2026 College Football Playoff All-America Team

Let the Texas hype begin.

The Longhorns fell short of the No. 1 preseason ranking last season when they finished 10-3 and lost in the College Football Playoff. But Texas coach Steve Sarkisian’s roster appears loaded again, and the Longhorns lead the way with five players on the 2026 Way-Too-Early All-America team.

Along with quarterback Arch Manning, receiver Cam Coleman, offensive tackle Trevor Goolsby and linebackers Collin Simmons and Rasheem Bayles on the team.

Coleman (from Auburn) and Biles (Pitt) are among five very early All-Americans playing for new schools; Houston guard Shadre Hurst (Tulane), Michigan tight end John Henry Daly (Utah) and Oregon safety Coy Perrish (Minnesota) are the others.

Here’s the 2026 Way-Too-Early All-America team:

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Quarterback was the most difficult position to pick just one player — along with Oregon State’s Dante Moore and Ohio State’s Julian Signe, LSU’s Sam Leavitt, Miami’s Darian Mensah, and Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby were equally deserving. But give me a tough passer with a famous last name who got better and better in his first year as a starter.

Also considered: Dante Moore, Oregon State; Julian Sain, Ohio State

Former Rebels coach Lane Kiffin desperately wanted Lacy to join him at LSU, and for good reason. Midfielder Trinidad Chambliss received a lot of attention during the Rebels’ surprising CFP run last season, but Lacy was just as important. He ran for 1,567 yards with 24 touchdowns.

Also considered: L. J. Martin, BYU; Poor Bogue, Florida

The Louisiana-Monroe transfer burst onto the scene in the SEC last season, ranking second in the FBS with 1,649 receiving yards with 16 touchdowns. He had 300 receiving yards with three scores in a 49-27 win over Mississippi State and had 250 receiving yards in a 52-10 defeat of Louisiana.

Also considered: Isaac Brown, Louisville; Mark Fletcher Jr., Miami

Smith is arguably the best running back at any position in the FBS this season, and already has highlight tape worthy of a 30-for-30 documentary. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he was the only receiver in the FBS with grades of 85 or better against man-to-man coverage and zone.

Also considered: Mario Craver, Texas A&M; Nick Marsh, Indiana

The former five-star wideout caught 93 passes over the past two seasons while dealing with a revolving door at the quarterback position for Auburn. Imagine what he might be able to do with Manning throwing to him. At 6-foot-3, Coleman’s uncanny ability to jump defenders and track down deep balls could make him an instant star in Austin.

Also considered: Danny Scudero, Colorado; Doss Robinson, Florida State

After opting to return to the Red Raiders for another season, Carter will undoubtedly be one of Sorsby’s favorite targets in 2026. Carter caught 55 passes for 624 yards with five scores last season, despite missing two games with an ankle injury. He was especially good on third down with 21 catches for 254 yards.

Also considered: Trey’Dez Green, LSU; Benjamin Brahmer, Penn State

Smith’s return gives the defending national champion a bona fide star at left tackle. Last season, according to PFF, he ranked third among tackles with an overall blocking grade of 88.8. He did not allow a sack or a quarterback hit on 372 passes and surrendered just five total pressures.

Also considered: Jordan Seaton, LSU; Anthony Knapp, Notre Dame

After earning All-AAC honors in his first two seasons at Tulane, Hurst joins former Green Wave coach Willie Fritz in Houston. He was PFF’s ninth-rated guard last season with an overall blocking grade of 80.7. He ranked fourth in pass blocking with a grade of 90.5.

Also considered: Kwabena Asamoah, Rutgers; Dontrell Glover, Georgia

Bieber’s return means the return of two key players from Iowa’s offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award in 2025. He is expected to move from right guard to center, where he will replace Rimington Trophy winner Logan Jones. What’s not to like about a 290-pound guy who grew up on a cattle ranch, has a 38-inch vertical jump, and is a two-time Solon (Iowa) Beef Days hay Bale toss winner?

Also considered: Sheridan Wilson, Texas Tech; Drew Bobo, Georgia

The junior was outstanding on Cincinnati’s offensive line, which ranked second in the FBS with just eight sacks allowed in 2025. Tengesdahl was PFF’s third-highest point guard with an overall grade of 85.4 and was second in run blocking (89.7).

Also considered: John Mills, Washington; Luke Montgomery, Ohio State

Gosby’s return means Manning’s blindside should be safe in 2026. Gosby surrendered three sacks and 15 total pressures last season, so there is room for improvement. This should come with additional experience; He started 15 games in the past two seasons combined. At 6-foot-7 and 312 pounds, there’s plenty of frame to add strength.

Also considered: Kayden Green, Missouri; (Jackarius Peak, South Carolina).

Tony led the FBS with 109 receptions, was fifth with 1,211 yards, threw two touchdowns, and had 298 yards on 23 punt returns. He did it all as an 18-year-old freshman in what would have been his final season at American Heritage High in Plantation, Fla., until he was reclassified to the Class of 2025.

