2026 NFL draft highlight: Cade Klubnik, Jeremiyah Love and the best names to know by position
NFL (via Getty Images)
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love lead the list of early 2026 NFL draft projections, with experts pointing out position-by-position stars consisting of the cream of the crop at wide receiver, offensive tackle, and edge rusher.
Ten months away from the draft, early assessments provide an initial look at the players making some noise, as well as those going under the radar or mired in uncertainty brought about by injury or inconsistency.
Cade Klubnik leads quarterbacks in early 2026
NFL draft
expectations
Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik sits atop both Matt Miller's and Jordan Reid's early QB lists, positioning himself as the leader after showing maturity and composure in big spots last year. Experts agree that Klubnik enters the season as the most NFL-ready under-center prospect, although competition is fierce.
Behind Cade Klubnik, Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Fernando Mendoza (Indiana), and LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina) are vying for upper-tier status. Penn State's Drew Allar is still a divisive prospect; his phenomenal size and arm talent are on display, but his decision-making inconsistency renders him a red-flag pick. In Miller's words, Allar might go from QB1 to a Day 3 dart based on his play in 2025
Why Cade Klubnik is the No. 1 QB in 2025 😤
Jeremiyah Love leads a rich and varied running back class
At running back, Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love gets early top-drawer billing for his mix of balance, speed, and vision.
He is ranked second by Miller behind Texas's CJ Baxter and Oregon's Makhi Hughes. Reid's top five includes Nicholas Singleton (Penn State) and Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest).
CJ Baxter's ranking comes with a warning sign—he comes off an ACL tear and will split the backfield with Quintrevion Wisner. Wisner's 1,000-yard season puts pressure on Baxter to rebound as an upper-tier rusher. Jaydn Ott, who moved to Oklahoma after a season derailed by injuries at Cal, is a bounce-back candidate to watch.
Wide receiver class features Ja'Kobi Lane and Antonio Williams as early risers
USC's Ja'Kobi Lane and Clemson's Antonio Williams head a talented but untested wide receiver class. Lane heads Reid's list, though Miller prefers Williams, with Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson and Georgia Tech's Eric Singleton Jr. closely behind. Lane, though big-bodied and productive in the red zone (12 TDs), requires more consistent yardage production to seal WR1 status.
Elijah Sarratt of Indiana is emerging as a dark horse, especially after quarterback Fernando Mendoza transferred in.
Sarratt's 987 yards last season hint at serious upside, particularly in contested catch scenarios.
Key names dominate offensive line and defensive front rankings
On the line, Francis Mauigoa of Miami and Spencer Fano of Utah anchor the offensive tackle rankings, showcasing immense upside in both pass protection and run blocking. Alabama's Kadyn Proctor remains a physical marvel but lacks consistent execution, a trait scouts will scrutinize in 2025.
Defensively, T.J. Parker of Clemson and Rueben Bain Jr.
of Miami lead the class of edge rushers. Peter Woods of Clemson is atop interior defensive linemen, followed closely by Tim Keenan III of Alabama and Penn State's Zane Durant. Caleb Banks of Florida is a name to keep in mind after he closed out last season strong.
Safety and cornerback classes driven by up-and-coming stars and return from injury
Caleb Downs of Ohio State and Kamari Ramsey of USC headline a strong safety contingent, with Oregon's Dillon Thieneman not much further behind. At cornerback, Tennessee's Jermod McCoy impressed observers with four interceptions, but a torn ACL obscures his 2025 prospects.
Southern Miss's Josh Moten, who previously played at Texas A&M and Marshall, has come on as a possible breakout player because of his elite ball skills, but with reservations regarding his size.
Also read:
Shedeur Sanders shocks everyone at Browns camp after being ignored in NFL Draft
It's still early in the cycle, but there are already multiple players angling to become first-rounders and others with make-or-break seasons approaching. Cade Klubnik, Jeremiyah Love, and Peter Woods have certainly raised the bar, though, as the 2026
NFL
draft class is still wide open, with depth at almost every position.
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