25 must-watch defensive NFL draft prospects during 2026 college football season
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The college football season is upon us, and in a matter of weeks, the season will kick off. A new quest will begin for many teams seeking to punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff. That isn’t the only quest at hand, however.
Though the NIL era has given student-athletes the chance to cash in, some college football stars want more. They want to play the game at the highest level and solidify their rare football careers in the NFL. Their quest begins with eyes on the NFL draft during their final college football season.
NIL is creating more experienced prospects than ever before. Some eligible fourth-year college football players may decide to return for a fifth season. Eventually, though, their college eligibility will run out, forcing them to decide whether to pursue the NFL draft or move on from football.
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Here are 25 of the top defensive talents in college football to watch during the 2026 season. These players could hear their name called in April.
Interior defensive line
David Stone – Oklahoma
Justin Scott – Miami
Will Echoles – Mississippi
A’Mauri Washington – Oregon
Ahmad Moten Sr. – Miami
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Miami has a couple of strong defensive tackle prospects to keep an eye on. The SEC and Big Ten are conferences that routinely produce big names along the interior of the defensive line. Which of these prospects will rise to the top of the group and establish himself as the premier interior defensive linemen come April?
EDGE
Colin Simmons – Texas
Dylan Stewart – South Carolina
Quincy Rhodes Jr. – Arkansas
Matayo Uiagalelei – Oregon
Kenyatta Jackson – Ohio State
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The EDGE group could feature some of the most intriguing defensive prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft. Ohio State’s Kenyatta Jackson gives the group another high-level name to watch. Which EDGE rusher will separate himself from the pack and emerge as the premier prospect by April?
Linebacker
Sammy Brown – Clemson
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa – Notre Dame
Rasheem Biles – Texas
Suntarine Perkins – Ole Miss
Chris Cole – Georgia
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There is plenty of young talent to watch at linebacker, with several Power Four programs and independents represented among this group. With another year of development ahead, which prospect will establish himself as the best linebacker in the class?
Cornerback
Leonard Moore – Notre Dame
Ellis Robinson IV – Georgia
Kelley Jones – Mississippi State
Zabien Brown – Alabama
Ashton Hampton – Clemson
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The cornerback group features a strong mix of talent from some of the nation’s top defensive units. Notre Dame, Georgia, Mississippi State, Alabama and Clemson each have a prospect capable of making a name for himself this season. Which cornerback will rise above the rest by the time April arrives?
Safety
KJ Bolden – Georgia
Brauntae Johnson – Notre Dame
Ty Benefield – LSU
Jelani McDonald – Texas
Koi Perich – Oregon
The safety group includes several prospects from conferences that have consistently produced NFL-caliber defensive backs. Which safety will make the biggest jump in 2026 and position himself as one of the top players at the position heading into the 2027 NFL Draft?
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