College Football’s Best Young Stars
By Hayden Shapiro
This college football season could have been a movie. Whether it was young wideouts burning their marker, a mobile QB winning the game on the last play, or a stout defensive lineman bursting through the line to stuff a run; this season had it all. Here are my top upcoming SOPHOMORES for the 2025–2026 CFB season. Enjoy!
Jeremiah Smith, WR Ohio St
Boasting an 89.2 PFF Grade, good for 7th in the nation, Smith is the kind of player you turn on the TV to watch, even if you’re not a big football fan. His body control is elite and his ability to just get open is wild. Something truly special about Smith’s game is his release off of the line; it’s up there with the fastest in the country, which is very impressive given his big frame. He’s going to be a joy to watch over the next couple of years. Smith is truly in a league of his own. It simply doesn’t matter who’s marking him, he’s going to get open.
Dylan Stewart, EDGE South Carolina
Ranking 9th in the country for pass-rush effectiveness (PFF), Stewart just has a knack for getting to the quarterback. This dude talks a ton of smack, but he always delivers and backs it up. He was consistently double teamed and still managed to force throw aways and get to the QB. If he can work on defending the run, this Gamecock could, no joke, be in Heisman conversations in 2026; he’s that good. He’s got sneaky power and flexible hips, a recipe for disaster for opposing tackles. He was so dominant in 2024 that he was double teamed on almost every passing down. This allowed guys like Kyle Kennard, who got Heisman votes, and TJ Sanders to boost their draft stock. I really like how he fits this scheme, too. South Carolina is on the uprise and it all starts with Stewart, a guy who you can depend on to put an immense amount of pressure on the quarterback.
Colin Simmons, EDGE Texas
Simmons plays at 245 pounds, but he moves like a running back. His burst off the line is remarkable and it helps him get to the quarterback. Something that I loved from Simmons’ standout game vs Arizona State was how he always had a counter move ready. He isn’t an every down guy, but he has the ability to drop into coverage. I’m sure this is something the Longhorns will experiment with next season. Simmons is rawer of a talent than Stewart, but he also did not get nearly as many reps as the South Carolina standout.
Ryan Williams, WR Alabama
Weeks 1 through 6 of this season might have been the best weeks of college football I have ever watched, a lot in part to 17-year-old true freshman Ryan Williams. WIlliams plays like a video game character, it’s absurd. His ability to make big time plays whenever, and wherever, he has the ball is truly special. He has a different mindset than most; he’s always looking for the home run. When it works, it’s fun and truly amazing, but when it’s not going, it can get ugly. I’d love to see Williams create more separation this year because if he can fine-tune his game, he’s going to get Heisman nods.
Leonard Moore, CB Notre Dame
At 6'2, 187 pounds, Moore looks like he was built in a laboratory to play corner. His long arms and elite closing speed make him a threat in zone coverage, but that doesn’t take away from his sticky man ability. His instincts are great, and he often jumps routes as soon as the ball is released. Moore had to fill a huge hole this season with starting cornerback Ben Morrison out for the season and boy did Moore step up. His 89.1 defensive grade ranked seventh in the nation (PFF).
DJ Lagway, QB Florida
After some question on if Lagway would be the Gators starter, which included a two-QB scheme, Lagway proved why he should be the Florida signal caller for years to come. His elite arm talent and underrated mobility make him a player to watch next season. Lagway also took the reigns as a leader for the Gators. At 6’3, nearly 240 pounds, Lagway also showcased some power in his game. This included some designed QB runs in the red zone or on first down.
Dylan Raiola, QB Nebraska
Say what you want about Raiola as a person, but he is a baller out on the field. His ability to throw from multiple arm slots and extend the play is going to help him not only at Nebraska, but it will also benefit him when he’s in the league. Raiola didn’t have a true number one wideout this year and with some help, he could be in for a huge season in the fall.
Cam Coleman, WR Auburn
Coleman’s 6’3 frame and long arms make him a dynamic red zone threat, but he has issues with creating separation and needs to work on his release off the line. He has all the intangibles, and he’s a good scheme fit for this offense; if he can fine-tune his game, expect a breakout year for the upcoming sophomore at Auburn.
Ahmad Hardy, RB Mizzou
The ULM standout announced his transfer to Missouri fairly early in the “portal season” because he knew that this offense would run through him. He’s a quick cutter and has some impressive hands out of the backfield. Hardy sees the field extremely well and has some underrated breakaway speed. He was PFF’s 17th ranked running back in the country this year.
Sammy Brown, LB Clemson
Talk about a bruiser, Brown is ready to pop whoever is running at him. He seems to always shoot the right gap and he’s also reliable in coverage. Whether it was a product of a great LB core or just a phenomenal defense in general, Brown is going to get some recognition next year especially with most of the Tiger’s defense returning.
Sincere Edwards, EDGE UCF
Look, Edwards is a guy with all of the talent in the world, but he just wasn’t on the field all that much for the Panthers in Pittsburgh. Due to not seeing as much time as he’d probably like, Edwards chose to transfer to UCF. His stats aren’t crazy, but this guy has some of the quickest pass rush moves in the nation. Three sacks don’t back up my statement too much but look out for him next year at Central Florida because if he can put it all together, he’s going to be a force in the BIG12.
