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ESPN Staff Writer- National recruiting analyst and analyst for ESPNU
- More than a decade of college and pro coaching experience.
- Graduated from Indiana and Nebraska-Omaha
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ESPN Analyst- Senior National Recruiting Analyst for ESPN.com
- Coached in four professional football leagues
- Graduated from Eastern Kentucky and Marshall
The next wave of elite college football recruits is coming, and it's already drawing lofty comparisons to some high-end talent.
The ESPN Junior 300 rankings for the Class of 2026 stack the top rising juniors in the country heading into the summer. Edge talent continues to take on greater importance across all levels of the sport -- 12 first-round picks in the 2024 NFL draft play either offensive tackles or edge rushers -- and this class is great on both sides of the ball.
Five-star prospects are also getting bigger and faster, already clocking in with NFL-ready measurables. Wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., an Ohio State commit, stands at 6-foot-6 with a 4.59-yard 40-yard dash, a nearly 79-inch wingspan and a max speed of almost 20 mph.
Edge Jahkeem Stewart checks in at 6-6, 281 pounds and runs a 1.86 10-yard split and a 4.85 40-yard dash. Kendre' Harrison, meanwhile, is an elite multisport athlete who reminds us of some of the NFL's more dominant tight ends in recent memory. All are great athletes with immense ceilings.
Here's a look at the top 2026 players at each position and how the five-stars stack up:
Jump to a section:
Top offensive recruits
Top defensive recruits
Notable QBs | Five-star linemen
