Predicting Every College Football Conference's Player of the Year in 2026
While the end of the 2026 regular season is many months away, calling an early shot is a college football tradition.
Yes, there's a chance these predictions are terribly wrong. Even beyond the unfortunate chance of injuries, some players we think are bound for significant roles may end up being complementary pieces. Breakout stars are inevitable, too.
But that's never stopped us before.
The choices, naturally, are entirely subjective and based on a mix of an individual's past production, projected role and current rosters.
Group of 6, Part 1
1 of 6
American: Braxton Woodson, QB, Navy
How do you replace the only QB in program history to lead a pair of 10-win seasons? With an electric player, of course. Braxton Woodson held a backup role in 2025 yet scampered for 414 yards—at a sizzling 9.4 per carry—with six touchdowns. It's a bold prediction to take an option QB, for sure, but Navy's experienced offensive line should be able to unleash Woodson.
Conference USA: Nick Minicucci, QB, Delaware
After a respectable debut season in the FBS, Delaware will be aiming high in 2026 thanks to the return of Nick Minicucci. Last season, he threw for 3,683 yards and 23 touchdowns to seven interceptions and rushed for 235 yards with 10 scores. If the Blue Hens stick in the C-USA race, Minicucci should be a top candidate.
MAC: Jalen Buckley, RB, Western Michigan
While the Broncos surged to a MAC crown, Jalen Buckley excelled down the stretch. He rushed for 193 yards in the MAC Championship Game, then posted 174 in a Myrtle Beach Bowl blowout. Buckley only averaged 13.8 rushing attempts, so a more featured role in 2026 could propel him into Player of the Year conversations.
Group of 6, Part 2
2 of 6
Mountain West: Micah Alejado, QB, Hawaii
UNLV added former SEC starter Jackson Arnold, and running back Jai'Den Thomas is also a terrific player. My opinion may shift in UNLV's direction over the offseason. To start, though, Micah Alejado stands out most. He threw for 3,106 yards and 24 touchdowns to nine picks in 2025. As long as a transfer-infused receiving corps supports Pofele Ashlock, the Alejado-led offense has serious upside.
Pac-12: Caden Pinnick, QB, Washington State
Boise State running backs Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines both merit strong consideration. However, they might be short of POY-level recognition if the Broncos have a healthy rotation. That may be enough to vault Washington State QB Caden Pinnick, a transfer from UC Davis, into the lead position. He passed for 3,206 yards, rushed for 437 and totaled 35 touchdowns last year.
Sun Belt: Camden Coleman, QB, James Madison
Welcome to the finest of dart throws. The reality for the conference is star players with remaining eligibility tend to get poached—or follow their coaches to power-conference jobs. The latter applied to James Madison, which saw former coach Bob Chesney bring players like running back Wayne Knight along to UCLA. But new coach Billy Napier is a proven G6 winner, and potential new QB Camden Coleman was a standout dual-threat at Richmond in 2024.
ACC: Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
3 of 6
The rumors are now official: Darian Mensah will be Miami's next QB.
Mensah is entering a tremendous skill-position situation with the Hurricanes, who look absolutely loaded in 2026.
The featured player is Malachi Toney, who broke program records with 109 receptions and 1,211 yards as a true freshman. Miami also brought in star transfer wide receiver Cooper Barkate after he caught 72 passes for 1,106 yards and seven touchdowns—from Mensah at Duke.
As if that's not enough, the 'Canes landed two more impact transfers in Vandrevius Jacobs (South Carolina) and Cam Vaughn (West Virginia). Promising young targets in Josh Moore and tight end Elija Lofton are back, too.
Miami's blocking unit is undergoing a facelift, but Alex Mirabal is one of the nation's best offensive line coaches.
Settle the group up front, and Mensah—who threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns while leading Duke to an ACC title—should be a star at Miami.
Big Ten: Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State
4 of 6
Given what Curt Cignetti has accomplished in two seasons at Indiana, perhaps the wise choice is Josh Hoover. It certainly wouldn't be a surprise to watch the TCU transfer become a force in Bloomington.
However, we're headed back to the steady Ohio State well.
Between quarterback Julian Sayin and star receiver Jeremiah Smith, the Buckeyes have a pair of high POY possibilities. They finished fourth and sixth, respectively, in 2025 Heisman Trophy voting, let alone the Big Ten hierarchy. The problem was IU star Fernando Mendoza had a Heisman-worthy year, too.
So, looking ahead, the safe option is Sayin. After all, he completed an FBS-best 77 percent of passes with 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns.
The X-factor is whether Smith commands a target share commensurate to his talent, now that Carnell Tate is headed to the NFL and the rest of the receiving corps is young. That could push Smith past Sayin.
Either way, the Buckeyes boast two elite talents.
Big 12: Brendan Sorsby, QB, Texas Tech
5 of 6
The outlook for Brendan Sorsby is very appealing.
In two years at Cincinnati, he passed for 5,613 yards and 45 touchdowns to 12 interceptions while rushing for 1,027 yards and 10 scores. From a production standpoint, Sorsby's upside is impressive.
Additionally, the team aspect looks optimal at Texas Tech. The reigning Big 12 champions once again loaded up through the portal.
Sorsby's surrounding cast is set to include Coy Eakin, tight end Terrance Carter Jr. and a quartet of significant transfers. Kenny Johnson (Pitt), Jalen Jones (Alabama State), Donte Lee Jr. (Liberty) and Malcolm Simmons (Auburn) all played key roles on their respective offenses in 2025.
Playing up to expectations is always a challenge, but Sorsby could hardly have asked for a more ideal situation.
SEC: Arch Manning, QB, Texas
6 of 6
Yeah, yeah, the hype train has returned.
I won't debate that Arch Manning had a semi-disappointing year in 2025, often struggling against top competition. Ohio State, Oklahoma and Texas A&M all held him below 200 yards, and even UTEP and Kentucky did the same. Manning left plenty to be desired, as they say.
Still, he finished with 3,163 passing yards, 403 more combined rushing and receiving yards and 37 total touchdowns to seven interceptions.
And that was a frustrating season.
Texas returns top receiver Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley V, added key Auburn transfer Cam Coleman and has a breakout hopeful in Kaliq Lockett. The offensive line should be a veteran group, as well.
Manning has every reason to thrive in 2026.
