- The PFF College 50 returns for 2026: The rankings identify the nation's 50 best players using PFF grades, advanced data and future projection rather than traditional statistics alone.
- The rankings will roll out throughout the week: Players are unveiled in groups of 10, with the top 10 scheduled to be revealed on Friday, July 3.
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The 2026 college football season is loaded with elite returning talent, and the PFF College 50 is your definitive guide to the nation's best players.
Using PFF grading and advanced data, we have compiled a list of the 50 most valuable players in college football based on proven performance and future projection. From established stars to emerging breakout candidates, these are the players most likely to define the 2026 college season.
Editor's note: The PFF College 50 will be released in stages throughout the week, with players revealed each day. The top 20 will be unveiled on Thursday, July 2.
Smith tops this list for the second straight year, joining Trevor Lawrence as the only player to do so.
Over his first two college seasons, Smith leads all wide receivers in PFF receiving grade (92.9), receiving yards (2,554) and receiving touchdowns (27). He also leads all wide receivers in PFF Wins Above Average (PFF WAA) over that span. Smith is a generational talent at the position who will have NFL teams tripping over themselves to draft him in 2027.
Moore’s first two college seasons have been better than those of any cornerback in the PFF College era. According to PFF WAA, he was the third-most valuable cornerback in the nation as a true freshman in 2024, trailing only 2025 first-round picks Travis Hunter and Jahdae Barron. Moore led all cornerbacks in PFF overall grade (91.8) as a sophomore and was PFF’s pick for the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. He has seven career interceptions and projects as one of the best cornerback prospects in recent memory.
No returning FBS edge defender has been more valuable than Simmons over the past two seasons, according to PFF WAA. He also ranks second among returning edge defenders in pressures (105) over that span while posting a strong 78.7 career PFF run-defense grade.
Simmons enters his junior season as the nation's top edge defender and projects as a top-10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Sayin was historically accurate in his first season as Ohio State’s starting quarterback. The redshirt freshman completed 77.0% of his passes, the third-highest completion percentage in college football history, trailing only the 77.4% marks posted by Bo Nix in 2023 and Mac Jones in 2020. Sayin’s 74.2% accurate throw rate also set the PFF College single-season record.
He led all FBS quarterbacks in PFF passing grade (92.9) and earned a grade below 70.0 only once all season. Sayin is the only 2025 Heisman Trophy finalist returning to school, and he should be considered one of the leading candidates to win the award this season.
While Toney’s numbers weren’t quite as dominant as Jeremiah Smith’s in 2024, they still rank among the best ever by a true freshman wide receiver in college football. Like Smith in 2024, he was the most valuable wide receiver in the nation, according to PFF WAA.
Toney led the FBS in yards after the catch (841) and missed tackles forced after the catch (33). He also led the nation with 58 receptions that resulted in either a first down or touchdown, while his 1,211 receiving yards ranked second among Power Four receivers behind only Smith. Toney also reclassified in high school and would have been entering his true freshman season this year.
Hardy was outstanding as a true freshman at Louisiana-Monroe in 2024, earning an 89.0 PFF rushing grade. Still, questions remained about how his game would translate to the SEC.
Those concerns were quickly put to rest. Hardy led the nation in yards after contact (1,181). He also led the Power Four in rushing yards (1,648) and forced missed tackles (96). His 2,994 rushing yards since 2024 are 399 more than any other returning FBS running back.
Moore surprised many when he announced he would return to Oregon despite projections that had him as a top-three pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Those projections were fueled by his outstanding redshirt sophomore season. Moore ranked sixth among FBS quarterbacks in PFF passing grade (90.2), while his 30 big-time throws tied for the most in the FBS. He also led the nation in PFF passing grade on deep throws (98.5) and quarterbacked the Ducks to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Smith was eighth on PFF’s preseason tackles list last year. Now, he checks in at No. 8 on our overall rankings. The reigning national champion has been the most valuable tackle in the nation over the past two seasons, according to PFF WAA.
Smith is entering his fourth season as Indiana’s starting left tackle and is the only returning FBS tackle who ranked among the top 10 in both PFF pass-blocking grade and PFF run-blocking grade in 2025. He pairs outstanding play strength with a competitive mentality and should be transfer quarterback Josh Hoover’s best friend this season.
