Ranking the top 25 college football recruits regardless of class

One of our favourite exercises portion looking astatine the apical precocious schoolhouse endowment successful the state is ranking the apical 25 assemblage shot recruits careless of their precocious schoolhouse graduating class. While the 2026 ESPN 300 and 2027 ESPN Junior 300 are some good represented, we besides dipped into the rising sophomore 2028 class.

We've seen these high-level prospects vie successful scouting campy settings and connected movie since February. This database blends the oculus test, quality traits, on-field accumulation and harvester investigating information with assessments connected however each of those variables volition travel unneurotic to present aboriginal interaction connected Saturdays.

Let's dive in.

1. Lamar Brown, DT | LSU commit

2026 ESPN 300 ranking: 1

How are these for measurables? Brown stands 6-foot-5, 285 pounds and runs a 4.85 40-yard dash, which matches the second-fastest clip among antiaircraft tackles astatine past year's NFL combine. A morganatic imaginable connected either broadside of the line, Brown is the top-ranked enlistee successful 2026 with uncommon scope and mobility. For now, the LSU perpetrate plans to commencement his assemblage vocation connected defense. He moves highly good and plays with fantabulous leverage, equilibrium and finishing powerfulness for a subordinate his size. Brown has immense upside.

2. Kennedy Brown, OT | Uncommitted

2027 ESPN Junior 300 ranking: 1

Brown has the tools to go 1 of the champion violative tackle prospects successful caller memory. Don't fto his 6-4 tallness fool you. The apical imaginable successful the 2027 people boasts a 7-foot wingspan and monolithic 11-inch hands, some of which would person ranked astatine the apical of past year's marks among violative linemen astatine the NFL combine. Brown apt isn't done growing, which could assistance code his request to adhd weight. Brown's athleticism already stands out. He's airy connected his feet with bully assemblage quickness, crook and, astatine times, effortless walk protection. His carnal upside is done the roof.

3. Zion Elee, DE | Maryland commit

2026 ESPN 300 ranking: 2

The in-state Maryland perpetrate is arguably the astir diversion borderline rusher we person ever evaluated. His 4.43 40-yard dash would spot him successful the apical 5% each clip astatine the NFL harvester for antiaircraft ends. At 6-4 with an 80-inch wingspan, Elee is long, thin and explosive, with plentifulness of country to adhd much bulk. That length, paired with an fantabulous archetypal measurement and beardown motor, wreaks havoc disconnected the edge. He broad-jumped much than 11 feet this spring, the highest ever recorded connected the Under Armour Camp Series platform. Elee volition beryllium an instant interaction assemblage defender successful autumn 2026.

4. Jackson Cantwell, OT | Miami commit

2026 ESPN 300 ranking: 3

Cantwell, a two-time authorities champion changeable putter who holds aggregate nationalist precocious schoolhouse throwing records, has the prototypical measurables of a first-round NFL tackle. The Miami perpetrate stands 6-7, 320 pounds with plentifulness of athleticism and flexibility. He has fantabulous feet successful walk extortion but is adjacent much precocious arsenic a tally blocker, showing almighty hands and the quality to decorativeness astatine the constituent of attack. He's a plug-and-play benignant successful Coral Gables and could yet regenerate 2023 five-star lineman Francis Mauigoa, who is projected arsenic a precocious first-round NFL draught prime successful 2026.

5. Dia Bell, QB | Texas commit

2026 ESPN 300 rank: 4

The lad of 12-year NBA seasoned Raja Bell, Dia Bell is coming disconnected a triumph astatine Elite 11 this summertime and has a agelong way grounds of production. He's a three-year starter astatine nationalist powerfulness American Heritage, wherever helium threw for 2,597 yards and 29 touchdowns portion completing 70.6% of his passes past autumn arsenic a inferior earlier suffering a season-ending limb injury. The Texas perpetrate is rather akin to Arch Manning. He's a talented passer with creaseless mechanics and a quiet, steely confidence. Bell tin widen plays and enactment done his progressions, and he's a amended jock and runner than erstwhile Longhorns starter Quinn Ewers.

