windows with good timing. I thought he had consistent accuracy, though his ball placement could use some work. With his frame and arm talent, another year to grow more comfortable commanding an offense could see him push for the No. 1 overall pick.

17 — Miami DT Ahmad Moten Sr.

Moten is everything you could want in a fifth-year senior. He’s played a lot of college football and has seen it all. Disciplined in his run fits with a strong core and jolting hands, he holds the point of attack well and is difficult for double teams to move. But Moten’s best tape comes as a pass rusher when he uses his quick first step to put guards in recovery mode, utilizing a bevy of moves to win decisively and apply pressure in the backfield.

18 — Texas WR Cam Coleman

Everyone’s favorite breakout candidate, Coleman stands at 6-3, 204 pounds. He’s a turbo-charged athlete with blazing speed and body control at the catch point. Though his route tree is underdeveloped, his feel for shielding the ball from defenders and the advanced way he stems and breaks his routes is extremely promising. The production hasn’t caught up to the talent yet, but Coleman’s ceiling is as high as anyone’s.

19 — Oregon TE Jamari Johnson

A 6-5, 257-pound junior, Johnson is the do-everything tight end in this class. He can line up in-line, out wide or in the slot, running smooth routes and threatening the seams of the defense with his speed. I like his soft hands on tape, and he can make plays after the catch too. Though he could stand to add some strength, he’s a willing and dedicated blocker, taking on his assignments with the attitude and conviction you want to see from a first-round tight end.

20 — Ohio State G Austin Siereveld

A 6-5, 325-pound offensive lineman with experience at both guard and tackle for the Buckeyes, Siereveld is an easy guard projection in the league. He plays with quick hands and powerful feet, driving through his lower half to create explosive vertical displacement in the run game, pairing that with good hand usage to protect his chest and maintain leverage. As a pass protector, he’s quick for a guard, mirroring interior rushers and passing off complex assignments with a veteran’s presence.

21 — Oklahoma DT David Stone

A true junior measuring at 6-3, 312 pounds, Stone figures to see a larger role this season thanks to Gracen Halton departing for the NFL. The flashes Stone showcased last season are promising: he’s a fluid athlete with agile hips, giving him rare bend for a defensive tackle. Combined with his fast first step, it allows him to put interior offensive linemen at a disadvantage, punishing them with counters and cross-face moves. Stone isn’t a notable run defender and he needs to put more on tape, but I like what I’ve seen so far.

22 — Miami ED Damon Wilson II

A speed demon off the edge, Wilson is a Missouri transfer listed at 6-4, 250 pounds (though his spring weight was closer to 240). When he flattens his ears back and comes after the quarterback, he makes life hell for whoever is trying to block him. Wilson’s play strength is lacking right now and he gets pushed around in the run game, but pass rushing is at a premium in the NFL. If he can add some strength and grow more comfortable leaning into his speed advantages, Wilson could lock in his status as a first-round prospect.

23 — Syracuse CB Chris Peal

A standout zone cornerback, Peal stands at 6-1, 200 pounds. He excels in off coverage, keeping plays in front of him and maintaining great eye discipline. His click-and-close speed is exceptional, slamming throwing lanes shut when he puts his foot in the ground and congesting the catch point whenever he’s targeted. I think he’s a better athlete than he gets credit for and has good length, so I’d like to see him play more man coverage this season.

24 — Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy

Measuring 5-11, 205 pounds, Lacy is one of the youngest players in the class. He possesses game-breaking, electric speed, routinely beating the defense to the edge or through the hole. Decisive in his cuts and with exceptional wiggle and explosive burst, Lacy can make anyone miss in a phone booth and chains together impressive moves to break tackles in the open field. Though he needs to gain more utility as a third-down back, Lacy has first-round upside.

25 — LSU TE Trey’Dez Green

A 6-7, 237-pound converted basketball player, Green played on the hardwood for the Tigers before switching to football full-time. That background shows up in how he plays, as he’s the most dangerous red zone threat in this class regardless of position. With long arms and light feet, Green specializes in making tough catches over defenders, but he’s blazingly fast in space, too. He produces consistently down after down, making catches up the seams and threatening the defense both vertically and after the catch.

26 — SMU OT PJ Williams

One of the most experienced and battle-tested tackles in college football, Williams is a 6-5, 313-pound redshirt senior. Athletic and with a high motor, he showed out well against the best pass rushers in the ACC last year, holding up against multiple first-round picks and high-level NFL talent. That’s no small feat, and his versatility as a run blocker adds to his value. Williams often gets projected to move to the inside, but his tape at tackle is too good for that in my opinion.

