Some of the NFL Draft’s best talent typically comes from underclassmen. However, the football world has changed.

After last season, just 58 underclassmen declared for the draft — the lowest number in more than a decade. And though the 2024 draft was hardly the best class we’ve ever seen, NIL money had plenty to do with those decisions. It’s now easier than ever for a college player to get paid, meaning several players on our list below likely will be back in school for 2026.

Either way, we’re taking a look at the top underclassmen (redshirt junior or younger) who are 2026 NFL Draft eligible. First up, prospects on the offensive side of the ball:

1. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah2024: All-American; first team All-Big 12; 12 starts at right tackle (after 12 at left tackle in 2023)

Fano blends the lateral quicks and explosion of a basketball player with elite bend, sink and body control to make a near-complete tackle prospect. Everything about Fano’s game centers around how well his feet work — he’s a good puller and screener who plays through the whistle. A natural protector, Fano had dominant stretches as a sophomore starting right tackle last season.

Fano, who has played both left and right tackle during his two college seasons, does need more power to unlock his full potential — his anchor versus power is lacking at times. There are also instances in which he overcommits or guesses on a play, then has to rely on his athletic recovery to save him. That works more than it doesn’t at this level, but he’ll need to tighten up that aspect of his game in the NFL.

There will be some concern over Fano’s length (and, thus, whether or not he should be a guard). To me, though, this is a first-round tackle prospect all the way — possibly even OT1 for the 2026 class.

2. Arch Manning, QB, Texas2024: 61-of-90 passing, 939 yards, nine TDs, two INTs; 108 rushing yards, four TDs

If everything about Manning’s game unfolds the way we expect it to, he’ll easily be the No. 1 player on this list and maybe the No. 1 pick in the draft. Quarterbacks get better at playing their position through game reps, though, so we still need a bit more before completely crowning him.

However, it’s impossible to ignore everything we’ve already seen from Manning as a naturally gifted pocket passer with great speed, size and the athleticism to make plays out of structure. His footwork alone, especially for a player his age, makes him an easy first-round prospect. Again, if all goes as expected, he’ll be a top-five prospect without much debate.

3. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame2024: 1,125 rushing yards on 163 carries (6.9 yards per carry), 17 rush TDs, two receiving TDs

One of the most explosive playmakers in America, Love is a near-complete RB prospect with a powerful frame, explosion, vision and elite contact balance. He’s the classic example of an A-back — a three-down player who can carry a load and rarely has to leave the field.

With good speed and power throughout his frame, Love destroys arm tackles (averaged 4.39 yards after contact last season). He rushed for nearly seven yards per carry and 17 touchdowns in a heavy rotation while forcing 62 missed tackles.

He could be a more polished blocker, and his work as a receiver has been exceptional. Love is firmly RB1 in this class and one of the best offensive skill athletes in the country. If his health cooperates, Love will be a first-round pick.

4. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama2024: Second team All-SEC, 54 knockdown blocks, 11 starts at left tackle

One of the biggest humans walking the Earth today, the 20-year-old Proctor stands 6 foot 7 and weighs (at least) 360 pounds. He has top-end power throughout his body and doesn’t carry much sloppy weight, playing with an elite anchor as a wall of mass in pass protection. Proctor’s also an outstanding athlete, though. He does a good job sinking to meet contact, despite towering over most opponents.

A better mover than he should be at that size, Proctor is an effective puller and a decent screen blocker.

He made massive strides on the left side for Alabama last year after an up-and-down true freshman season. Consistency is his most significant issue, as he still exhibited too much lunging and sloppy technique, both in the run game and pass protection. If he can play his best ball this year, Proctor has a great shot at emerging as OT1 and a top-five pick.

5. LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina2024: 196-of-299 passing for 2,534 yards, 18 TDs, seven INTs; 166 carries, 674 yards, seven rush TDs

A huge passer, Sellers (6-3, 242) is a true dual-threat player with decent speed and enough burst and power to run over smaller defenders. He also displays great vision and is very hard to tackle — he might remind you at times of a slower version of Jayden Daniels on the move.

As a passer, Sellers goes through stretches in which his footwork and dropback rhythm in the pocket are very good, almost always leading to accurate, on-time throws all over the field.

However, that’s not a consistent trait, as Sellers will alternate between great pocket work and sloppiness or indecisiveness. If he can continue the improvement track he was on last season and be more consistent with his drops and his eyes versus coverage, he could potentially be a top-five selection.

6. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State2024: Third team All-American, Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year; 75 catches, 1,101 yards, 10 touchdowns

A 20-year-old, fourth-year junior, Tyson (6-1, 195) is arguably the most complete receiver who’ll be eligible in 2026. He is very quarterback-friendly, almost like another version of former Ohio State standout (and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR) Emeka Egbuka. He comes back to the ball, adjusts well to poor throws, blocks and is generally a dependable option.

