National Signing Day 2026 Predictions for Top Recruits Before CFP Championship

The most important game of the 2025-26 College Football Playoff is upon us. On Monday, the Indiana Hoosiers and Miami Hurricanes will face off for the right to be called national champions.

By Tuesday morning, though, both programs will join the rest of college football with their full focus on finalizing their 2026 recruiting classes.

While the regular national signing period won't open until February 4, most top recruits have long been committed to college programs. In fact, most schools are busy locking up prospects for the 2027 cycle—like 4-star receiver Ja'Hyde Brown, who committed to Indiana during the Navy All-America Bowl earlier this month.

There are a few noteworthy recruits who remain unsigned, though, and the chance of a commitment flip is always lurking. Let's examine the current recruiting landscape and make a few predictions.

Top 2026 Recruiting Classes

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USC head coach Lincoln Riley

1. USC

2. Alabama

3. Oregon

4. Notre Dame

5. Ohio State

6. Georgia

7. Tennessee

8. Texas

9. Texas A&M

10. Miami

11. Michigan

12. LSU

13. Washington

14. Florida State

15. Oklahoma

16. Florida

17. North Carolina

18. Texas Tech

19. Clemson

20. South Carolina

*Class rankings from 247Sports

4-Star DL Dylan Berymon

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Out of the top 200 prospects in 247Sports' composite rankings, Dylan Berymon (No. 199) is the only one currently listed as uncommitted. The 4-star defensive lineman from Ouachita Parish High School (Monroe, LA) was committed to Texas but decided to decommit back in November.

Now, Berymon again looms as a marquee defensive target. The 6'2", 330-pound possesses an intriguing blend of size, strength, and athleticism—Berymon also competed in track and field.

Back in December, Berymon made it known that he was down to two new finalists after moving on from the Longhorns.

"Right now, it is going to be between Kentucky and Nebraska," he told Rivals' Chad Simmons. Berymon had an official visit with Nebraska on January 9, and he was in Lexington over the weekend.

Berymon told Rivals' Sam Spiegelman after his trip to Lincoln that Nebraska had become the front-runner. However, the prediction here is that Kentucky makes a late push and convinces Berymon to sing with the Wildcats in February.

3-Star DB Ernest Nunley

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Ernest Nunley is another intriguing defensive prospect who recently decommitted. The 3-star cornerback from Western High School (Anaheim, CA) just parted with Cal on January 15.

The 6'0", 180-pound defensive back visited San Diego State before signing with the Golden Bears, and he's now being heavily pursued by Michigan.

"They wanted to take another young guy in the class of 2026 at DB, and they've seen my film, and they see I can play anywhere in the secondary," Nunley told On3's Ethan McDowell of the Wolverines. "I'm a very versatile player, so they thought that I would be a great addition."

According to McDowell, Nunley will have an official visit with Michigan this week and is set to arrive on campus on Monday. Safeties coach Tyler Stockton, who first met with Nunley nearly a year ago while recruiting for Boise State, envisions the football and track star starting out at safety.

The prediction here is that Kyle Whittingham's initial Wolverines recruiting class will get a bump from the addition of Nunley.