Sporting News 2026 college football Preseason All-America team
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Sporting News 2026 college football Preseason All-America team originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Texas leads the Sporting News 2026 preseason All-America team with six players across our first- and second- teams.
That includes five first-team selections led by edge rusher Colin Simmons and receiver Cam Coleman. Arch Manning – the much-hyped quarterback entering his second season – is on our second team.
That's because Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is a first-team selection. The Rebels had four first-team selections on our list.
The Longhorns and Rebels were part of a heavy presence of SEC players. A total of 23 players from the SEC are scattered throughout our teams – the most of any conference. The Big Ten ranked second with 14 players.
Notre Dame and Oregon totaled four players on our team, and Georgia, Iowa Ohio State and Texas Tech had three players each. Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith, Notre Dame's Leonard Moore and Missouri's Ahmad Hardy were 2025 first-team Sporting News All-America selections last season.
Sporting News is one of five outlets used to determine consensus All-American status at the end of the season. A look at our 2026 Preseason All-America team.
SN 140 ALL-AMERICA TEAMS BY DECADE:2020s|2010s | 2000s | 1990s | 1980s | 1970s | 1960s
First team offense
QB: Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
Chambliss (6-0, 205) was granted a sixth-year waiver to return to Ole Miss, and we expect the quarterback to take advantage of the opportunity. He passed for 3,937 yards, 22 TDs and three interceptions and added 527 rushing yards and 8 TDs last season. Chambliss heated up during the CFP semifinal run – where he averaged 307 passing yards per game. He's the top QB in our rankings for 2026 – and that gives him the edge on this list to start.
RB: Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss
Lacy (5-11, 205) partners in the backfield with Chambliss, which gives the Rebels a prolific rushing attack worth watching. Lacy rushed for 1,567 yards and 24 TDs while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. He had 38 rushes of 10 yards or more; according to PFF.com. Lacy blends that between-the-tackles style with the ability to break off a TD run at any time – and that should continue in 2026.
RB: Ahmad Hardy, Missouri
Hardy (5-10, 210) rushed for 1,649 yards last season – the most yardage of any returning running back in the Power 4. Hardy runs through contact (4.6 yards per carry). He had seven games with at least 100 rushing yards, including a 300-yard, three-TD effort against Mississippi State. Hardy was shot on the upper leg on May 10, and his status for Week 1 remains uncertain.
WR: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Smith (6-3, 223) is the most imposing offensive force in the FBS – yet it's his consistency as a pass-catching option for the Buckeyes that stands out. He had 163 catches on 211 targets in two seasons. He's totaled 2,528 yards on back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with 27 TD receptions – and that comes with increased attention from defenses. In five career CFP games, Smith has 26 catches for 538 yards – an average of 20.7 yards per catch – with six TDs.
WR: Malachi Toney, Miami
Toney (5-11, 188) led all FBS receivers with 109 receptions as part of Miami's run to the CFP championship game last season. He had three games with 10-plus receptions and 100 or more receiving yards as a freshman, and he adds value in the punt return game. Xavier Restrepo (2024) was Miami's last consensus All-American receiver. Will Toney be next?
WR: Cam Coleman, Texas
Coleman (6-3, 204) transferred from Auburn to Texas, where he should put up numbers with Manning in the Longhorns' revamped offense. Coleman excels at the contested catch – he had 13 last season according to PFF.com – and he has nine TD receptions on passes of 20 yards or more the last two seasons. Manning and Coleman should be able to exploit that vertical connection this season in the SEC.
TE: Terrance Carter Jr., Texas Tech
Carter (6-2, 245) finished with 55 receptions for 624 yards and five TDs, and that included a nine-catch, 72-yard performance in the CFP quarterfinals against Oregon. He is a reliable target who compiled a 74.4 catch percentage, and he also is an effective run blocker. Will he establish an immediate connection with Will Hammond?
T: Carter Smith, Indiana
Smith (6-5, 313) – a second-team SN All-America pick last season – started all 16 games for the Hoosiers last season and returns as a leader on the offensive line. He allowed just two sacks – both in the CFP championship game – and was a consistent performer through last year's Big Ten schedule. Smith also is a force as a run blocker for the Hoosiers – who averaged 212.9 rushing yards per game.
