Craig Haubert and Tom LuginbillMultiple AuthorsMar 27, 2026, 07:10 AM ET
The top players in the 2026 recruiting class have their new schools and, in some cases, will soon be starting spring football.
The perfect harmony between skill and scheme can lead to production and wins on the field. Here’s how the top 2026 recruits at each position could fit at their new schools:
Brown is the nation’s No. 1 prospect and an elite big man who could excel on either side of the ball. He’s expected to begin his career on defense, where his excellent flexibility, agility and power — all accentuated by a high motor — should make an impact. Brown is a quiet leader, and with a roster loaded with new faces, he could be the steady presence they can coalesce around. Expect Brown to play a role in 2026.
Two years ago, the Terrapins ranked last in the Big Ten in sacks. They worked swiftly to address that deficiency. Maryland doubled its sack total in 2025 after adding freshmen Zahir Mathis and Sidney Stewart. Now, Elee can help them level up again. The top prospect in Maryland brings elite length, a quick first step like Mathis and Stewart and outstanding athletic testing numbers, including an 11-foot broad jump. His physical tools should help him develop into a dominant edge presence.
The best way to describe this fit is: Hand meets glove. Coming off a successful 2025 campaign, Miami has a few holes to fill — including replacing multiple starters along the offensive line. One of those departures is 2023 five-star lineman Francis Mauigoa, who was a plug-and-play addition for the Hurricanes. In Cantwell, they land another five-star who can have a similar impact and trajectory.
Although making the jump from high school to the Power 4 trenches is no small feat, the 6-foot-8 315-pounder can fill a need right away because of his size, footwork and power. He blends that with tenacity and an inquisitive demeanor that should keep him improving.
Iheanacho has the same plug-and-play ability as Cantwell. The difference is Oregon doesn’t have the same immediate needs across the offensive line and might not have as clear a path to a starting opportunity. That being said, although the Ducks have a lot of bodies returning, they don’t necessarily have a great deal of experience.
Because of that, we could still see the massive (6-7, 350) five-star powering his way into a role in Year 1 at tackle or guard. The key, both short and long term, is that he manages his weight. If he isn’t carrying unnecessary size, he can also move incredibly smoothly for his build. When he gets his hands on defenders, he has a jarring strike that can stun opponents.
USC inked the No. 1 class in part due to what it accomplished in the trenches. Much of that buzz was geared toward the defensive line, but Pepe is a key addition for the Trojans’ offense.
The Trojans are poised to enter 2026 with an experienced unit, so the need and opportunity for Pepe to step in right away likely won’t be there. However, if everything goes well this season, left tackle Elijah Paige is likely to move on after his redshirt junior year. Pepe, now in the program for a year, would be ready to step into a key starting role in in 2027 — similar to the path Paige took back in 2024.
In the short term, Paige battled injuries in 2025 and missed time. If that happens again, Pepe gives USC a big five-star with excellent length and flexibility who could step in and take those reps.
The addition of Ojo should be viewed as a long-term investment — and patience will be needed. Of the five-star offensive linemen, he’s the least ready to play right away, but he has incredible upside.
Between returning players along the offensive line and other arrivals (via both transfer and high school), Ojo should not need to be pressed into early action. Ojo is a big man who has tested well and shows good flexibility. He’s also lean — around 285 pounds — and needs to add mass, get stronger and improve his punch to better defend against power rushers.
There will be some delayed gratification, but with time and development, the tools are there for Ojo to become a high-quality starting left tackle.
Two Utah tackles are among the best prospects in the upcoming NFL draft: Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu. Although the Utes are losing a pair of elite players, Obot has the tools to be next in line.
He still needs to develop his big frame, and coming out of Idaho, he might need a little more time to adjust to the competition. But he possesses excellent raw tools, highlighted by impressive body quickness and flexibility.
Utah needs to retool after losing multiple starters, but Obot might benefit from a year to develop — similar to Lomu, who didn’t step into a starting role until his second season.
That experience could prove valuable, because although Washington returns several starters, it does have one vacancy at left tackle. The Huskies also brought in a potential option via the portal, but Greene could be the one who ultimately fills the role.
He blends mass and length with good body quickness and agility, and he physically has the tools to man the left tackle position.
