2026 college football Way-Too-Early All-America team

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The Longhorns fell short of their lofty preseason No. 1 ranking last season, finishing 10-3 and missing the College Football Playoff. But Texas coach Steve Sarkisian’s roster once again seems full, and the Longhorns are leading the way with five players on the 2026 Way-To-Early All-America Team.

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

Coleman (from Auburn) and Biles (Pitt) are among five way-to-early All-Americans playing at new schools; Houston guard Shadre Hurst (Tulane), Michigan edge rusher John Henry Daly (Utah) and Oregon safety Koi Perich (Minnesota) are the others.

Here is the 2026 Way-Too Early All-America Team:

Crime

Quarterback was the toughest position with only one player to choose from – with Oregon. dante moore and Ohio State julian signLSU Sam Levittfrom miami Darian Mensah and texas tech Brendan Sorsby He was equally worthy. But give me a strong-armed passer with a famous nickname who got better and better as a starter in Year 1.

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

Former Rebels coach Lane Kiffin badly wanted Lacey to join him at LSU, and for good reason. transfer quarterback trinidad chamblis He received a lot of attention during the Rebels’ surprising CFP run last season, but Lacy was equally important. He ran for 1,567 yards with 24 touchdowns.

Also considered: LJ MartinBYU; Jadan BaughFlorida

The Louisiana-Monroe transfer burst onto the scene in the SEC last season, finishing second in the FBS with 1,649 rushing yards with 16 touchdowns. He gained 300 yards with three scores in a 49–27 win against Mississippi State and 250 yards in a 52–10 loss to Louisiana.

Also considered: isaac brownLouisville; Mark Fletcher Jr.., Miami

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

Also considered: mario craverTexas A&M; nick marshIndiana

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

Also considered: danny scuderoColorado; deuce robinsonFlorida State

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

Also considered: Trade’s GreenLSU; Benjamin Brahmerpenn state

Smith’s return gives the defending national champions a strong star at left tackle. Last season, according to PFF, he ranked third in tackles with an overall blocking grade of 88.8. He did not allow a single sack or quarterback hit in 372 passing downs and only five pressures overall.

Also considered: Jordan SeatonLSU; Anthony KnappNotre Dame

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

Also considered: Kwabena AsamoahRutgers; Dontrell GloverGeorgia

Pieper’s return means Iowa’s offensive line is returning two starters that won the Joe Moore Award in 2025. He is expected to move from right guard to center, where he will replace the Rimington Trophy winner. logan jones. What’s not to love about a 290-pounder who grew up on a cattle farm, has a 38-inch vertical jump and is a two-time winner of the Solon (Iowa) Beef Days Hay Bell Toss?

Also considered: Sheridan WilsonTexas Tech; drew boboGeorgia

Junior was a standout on Cincinnati’s offensive line, which ranked No. 2 in FBS with only eight sacks allowed in 2025. Tangesdahl was PFF’s third-highest rated guard with an overall grade of 85.4 and was second in run blocking (89.7).

Also considered: John MillsWashington; luke montgomeryOhio State

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

Also considered: caden greenMissouri; Zechariah PeakSouth Carolina

Toney led the FBS with 109 receptions, ranked fifth with 1,211 receiving yards, threw two touchdowns and gained 298 yards on 23 punt returns. He did it all as an 18-year-old freshman in his senior season at American Heritage High in Plantation, Florida, until he reclassified to the class of 2025.

Also considered: J’Coby WilliamsTexas Tech; wayne knightUCLA

protect

Daly had 11.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss and 48 tackles for loss 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 on November 22 in a 51–47 win against Kansas State. He said on social media that he would be back in six months.

Also considered: dylan stewartSouth Carolina; Anthony Smithminnesota

Holmes did not crack Texas Tech’s starting lineup in 2025 until teammate Skylar Gil-Howard went down with an ankle injury. Holmes was more than disruptive, finishing with 38 tackles, 4.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss and seven quarterback hurries.

Also considered: tyreek tuckerIndiana; eliza griffinGeorgia

Washington is one of four Ducks defensive linemen who have decided 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 eight passes batted down. He is exceptionally fast with a weight of 330 pounds, making him difficult to stay out of the backfield.

Also considered: matin ibirogbaTexas Tech; david stoneoklahoma

New Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp would love to utilize Simmons’ pass-rushing skills. Simmons accumulated 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 have the most top 10 finishes in UT history with three more.

Also considered: cleave lubinLouisville; Damon Wilson IImiami

Weeks’ 2025 season was derailed by a broken ankle, which 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 lynchpin in Blake Baker’s revamped defense.

Also considered: rolijah hardyIndiana; raylen wilsonGeorgia

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

Also considered: ben robertsTexas Tech; arian cartertennessee

Biles was a key part in Texas’ bid to improve its defense, which slipped 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: suntaryn perkinsOle Miss; Isaiah JonesIndiana

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

Also considered: zbn brownAlabama; kelly jonesmississippi state

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

Also considered: alice robinson ivGeorgia; Brandon Finney Jr.., Oregon

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

Also considered: amare ferrelIndiana; Keon saabalabama

Perich did everything in Minnesota in 2025. He had 82 tackles, three tackles for loss and one interception on defense; On offense he caught seven passes for 89 yards; and returned 19 kickoffs for 499 yards and 18 punts for 118. Now Ducks coach Dan Lanning gets a chance to use his athleticism in Eugene.

Also considered: marcus neal jrPenn State; bre hubbardalabama

special teams

There’s a reason LSU, Notre Dame, Texas A&M and others were trying to flip Carneiro during the Rebels’ CFP run. He made 31 of 35 field goals last season, including 9 of 10 from more than 40 yards and 5 of 7 from 50 or more. He booted one of the greatest kicks in Ole Miss history when he made a 47-yarder to put the Rebels ahead of Georgia 37–34 in the CFP quarterfinals at the Sugar Bowl.

Also considered: tate sandelloklahoma; aidan birrgeorgia tech

Crenshaw made a handful of All-America teams last season, when he tossed 21 punts of 50 yards or more and had 29 of his 68 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, the most in FBS. His 45.7-yard average was the second best in Troy history.

Also considered: Ryan AckleyMichigan State; palmer williamsboiler

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

Also considered: Ryan NiblettTexas; trey richardsonlouisville