G: Shadre Hurst, Houston
Hurst (6-2 295) – a Tulane transfer second-team SN All-America selection in 2025 – gives Houston a dominant interior run blocker. The fifth-year senior allowed just one sack, and he made one start at left tackle. The Cougars are a trendy playoff pick in the Big 12 – and the addition of Hurst solidifies an offensive line with three transfers who are projected starters.
C: Kade Pieper, Iowa
Pieper (6-3, 298) would have been one of our picks at guard – but he's making the move to center where he replaces Rimington Trophy winner Logan Jones for the Hawkeyes. Pieper is an outstanding run blocker, and he allowed just one sack. He had just one penalty in 2025. That versatility on the interior line is a difference-maker.
G: Evan Tengesdahl, Cincinnati
Tengesdahl (6-3, 323) had a 89.7 grade in run blocking, according to PFF, last season. He did not allow a sack and can swing from left guard to right guard if needed. He is part of a Cincinnati offensive line that should be one of the best in the Big 12.
T: Trevor Goosby, Texas
Goosby (6-7, 325) is a fourth-year offensive lineman who started 13 games last season. He allowed three sacks and three quarterback hits – and a strong finish in Texas' last three games showed how dominant he might be in that spot this year for an improved offensive line around Manning. He has the potential to be a top-10 pick.
AP: Cam Cook, West Virginia
Cook (5-9, 203) – a Jacksonville State transfer – rushed for 1,659 yards and 16 TDs last season and ranked second in the FBS with 149.6 total yards per game. Cook had nine games with 100-plus rushing yards. He gives second-year coach Rich Rodriguez an all-around playmaker in the backfield in an improved West Virginia offense.
First-team defense
DL: Will Echoles, Ole Miss
Echoles (6-3, 315) is an anchor in the middle for the Rebels' defense, and he developed as a pass-rushing threat for Ole Miss through last year's CFP run. Echoles had 11 total tackles and six quarterback hurries in Ole Miss' three playoff games. That blend of disruptive stops on the interior should continue with defensive coordinator Bryan Brown in 2026.
DL: A'Mauri Washington, Oregon
Washington (6-3, 330) was a pleasant surprise returner for his senior season with the Ducks, and he is a popular pick for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He had eight hurries in a three-game stretch against Washington, USC and James Madison, and the run-stuffing presence with 33 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss. He should lead what could be Oregon's best defense under Dan Lanning.
EDGE: Colin Simmons, Texas
Simmons (6-3, 245) had 59 pressures last season, according to PFF.com., and that included 17 quarterback hurries in Texas' last three games. He's totaled 21 sacks the last two seasons. Simmons had a 21.5% win percentage; which was a touch behind Texas Tech's David Bailey at 21.6%. Simmons will be in the mix with the FBS sacks leaders this season.
EDGE: Anthony Smith, Minnesota
Smith (6-6, 285) is an imposing force for the Gophers. The fifth-year senior led the Big Ten with 12.5 sacks last season. He closed last season with two sacks and two pass breakups in the Rate Bowl against New Mexico. There are other explosive pass rushers in this class – including South Carolina's Dylan Stewart and Louisville's Clev Lubin. Smith has the advantage for now.
LB: Rasheem Biles, Texas
Biles (6-1, 220) transferred from Pitt, where he totaled 101 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and two interceptions in 2025. A former defensive back in high school, Biles is a rangy linebacker who had 31.5 tackles for loss and 11 pass breakups the last two years. He should be a game-changer with defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.
LB: Xavier Atkins, Auburn
Atkins (6-0, 210) led the SEC with 17 tackles for loss last season – part of a season in which he had nine sacks and 60 solo tackles for the Tigers. Atkins had three games last season with double-digit tackles and at least one sack. Auburn retained defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, so Atkins should continue to flourish in that scheme.
LB: Rolijah Hardy, Indiana
Hardy (5-11, 227) – a Navy transfer – emerged as a disruptive force as linebacker for Indiana's national championship team last season. Hardy totaled 102 tackles, eight sacks and 15 tackles for loss. He also had five pass breakups in coverage. He is one of the key returning pieces for the Hoosiers in 2026 along with Isaiah Jones and Tyrique Tucker.
