Fall Camp Battles to Keep an Eye on Before the 2026 CFB Season
The long-awaited return of college football is here.
Throughout the next week, programs will officially kick off fall camp. All of that offseason will be put to the test, especially for players who know a competition is looming in these workouts.
Starting jobs are up for grabs all over the country, and we're bouncing around the country to preview some impactful battles.
Yes, we always have QB competitions to know. But there are also unknowns at receiver for several teams, along with the offensive line and secondary elsewhere.
Alabama's Quarterback
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We're all ready for an answer.
Understandably atop nearly every list of position battles, Alabama is ready to unveil a new starting quarterback. That player will be either redshirt junior Austin Mack or redshirt freshman Keelon Russell.
Russell has seemingly become the consensus choice, not in the least because of his 5-star recruiting billing in the 2025 cycle.
But if Kalen DeBoer and the Bama coaching staff have any hesitation with Russell's grasp of the offense, Mack would hold a major advantage. He initially enrolled at Washington and followed DeBoer to Tuscaloosa. He knows the system.
Given that Alabama heads to SEC foe Kentucky in Week 2, expect the Crimson Tide to name a firm starter early on—even if that changes in October.
BYU's Receiving Corps
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BYU is approaching the campaign as a well-respected team. But if the Cougars are to match the hype, they'll need a couple of breakout years at receiver.
Gone are leading wideouts Parker Kingston and Chase Roberts, along with tight end Carsen Ryan. Each one totaled 45-plus catches with at least 600 yards last season, combining for 14 touchdowns. BYU's top returning target is Jojo Phillips, who grabbed 14 passes for 161 yards and zero scores.
You would be correct to say that's not a whole lot of production.
BYU's hope is that Phillips and Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper will stay healthy, and they could be a decent starting pair. Still, they're not undeniably ahead of Tiger Bachmeier, Tei Nacua or Reggie Frischknecht, for example, and true freshmen Legend Glasker and Jaron Pula performed well in spring ball.
No matter the outcome of the season for this group, fall practices will determine which players get the first shot at significant reps.
Georgia's Receiving Corps
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While at SEC Media Days, Georgia coach Kirby Smart told reporters that the more his wide receivers are questioned, the more they are motivated. He said they are "listening" to the media's critiques and concerns of the unit.
Great! Make it hap'n, cap'n.
The challenge is real, nonetheless. London Humphreys, who managed 18 catches for 276 yards and three touchdowns last season, is UGA's top returning wideout. Nobody else had 100 yards.
Sure, optimism is fair. Georgia Tech transfer Isaih Canion bolsters the group, and the depth chart is littered with recent blue-chip recruits, such as Talyn Taylor. It's not like Georgia lacks potential solutions.
As with BYU, the task ahead is making depth-chart decisions in camp.
Iowa's Quarterback
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Kirk Ferentz, meanwhile, knew exactly what was coming at Big Ten Media Days. He addressed the QB competition in his opening statement.
"Bottom line is this: Right now, we don't know the answer," he said. "I can only tell you we'll know the answer when we know it. Hopefully sometime in August that will become apparent. It may be in-season. Can't rule out any possibilities."
And, honestly, that's nothing new at Iowa.
Between injury problems and shaky performances, the position has been a revolving door lately. Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski are trying to shake that history, but they'll need to close out this competition first.
Iowa probably won't be a national title contender. Whenever the offense is stable under center, however, the Hawkeyes are a real thorn in the Big Ten.
Miami's Offensive Line
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Between head coach Mario Cristobal and position coach Alex Mirabal, it's fair to expect Miami will figure this out.
This, however, is no simple task. Matthew McCoy and Samson Okunlola shared snaps at left guard last season, and they're the veterans of the unit. The rest of Miami's starting group will be new faces.
In the opener, the 'Canes may roll out true freshman Jackson Cantwell at left tackle with Okunlola next to him. Ryan Rodriguez is expected to start at center with Max Buchanan an option at left guard as McCoy shifts to right tackle.
SJ Alofaituli, though, is a contender at guard. Georgia transfer Jamal Meriweather could crash the party, and true freshman Ben Congdon is on the radar.
Miami's skill-position talent is electric, but keeping Darian Mensah upright will be pivotal in the Hurricanes sticking as a championship threat.
Ohio State's WR3
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Zooming out to a broader lens, it's important to keep a proper perspective. UTSA transfer Devin McCuin and true freshman Chris Henry Jr. are both likely to play meaningful snaps this season.
Ohio State has little time to waste, however.
Texas travels to Columbus in Week 2, setting up a rematch that OSU fans will be, uh, not so pleased if the Buckeyes lose.
Besides, just winning is not good enough at Ohio State. Why else would Ryan Day, a coach with a 79-12 record in seven full seasons as the head coach, be dealing with hot-seat rumblings? The upset loss to Miami during the College Football Playoff quarterfinals isn't sitting well, either.
Jeremiah Smith is an incredible talent, and Brandon Inniss is a locked-in starter. An elite OSU offense will require McCuin or Henry to regularly produce.
Ole Miss' Cornerbacks
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Ole Miss leaned on a high-powered attack to out-offense everyone last season, even scoring 27 and 35 points, respectively, in two losses.
That's also a nice version of saying the defense was a weakness at times.
During those setbacks to Georgia and Miami, for instance, the secondary faltered in the clutch. Gunner Stockton and Carson Beck led fourth-quarter comebacks with a handful of explosive passes and a few touchdowns through the air.
So, how the Rebels address their coverage is the issue. Will returning players Antonio Kite and Jaylon Braxton lead the group, or will Auburn transfer Jay Crawford quickly rise to the top? How does the hybrid Star position factor in—and will that primarily be Georgia transfer Joenel Aguero or someone else?
Fortunately for Ole Miss, the return of star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss means the Rebels can expect to score a bunch of points yet again.
But their secondary must be better prepared for key moments. The correct personnel can make all the difference.
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