Because Manning entered his first season as a starter as the Heisman Trophy favorite, many were quick to write him off after a slow start to the 2025 season. However, he was terrific during the second half of the year, ranking sixth among FBS quarterbacks in PFF passing grade (89.5) since Week 9. Manning’s 87.3 PFF passing grade for the season also ranked among the top 15 in the nation. He was much more of a dual-threat quarterback than either of his uncles, tying for fifth among Power Four quarterbacks in rushing touchdowns (10).
Manning showed down the stretch that the immense hype surrounding him was based on more than just the name on the back of his jersey.
Lacy transferred to Ole Miss after receiving just 23 carries as a true freshman at Missouri. He became the Rebels’ workhorse as a sophomore, leading the FBS in rushing attempts (307).
Lacy led all Power Four running backs in rushing touchdowns (24). He also ranked second in rushing yards (1,564), yards after contact (1,010) and forced missed tackles (89). His 91.6 PFF rushing grade ranked sixth among FBS running backs.
Bolden was the No. 1 safety recruit in the 2024 recruiting class and has lived up to the hype, emerging as the nation's top safety. No returning safety has been more valuable over the past two seasons, according to PFF WAA. Bolden also ranks second among returning safeties in PFF overall grade (90.7).
Chambliss took the reins of the Rebels’ offense when the original starter, Austin Simmons, went down with an injury in Week 2. The Division II national champion never looked back, ranking second in the Power Four with 3,934 passing yards and fourth in the FBS with 29 big-time throws. He added 585 rushing yards, ranking 15th in the Power Four.
Perhaps the most impressive part of Chambliss’ game is how resilient he is when the pressure is on, literally and figuratively. He ranked second in the FBS in PFF passing grade against pressure. In Ole Miss’ Week 8 loss to Georgia, he earned a season-low 46.4 PFF passing grade. When the Rebels got their chance for revenge against the Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, he responded with a season-high 91.8 PFF passing grade in a thrilling victory.
Holmes was a solid starter at Houston for two seasons before breaking out in 2025 after transferring to Texas Tech. He finished the season as the nation's most valuable interior defender according to PFF WAA. The redshirt junior's 88.1 PFF run-defense grade ranked third among Power Four interior defenders, while his 37 pressures ranked second. Holmes earned PFF All-America honors, one of only two returning defensive players to do so alongside Leonard Moore.
Carr is currently tied with Arch Manning as the betting favorite to win the Heisman Trophy (+750) at DraftKings Sportsbook. That follows a strong redshirt freshman campaign in which he ranked 14th nationally in PFF passing grade. His 6.5% big-time throw rate also ranked sixth in the Power Four.
With star running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price off to the NFL, Carr will be expected to shoulder much more of the offensive load as a redshirt sophomore.
Hubbard has been nothing short of outstanding over the past two seasons for the Crimson Tide. He has been the nation's most valuable returning safety during that span, according to PFF WAA. Hubbard also owns the second-highest PFF overall grade among returning safeties and earned 90.0-plus grades in both coverage and run defense over the past two seasons.
His vision as a former high school quarterback is evident on tape. His seven interceptions over the last two seasons are the most among returning safeties in college football.
Viliamu-Asa became a superstar as a sophomore for the Fighting Irish and enters 2026 as the top returning linebacker in college football. His 89.7 PFF overall grade ranked second in the Power Four behind only Jacob Rodriguez, while his 94.0 PFF run-defense grade ranked second in the FBS, also behind Rodriguez. He also ranked eighth in the Power Four with an 83.3 coverage grade and even lined up off the edge at times, highlighting his versatility.
It is worth noting that Viliamu-Asa is coming off a torn ACL suffered in November, and his availability for the start of the season remains in question.
Lubin has taken a winding path through college football, playing for four different schools in his first four seasons: Army, Iowa Western, Coastal Carolina and Louisville. What has remained constant over the past three seasons, though, is his dominance.
Lubin owns the highest PFF overall grade among returning FBS edge defenders since 2024 and leads the group with 110 pressures. His 64 pressures at Louisville this past season ranked sixth in the FBS, while his 24% pass-rush win rate led the Power Four.
