The 2026 QB1 Battle Begins plus 52 Players to Watch during College Football Week 1

The wait is over-this week we will have a full slate of college football! The start of the season brings excitement and marquee match-ups. It also foreshadows major changes in devy values and presents an overwhelming amount of games. It can be tough to prioritize which games to watch and to know which players to focus on.

Throughout the season I will be previewing devy slates to help you prioritize your time and attention on Saturdays. To kick things off, I have a full slate preview, including games starting on Thursday and continuing through Labor Day.

A few guiding thoughts as you approach this preview:

• This is not meant to list the best games of the week.
• The goal is to highlight players at all levels of my rankings, not just the top.
• I won't list out every player on every offense. I am highlighting the players I am most interested this week.
• Throughout the article I reference my devy and 2026 class rankings. You can see the full rankings here.

Thursday Slate

Don't overlook the early week games, featuring the top quarterback in the 2027 class and a top 5 running back in my 2026 rankings.

Buffalo at Minnesota | 8:00 ET, FS1

Minnesota RB Darius Taylor has a chance to show off his physicality and vision in a Week 1 match-up against a mid-tier MAC program. Taylor enters the season as my RB4 in the 2026 class and with a Day 2 NFL Draft projection. This could be the week his name becomes prominent on the national stage.

Nebraska at Cincinnati | 9:00 ET, ESPN

Cornhuskers QB Dylan Raiola starts his sophomore campaign against a respectable power-4 defense. Raiola is my devy QB8 based on a solid freshman season and his strong athletic profile. I want to see improved mechanics, accuracy and pocket presence before he enters the top tier conversation.

I want to like Nebraska WR Dane Key more than his Kentucky film lets me. The beat has labeled him as the X receiver in this offense. If he can find the endzone Week 1 his should see another round of buzz as a 2026 Draft prospect. Also pay attention to Cal transfer WR Nyziah Hunter (2027 eligible).

Friday Slate

Friday night lights features Auburn's significantly improved offense and a trio of under the radar playmakers at Michigan State

Western Michigan at Michigan State | 7:00 ET, FS1

The Spartans offense is littered with buy-low devy candidates. QB Aidan Chiles is a talented dual-threat passer who struggled in his first year with the Spartans. He has a better supporting cast this season and could see a rebound, starting with an easy Week 1 game against a porous Western Michigan defense.

TE Jack Velling caught 36 balls for 411 yards last season and could emerge as a Day 2 NFL Draft candidate in a wide-open position group. WR Nick Marsh is the best known name, having caught 41 balls for 649 yards as a true freshman last season. Marsh is 2027 eligible and could play his way into a top 5 ranking in the class heading into next season.

Auburn at Baylor | 8:00 ET, FOX

Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr. are the wide receiver pair that I am most excited to watch this season in all of college football. Coleman is my devy WR5 and Singleton enters the season as WR6 in my 2026 rankings. Coleman is a household name already, but Singleton is ready to enter the national spotlight under Friday night lights in Texas.

Jackson Arnold's devy value tanked after a tumultuous 2024 season. The gunslinger could see a massive rebound if he shows command of this talented offense against what is expected to be a solid Baylor defense.

Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson has some late-round NFL Draft buzz. A strong opening week showing against a tough SEC defense would go far. If RB Bryson Washington puts together another 1,000+ rushing yard season, he should be off to the NFL too.

Saturday - Early Slate

THE game of the week (season?) kicks off in the early slate. Also featured is an Indiana offense ready to prove they aren't a one hit wonder.

Texas at Ohio State | 12:00 ET, FOX

All eyes with be on Arch Manning when the Texas offense hits the field. I will draw some attention instead to two of his targets. TE Jack Endries, an athletic sure-handed pass catcher should be a prominent redzone target. WR Ryan Wingo is my devy WR7, I expect him to have multiple games with 100+ total yards, and that could absolute start in Week 1.

RB Tre Wisner was of one my favorite film reviews this summer. He has great contact balance, good vision and has three-down potential. He starts the season as my RB6, with Day 2 upside. A strong performance against the reigning national champs will boost him up consensus rankings.

QB Julian Sayin has a major test to start his tenure as the Buckeyes starter. He will have some help: Jeremiah Smith (devy WR1), Carnell Tate (devy WR3) and Brandon Innis (devy WR24) are the starters. Keep an eye out for freshman Quincy Porter (devy WR23) and sophomore Mylan Graham (WR19).

Old Dominion at Indiana | 2:30 ET, FS1

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza enters the season as my QB7 in a strong 2026 class. His arm talent and pocket presence provide a foundation that could skyrocket him into the Day 1 conversation. Old Dominion provides a soft launch for his Hoosiers career-expect big numbers.

WR Elijah Surrat is a big-bodied target who should be Mendoza's top target each and every week. Look for him to go for at least 100 yards and a touchdown.

Saturday - Mid-Day Slate

A few perennial powerhouses have questions to answer heading into the season.