6. Chris Henry Jr., WR | Ohio State commit

2026 ESPN 300 rank: 5

Henry has been committed to Ohio State for 3 years, the longest-running committedness successful the state among ESPN 300 prospects, and dominated arsenic an underclassman earlier a genu wounded sidelined him for astir of his inferior season. The 6-5 elite playmaker caught 71 passes for much than 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns arsenic a sophomore and is simply a matchup nightmare for corners due to the fact that of his frame. With a 78.4-inch wingspan, Henry tin simply outreach defenders and haul successful passes with his elite hands. And portion astir receivers his size conflict to accelerate to afloat speed, Henry has clocked a 4.59 laser-timed 40-yard dash. His uncommon operation of size, velocity and athleticism makes him the apical receiver successful the country.

7. Jamier Brown, WR | Ohio State commit

2027 ESPN Junior 300 rank: 2

Yes, the Buckeyes person the apical receiving imaginable successful each of the adjacent 2 classes. Brown has NFL-caliber burst disconnected the enactment and often beats defenses implicit the top. Undersized astatine 5-11, 170 pounds, his velocity is his top asset; Brown has tally a 4.49 laser-timed 40-yard dash and a 10.15-second 100-meter dash. He has creaseless feet and intelligibly understands however to tally fantabulous routes. Brown's off-ball acceleration and downfield velocity marque him a matchup nightmare for immoderate defender who falls adjacent fractional a measurement behind.

8. Jared Curtis, QB | Georgia commit

2026 ESPN 300 rank: 6

Curtis checks each container from a measurables standpoint. He's 6-3, 225 pounds with coveted limb spot and awesome velocity for his size. He has enactment it each connected tape, too, showing the quality to evade defenders and marque hard throws wrong and extracurricular the pocket. Curtis is truthful ascendant astatine the precocious schoolhouse level that helium doesn't request to tally often, but the hallmarks of a dual-threat backmost are intelligibly there. He's plentifulness assured arsenic well, entering a crowded backmost country astatine Georgia that features aggregate erstwhile elite prospects.

9. John Meredith III, CB | Uncommitted

2027 ESPN Junior 300 rank: 3

Meredith is the highest-rated antiaircraft subordinate successful the inferior class, with the tools to interaction a crippled successful each phases. He settled successful astatine cornerback this season, emerging arsenic a dynamic playmaker with fantabulous shot instincts. At 6-2 with a 78-inch wingspan and a lightning-fast 4.42 40-yard dash, helium has each the markers of an elite corner. Now that he's locked into a position, we're anxious to spot however helium continues to develop. Meredith has each accidental to solidify his presumption arsenic the apical antiaircraft subordinate successful the country.

10. Zyron Forstall, DE | Uncommitted

2027 ESPN Junior 300 rank: 4

Forstall is the second-highest-rated defender successful the ESPN Junior 300, but the 6-4, 235-pound extremity already looks similar helium belongs connected a Power 4 roster. He's an explosive borderline defender with a wide framework who overwhelms violative tackles erstwhile helium gets disconnected the ball. His crook and relentless pursuit pb to game-changing plays and popular connected tape. With bully hands, a precocious shot IQ and positional versatility, Forstall projects arsenic a existent three-down defender susceptible of lining up astatine aggregate spots. He's lone getting bigger and stronger, truthful don't beryllium amazed if helium makes a propulsion for the No. 1 spot with a ascendant fall.

11. Derrek Cooper, RB | Uncommitted

2026 ESPN 300 rank: 7

Cooper is the highest-rated moving backmost successful the state and was an violative unit for nationalist powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, starring his squad to a Florida 1A authorities title with much than 1,000 yards, 14 touchdowns and cardinal contributions astatine linebacker connected defense. At 6-1, 205 pounds, Cooper has the spot and explosiveness to burst done holes and bounce disconnected defenders. His athleticism besides shows up connected defense, wherever helium uses his straight-line velocity to roam sideline to sideline. His singular two-way interaction against the champion contention successful Florida explains wherefore he's 1 of the champion violative prospects successful the 2026 class.

12. Faizon Brandon, QB | Tennessee commit

2026 ESPN 300 rank: 8

Brandon picks isolated defenses with precision. The Tennessee perpetrate threw for much than 2,100 yards, 27 touchdowns and had conscionable 1 interception arsenic a junior. The 6-4 backmost shows beardown pouch beingness connected movie and delivers an fantabulous heavy ball. Brandon processes defenses and reads the full tract quickly, particularly connected breached plays, which helps him bounds turnovers. His decision-making and quality to propulsion the shot downfield marque him a beardown acceptable for Josh Heupel's offense.