Green spent the first two seasons of his career at left guard for Oklahoma and Missouri before kicking out to left tackle this year for the Tigers. It was a move that worked out wonderfully for the junior, as his 89.6 PFF pass-blocking grade was second in the FBS and the best mark of any returning tackle.
Green was by no means a slouch in the run game either, placing 20th nationally with a 78.2 run-blocking grade. He has good size and length for the position at 6-foot-5, 324 pounds, with an anchor that kills bull rushes on impact.
Echoles was a four-star recruit from the 2024 class, but he was listed as an interior offensive lineman coming out of high school. He’s proven through two years that getting after the quarterback is his calling card, not protecting them.
Echoles led the Power Four in both pressures (39) and defensive stops (35). His six batted passes were also second in the nation. Only A.J. Holmes Jr. was more valuable among Power Four defensive tackles according to PFF’s WAA metric.
Stewart was our No. 2 edge rusher on this list last year and drops one spot after just an okay sophomore campaign. Still, his body of work over his first two seasons and freaky tools deserve a spot in the top three of this list.
His 88 pressures since 2024 are second to only Colin Simmons among players who have played in the Power Four in each of the last two years. Stewart has an elite 90.2 PFF pass-rush grade in that span and improved his run-defense grade to a 79.0 in 2025 after a 61.9 mark as a true freshman. He has all the makings of a top-five pick if he can bounce back as a junior.
Goosby saw extended action in 2024 as Kelvin Banks Jr.'s backup at left tackle before taking over as the starter in 2025. After a breakout redshirt sophomore campaign, he already looks like a legitimate top-10 prospect for the 2027 NFL Draft.
Goosby and Carter Smith are the only returning FBS tackles to earn 80.0-plus PFF grades as both pass blockers and run blockers. He finished his redshirt sophomore season as the sixth-most valuable tackle in the FBS, according to PFF's Wins Above Average metric. At 6-foot-7 and 312 pounds, Goosby possesses rare movement skills that allow him to mirror even the nation's best speed rushers.
Biles was the top linebacker available in the transfer portal this offseason, leaving Pittsburgh for Texas. He earned PFF All-ACC honors in 2025 and ranks as the most valuable returning linebacker since 2024, according to PFF's Wins Above Average metric. His 31 tackles for loss or no gain lead all returning linebackers over the past two seasons, while his six pass breakups tie for the most among returning Power Four linebackers.
Washington surprised many by returning to Oregon for his senior season despite projections that he would be a top-40 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He broke out as a junior, ranking third among Power Four interior defenders in PFF's Wins Above Average metric.
His 80.0 PFF grade ranked 10th among Power Four interior defenders, while his 83.8 run-defense grade ranked ninth. He also led all FBS defensive tackles in batted passes at the line of scrimmage, with eight. At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, Washington is a rare athlete, reaching more than 17 m.p.h., according to PFF's player tracking data.
Daley followed head coach Kyle Whittingham from Utah to Michigan after finally breaking through as a starter in 2025. Following two years on the bench at BYU and Utah, the redshirt sophomore emerged as one of the nation's premier pass rushers.
His 93.4 PFF pass-rush grade ranked second in the FBS behind only David Bailey, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. His 23.0% pass-rush win rate ranked third among Power Four edge defenders, trailing only Clev Lubin and Rueben Bain Jr., another top-15 pick. Daley also earned a strong 77.6 PFF run-defense grade and should be the Wolverines' next star off the edge.
Pieper flashed immense potential as Iowa's backup right guard in 2024, earning a remarkable 97.6 PFF grade across 108 snaps. He took over as the Hawkeyes' starting right guard as a redshirt sophomore in 2025 and ranked fifth among all FBS guards in PFF grade (83.6), earning first-team All-America honors from PFF.
His 83.5 run-blocking grade also ranked fifth among FBS guards, as his explosive movement skills thrived in Iowa‘s outside zone-heavy scheme. No returning Power Four guard has been more valuable over the past two seasons, according to PFF's Wins Above Average metric. Pieper is expected to slide over to center for the Hawkeyes in 2026.
Cincinnati‘s offensive line is the strength of its team, and star left guard Evan Tengesdahl is the biggest reason why. His 85.4 PFF grade ranks first among qualified returning guards in the nation. He also led all qualified Power Four guards in run-blocking grade (89.7) while allowing just 11 pressures and zero sacks in pass protection.