Alabama at Florida State | 3:30 ET, ABC

It is QB Ty Simpson's turn to lead the Crimson Tide offense. The pocket passer should enable an even more impressive season for now sophomore WR Ryan Williams, my devy WR2 and fourth overall player. Wide receivers Germie Bernard and Isaiah Horton should see plenty of targets too. With RB Jam Miller injured, the backfield should be split between sophomores Richard Young and Daniel Hill.

WR Duce Robinson is the clear devy target in an otherwise muddled Florida State offense. Robinson is an athletic pass-catcher who should be featured prominently against a strong Alabama secondary. If he can win against top coverage, he will gain a lot of buzz.

Montana State at Oregon | 4:00 ET, BTN

I have a lot of questions about the Ducks offense. The last time we saw Dante Moore he was struggling to execute a poor UCLA offense as a true freshman. Now he is leading what is expected to be one of the most dynamic offenses in the country. He top target appears to be true freshman WR Dakorien Moore, who could see a meteoric rise that rivals Jeremiah Smith if he strings together a few impressive performances over the first month of the season. RB Makhi Hughes crushed at Tulane, but will need to get to speed in a much different offense.

Montana State is not the toughest opening season opponent but they are a perennial FCS power, whose roster is more competitive than some group of 6 rosters.

Saturday - Night Slate

When this slate ends we will have a consensus QB1 in the 2026 and 2028 classes.

LSU at Clemson | 7:30 PM, ABC

QB Cade Klubnik enters the season as my QB2 in the 2026 class. He is poised under pressure, accurate and has strong mechanics. He will distribute the ball to WR Antonio Williams (2026 WR4), Bryant Wesco (devy WR11) and TJ Moore (devy WR12). Williams is twitchy and a clean route-runner, he is sure to make an explosive play against a beatable LSU defense. I am hopeful we will see true freshman RB Gideon Davidson make an impact too. If Clemson wins this game with a strong offensive performance, Klubnik will be on the path to be a top 5 NFL draft selection.

QB Garrett Nussmeier starts at my QB4 in the 2026 class. Nussmeier is an improviser and gun-slinger who I want to grade higher than his 2024 tape allows. He could take a massive leap as a second-year starter, which could take him as high as the top pick in the 2026 class. He will look to the bursty RB Caden Durham (devy RB5) to establish a balanced offense. WRs Barion Brown (devy WR17), Nic Anderson (devy WR26), and Aaron Anderson (devy WR31) all have the potential to sky rocket their devy value if one can establish themselves as Nussmeier's top target.

New Mexico at Michigan | 7:30 NBC/Peacock

The first career start for QB Bryce Underwood is must-watch TV, even against New Mexico. Underwood is QB1 in the 2028 class and will have a chance to show off his arm talent and mobility against a woeful New Mexico defense. I will be paying close attention to how RB Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall split the work in the backfield. Both should get extensive run in a likely blow out.

Saturday - Sicko Slate

I will always highlight a game on the "sicko slate" for those willing to stay up late and soak up devy value being created while the casuals snooze.

Colorado State at Washington | 11:00 ET, BTN

Washington's Sophomore QB Demond Williams flashed accuracy, poise and athleticism at the end of last season. He enters 2025 as my devy QB12 with the potential to rise up the rankings quickly. There is a lot of hype around WR Denzel Boston but I left his summer film review underwhelmed. I want to see him separate consistently and work routes downfield.

Bonus Slate

Week 1 features games on Sunday and Monday! UNC vs TCU on Labor Day is fun, but the Sunday games present more devy intrigue.

Virginia Tech at South Carolina | 3:00 PM, ESPN

LaNorris Sellers debuts as QB1 and top overall player in my 2026 rankings. He has game-changing fluidity, a good mechanical foundation and showed good decision making as a first year starter in 2024. He needs to improve his accuracy and be more consistent with big-time throws. His upside is enormous.

Kyron Drones is sitting on my watch list. The dual-threat quarterback struggled to live up to his hype in 2024 but he is healthy and ready to turn heads against an SEC opponent that Virginia Tech considers beatable.

Notre Dame at Miami | 7:30 PM, ABC

I have WR Jaden Greathouse as my WR4, 7th overall player in the 2026 rookie class, well above consensus. He has excellent ball-tracking, speed and downfield separation. He will be catching balls from QB CJ Carr, who won a tight quarterback battle against Kenny Minchey. RB Jeremiyah Love is the consensus top RB in the 2026 class. His vision and strength should help power the Fighting Irish offense get past a stout Miami defense.

Running backs Mark Fletcher and Jordan Lyle should both see touches. Fletcher has a bit more burst and Lyle adds the power component. There is a lot of anticipation from the Miami beat around sophomore

WR JoJo Trader. If he hits early in the season, he could be a top 15 devy prospect by October. QB Carson Beck will be eager to rebuild his reputation after a disappointing end to his Georgia career. A win against Notre Dame would go a long way for the value of this entire offense.