13. Brysen Wright, WR | Uncommitted

Class of 2028

At 6-4, 215 pounds, the Jacksonville merchandise retired of Mandarin High School is remarkably carnal for his age. Many successful Florida eagerly anticipated his debut, and helium delivered with 31 catches for 646 yards and 8 touchdowns successful conscionable 11 games. On tape, Wright flashes a uncommon operation for a freshman: an 80.1-inch wingspan, a immense drawback radius, fluid question and accelerated acceleration disconnected the line. Add successful his 4.61 laser-timed 40-yard dash, and he's a playmaker successful some the abbreviated and vertical passing game. Wright should lone get faster arsenic helium gets older, and helium could go the champion subordinate successful the 2028 class.

14. Eric McFarland III, WR | Uncommitted

Class of 2028

Don't number McFarland retired of the contention for the No. 1 spot successful the 2028 class. He ran a stunning 4.37 laser-timed 40-yard dash astatine conscionable 14 years old, and the slot receiver already uses his burst and creaseless top-end velocity to abstracted himself from opposing -- and often older -- defenders. McFarland besides has large shot skills, consistently hauling successful passes extracurricular the model of his body. He's undersized astatine 5-8, 165 pounds, but helium has plentifulness of clip to make portion maintaining elite velocity and athleticism. He's primed for an explosive sophomore play catching passes from Dia Bell connected 1 of the champion precocious schoolhouse teams successful the state astatine American Heritage.

15. LaDamion Guyton, OLB | Uncommitted

2027 ESPN Junior 300 rank: 5

At 6-3, 210 pounds, Guyton already has an awesome physique and athleticism disconnected the edge. He overwhelms violative tackles with a operation of force, spot and fast, almighty hands. Guyton often opts for powerfulness alternatively of finesse, contented to tally close done blockers to punish quarterbacks. He's explosive successful pursuit of the ball, which is backed up by his 11.5-second 100-meter dash. With 16 sacks done his archetypal 2 precocious schoolhouse seasons, Guyton is simply a proven playmaker. Whether helium yet profiles arsenic a accepted extracurricular linebacker oregon borderline defender, he's lone going to get bigger and stronger.

16. Jayden Wade, QB | Uncommitted

Class of 2028

One of the youngest prospects connected this list, Wade has a promising aboriginal ahead. At 6-3, 175 pounds, helium has the framework to capable retired and go a carnal beingness arsenic helium gets older. The incoming sophomore impressed astatine IMG Academy's pro time with 1 of the quickest and smoothest strokes we person evaluated. For specified a young talent, Wade is already comfy successful the pouch and has the mobility to evade defenders and widen plays. He's an close passer and a legit dual-threat with the tools to beryllium special.

17. JaReylan McCoy, DE | Florida commit

2026 ESPN 300 rank: 9

Florida keeps stacking five-star antiaircraft enactment talent, with McCoy the latest to articulation the premix aft flipping from LSU. McCoy has elite length, a large framework and a relentless motor, and each the pieces came unneurotic for him connected a monolithic signifier during the Under Armour All-America week this winter. McCoy tests disconnected the charts connected harvester settings (6-7, 260 pounds, 4.88 40-yard dash) and shows the skills and versatility connected portion to suggest helium could enactment up successful aggregate spots on Florida's antiaircraft line. He besides doesn't shy distant from starring teammates. Don't beryllium amazed if McCoy develops into a game-wrecker successful the Swamp.

18. Tristen Keys, WR | LSU commit

2026 ESPN 300 rank: 10

There mightiness beryllium faster receivers connected this list, but fewer tin lucifer Keys' operation of magnitude and shot skills. The 6-3, 190-pound Mississippi autochthonal has a knack for hauling successful thing thrown his way. He's comfy lining up successful assorted spots crossed the enactment and utilizing his size and drawback radius to his advantage. His assemblage power connected contested catches helps compensate for immoderate limitations successful short-area quickness. All the tools are determination for Keys to make into a dependable concatenation mover successful Baton Rouge.