Last season, Duff became Rutgers‘ first 1,000-yard receiver since Leonte Carroo in 2014. His massive 6-foot-6 frame allows him to make seemingly impossible catches. His contested-catch total tied for the FBS lead (22), while his 18.1 yards per reception ranked second in the Big Ten. Rutgers' quarterback situation remains unsettled, but whoever wins the job should make Duff the focal point of the passing game.
Jacob Rodriguez's 2025 production will be impossible to fully replace, but Texas Tech landed the ideal successor in the transfer portal with Austin Romaine. One of the nation's best run defenders, Romaine has earned a 90.6 run-defense grade over the past two seasons, ranking 11th among qualified linebackers. His 79 run stops lead all Power Four linebackers over that span.
Mensah paced the Power Four in passing yards last season (3,951) and could be primed for an even bigger year in Coral Gables. His 85.0 passing grade ranked 12th among FBS quarterbacks, while his big-time throw total ranked sixth in the nation (28). Mensah led Duke to a surprising ACC title run last season and could do the same at Miami with an outstanding supporting cast.
Maiava is back for another season in Lincoln Riley's high-flying offense. Flanked by Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane last season, Maiava averaged 9.1 yards per attempt and recorded 27 big-time throws, ranking among the nation's top 10 in both metrics. He's still a bit loose with the football, as his turnover-worthy play total ranked tied for ninth in the nation (21). Still, Maiava is all but certain to put up big numbers for the Trojans again in 2026.
Stone's potential stands out even on an exceptionally talented Oklahoma defense that carried the team to the College Football Playoff last season. His 26 pressures tied for the third most among SEC defensive tackles in 2025. Even more impressive, he ranked second among FBS defensive tackles in run-stop rate (13.0%), trailing only Ohio State‘s Kayden McDonald.
Tuioti is as well-rounded as any edge defender in the country, and his polish shows up both as a pass rusher and a run defender. He was one of just two Big Ten edge defenders to earn 80.0-plus grades in both pass rushing and run defense. Tuioti led the Ducks with 11 sacks and ranked second on the team with 38 pressures. His 58 run stops over the past two seasons rank first among all FBS defensive linemen.
Uiagalelei continued to improve in 2025, ranking sixth among qualified Big Ten edge defenders in PFF grade (82.2). His 52 pressures led Oregon and ranked second in the Big Ten. He is also a reliable run defender who can kick inside over offensive tackles when needed. Expect another big season from Uiagalelei as part of what could be the nation's best defensive line.
Lauck excelled in his first season as Iowa’s starting left tackle. He played his part in the Hawkeyes’ dominant run game by posting a 79.7 run-blocking grade. Lauck also ranked fourth among all qualified tackles in pass blocking grade (87.8) while allowing just six pressures all season. He and the rest of Iowa’s elite offensive line will continue to be the driving force for Iowa’s offensive success.
Craver emerged as a legitimate force in Texas A&M’s offense last season after transferring in from Mississippi State. His 917 receiving yards finished just two shy of eventual first-round pick KC Concepcion for the team lead. His 82.7 receiving grade and 3.25 yards per route run led all qualified SEC wide receivers. Craver is the Aggies’ best player, and he’ll be relied upon for elite production this season.
Hawkins took the American Conference by storm as a true freshman last season and aims to do the same for Oklahoma State this year. He led the FBS with a 94.1 rushing grade and 25 touchdowns in 2025. His 1,431 rushing yards and 86 missed tackles forced were also top-five marks in the nation. Hawkins, along with quarterback Drew Mestemaker and wide receiver Wyatt Young, should bring major improvement to the Cowboys’ offense.
Baugh is a physical runner who should post huge numbers in Buster Faulkner’s creative rushing attack this season. Last year, Baugh finished third among SEC running backs with 1,168 rushing yards, 65 missed tackles forced and 35 explosive runs. He’s also fumbled just one time across 354 career carries. Baugh could be a Doak Walker Award candidate this season if all goes well in Florida’s new offense.
