The Ten Most Impactful True Freshmen to Watch in 2026

Mark Bowman : USC

• 5 Star
• Ranked #2 Tight End
• Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, California)
• 6’4″ 225

The talented Tight End comes into 2026 as the starter for the USC offense. Bowman, being on the best high school team in the country, played in 2024 as a sophomore, and then reclassified up to the 2026 class, and was a senior in 2025. Bowman is a elite receiving threat, and can make people miss and slip tackles after the catch. Bowman will be replacing Lake McRee and Walker Lyons, who were two players who could run up the seam, and Bowman can replicate that quickly. In a Big10 weight lifting program, Bowman will continue to get bigger and stronger and be a important piece for Lincoln Riley and Jayden Maiava.

Chris Henry Jr : Ohio State

• 5 Star
• Ranked #2 Wide Receiver
• Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, California)
• Son of former Bengals Wide Receiver Chris Henry
• 6″5″ 201

Another star from Mater Dei, Chris Henry Jr is expected to be the #2 Wide Receiver for the Buckeyes this season. Being a tall, physical pass catcher, he compliments Smith and Innis well. In the spring game, Henry Jr showcased his game and made some long catches downfield, and had some nice adjustments when the ball was in the air. Chris Henry will make a immediate impact, it just matters if he will get ball enough in the crowded offense.

Jackson Cantwell : Miami

• 5 Star
• Gatorade National Player of the Year
• Ranked #1 Offensive Tackle
• #2 Player in the Nation according to 247Sports
• MaxPreps All-American
• Nixa High School (Nixa, Mizzouri)
• 6’7″ 325

The most highly touted recruit in this class is Jackson Cantwell, and Miami upgrades their offensive line immensely. Cantwell is an incredible talent, and is expected to replace first round pick Francis Mauigoa. With Miami losing 4 of their starting 5 last year, Cantwell will need to step up immediately to protect Mensah.

Jared Curtis : Vanderbilt

• 5 Star
• Ranked #2 QB
• #4 Player in the Nation according to 247Sports
• MaxPreps All-American
• Nashville Christian (Nashville, TN)
• 6’3.5″ 225

Curtis comes to Vanderbilt being their best ever football recruit, which is exciting for a program that has recently gotten better. Curtis chose Vanderbilt over Georgia, which shows that he wants playing time early. The dangerous part, is that he could be being thrown into the fire immediately, especially with the QB room being thin. With the coaching of Clark Lea, and a good run game, Jared Curtis could become the next big thing, and be the hometown kid. cds

Savion Hiter : Michigan

• 5 Star
• Ranked #1 RB According to 247Sports
• Louisa County (Mineral, VA)
• 5’11” 200

Hiter is expected to backup Jordan Marshall as RB2 this season. Hiter is physical runner, and showcased that in the spring game. With Jason Beck coming in, he prioritizes the run game, and having a 1-2 punch is vital. Additionally, Bryce Underwood entering year 2 will need a reliable run game, as well as getting the option scheme going, where Hiter can be very valuable.

Joey O’Brien : Notre Dame

• 5 Star
• Ranked #1 Safety According to 247Sports Composite
• MaxPreps All-American
• La Salle College (Glenside, PA)
• 6’4″ 188

The long and lengthy Fighting Irish commit was a difference maker player in high school. He played Safety along with Wide Receiver at La Salle. He comes into a very talented Secondary, with guys like Tae Johnson, Adon Shuler, Leonard Moore and Christian Gray. O’Brien has the attitude and talent to for sure being a special teams star, but also get his way in the secondary rotation.

Kodi Greene : Washington

• 5 Star
• Ranked #4 Tackle According to 247Sports
• Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, California)
• 6’6″ 320

Greene also comes from the nations powerhouse in Mater Dei. Being on the most highly rated offensive line in the country, Greene was the most highly recruited. Greene is expected to start at left tackle, and be a young promising player in that talented program.

Tristian Keys : Tennessee

• 5 Star
• Ranked #1 WR According to 247Sports
• #13 Player in the Nation
• Hattiesburg (Hattiesburg, Mississippi)
• 6’2″ 195

The top WR in the class made the switch from LSU to Tennessee in late August of 2025. Also entering a talented WR core with Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley, Keys has a huge opportunity to make it into the starting rotation. Keys has immense potential, and with players in the past like Jaylin Hyatt, Thorton Jr and Brazzell being stars, he fits the mold.

Luke Wafle : USC

• 5 Star
• Ranked #7 Player in the Nation According to 247Sports
• #1 Edge Rusher
• Hun School (Princeton, New Jersey)
• 6’6″ 260

Wafle rose greatly this year, becoming a 5 star and one of the best players in the country. With USC struggling on defense the past years, Wafle is one of their best defensive recruits in a while. He is massive, very strong and plays with a gritty motor. He will not have 8-12 sacks this year, but he can make a difference in the run game, and be a rotation piece in 2026.

Lamar Brown : LSU

• 5 Star
• Ranked #4 Player in the Nation According to 247Sports
• #1 ATH
• University Lab (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
• 6’4″ 295

Brown played Offensive and Defensive line in all of high school, and was one of the best players in the entire country. At LSU, he is expected to play mainly defensive end, but also some interior. He is coming in with Deuce Geralds, and Richard Anderson, who are also 5 star defensive linemen. He is expected to make an immediate impact on the Tiger defense.