College Football Teams Needing to Replace the Most NFL Talent in 2026
Amid the flurry of the transfer portal and national championship, the final opportunity to enter the 2026 NFL draft also passed.
The latest wave of pro-caliber talent is headed to the next level.
As always, a particular set of college programs will be feeling the impact of those departures. Between seniors graduating and early NFL departures, these rosters must replace an impressive group of top players.
The list is subjective—NFL prospects have varying draft grades and expectations—but leans heavily on B/R's Big Board and NFL Mock Draft Database.
Alabama Crimson Tide
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Yeah, the Rose Bowl blowout sent Alabama into the offseason with an ugly memory. At least the NFL draft will be a positive time.
Led by offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, the Crimson Tide have a few potential first-rounders. Two others in the conversation are quarterback Ty Simpson and defensive lineman LT Overton, although the latter's stock has slipped lately.
Overall, the Tide boast a deep draft-eligible group.
Wide receiver Germie Bernard, linebacker Deontae Lawson, center Parker Brailsford, guard Jaeden Roberts, defensive tackle Tim Keenan III and cornerback Domani Jackson are also likely selections in the 2026 cycle.
Throw in running back Jam Miller, tight end Josh Cuevas, linebacker Justin Jefferson and more, and Bama will be well-represented.
Clemson Tigers
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Clemson doesn't have as many draft‑eligible players as other programs, but only a few schools can match the departing high-end talent.
At this point, the Tigers will likely boast a trio of first-round selections. Defensive lineman Peter Woods, edge-rusher T.J. Parker and cornerback Avieon Terrell all have a great opportunity to find an NFL home on Day 1.
On the offensive side, Clemson is sending QB Cade Klubnik and wide receiver Antonio Williams to the league. Klubnik had a disappointing tenure, yet he offers intriguing dual-threat ability in a weak quarterback class. Some franchise is going to take a gamble on his tools.
Rounding out Clemson's pro-bound collection is offensive tackle Blake Miller, defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart and running back Adam Randall.
Georgia Bulldogs
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During each of the last eight NFL drafts, at least one Georgia product has heard his name called in the opening round.
That streak is now in jeopardy, but optimism is reasonable.
Among the soon-to-be-former Dawgs, they have a good possibility with linebacker CJ Allen. Also in Day 1 consideration are wideout Zachariah Branch, offensive tackle Monroe Freeling and defensive tackle Christen Miller.
So, even if the program doesn't have a flashy Thursday at the draft, there's no concern over UGA having a quiet year.
Tight end Oscar Delp and cornerback Daylen Everette are in the late Day 2 mix, and several others will land in late-round discussions.
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Indiana Hoosiers
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Indiana is ready for another crowning moment.
Star quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and hero of the recent national championship win, should be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. He will be headed to the Las Vegas Raiders, barring a trade.
Mendoza, though, is simply the beginning of a quality cycle for IU, which has a chance to break its 1976 program record of seven NFL picks. Given that draft featured 17 rounds and five of the Hoosiers' selections were 298th or later—there are 257 in 2026—this cycle will be Indiana's best ever.
Wide receivers Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. and cornerback D'Angelo Ponds are IU's top prospects.
Beyond them, it's possible running backs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black, tight end Riley Nowakowski, center Pat Coogan, linebacker Aiden Fisher, edge-rusher Mikail Kamara and safety Louis Moore get picked, if not more.
Miami Hurricanes
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On the heels of a national runner-up finish, Miami sits in a similar spot as ACC counterpart Clemson with lower volume but major Day 1 upside.
Both offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa and edge-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. are clearly first-round talents. There's a world in which both players are overall top-five choices and edge Akheem Mesidor slides into the opening round.
Miami last had a trio of first-rounders in 2007.
Standout nickelback Keionte Scott shot up draft boards with his sensational year. He may be a Day 2 pick along with quarterback Carson Beck—a divisive prospect, most likely, though he had a resurgent year in Miami.
Others to monitor are wide receivers CJ Daniels and Keelan Marion, offensive tackle Markel Bell and safety Jakobe Thomas, at minimum.
Ohio State Buckeyes
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Nothing new here.
Ohio State celebrated 14 draft picks in the 2025 cycle, and the Buckeyes should threaten for double digits once again.
The headliners are wide receiver Carnell Tate, linebacker Arvell Reese and safety Caleb Downs. Each one is trending toward a top-10 selection, while linebacker Sonny Styles and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald are Day 1 options.
Close behind them should be tight end Max Klare, edge-rusher Caden Curry and cornerback Davison Igbinosun.
Tight end Will Kacmarek and corner Jermaine Mathews Jr. are likely the Buckeyes' top candidates—and not the only ones—who can help them reach 10 selections.
Texas A&M Aggies
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Not since the 1990s has Texas A&M strung together six consecutive cycles with three-plus draft picks. That drought is certain to end in 2026.
It won't take long, either.
Wideout KC Concepcion and edge-rusher Cashius Howell are first-round candidates, giving A&M a possible first Day 1 duo since 2014.
Additionally, interior lineman Chase Bisontis is soundly on the Day 2 radar with linebacker Taurean York and cornerback Will Lee III. Texas A&M has a shot at five players taken in the opening three rounds for the first time in 23 years.
Running back Le'Veon Moss, offensive linemen Trey Zuhn III and Ar'maj Reed-Adams and defensive linemen Tyler Onyedim and Albert Regis are among the A&M products in Day 3 consideration.
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