19. Richard Wesley, DE | Texas commit

2026 ESPN 300 rank: 11

Wesley should acceptable close successful with a stacked antiaircraft enactment radical astatine Texas. At 6-5 with large magnitude and bulk, he's explosive disconnected the shot with dense hands and the versatility to enactment up wrong oregon connected the edge. He's besides precise young for the people aft reclassifying from 2027, a origin that volition assistance 1 time with NFL beforehand offices if helium turns his heavy toolbox into accumulation alongside Colin Simmons and Justus Terry. We're betting Wesley volition person a precise productive vocation successful Austin.

20. Asher Ghioto, DL | Uncommitted

Class of 2028

Ghioto already has the gathering blocks of a aboriginal interaction antiaircraft end. At 6-5, 240 pounds, he's a physical, assertive jock who has precise bully archetypal quickness, crook and assemblage power astatine a young age. He's opening to furniture successful aggregate pass-rush moves and should proceed to blossom arsenic helium develops. Ghioto's enactment skills successful campy settings stood retired to coaches contempt his comparative younker and inexperience. He could beryllium a ascendant unit by the extremity of his prep career.

21. Kendre' Harrison, TE | Oregon commit

2026 ESPN 300 rank: 12

Tight ends utilizing hoops backgrounds to their vantage isn't thing new. Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates and Jimmy Graham are each examples of it moving astatine the highest level. Of the three, Harrison mightiness comparison champion to Graham, who was besides nationally ranked arsenic a prep hoops star. Harrison is an astonishing jock astatine 6-6, 250 pounds, susceptible of backboard-shattering dunks and ranking No. 60 connected ESPN's Top 100 precocious schoolhouse hoops recruits. Unsurprisingly, that athleticism, monolithic drawback radius and leaping quality marque Harrison a nightmare to support connected the gridiron. He's a unsocial multisport standout, and Oregon is giving him the accidental to prosecute some sports successful college.

22. Immanuel Iheanacho, OT | Oregon commit

2026 ESPN 300 rank: 13

Good luck uncovering a much physically imposing lineman successful the 2026 class. At 6-7, 350 pounds with a monolithic 86-inch wingspan, Iheanacho has a operation of size, mobility and powerfulness to imagination on. He plays with bully balance, pad level and convulsive hands successful the tally game. He's inactive refining his change-of-direction skills, but Iheanacho is flashing precocious walk extortion traits arsenic well. He impressed astatine some tackle and defender astatine the Under Armour All-America game, but agelong term, his almighty little assemblage and framework mightiness construe champion to near guard. With continued development, helium has the carnal tools to go a difference-maker connected Saturdays -- and perchance Sundays.

23. Joshua Dobson, CB | Uncommitted

2027 ESPN Junior 300 rank: 6

A high-upside country with blazing velocity and fantabulous length, Dobson brings the tools assemblage coaches covet and should support adding spot onto his 6-1 frame. He has large fluidity with short-area quickness, agelong arms and bully instincts successful coverage. Coaches rave astir his competitiveness, and helium impressed astatine Under Armour's Future 50 event. The champion part? He's inactive successful the aboriginal stages of refining his method astatine corner. Once it each comes together, ticker out.

24. Jalen Brewster, DT | Uncommitted

2027 ESPN Junior 300 rank: 7

Just however diversion is Brewster? Despite his size, the 6-3, 305-pound defender lined up arsenic a wildcat backmost and moving backmost for his Cedar Hill High School squad successful Texas. Possessing convulsive hands and fantabulous play strength, Brewster is simply a power-based walk rusher with the quality to adjacent with astonishing quickness for his size. Those are the ingredients of an elite, disruptive interior antiaircraft lineman. Coaches praise his motor, and there's nary shortage of bluish bloods vying to onshore his commitment.

25. Neimann Lawrence, QB | Uncommitted

Class of 2028

Lawrence is conscionable entering his sophomore year, but each the indicators are determination that he's a budding star. He was 1 of the apical passers successful South Florida arsenic an eighth-grader and followed that up by throwing for astir 2,800 yards and 31 touchdowns arsenic a freshman. Lawrence didn't look retired of spot throwing to five-star receivers Chris Henry Jr. and Tristen Keys -- who are some connected this database -- successful 7-on-7s this year. He oozes limb endowment with the adjustability to present close passes from aggregate limb angles, adjacent if forced disconnected platform. He's besides evasive capable to marque plays with his feet. In a loaded twelvemonth for Florida quarterbacks, Lawrence belongs adjacent the top.