The four-star is an excellent football player who has excelled during in-person evaluations on both sides of the ball. But as an offensive lineman, he earned camp MVP honors this past spring and looks like a natural fit up front.
At 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds, he’s an explosive player with good bend, and he blends that with power and intensity. BYU made several offensive line additions through the portal and returns experienced players like Andrew Gentry. But with no sure-fire answers at every spot, don’t be surprised if Mulitalo pushes for playing time in 2026.
A blend of departures and a need to further elevate the unit will have Texas retooling its offensive line. The Longhorns return strong contributors such as Trevor Goosby, made several additions via the portal, and signed a pair of SC Next 300 offensive linemen led by Turntine.
For Turntine, there probably isn’t a need to start right away, but he’ll get to compete for either a guard or tackle spot.
Georgia has an experienced starter returning in Earnest Greene, providing Ogboko an opportunity to ease in and gain experience.
He possesses excellent lower-body flexibility, consistently unlocks his hips, generates push and moves well for his size. Whether in 2026 or 2027, Ogboko is a name to watch as a future starting tackle for Georgia.
Consistency and improvement up front will be key for South Carolina in 2026, and a lot of new faces will play a role in trying to make that happen. The portal will bring several experienced options, but Gray was a huge signing for the Gamecocks.
A two-way player who was also a disruptive high school defensive lineman, Gray has the desired length, excellent flexibility and strong body quickness. He’s light on his feet, plays aggressive and does a good job finishing blocks.
He won’t enroll until the summer, which could impact how quickly he gets rolling. If he progresses well and gets up to speed quickly once he’s in the program full-time, Gray could be a plug-and-play freshman — or at the very least, someone who plays a role in 2026.
Henry needs to be outside to maximize his traits. He’s a one-on-one, 50-50-ball problem, especially in the red zone. At 6-foot-5, few receivers his size move and produce after the catch like he does. He’s a true run-and-catch vertical threat — even when he’s covered. His long arms and ability to elevate in traffic create clear jump-ball advantages, and his quickness at that size is similar to Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins.
In Ryan Day’s offense, which routinely rotates NFL-level perimeter targets, Henry is the classic boundary X who can win on back-shoulder fades and deep posts right away.
Keys does not have elite top-end speed, but his size, range and skills on the jump-ball are outstanding. A favorable comparison is former Vols receiver Chris Brazzell II. Tennessee can use Keys’ length, long arms and physicality to create matchups inside or outside, especially in Josh Heupel’s system that isolates bigger bodies on smaller corners.
He has very good body control and coordination when elevated, making him dangerous even when covered. He might not win many footraces, but on deep shots off play-action and versus zone from the slot, he can sit in windows, box out defenders and become a chain-moving, red zone go-to target.
Feaster arrives alongside NC State transfer Terrell Anderson to fill a need and push for immediate snaps. USC is losing five of its top six targets, including Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, so there’s volume available. The Trojans love to get their best playmakers into space, using stacks, bunch and motion to free up releases, and Feaster fits because he can play inside and outside.
Like former Missouri receiver Luther Burden III, Feaster can be very effective from the slot when you get him the ball quickly on the perimeter, with the ability to turn underneath throws into 80-yard scores. In a system that has consistently featured high-volume slot weapons, Feaster has the skill set to become a high-target, yards-after-catch option early.
Russell is the most highly recruited Syracuse signee of the modern era and a two-sport star with a chance to become a basketball standout too. He’ll be counted on early with Johntay Cook, Darrell Gill Jr. and Justus Ross-Simmons departing, which opens perimeter snaps. He’ll remind Syracuse fans of Oronde Gadsden II with his length, height and long arms to win one-on-ones and use his size against smaller defenders on back-shoulder balls.
Steve Angeli’s return at QB gives Russell a head start with a proven passer in a system that has already featured a big hybrid target prominently. Expect Syracuse to move him around — outside, slot and condensed splits — to isolate him on safeties and nickelbacks and force defenses to pick their poison in the red zone.
New offensive coordinator Jason Beck is very multiple with formations, shifts and motions, and Moa needs to carve out a role as a movable player in that West Coast/spread blend. He has good size but isn’t a pure speedster, so he must keep growing his feel for zone coverage, timing on option routes and how to work underneath and intermediate areas on play-action concepts.