It is always the quiet ones. Week 6 came with little fanfare, especially following the huge matchups of Week 5. So, of course, multiple upsets shook up the college landscape. Texas and Penn St. were 1 and 2 in the preseason polls; now they are unranked at the beginning of October.
The Board underwent a significant shake-up, allowing for more time to digest how players stand. I did not include South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers in the first version after a slower start to the season than many had hoped. Sellers turned it on, and there is enough buzz to ignore. Admittedly, I feel unsettled about him as the top player, especially after we have seen raw but toolsy quarterbacks get drafted later than expected in the last couple of seasons. Players like Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate feel like much safer bets at present.
The Updated 2026 Big Board
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RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame - Love is RB1 in the class. There's no conversation. Jahmyr Gibbs is a relatively easy comparison for him.
WR Carnell Tate, Ohio St. - At some point, it is just malpractice to ignore the latest receiver Ohio St. is rolling off the assembly line. Tate has stepped into the opportunity vacated by Emeka Egbuka and dominated opposite Jeremiah Smith. He is the type of talent who would have much larger numbers in a different situation. Tate is going to be a first-round draft pick. I think I am too low on Tate, but the quarterbacks are in such flux that they are getting the nod in Superflex at the moment.
WR Germie Bernard, Alabama - Bernard is a problem solver. He is very likely going to be a late first-round pick, landing on an offense with a strong quarterback and stepping in to contribute immediately at the NFL level. The analytical take on him will be interesting, as an older prospect who did not break out until later in his career, transferring to three different schools. But he consistently shows up when needed.
RB Justice Haynes, Michigan - Freshman QB Bryce Underwood is drawing attention for Michigan, but Haynes is the engine of the offense. Haynes should be a Day 2 running back. He has the strength to run between the tackles, good vision, and a natural feel with the patience to set up blockers. Against Wisconsin, he showed the explosion to turn the corner and the speed to create big plays on the second level.
WR Donaven McCulley, Michigan - McCulley was a four-star quarterback recruit with Indiana. He did not stick at quarterback long, transitioning to receiver in his second season. As a junior, he led Indiana in receiving, though he opted to transfer after four games of his senior season. In one season with Michigan, he has emerged as a go-to receiver. His 6'5" frame and athleticism are going to put him on the draft radar. He stepped up for a Wolverine offense that was struggling, making consecutive big plays in the third quarter.
QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson - No team needed a bye more than Clemson. Or perhaps no team needed to play North Carolina more. Clemson got healthy against the Tar Heels, particularly in the first half. Klubnik was 22/24 for 254 yards and four touchdowns. He has a long way to go to recover the hype some assigned to him at the beginning of the season, but he has taken one positive step.
RB Jadan Baugh, Florida - Baugh is just a sophomore, but at 6'1", 231 lbs, he looks like a linebacker in the backfield. He has quickly established himself as a go-to presence next to sophomore QB DJ Lagway.
RB Jamarion Miller, Alabama - Alabama deserves some grace for its opening loss to Florida St.. First, it was QB Ty Simpson's first game, and second, the team was without Miller, their star tailback. Miller is explosive and physical, listed at 220 lbs. They missed him badly the first week.
QB Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt - Pavia is destined to be drafted late by the Saints and have their beat writers asking some very uncomfortable questions about whatever quarterback they select early in the draft.
QB Nico Iamaleava, UCLA - Iamaleava's ceiling is going to force some conversations. His ceiling was on display against Penn St with a dominant 128 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, and two passing touchdowns performance to spur the upset.
WR Duce Robinson, Florida St. - Robinson's size is eye-popping. He has become Florida State's go-to offensive weapon, combining smooth hands and explosive athleticism with his size. Robinson entered college as the top tight end recruit in his class. It will be interesting to see if NFL teams are willing to try him outside at wide receiver, where he is thriving with Florida State, or if they will look to convert him to an athletic tight end option.
WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio St. / QB Julian Sayin, Ohio St. / RB Bo Jackson, Ohio St. - Ohio St. is the best college football team in America. After six weeks, there is no legitimate argument that any other team is better. Most of Ohio State's offensive production is expected to return in 2026. Look out.