Phil Steele 2026 All-Americans
Top prospects for the 2026 season
Lou Pickney
July 14, 2026
Offense: First Team
Quarterback - Oregon Ducks
Moore bypassing the draft to return for the 2026 season is a massive storyline. The 6'3" Moore put up a stellar 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns last year, flashing elite, tight-window accuracy. His decision to refine his game under Dan Lanning rather than rush to the league is a calculated move. With Heisman expectations mounting and a premier arm, Moore enters 2026 as the top quarterback prospect on many early draft boards.
Running Back - Missouri Tigers
The college football world is holding its collective breath for Hardy heading into the 2026 campaign. After dominating at Louisiana-Monroe in 2024, Hardy took the SEC by storm in 2025, logging a staggering 1,649 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on the season for Mizzou. Hardy suffered a gunshot wound to the leg in May, but is expected to make a full recovery.
Running Back - Ole Miss Rebels
After a tremendous 2025 where he racked up a massive 1,567 rushing yards and led the SEC with 24 touchdowns, Lacy has firmly established himself as a certified top talent. Heading into the 2026 season, the big question is workload management under a new offensive staff. Lacy had a heavy 306-touch burden last year.
Wide Receiver - Miami Hurricanes
As a reclassified true freshman last season, Toney absolutely shredded the FBS, racking up a nation-leading 109 receptions, 1,211 yards, and 10 touchdowns while helping to guide the Hurricanes to the National Championship game. Note that Toney won't be draft-eligible until 2028.
Wide Receiver - FSU Seminoles
Standing a massive 6-foot-6 and weighing 230 pounds, the former USC transfer completely ignited Mike Norvell's offense last season. Robinson posted 1,081 yards and six touchdowns on 56 catches, earning Biletnikoff Award semifinalist honors.
Wide Receiver - Ohio State Buckeyes
Smith spent his first two years rewriting the Buckeyes' record books, shattering freshman milestones and securing back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Catching passes from Julian Sayin, he enters 2026 within breathing room of becoming Ohio State's all-time receiving leader.
Tight End - Texas Tech Red Raiders
Carter has pure functional power and elite athleticism. After proving his consistency at Louisiana, he transferred to Lubbock and earned second-team All-Big 12 honors. Carter is a premium chain-mover with soft hands who serves as a vital security blanket amid the Red Raiders' quarterback uncertainty. Scouts expect a massive senior campaign from Carter.
Center - Georgia Bulldogs
The son of offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, Drew is essentially a coach on the field, orchestrating protections with elite precision. Before a late-2025 foot injury sidelined him for the postseason, Bobo was a fortress, yielding zero sacks across 376 pass-blocking snaps.
Guard - Minnesota Golden Gophers
Johnson spent his 2025 season starting all 13 games, anchoring an offense that paved the way for quarterback Drake Lindsey. His raw strength controls the point of attack effortlessly. The versatile Johnson has played center, guard, and tackle for Minnesota.
Guard - Iowa Hawkeyes
Whether Iowa keeps him at guard or slides his elite athleticism over to center, Pieper is a certified first-round talent for the 2027 NFL Draft.
Off. Tackle - Texas Longhorns
After stepping in as a starter last year, Goosby earned first-team All-SEC honors. This was perhaps best highlighted by a masterclass performance against Texas A&M where he effectively neutralized elite EDGE rusher Cashius Howell.
Off. Tackle - Indiana Hoosiers
After leading the Hoosiers to a historic national championship, the consensus All-American and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year gave draft scouts a surprise by returning for his senior year. Smith allowed zero sacks during the 2025 regular season.
Defense: First Team
Def. Tackle - Oklahoma Sooners
After a breakout sophomore year where he racked up 42 tackles, 26 pressures, and a 13% run-stop rate, Stone is moving into a full-time starting role. An explosive, gap-shooting DT, Stone has genuine top-10 draft potential.
Def. Tackle - Oregon Ducks
After anchoring the Ducks in 2025 with 33 tackles and eight pass breakups, Washington shocked scouts by returning for the 2026 season. His explosive first-step and gap-shooting power make Washington a total nightmare for interior linemen.
Def. End - Minnesota Golden Gophers
Smith is an absolute nightmare off the edge. He exploded during his 2025 campaign, racking up a massive 12.5 sacks and earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. Smith's combination of elite size and closing speed has placed him squarely among the nation's top defensive linemen.
Def. End - Texas Longhorns
After a solid freshman campaign, Simmons' production exploded as a sophomore in 2025, leading the SEC with 12 sacks. Now entering his junior year under new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, Simmons will be being weaponized all over the field to keep offenses guessing.
Linebacker - Oklahoma Sooners
The undisputed heartbeat of Brent Venables' defense. Lewis is coming off a monster 2025 campaign where he led the Sooners with 74 tackles, including 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Linebacker - Georgia Bulldogs
A former five-star recruit, Wilson is coming off a strong 2025 campaign where he racked up 74 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
With blazing sub-11 second 100-meter track speed, he is a sideline-to-sideline eraser.
Linebacker - Texas Longhorns
After a superb run at Pitt, culminating in a massive 2025 campaign with 101 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and two pick-sixes, Biles transferred to Texas for the 2026 season. Biles possesses elite sideline-to-sideline speed and a knack for well-timed blitzes.
Linebacker - Indiana Hoosiers
With Aiden Fisher gone to the NFL, Jones is stepping into the spotlight as the unquestioned leader of Indiana's defense. Jones' high-IQ, gap-shooting instinct, and absolute nose for the football are strong. Jones collected 78 tackles and 7 sacks last year.
Cornerback - Alabama Crimson Tide
Brown is an absolute playmaker in coverage. After lighting it up last year with 39 tackles and taking two massive interceptions back for touchdowns, teams are going to be terrified to test his side of the field this fall. Brown has the premier five-star pedigree and the production to back up the billing.
Cornerback - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Moore is a 6'2" technician who completely locks down his half of the field. Moore logged 5 picks last year and at this point appears to be the favorite to be the first defensive back drafted in 2027. Moore headlines an elite Irish secondary heading into the season.
Safety - Georgia Bulldogs
After racking up 76 tackles as a sophomore, Bolden enters his junior campaign as PFF's top-ranked returning safety in the country. Bolden has rare elite closing speed and sharp instincts that make him a highly-regarded prospect.
Safety - Oregon Ducks
Following a high-profile transfer from Minnesota, safety Koi Perich enters the 2026 season positioned as one of college football's most dynamic defensive prospects. Dan Lanning's defense in Eugene is an ideal incubator for Perich's elite vertical athleticism, physical run support, and sideline-to-sideline range.
MORE: Find the full 2026 All-American list from Phil Steele at PhilSteele.com.
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