The college football season is right around the corner, and the 2026 season will be filled with exceptional players. Quarterbacks will likely rule once again, with the likes of Dante Moore, Arch Manning, and CJ Carr all having a shot at the Heisman Trophy.Pro Football Focus ranked the top 50 players heading into the 2026 season and the first three players on the board weren’t quarterbacks. MORE: 5-star QB Trae Taylor on why he picked Nebraska over other blue-blood programsTop 10 players in college footballAccording to PFF, Ohio State and Texas both have two players ranked in the top 10. OSU QB Julian Sayin is also the first quarterback listed, which is very interesting with other signal callers out there. WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio StateCB Leonard Moore, Notre DameEdge Colin Simmons, TexasQB Julian Sayin, Ohio StateWR Malachi Toney, MiamiRB Ahmad Hardy, MissouriQB Dante Moore, OregonOL Carter Smith, IndianaQB Arch Manning, TexasRB Kewan Lacy, Ole MissTop QBs, RBs, and WRsJan 9, 2026; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws a pass during the fourth quarter the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)The new-school college football fans want to see excitement and touchdowns. Some time ago, especially if you watched Big Ten football, defensive showdowns ruled college football, but now, you can expect to see shootouts in any conference you watch.Which leads us to PFF’s QB rankings and how it ranked the skill positions.Top 5 QBs in 2026Julian Sayin, Ohio StateDante Moore, OregonArch Manning, TexasTrinidad Chambliss, Ole MissCJ Carr, Notre DameTop 5 RBs in 2026Ahmad Hardy, MissouriKewan Lacy, Ole MissCaleb Hawins, Oklahoma StateJadan Baugh, FloridaLJ Martin, BYUTop 5 WRs in 2026Jeremiah Smith, Ohio StateMalachi Toney, MiamiKJ Duff, RutgersMario Craver, Texas A&MCam Coleman, TexasDon’t forget about the defenseNotre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore returns an interception for a touchdown in the first half of a NCAA football game against Syracuse at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in South Bend. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Explosive plays and touchdowns do rule college football, but again, it used to be defense that was king. But there are standout defenders in college football and likely all the defensive players ranked will be playing on Sundays in the next few years. CB Leonard Moore, Notre DameEdge Colin Simmons, TexasS KJ Bolden, GeorgiaDL AJ Holmes Jr., Texas TechS Bray Hubbard, AlabamaLB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre DameEdge Clev Lubin, LouisvilleDL Will Echoles, Ole MissEdge Dylan Stewart, South CarolinaLB Rasheem Biles, Texas— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

Source: Yahoo Sports