CB: Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
Moore (6-2, 197) – a Thorpe Award and Nagurski Trophy finalist last season – is the top defensive player in college football heading into the season. He had five interceptions and seven pass breakups in 2025, but he's more than just an elite cover cornerback. Moore totaled 79 tackles and three forced fumbles in two seasons. Moore was a SN Preseason All-America selection last season, too.
CB: Ellis Robinson IV, Georgia
Robinson (6-0, 180) surged toward the end of last season, and the redshirt sophomore appears ready for the full-fledged breakout in 2026. He had four interceptions last season – including a leaping pick against Georgia Tech in the regular-season finale. He did not allow a TD in coverage in the Bulldogs' last nine games. Robinson is showcasing the talent that made him the top cornerback recruit in high school.
S: KJ Bolden, Georgia
Bolden (6-0, 195) is one of the team leaders for Kirby Smart for a defense that will look to win a third consecutive SEC championship. Bolden had 76 tackles, two interceptions and five pass breakups last season. He had 10 tackles in the 39-34 loss to Ole Miss in the CFP semifinal at the Sugar Bowl. He missed just four tackles last season.
S: Tae Johnson, Notre Dame
Johnson (6-2, 200), a sophomore, started in 10 games last season and had four interceptions and three pass breakups. He missed just two tackles, according to PFF.com, and that range and athleticism is yet another reason why the Irish will have one of the best secondaries in the FBS this season.
DB: Ty Benefield, LSU
Benefield (6-3, 208) – a Boise State transfer – compiled 105 tackles, two interceptions and three pass breakups last season before coming to LSU. He'll be an exciting addition under first-year Lane Kiffin. Benefield had six or more tackles in all but one game last season and should be a good fit with defensive coordinator Blake Baker.
First-team specialists
K: Lucas Carneiro, Ole Miss
Carneiro (5-11, 196) – a Western Kentucky transfer – starred in the College Football Playoff for the Rebels last season, where he hit 9 of 10 field goals – including 4 of 5 from 50 yards or more. Carneiro hit 88.6% of his field-goal attempts – and was 14 of 17 (82.4%) from 40 yards or more.
P: Evan Crenshaw, Troy
Crenshaw (6-4, 184) is a returning Ray Guy Award finalist who averaged 45.3 yards per punt for the Trojans. The fifth-year senior also is a returning Sporting News first-team All-America selection. Crenshaw had 33 punts inside the 20-yard line. Opposing punt returners averaged 6.1 yards per return.
KR: Da'Realyst Clark, Kent State
Clark (5-10, 160) – a senior whose career started at Division III Defiance before a stint at Butler – has emerged as a big-play threat for the Golden Flashes. He scored TDs on two kickoff returns last season – including a 103-yard return in the opener against Merrimack and a 91-yard score on the opening kickoff against UMass.
PR: Ryan Niblett, Texas
Niblett (5-10, 189) adds yet another advantage for the Longhorns in the return game. He averaged 22.7 yards per punt return with a pair of touchdowns in 2025 – and those game-changing scores were against Oklahoma and Mississippi State. He had five games with at least 50 punt return yards and also added 20.2 yards per kickoff return.
Second-team offense
QB: Arch Manning, Texas
RB: LJ Martin, BYU
RB: Isaac Brown, Louisville
WR: KJ Duff, Rutgers
WR: Duce Robinson, Florida State
WR: Charlie Becker, Indiana
TE: DJ Vonnahme, Iowa
T: Cayden Green, Missouri
G: Luke Montgomery, Ohio State
C: Iapani Laloulu, Oregon
G: Anthonie Knapp, Notre Dame
T: Austin Siereveld, Ohio State
AP: Caleb Hawkins, Oklahoma State
Second-team defense
DL: A.J. Holmes, Jr., Texas Tech
DL: David Stone, Oklahoma
EDGE: Clev Lubin, Louisville
EDGE: Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
LB: Ben Roberts, Texas
LB: Raylen Wilson, Georgia
LB: Drayk Bowen, Notre Dame
CB: Brandon Finney, Oregon
CB: Chris Peal, Syracuse
S: Bray Hubbard, Alabama
S: Koi Perich, Oregon
DB: Zach Lutmer, Iowa
Second-team specialists
K: Tate Sandell, Oklahoma
P: Ethan Pulliam, Mississippi State
KR: Chauncy Cobb, Arkansas State
PR: Vicari Swain, South Carolina
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