It's never too early to start speculating on the 2026 college football season, and Brant's way-too-early All-American team predictions are here. With star players like Jeremiah Smith, Trinidad Chambliss, and Kewan Lacy, the 2026 season promises to be an exciting one. But who will make the cut? Let's take a closer look at the offensive and defensive players who could be in the running for All-American honors.
Offense
Quarterback
Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
Personally, I think Chambliss will be a Heisman favorite in his first full season as Ole Miss' starting quarterback. After suing the NCAA and being deemed ineligible, he's back and ready to light up the gridiron. With 3,937 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and eight rushing touchdowns last season, he's a big play waiting to happen. What makes this particularly fascinating is how he'll go from an unknown name to a household name this season. I predict he'll be appointment television every time the Rebels take the field.
Running Back
Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss
Lacy is one of college football's most talented returning players and forms an electric backfield with Chambliss. With 1,567 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns as a sophomore, he's a force to be reckoned with. However, this may be his last season of college football, as he's at the top of many NFL Draft boards. In my opinion, he could be the next big running back to enter the NFL, but for now, he's a key player for the Rebels.
Jadan Baugh, Florida
What many people don't realize is that Baugh is already an All-American talent. With 1,170 rushing yards, eight touchdowns, 210 receiving yards, and two more scores through the air as a sophomore, he's a versatile player. The Florida offense will continue to run through him, and I predict he'll become a household name this season under Jon Sumrall.
Wide Receiver
Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Smith is already a household name, with 2,558 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns through the air in his first two collegiate seasons. He needs just 310 more yards to break the all-time Ohio State receiving record. I think he'll repeat his First Team All-American honors in his final collegiate season.
Malachi Toney, Miami
Toney is arguably the second-best receiver in the sport behind Smith. With 109 receptions for 1,211 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a true freshman, he was named the FWAA National Offensive Freshman of the Year. I predict he'll continue to be the focal point of the Hurricanes' offense under Carson Beck.
Tight End
Trey'Dez Green, LSU
Green emerged as a strong red-zone target last season, scoring seven receiving touchdowns. At 6-foot-7, 240 pounds, he's a mismatch nightmare. If he can double his touchdown production from last year, which is certainly within the cards, he could earn All-American honors.
Offensive Line
Carter Smith, Indiana
Smith is the top offensive lineman in the Big Ten and the best returning tackle in college football. He will anchor a strong Hoosiers offensive line in hopes of getting them back to the national title game.
Kade Pieper, Iowa
Pieper is the next stud offensive lineman from Iowa, ranking fifth among all guards in college football in PFF grading in 2025. As Iowa looks to be a run-heavy offense in 2026, Pieper will be leading the way up front.
Iapani Laloulu, Oregon
Laloulu has been an anchor on the Ducks' offensive line since his freshman season in 2023. He was an FWAA First Team All-American and an AP Third Team All-American last season, and his return to Eugene in 2026 provides a big boost to Oregon's offense.
Luke Montgomery, Ohio State
Montgomery earned a full-time starting role for Ohio State last season and did not disappoint. With a season of starting experience under his belt, he has the talent to elevate to a First Team All-American by the end of 2026.
Trevor Goosby, Texas
Goosby is a Bruce Feldman Freak Lister who has only allowed three total sacks despite playing in 30 games and making 15 career starts. He was considered a potential first-rounder this past draft, but opted to return to Austin. I predict he'll be the top tackle off the board in 2027 and has a great shot to land on the First Team All-American team.
Defense
Defensive Line
Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
Stewart recorded 6.5 sacks as a freshman and followed that up with a 4.5-sack campaign as a sophomore. He's forced six fumbles in his two-year career. I think an increase in production as a junior will have him wavering near any All-American team.
Tyrique Tucker, Indiana
Tucker was dominant on the interior defensive line for Indiana during its title run, recording six sacks over the course of the season. I predict he'll be one of the stars for Curt Cignetti's Hoosiers in his return to Bloomington for his senior season.
A'Mauri Washington, Oregon
Washington didn't become a full-time player until last season, but his presence in the middle of the field makes it very tough to run the ball on Oregon. I think he'll continue to be a key player for the Ducks.
Colin Simmons, Texas
Simmons is college football's most dominant edge-rusher. The rising junior recorded 12 sacks as a true freshman and had nine last season, along with an interception. I predict his dominance will continue into 2026.
Linebackers
Whit Weeks, LSU
Weeks broke out as a sophomore with 120 tackles, 3.5 sacks, four passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and an interception. I think he'll return to dominance under new head coach Lane Kiffin, as long as he remains healthy.
Xavier Atkins, Auburn
Atkins recorded 84 total tackles, nine sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception in 2025 as the heart of the Tigers' defense. I predict he'll earn a first-round grade for the 2027 NFL Draft.
Rolijah Hardy, Indiana
Hardy notched 103 total tackles, eight sacks, and 15 tackles for loss in his breakout sophomore campaign, earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors. I think he'll be the heartbeat of the 2026 Hoosiers defense and has a good shot to earn an All-American bid.
Cornerbacks
Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
Moore made this list last year and ended up being a unanimous First Team All-American after an incredible sophomore season. I think he'll be the top cornerback in the 2027 NFL Draft class and enters the season as the premier corner in college football.
Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon
Finney broke out as a true freshman last season, starting from Day 1 at Oregon and earning First Team Freshman All-American and Second Team All-Big Ten status. I predict he'll become a household name as a sophomore.
Safeties
KJ Bolden, Georgia
Bolden earned Second Team All-American status last season, defending five passes and recording two interceptions. I think he'll continue to be a key player for Georgia.
Tae Johnson, Notre Dame
Johnson redshirted in 2024, making last season his freshman year. He finished up the year with Freshman All-American honors, and I predict he'll make the jump to a national All-American as a redshirt sophomore.
Specialists
Lucas Carneiro, Ole Miss
Carneiro exhibited NFL-caliber talent and a legit clutch gene during Ole Miss' playoff stretch. I think he'll continue to be college football's premier kicker.
Punter - Palmer Williams, Baylor
Williams led the nation in average yards per punt last season and possesses the ability to flip the field. I predict he'll continue to be a key player for Baylor.
Return Specialist - Da'Realyst Clark, Kent State
Clark returned two kicks for touchdowns last season, earning the MAC Special Teams Player of the Year Award and a unanimous First Team All-MAC selection as a returner. I think he'll continue to be an elite kick returner.
