2026 NCAA Football Recruiting: Top Prospects and Quarterbacks to Watch

The 2025 recruiting cycle has officially come to a close with National Signing Day, and all eyes are now on the class of 2026. This group of prospects is headlined by 12 five-star recruits, with seven still undecided on their college commitments. Among them are elite offensive tackles, wide receivers, and quarterbacks who are shaping up to be the future stars of college football.

Top Five-Star Prospects to Watch

1. Chris Henry Jr., WR (Ohio State commit)

   • Background: The son of the late Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry, Henry Jr. is the No. 1 prospect in the ESPN Junior 300. He’s been committed to Ohio State since July 2023, but Oregon and other top programs are pushing hard to flip him.
   • Latest: Henry has attended junior days at USC and Oregon and is considering spring visits to Miami and Oregon. Despite the interest from other schools, he remains in daily contact with Ohio State’s coaching staff, making it tough for any program to sway him.

2. Jackson Cantwell, OT

   • Background: A towering 6-foot-8, 316-pound offensive tackle from Missouri, Cantwell has narrowed his recruitment to six schools: Georgia, Michigan, Miami, Missouri, Ohio State, and Oregon.
   • Latest: Cantwell visited Michigan and Ohio State in December and Texas A&M in January. He plans to visit campuses in March and April before scheduling official visits this spring.

3. Jared Curtis, QB

   • Background: The top quarterback in the 2026 class, Curtis decommitted from Georgia in the fall and is now considering Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, and Oregon, among others.
   • Latest: Curtis has hosted visits from top coaches like Bill Belichick and Kirby Smart. He plans to make a decision after his official visits in June.

Quarterbacks to Keep an Eye On

1. Keisean Henderson (Houston commit)

   • Background: A dual-threat athlete, Henderson has risen through the ranks with a stellar junior season and an MVP performance at the Navy All-American Bowl.
   • Latest: Despite his commitment to Houston, schools like Alabama, Auburn, and Georgia are making a push to flip him.

2. Brady Smigiel

   • Background: A former Florida State commit, Smigiel reopened his recruitment after coaching changes at FSU. He’s now considering Michigan, Ohio State, and South Carolina.
   • Latest: Smigiel is taking his time with visits and could commit before the summer if the right opportunity arises.

Conclusion

The 2026 recruiting class is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years. With several five-star prospects still uncommitted and top quarterbacks weighing their options, the next few months will be crucial for college programs looking to secure the next generation of talent.