A good ball tracker with strong hands and an understanding of route nuance, Tyson is hard to press and plays with great balance and burst.

7. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami2024: Second team All-ACC, 13 starts at right tackle

Quick and explosive out of his stance, Mauigoa (6-6, 315 pounds) plays with great lateral quickness and athletic recovery, both in the run and pass game. He flashes quick hands and a sound anchor while maintaining the ability to bend and sink beneath defenders in most situations.

That bend isn’t particularly consistent yet, though, as Mauigoa will play tall and lose some of his power. If he can polish his work in the run game, he will also be in the mix for the 2026 draft’s top tackle spot.

8. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana2024: 265-of-386 passing for 3,004 yards, 16 TDs, six INTs

Purely in terms of arm talent, there might not be another QB in this class who tops Mendoza. He still has a lot to prove, but he will get a chance to do just that in the Big Ten this season for Curt Cignetti and Indiana. Mendoza’s ability to explode the ball off his hand is all over his Cal tape.

Additionally, at 6-5, 225, with quick feet and enough speed to keep defenses honest, Mendoza checks nearly every physical box a quarterback can.

9. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon2024: 24 catches, 308 yards, two TDs

An outstanding high school sprinter and wide receiver (who was probably good enough to play safety in college), Sadiq (6-3, 245) is now an athletic tight end with all sorts of potential. He still moves like a wide receiver and was a natural fit in Oregon’s screen game last season. He’s also a willing blocker who will flash dominance, be it in the box or wide on screens.

There’s still a lot of refinement needed here, but if Sadiq has a good year, he’ll flirt with first-round grades for 2026.

10. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State2024: 52 catches, 733 yards, four TDs

Big, long, explosive and fast, Tate is the prototypical Ohio State receiver prospect and athletic enough to play all three spots. A flexible, balanced athlete, the 6-3 Tate can sink and bend as low as (or lower than) most of the defensive backs he works against. He managed 52 catches for 733 yards last season behind Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith — the former was a first-round pick; the latter is (arguably) the best receiver in college football.

11. Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State2024: Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, 216-of-350 passing for 2,885 yards, 24 TD, six INTs; 110 carries, 443 yards, five rush TDs

Although there were roller-coaster vibes during his first year as a college starter, Leavitt walked in the door at Arizona State with almost no experience and exploded as a great deep thrower with the speed to hurt defenses on the ground. He plays tall in the pocket and is very elusive against the rush, showing a natural feel most of his age don’t have.

There’s work to do here, though. Leavitt struggled with his accuracy at times, was hesitant over the middle and inconsistent with his processing.  Leavitt needs time, but if he puts it all together, he’ll have a big decision to make at the end of the year regarding his NFL future.

12. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington2024: Honorable mention All-Big 12, 63 catches for 834 yards and nine TDs

A big, physical target who is great in the air, Boston (6-4, 209) has a deep bag of tricks to separate and adjust to deep throws at or near the catch point — he’ll remind you a bit of Puka Nacua now and then. Boston, who had 12 contested catches last season, is a reliable downfield target and athletic enough to work as the X, Z or in the slot.

13. Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson2024: First team All-ACC, 75 catches, 94 yards, 11 TDs; 101 rush yards, one TD; 17 punt returns, 164 yards

A 5-11, 190-pound redshirt junior, Williams plays bigger than he looks with great burst and quick feet off the snap. He is very hard to deal with in a tight space and does a good job tracking and finishing through contact and physicality. He forced 14 missed tackles last season, carving up would-be tacklers with vision and explosive balance.

He needs to eliminate his drops, and his size could limit his role in the NFL, but Williams has been great for Clemson star QB Cade Klubnik.

14. Kage Casey, OT, Boise State2024: Second team All-American, First team All-Mountain West, 14 starts at left tackle

With long arms and a good frame, Casey (6-5, 316) plays with power throughout his body and has the burst off the snap to be an effective puller and second-level run blocker. Much of the damage Casey does in the run game is a product of his first step and ability to win early with a dominant punch.

However, he’s a little stiff and will play tall at times. Casey also fell off too many blocks last year and didn’t have an anchor strong enough to deal with his hand inconsistencies.

15. Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College2024: 12 starts at left tackle

Explosive with quick hands and a powerful punch, Bowry (a 6-5, 308-pound redshirt junior) had some elite stretches in pass protection last year. While also featuring quick feet and athletic recovery skills, Bowry is a great pass-blocking prospect who has a longer way to go on the ground — too much lunging and uncertainty showed up last year, his first as a starter.

Other names to remember: Eric Singleton, WR, Auburn; Iapani Laloulu, IOL, Oregon; Ar’maj Reed-Adams, IOL, Texas A&M; Jack Endries, TE, Texas; Max Klare, TE, Ohio State.

(Top photo of Arch Manning: Tim Warner / Getty Images)