The Week 1 matchup between No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Ohio State would possibly produce extra 2026 NFL Draft picks than another recreation this school soccer season (though Saturday evening’s LSU-Clemson may need one thing to say about that).
Final week, The Athletic’s draft skilled Dane Brugler launched his preseason rating of this yr’s prime 50 prospects, and the Longhorns and Buckeyes made up almost 1 / 4 of that record. Right here’s how Brugler ranks the ten finest 2026 NFL Draft prospects in Saturday’s recreation:
1. Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Rank on preseason prime 50: No. 2
No matter when Manning enters the NFL, the early teases of his expertise counsel he’s headed for large issues. With one of many prime play callers within the sport and a ton of expertise round him in Austin, Manning is about up for a 2025 season during which he can match the lofty hype.
2. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Rank on preseason prime 50: No. 4
It will be straightforward to argue that Downs is the perfect all-around soccer participant within the 2026 NFL Draft class. Nonetheless, over the past 15 years, just one security (Jamal Adams) has been chosen within the prime 10 — and Downs doesn’t have the elite dimension or velocity to obtain a testing bump through the course of. Nonetheless, together with his scheme-proof expertise, he might be universally favored by scouts and coaches.
3. Sonny Types, LB, Ohio State
Rank on preseason prime 50: No. 24
Types checks a variety of bins that might be catnip for NFL groups to scout. A former five-star recruit, he’s a 20-year-old senior with uncommon bodily traits and the son of a former Tremendous Bowl champion linebacker. On prime of his freaky instruments, he was voted an “Iron Buckeye” this spring for his coaching and self-discipline, and one member of Ohio State’s workers instructed me Types is “top-of-the-line leaders in this system.”
4. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Rank on preseason prime 50: No. 31
Ohio State is breaking in a first-year quarterback and play caller in 2025 and has to interchange a number of established starters from final yr’s nationwide title-winning squad. Nonetheless, the Buckeyes have arguably the highest receiving duo in school soccer, and Tate might be a vital weapon as defenses try and restrict Jeremiah Smith. He enters the season as extra of a Day 2 draft choose, however with the possibility to rise.
5. Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Rank on preseason prime 50: No. 33
Hill arrived in Austin as a five-star recruit with a ton of fanfare, which he lived as much as as a freshman All-American in 2023 and second-team All-American in 2024. NFL scouts don’t at the moment view Hill as a slam-dunk first-round choose — as one put it to me: “His traits are good, however I can’t name any of these traits ‘excellent.’ ” Nonetheless, Hill is a straightforward participant to love due to his dimension, velocity and searching expertise.
6. Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
Rank on preseason prime 50: No. 37
Klare is perhaps the important thing to unlocking Ohio State’s offense, particularly with a first-year starter at quarterback. He led Purdue in receiving final season (by a big margin), and there was nonetheless a variety of meat left on the bone in that offense. There might be extra mouths to feed within the Buckeyes’ offense, however Klare might be in a greater scenario to permit his expertise to shine.
7. Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
Rank on preseason prime 50: No. 38
Goosby noticed in depth snaps at left deal with late final season and earned his first begin within the playoff recreation versus Arizona State. The redshirt sophomore tends to play too tall and spends an excessive amount of time on the bottom, however his toes, grip, and understanding of tips on how to end are promising, which has compelled me to bump him up each time I’ve watched him the previous few weeks.
8. Kenyatta Jackson Jr., edge, Ohio State
Rank on preseason prime 50: No. 47
After ready his flip behind JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, Jackson is now a starter for the Buckeyes and is a chief breakout candidate. Along with his size and play energy, he units a agency edge and may drive blockers backward as a go rusher. Scouts are wanting to see his growth this season.
9. DeAndre Moore Jr., WR, Texas
Rank on preseason prime 50: N/R
With Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond now within the NFL, Texas has a handful of thrilling receiver abilities able to step up, led by Moore. In Manning’s solely profession SEC begin, Moore was his favourite goal. He completed with 4 catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns. His velocity and toughness stand out.
10. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Rank on preseason prime 50: N/R
Although Types deservedly receives many of the consideration, the Buckeyes have one other freak athlete beginning at linebacker. Reese is 6 foot 4, 245 kilos and may run. If he demonstrates regular growth in his diagnostic expertise, he’ll proceed to advance in these rankings all through the season.
(High photograph of Caleb Downs: Jason Mowry / Getty Photos)