Also considered: Jacoby Williams, Texas Tech; Wayne Knight, University of California

Defense

Daly had 11.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss and 48 tackles as a sophomore at Utah in 2025. He transferred to Michigan to continue playing for new Wolverines coach Kyle Whittingham. Daly suffered a lower leg injury in a 51-47 win over Kansas State on November 22. He said on social media that he would return in six months.

Also considered: Dylan Stewart, South Carolina; Anthony Smith, Minnesota

Holmes didn’t crack Texas Tech’s starting lineup in 2025 until teammate Skyler Jill Howard suffered an ankle injury. Holmes was more than just a nuisance down the stretch, finishing with 38 tackles, 4.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss and seven quarterback hurries.

Also considered: Tyreek Tucker, Indiana; Elijah Griffin, Georgia

Washington is one of four Ducks defensemen who have elected to return in 2026. Last season, his first as a full-time starter, Washington had 1.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, and dished out eight passes. He’s exceptionally fast at 330 pounds, making him difficult to keep out of the backfield.

Also considered: Matin Ibirugba, Texas Tech; David Stone, Oklahoma

New Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp would love to utilize Simmons’ pass-rushing skills. Simmons compiled 12 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hurries, and three forced fumbles in 2025. He had 21 sacks in his first two seasons; He would finish in the top 10 in UT history with three others.

Also considered: Cliff Lubin, Louisville; Damon Wilson II, Miami

His 2025 season was derailed for weeks by a broken ankle that caused him to miss seven games. He finished with 28 tackles and one sack. If Weeks can return to his form from 2024, when he was second in the SEC with 125 tackles, he will be a veteran fixture in Blake Baker’s rejuvenated defense.

Also considered: Rollia Hardy, Indiana; Raylene Wilson, Georgia

Atkins was a devastating force for the Tigers last season, totaling 84 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks. His return was a major coup for new Auburn coach Alex Golish and returning defensive coordinator DJ Durkin.

Also considered: Ben Roberts, Texas Tech; Arion Carter, Tennessee

Biles has been a key part of the Texans’ attempt to improve its defense, which fell to 40th in total defense (333.8 yards) in 2025. In his second season at Pitt, Biles had 100 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He also scored three touchdowns at Pitt, two on interceptions and one on a fumble return.

Also considered: Centarin Perkins, Ole Miss; Isaiah Jones, Indiana

With his coverage and tackling skills in the open field, Bullock was a safety net for Texas Tech’s defense in 2025. He had 48 tackles to go with one fumble recovery and seven pass breakups. His five interceptions tied for the lead in the Big 12 and seventh in the FBS.

Also considered: Zabian Brown, Alabama; Kelly Jones, Mississippi State

Moore was a consensus All-American in 2025, and will be the fifth player in Notre Dame history to do so in back-to-back seasons. He was PFF’s highest-rated linebacker from a power conference team in coverage (92.6) and overall defensive grade (91.8).

Also considered: Ellis Robinson IV, Georgia; Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon

Bolden had to wear many hats in Georgia’s secondary due to injuries last season. He finished with 76 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups and two interceptions. He was great in run support making 135 tackles in his first two seasons and has room to grow in coverage.

Also considered: We have Ferrell, Indiana; Keon Sapp, Alabama

Perich did a little bit of everything in Minnesota in 2025. He had 82 tackles, three tackles for loss and an interception on defense; He caught seven passes for 89 yards on offense; He returned 19 kickoffs for 499 yards and 18 punts for 118. Now Ducks coach Dan Lanning gets a chance to utilize his athletic abilities in Eugene.

Also considered: Marcus Neal Jr., Penn State; Bray Hubbard, Alabama

Special teams

There’s a reason why LSU, Notre Dame, Texas A&M and others tried to convince Carneiro to flip while the CFP was running for the rebels. He made 31 of 35 field goals last season, including 9 of 10 from 40-plus yards and 5 of 7 from 50 or more. He made one of the biggest kicks in Ole Miss history when he made a 47-yarder to put the Rebels ahead of Georgia 37-34 in the CFP quarterfinals in the Sugar Bowl.

Also considered: Tate Sandel, Oklahoma; Aidan Bear, Georgia Tech

Crenshaw made a handful of All-America teams last season, after hitting 21 shots of 50 yards or more and putting 29 of 68 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, the most in the FBS. His 45.7 yards average was second best in Trojan history.

Also considered: Ryan Eckley, Michigan State; Palmer Williams, Baylor

Clark kept it real at Kent State last season when he finished fifth in the FBS with an average of 28.3 yards on 16 kickoff returns. He had a 100-yard return for a score in the fourth quarter of a 21-17 win over FCS Merrimack in the opener, the Flashes’ first win in more than two years. He then had a 91-yard touchdown run on the opening play to defeat UMass 42-6.

Also considered: Ryan Neblett, Texas; Tre Richardson, Louisville