27 — Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker

A 6-3, 215-pound redshirt sophomore, Mestemaker underwent one of the wildest rises in college football history. In high school, he was the backup quarterback and punter, walking on at North Texas in 2024 and taking a redshirt year. He won the starting job in 2025 and dominated the Sun Belt, showing off his rocket arm, gunslinger mentality and feel on the move. Now with the Cowboys in the Big 12, Mestemaker needs more experience and to settle down in the pocket sometimes. But the flashes he’s shown are incredibly promising.

28 — Notre Dame S Tae Johnson

A 6-2, 200-pound true junior, Johnson is a physical, ball-hawking safety. It’s rare to see a player with his combination of size and ball production, but he’s such a talented athlete. Johnson is as reliable a tackler as you’ll find while still bringing the boom, and he has a nose for the football in coverage. He has experience both in man and zone coverages and can play in single- or two-high looks.

29 — Rutgers WR KJ Duff

On the surface, Duff looks like what you’d expect for a 6-6, 225-pound receiver. He’s practically unguardable at the catch point, towering over defensive backs and snaring passes like a power forward going after a rebound. But Duff is more than just size and length: he has soft hands and is fairly fluid for his size, a deft route runner with good enough long speed to threaten the defense vertically.

30 — Houston CB Jalen Mayo

A former Division II star and Stephen F. Austin transfer, Mayo measures at 6-1, 190 pounds. Impressively physical throughout receivers’ routes without drawing penalties, he has the length to be a nuisance in press coverage and at the catch point. Mayo is disciplined in his technique and combines that with good instincts in zone. The only lingering question with him is his level of athleticism.

31 — LSU OT Jordan Seaton

A 6-5, 307-pound Clemson transfer, I’m probably the low man on Seaton entering the 2026 season. Undeniably, he’s an exceptionally athletic and smooth pass protector, with movement skills that 300-pound men simply don’t often have. On the other hand, his leverage and hand placement are consistent issues on his tape, and he’s a poor run blocker even by college standards, failing to consistently sustain blocks or move defenders off their spots. Seaton’s upside is that of a top-five pick, but he has work to do to get there.

32 — Clemson CB Ashton Hampton

A dynamic 6-2, 205-pound press-man corner, Hampton is as physical as they come. He uses his hands expertly, jolting receivers on contact and disrupting routes. With plus long speed and overwhelming length, Hampton was built to play one-on-one coverage in the NFL. If he improves his instincts a bit, his ceiling is absurdly high.

33 — Ole Miss DT Will Echoles

A developing pass rusher, Echoles is the best interior run stuffer in the class. Sitting at 6-3, 315 pounds, he can play as a true nose tackle or as a 3-tech defensive tackle. Against the run, he routinely commands and defeats double teams, splitting blocks to make plays in the backfield or simply occupying space and forcing the runner to cut back. Offenses had to devote increasing attention to Echoles on every play, a sign of how dominant he is against the run.

34 — Georgia RB Nate Frazier

A 5-10, 205-pound back, Frazier has a unique profile for someone his size. The fastest back in the class, he explodes past the defense when he hits a seam, racing down the sideline for chunk plays. But he’s solidly built, too, working between the tackles and playing hard through contact. If he can prove himself with a larger workload, he has a chance to be a riser in this class.

35 — Notre Dame QB CJ Carr

A 6-2, 215-pound redshirt sophomore, Carr impressed in his first season for the Fighting Irish. A true pocket passer, he has the arm talent to threaten all three levels of the field and solid accuracy over the middle. His deep ball could use some more juice, but Carr is adept at buying time in the pocket to create the space he needs to really launch one. Despite being a first-year starter, he proved to have a good command of the offense and comfort running more complex schemes, executing at a high level with plenty of NFL throws and reads.

36 — Indiana OT Carter Smith

Smith is a tough player to rank. One of the best offensive linemen in college football at 6-5, 313 pounds, he has several limitations that make him a poor projection to tackle in the NFL. His short arms and lackluster foot speed will be liabilities at the next level — but he could be an exceptional interior offensive lineman. His best fit might be at center, where his power, natural leverage, and cerebral playstyle all come into play.

37 — Indiana WR Nick Marsh

A 6-3, 213-pound Michigan State transfer, Marsh is a player on the rise. Explosive and physical, he pairs his tall frame with smooth hips that really sink when he makes his cuts, getting low and executing sharp turns with impressive speed. A varied route runner, Marsh is a downfield playmaker who isn’t afraid to play through contact over the middle of the field.

38 — Oregon ED Matayo Uiagalelei

At 6-5, 272 pounds, Uiagalelei won’t wow anyone with his first-step explosiveness or bend around the edge. What he does have, though, is an unbelievable power profile. He will run through the face of an offensive tackle, driving him back into the quarterback’s lap in just a few steps. Uiagalelei’s hand usage and technique are on point, and he’s a plus run defender, too. Over the course of last season, I was glad to see him continue to refine his pass rushing bag.