Lee emerged as one of the best cornerbacks in the SEC as a true freshman last season. He picked off two passes while breaking up five others en route to earning an excellent 80.2 coverage grade. His 6-foot-4 frame and terrific zone coverage technique allow him to shut down his side of the field. He and the rest of Alabama’s secondary will make life very difficult for opposing offenses again in 2026.
Finney immediately became a mainstay in Oregon’s secondary as a true freshman in 2025. His 42.3 passer rating allowed was the lowest among qualified Big Ten outside cornerbacks. He also missed just four tackles all season and reeled in three interceptions, two of which came in his signature playoff performance against Texas Tech. The Ducks lost some elite talent in their secondary this offseason, but they should still be in excellent shape with Finney leading the way.
Coleman’s sky-high potential could finally be maximized in Steve Sarkisian’s offense. Despite a horrid quarterback situation and stiff usage, Coleman led Auburn with 708 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season. His penchant for spectacular plays was evident, as he led all SEC players with 13 contested catches in 2025. Catching passes from Arch Manning should allow Coleman to make a huge impact on Texas’ offense.
There will be no shortage of pressure on Leavitt to perform as the leader of LSU's revamped offense. While last season was a disappointing one by his standards, Leavitt is as physically gifted as any quarterback in the country. He ranked among the nation's top 10 in big-time throw rate (6.9%). His athleticism is just as dangerous, as he has produced 39 explosive runs over the past two seasons.
Fitzgerald emerged as an elite playmaker during his true freshman season with the Hurricanes. His six interceptions, including two in his breakout College Football Playoff performance against Texas A&M, tied for the most among Power Four players. His all-around contributions led to an 80.7 PFF grade that ranked fifth among qualified ACC safeties. He will be the glue that holds Miami's secondary together this season.
Seaton is arguably the best pass protector in college football. Last season, he earned an 84.1 pass-blocking grade that led all Big 12 tackles and ranked 11th among qualified FBS tackles. He allowed just seven pressures and two sacks. While his work as a run-blocker could stand to improve, Seaton will have plenty of opportunities to show off his talents as a part of LSU’s potentially explosive offense.
Johnson is the latest in a long line of supremely talented Notre Dame defensive backs. His first season as a starter was a rousing success, as he tallied four interceptions and three pass breakups. He also missed just two tackles all season, and his 82.8 PFF grade was a top-25 mark among qualified safeties.
Williams’ 2025 season was curtailed due to injury, but he was on his way to a second consecutive excellent year. He brings his talents to Los Angeles in 2026 with the hope of leading USC’s secondary to success. Over the past two seasons at Iowa State, Williams hauled in five interceptions while breaking up six passes. He has allowed a 25.6 passer rating since 2023, the lowest among FBS cornerbacks who have played at least 300 coverage snaps over that span.
Indiana should once again boast an elite secondary despite losing multiple key veterans. A big reason for that is the return of Amare Ferrell, who is tied for the Power Four lead with eight interceptions over the past two years. Ferrell has proven durable as well, having played more than 1,500 snaps over the last two seasons.
Jones is a shutdown cornerback with elite size. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, he allowed just 11 catches across 38 targets as the primary coverage defender last season. Jones also tied for the SEC lead with 11 forced incompletions. Opposing offenses would be wise to not test Jones often, particularly on downfield targets.
Much of last season’s spotlight in Provo was turned toward true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, but Martin was the heartbeat of the Cougars’ offense. His 1,299 rushing yards led the Big 12, while his 12 touchdowns ranked second in the conference. He also led all Big 12 rushers with 56 missed tackles forced and 36 explosive runs of 10 or more yards. As long as he is fully recovered from offseason shoulder surgery, Martin will be a force to be reckoned with.
Green’s size and skills make him a tantalizing NFL prospect and a dangerous mismatch for opposing defenses. His seven touchdown receptions and 12 contested catches both ranked second among all tight ends in 2025. Greater exposure in Lane Kiffin’s offense should allow Green to excel downfield and be in contention for the John Mackey Award.
Oregon lost a first-round tight end in Kenyon Sadiq, but there’s a legitimate chance that his replacement could be even better. Johnson finished the 2025 season ranked seventh among qualified tight ends in receiving grade (85.2), while his 510 receiving yards were the 16th-most in the nation at the position. He’ll be a major factor in what should once again be an elite offense in Eugene.
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