College football 2026 Recruiting Battle. Who has the edge?
As the college football recruiting calendar inches toward its June explosion, the action is already heating up. Several five-star prospects have made their decisions in recent days, including two of the top linemen in the nation, signaling an early shift in the 2026 class landscape.
Key Five-Star Commitments Shake Up the Top
Miami landed one of the biggest commitments in the trenches when five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell pledged to the Hurricanes over Georgia, Oregon, and Ohio State. Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing around 320 pounds, Cantwell boasts elite size and power, along with impressive agility and finishing ability.
Meanwhile, Oregon continued its recent surge by landing Richard Wesley, the No. 1 defensive lineman in the western United States. The five-star edge rusher is known for his explosiveness and ability to impact both the run game and the pass rush.
Another major addition came from Penn State, which broke into the top five with the commitment of ESPN 300 wide receiver Davion Brown. A playmaker from Virginia, Brown has size, speed, and red-zone potential.
Here’s a look at the latest Top 10 recruiting class rankings for the 2026 cycle:
- USC Trojans
ESPN 300 commits: 13
Top offensive prospect: OT Keenyi Pepe
Top defensive prospect: CB Elbert Hill
No program has more momentum than USC, which has surged under head coach Lincoln Riley and new general manager Chad Bowden. The Trojans have double-digit ESPN 300 commits, including five-stars Pepe and Hill. They also flipped four-stars Tomuhini Topui (DL) and Jonas Williams (QB) from Oregon. Topui brings a physical edge as a defensive tackle, while Williams is a true dual-threat quarterback.
The Trojans have made it a priority to strengthen both lines. They added four-star DT Jaimeon Winfield (Texas), DE Simote Katoanga (California), and OL Esun Tafa (Utah). Pepe, their top OL commit from IMG Academy, stands 6-7, 320 and moves impressively for his size. On defense, they boast R.J. Sermons, a top CB, and Elbert Hill, the fastest corner in the class at over 22 mph.
- Ohio State Buckeyes
ESPN 300 commits: 10
Top offensive prospect: WR Chris Henry Jr.
Top defensive prospect: S Blaine Bradford
Ryan Day is building his class around the towering 6-6 wideout Chris Henry Jr., whose late father starred at West Virginia and in the NFL. Henry Jr. blends rare length and quickness at the WR position.
Ohio State’s defense is being bolstered by Blaine Bradford (S) from Louisiana and Simeon Caldwell (LB) from Florida. C.J. Sanna, another linebacker with excellent range and physicality, is an underrated steal. Up front, Maxwell Riley is a strong in-state OT with a nasty streak and great change-of-direction skills.
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
ESPN 300 commits: 10
Top offensive prospect: OT Tyler Merrill
Top defensive prospect: DE Rodney Dunham
After a slow start to the year, Marcus Freeman and the Irish picked up steam in the spring, landing several ESPN 300 players. On defense, Rodney Dunham is a long, quick edge rusher, while Ayden Pouncey adds range and athleticism at safety.
Offensively, Notre Dame continues to build its OL legacy with Tyler Merrill (6-7, 335) and Gregory Patrick. Four-star QB Noah Grubbs brings sharp mechanics and sound footwork, and athlete Thomas Davis Jr., son of former NFL linebacker Thomas Davis, adds versatility.
- Penn State Nittany Lions
ESPN 300 commits: 7
Top offensive prospect: WR Davion Brown
Top defensive prospect: S Matt Sieg
James Franklin has capitalized on in-state talent. Four-stars Kevin Brown (OT) and Messiah Mickens (RB) from Harrisburg High School lead the way. David Davis Jr., a 20.5 mph speedster, offers big upside at DB.
The Nittany Lions also secured QB Troy Huhn from California, a big-framed passer with solid footwork, and Davion Brown, the Virginia wideout who can high-point balls and reach over 21 mph in games.
- Clemson Tigers
ESPN 300 commits: 7
Top offensive prospect: WR Naeem Burroughs
Top defensive prospect: DT Kameron Cody
Coming off a CFP appearance, Dabo Swinney has turned the page with a more promising 2026 haul. Speedster Naeem Burroughs leads the offense, complemented by fellow WR Connor Salmin and linemen Grant Wise and Adam Guthrie.
QB Tait Reynolds, a dual-threat out of Arizona, has potential to become a long-term solution at the position. DT Kameron Cody adds muscle in the trenches.
- Texas A&M Aggies
ESPN 300 commits: 6
Top offensive prospect: RB Jonathan Hatton Jr.
Top defensive prospect: CB Victor Singleton
New coach Mike Elko is off to a strong start, pulling five-star DE Jordan Carter out of Georgia and DT Jermaine Kinsler from New Jersey.
QB Helaman Casuga from Utah isn’t imposing in size but has a live arm. CB Victor Singleton, flipped from Illinois, runs a verified 21 mph and thrives in man coverage. In-state RB Jonathan Hatton Jr. adds a 200-pound frame with speed and versatility.
- Syracuse Orange
ESPN 300 commits: 1
Top offensive prospect: OT Javeion Cooper
Top defensive prospect: DE Kamron Wilson
Fran Brown is breathing new life into the program. After a 10-win season, Syracuse has added edge rusher Jarius Rodgers, a long athlete with track speed and 17 sacks in 2024, and DE Kamron Wilson, who brings early burst off the edge.
OL Javeion Cooper plays with excellent balance and force at 6-5, 300 pounds. The Orange are also hitting the Mid-Atlantic hard, pulling in three WRs from Delaware.
- Kansas Jayhawks
ESPN 300 commits: 1
Top offensive prospect: OL Kaden Snyder
Top defensive prospect: CB J.J. Dunnigan
Lance Leipold continues to build quietly in Lawrence. CB J.J. Dunnigan, at 6-3, 190, has the physical tools and vertical speed to develop into a lockdown player. OL Kaden Snyder is a top regional prospect with pass-pro upside and athleticism.
QB Jaylen Mason, a three-star in-state player, is one to watch as a developmental option after the Jalon Daniels era ends in 2025.
- Arizona State Sun Devils
ESPN 300 commits: 2
Top offensive prospect: QB Jake Fette
Top defensive prospect: DE Julian Hugo
Kenny Dillingham has used all available tools to revamp ASU’s roster. QB Jake Fette, a four-star dual-threat from Texas, brings accuracy and mobility.
Despite losing TE Israel Briggs, the Sun Devils rebounded by adding ESPN 300 WR Nalin Scott, a 6-3, 210-pound receiver who excels after the catch. TE Hayden Vercher remains in the class as a strong replacement with 1,000+ yards in 2024.
- LSU Tigers
ESPN 300 commits: 9
Top offensive prospect: WR Tristen Keys
Top defensive prospect: CB Havon Finney Jr.
Brian Kelly and the Tigers have locked down Louisiana, with more than half the state’s top 10 players committed. Five-star WR Tristen Keys, from neighboring Mississippi, headlines the class with length, athleticism, and strong character.
In-state additions include WR Jabari Mack, OT Brysten Martinez, and Edna Karr teammates Richard Anderson (DT) and Aiden Hall (S). Out west, LSU landed CB Havon Finney Jr., a 2027 reclass with size, speed, and press coverage skills.
Conclusion
With June nearing and official visits about to flood the calendar, expect more fireworks as schools finalize their top targets and push to climb the rankings.