The Week 1 matchup between No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Ohio State might produce more 2026 NFL Draft picks than any other game this college football season (although Saturday night’s LSU-Clemson might have something to say about that).
Last week, The Athletic’s draft expert Dane Brugler released his preseason ranking of this year’s top 50 prospects, and the Longhorns and Buckeyes made up nearly a quarter of that list. Here’s how Brugler ranks the 10 best 2026 NFL Draft prospects in Saturday’s game:
1. Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Rank on preseason top 50: No. 2
Regardless of when Manning enters the NFL, the early teases of his talent suggest he is headed for big things. With one of the top play callers in the sport and a ton of talent around him in Austin, Manning is set up for a 2025 season in which he can match the lofty hype.
2. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Rank on preseason top 50: No. 4
It would be easy to argue that Downs is the best all-around football player in the 2026 NFL Draft class. However, over the last 15 years, only one safety (Jamal Adams) has been selected in the top 10 — and Downs doesn’t have the elite size or speed to receive a testing bump during the process. Still, with his scheme-proof talent, he will be universally liked by scouts and coaches.
3. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Rank on preseason top 50: No. 24
Styles checks a lot of boxes that will be catnip for NFL teams to scout. A former five-star recruit, he is a 20-year-old senior with rare physical traits and the son of a former Super Bowl champion linebacker. On top of his freaky tools, he was voted an “Iron Buckeye” this spring for his training and discipline, and one member of Ohio State’s staff told me Styles is “one of the best leaders in the program.”
4. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Rank on preseason top 50: No. 31
Ohio State is breaking in a first-year quarterback and play caller in 2025 and has to replace several established starters from last year’s national title-winning squad. However, the Buckeyes have arguably the top receiving duo in college football, and Tate will be a crucial weapon as defenses attempt to limit Jeremiah Smith. He enters the season as more of a Day 2 draft pick, but with the chance to rise.
5. Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Rank on preseason top 50: No. 33
Hill arrived in Austin as a five-star recruit with a ton of fanfare, which he lived up to as a freshman All-American in 2023 and second-team All-American in 2024. NFL scouts don’t currently view Hill as a slam-dunk first-round pick — as one put it to me: “His traits are good, but I can’t call any of those traits ‘outstanding.’ ” However, Hill is an easy player to like because of his size, speed and hunting skills.
6. Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
Rank on preseason top 50: No. 37
Klare might be the key to unlocking Ohio State’s offense, especially with a first-year starter at quarterback. He led Purdue in receiving last season (by a large margin), and there was still a lot of meat left on the bone in that offense. There will be more mouths to feed in the Buckeyes’ offense, but Klare will be in a better situation to allow his talent to shine.
7. Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
Rank on preseason top 50: No. 38
Goosby saw extensive snaps at left tackle late last season and earned his first start in the playoff game versus Arizona State. The redshirt sophomore tends to play too tall and spends too much time on the ground, but his feet, grip, and understanding of how to finish are promising, which has forced me to bump him up every time I’ve watched him the last few weeks.
8. Kenyatta Jackson Jr., edge, Ohio State
Rank on preseason top 50: No. 47
After waiting his turn behind JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, Jackson is now a starter for the Buckeyes and is a prime breakout candidate. With his length and play strength, he sets a firm edge and can drive blockers backward as a pass rusher. Scouts are eager to see his development this season.
9. DeAndre Moore Jr., WR, Texas
Rank on preseason top 50: N/R
With Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond now in the NFL, Texas has a handful of exciting receiver talents ready to step up, led by Moore. In Manning’s only career SEC start, Moore was his favorite target. He finished with four catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns. His speed and toughness stand out.
10. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
Rank on preseason top 50: N/R
Though Styles deservedly receives most of the attention, the Buckeyes have another freak athlete starting at linebacker. Reese is 6 foot 4, 245 pounds and can run. If he demonstrates steady development in his diagnostic skills, he will continue to advance in these rankings throughout the season.
(Top photo of Caleb Downs: Jason Mowry / Getty Images)