39 — Mississippi State CB Kelley Jones

It’s no mystery what Jones is out there to do. As a 6-4, 195-pound cornerback, he thrives in physical, press-man coverage. His length is a problem for even bigger receivers, and his hips are smooth enough to follow receivers through their breaks. I think he needs some development as a zone corner, an area he must improve in given all NFL teams run zone at least semi-frequently. But as a press corner, Jones checks every box.

40 — Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy

A 5-10, 210-pound bruiser, Hardy suffered a gunshot wound at a concert in May that puts his return timeline in question. He’ll miss the start of the season but should be cleared to return before too long. When he does, he’s a powerful between-the-tackles runner, with some juice in the open field and untapped receiving upside.

41 — Stanford OT Niki Prongos

A zero-star high school recruit, Prongos fits the NFL tackle archetype perfectly. Built for the pros at 6-7, 315 pounds, he knows how to maximize his length and plays with good leverage despite his taller frame. This allows him to stay in front of pass rushers, smoothly warding them off and maintaining a clean pocket. Though his functional strength is a concern and he definitely needs to put on weight, Prongos flashes upside as a zone blocker. With some physical development and a more aggressive mentality in the run game on display, Prongos could shoot up from this spot by season’s end.

42 — Iowa OT Trevor Lauck

A 6-5, 314-pound Indianapolis native, there’s plenty of debate over whether Lauck’s best home in the NFL is ultimately at tackle or guard. Like we’ve all come to expect for Hawkeyes offensive linemen, Lauck plays with overwhelming physicality, showcasing true grown-man strength that allows him to just move people off the line. I’ll add this: I think he can stick at tackle based on his 2025 tape. He’s quick enough on the edge to hold his own against speed rushers.

43 — Texas Tech TE Terrance Carter Jr.

A 6-2, 245-pound receiving tight end, Carter is plenty experienced both in the slot and in-line. But don’t ask him to stay on the line of scrimmage and block — that’s not his strength. A mismatch weapon against linebackers and safeties, Carter threatens the defense vertically on every snap, with solid route-running chops and good hands.

44 — Alabama WR Ryan Coleman-Williams

It’s been a tale of two seasons for Coleman-Williams, at least so far. One of the youngest players in the class and measuring 6-0, 182 pounds, he had a breakout true freshman season at just 17 years old. Blazingly fast and making play after play, Coleman-Williams took college football by storm. As a sophomore, though, he struggled with drops and was phased out of the offense down the stretch. He has some physical development to undergo, but if he can get back to the player he was in 2024 with a stronger frame, this will be a low ranking for him.

45 — Iowa C Kade Pieper

A 6-3, 298-pound versatile interior lineman, Pieper played guard last year but will play center this season. Leverage is the name of his game, as he knows how to work underneath opponents’ pads and uproot them, clearing a lot of space in the run game. Pieper has adequate interior quickness and can effectively mirror pass rushers and defend the quarterback.

46 — Notre Dame LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa

Health is the only thing keeping Viliamu-Asa from ranking higher. At 6-3, 230 pounds, he explodes to the football, covering incredible ground with each step and possessing true sideline-to-sideline range. He chases the ball like a heat-seeking missile, shot out of a cannon to bring down the ball carrier and sifting through traffic well. In coverage, he has good movement skills and the ability to play both man and underneath zones.

47 — Indiana CB Jamari Sharpe

A 6-1, 188-pound senior, Sharpe is an intriguing player to me. He excels in zone coverage, maintaining eye discipline and sticking to his assignments. Without more tape in man coverage, though, it’s tough for me to rank him higher than this. Sharpe plays a passive brand of football that can be a frustrating watch at times, but he meets the assignment, and I think he’s a good enough athlete to make more plays on the ball.

48 — Louisville ED Clev Lubin

A gifted pass rusher at 6-3, 260 pounds, Lubin is a dominant force off the edge. He wins decisively off the snap, with a high pass-rush win rate thanks to his exceptional quickness off the ball and good hands. An experienced player, he’s seen a lot and knows how to exploit his matchups to stack wins. Bendy, explosive and refined are great traits for a pass rusher to have.

49 — Texas WR Ryan Wingo

Every play for Wingo is either one of the most dynamic plays you’ll see a receiver make or a bone-headed mistake that costs his team an opportunity, with little in between. That’s a tough way to make a living in the NFL, no matter your talent level. Wingo stands at 6-2, 214 pounds, with explosive speed and stop/start acceleration that puts others to shame. Elusive with the ball in his hands and tough to bring down in space, Wingo just needs to clean up his back-breaking drops and misreads to realize his potential.

50 — LSU ED Jordan Ross

My favorite sleeper prospect in this class, Ross is a Tennessee transfer who measures 6-5, 246 pounds. He played only rotationally last season but flashed considerable upside when on the field, with great speed-to-power moves and an explosive first step that puts opposing tackles in immediate recovery mode. We’ll see what he can do with more playing time this season.