We’re a few games into the 2025 college football season, so let’s take a look at an updated list of the top rookies going into 2026 dynasty rookie drafts.
Obviously, this list will change over time, and we don’t even know if all of the players listed will actually declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. However, many of them probably will, and it’s important to keep up with the players you may be spending valuable draft capital on next summer.
We'll be doing a three-round simulation of a 2026 dynasty rookie draft. Let’s get into the mock draft!
Round 1
1.01. Jeremiah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
1.02. Arch Manning (QB, Texas)
1.03. Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
1.04. LaNorris Sellers (QB, South Carolina)
1.05. Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
1.06. Makai Lemon (WR, USC)
1.07. Cade Klubnik (QB, Clemson)
1.08. Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
1.09. Nicholas Singleton (RB, Penn State)
1.10. Drew Allar (QB, Penn State)
1.11. Elijah Sarratt (WR, Indiana)
1.12. Garrett Nussmeier (QB, LSU)
Round 2
2.01. Justice Haynes (RB, Michigan)
2.02. Jonah Coleman (RB, Washington)
2.03. Aaron Anderson (WR, LSU)
2.04. Antonio Williams (WR, Clemson)
2.05. Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
2.06. CJ Baxter (RB, Texas)
2.07. Darius Taylor (RB, Minnesota)
2.08. Nyck Harbor (WR, South Carolina)
2.09. Eugene Wilson III (WR, Florida)
2.10. Zachariah Branch (WR, Georgia)
2.11. Kevin Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
2.12. Brett Norfleet (TE, Missouri)
Round 3
3.01. Eric Singleton Jr. (WR, Auburn)
3.02. Makhi Hughes (RB, Oregon)
3.03 Jadarian Price (RB, Notre Dame)
3.04. Jack Endries (TE, Texas)
3.05. John Mateer (QB, Oklahoma)
3.06. Kaytron Allen (RB, Penn State)
3.07. Carson Beck (QB, Miami)
3.08. Beau Pribula (QB, Missouri)
3.09. Germie Bernard (WR, Alabama)
3.10. Dane Key (WR, Nebraska)
3.11 Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt)
3.12 Luke Hasz (TE, Ole MIss)
Risers
LaNorris Sellers
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers is off to a hot start to the 2025 college football season. Sellers was viewed as a high-ceiling, high-profile draft prospect before the season began, and the way he’s started out has caused many to believe that he has a real chance to reach his lofty ceiling.
So far this season, Sellers has completed 23 of 38 pass attempts for 337 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He’s also tacked on 48 rushing yards and an additional score on the ground.
The main critique of Sellers before the start of the season was in regard to his inconsistent passing ability. He’s looked more developed as a passer this season through two games and has been dominant on the ground once again. If he continues at this pace, he will be a no-brainer first-round pick next April.
At 6’3” and 240 lbs, LaNorris Sellers has impressive size for a player of his athletic ability, and regularly runs over defenders all over the field. Overall, Sellers is an impressive, high-ceiling prospect who could end up seeing his draft stock soar over the next few months.
Brett Norfleet
As a fan of the Missouri Tigers, I am very excited to be able to list tight end Brett Norfleet as one of my top risers. The Tigers’ offense has begun the 2025 season in impressive fashion, winning two games with the help of their prolific passing and rushing attacks.
Norfleet has been a major part of this. He’s clearly developed a strong connection with new Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula, who transferred in from Penn State this offseason. As a player, Norfleet presents tremendous upside as a receiver. He’s shown impressive talent after the catch to gain extra yardage while also flashing solid ability as a blocker.
Against Kansas, Norfleet logged seven receptions for 76 yards and two receiving touchdowns. He’s a major sleeper for the 2026 NFL Draft and could be an early-round pick if he continues to play well.
Fallers
Cade Klubnik
Both of the “fallers” on this list were difficult entries to write. Clemson’s Cade Klubnik was my top quarterback in college football before the season began, but I have to admit, things are off to a shaky start for the Tigers.
The offense as a whole has been fairly stagnant through two games, including a loss to LSU and a near loss to Troy. The situation around Klubnik is noticeably worse this season, especially regarding his pass-catchers. Specifically, star wideout Antonio Williams has been out for most of both games with a hamstring injury, leaving Klubnik without his top target.
However, I refuse to give up on the star quarterback. His film in 2024 was unbelievable, and I am still convinced he has a great chance to develop into a starting quarterback in the NFL. He is able to throw the ball with incredible touch and accuracy, even down the field, and his strong arm and ability as a rusher make him a blue-chip prospect.
He’s stacked up 426 passing yards along with two passing touchdowns and two interceptions so far in 2025.
I firmly believe that Cade Klubnik has a great chance to bounce back this season, and he could hear his name called in the first round of the draft in 2026. However, at least for now, he moves down a few spots.
CJ Baxter
CJ Baxter is one of the more intriguing players in all of college football at the moment. After a promising freshman season, Baxter suffered a serious knee injury before the 2024 college football season and had to spend the year recovering. He’s back in 2025, but has received inconsistent volume and will need to show more in terms of efficiency going forward.
Baxter impresses me with his big-play and receiving abilities, and he has the tools to succeed at the next level. The issue is that we haven’t really seen much of him so far, so it’s difficult to judge him as a prospect with a smaller sample size available.
He’s been splitting reps with running back Quintrevion Wisner so far, and while he has looked very solid, I’m hoping he can achieve more than 4.5 yards per carry by the end of the season.
Baxter has a very high ceiling; however, he’s a very risky investment. With a serious injury in his past and uncertain volume in his future, time will tell if his draft stock can increase significantly before the end of the season. I’m excited to see if Baxter can earn a larger role in his team’s offense.