ESPN's 51 sleeper picks who could star in 2026 college football
ESPN has named 51 sleeper college football players who could break out in the 2026 season — from injury-delayed stars to portal arrivals — and if you're scanning college football tonight for names beyond the Heisman headlines, Adam Rittenberg's list is the place to start. Published Thursday ahead of kickoff, the roster spans FBS Power Four and Group of Five programs, with none appearing on ESPN's top 100 for 2026.
Every fall produces surprise stars. Last year's ESPN sleeper list included Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., who became an NFL first-round pick for the national champions, and Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell, who finished second in the SEC in sacks after transferring from Bowling Green.
Key Takeaways
- ESPN identified 51 FBS sleeper breakout candidates for 2026 after surveying coaches across Power Four and Group of Six conferences.
- None of the 51 players appear on ESPN's preseason top 100 list for the 2026 season.
- Florida cornerback Ben Hanks III is among the SEC names to watch under first-year coach Jon Sumrall.
- Penn State's Yvan Kemajou and Ohio State's Nate Roberts highlight breakout candidates at programs with major roster turnover.
- Last year's sleeper picks included future NFL first-rounder Omar Cooper Jr. at Indiana.
Who made ESPN's 2026 sleeper list?
ESPN college football writer Adam Rittenberg compiled 51 names for the upcoming season, drawing on input from coaches in every Power Four conference and several Group of Six programs. The list covers every position and includes players at new schools or poised for expanded roles.
Rittenberg sought variety in position and background, noting that increased player movement through the transfer portal has opened new pathways to stardom. The full rundown is available on ESPN's official sleeper breakdown.
Which Power Four sleepers should fans watch first?
Several names jump off the page for programs with national ambitions. At Florida State, cornerback Ja'Bril Rawls missed roughly half of 2025 with an injury but produced in seven starts and was the Seminoles' only defender with multiple 10-tackle games. Mike Norvell told ESPN Rawls has first-round ability.
Penn State kept defensive end Yvan Kemajou through Matt Campbell's coaching change, and the sophomore finished fourth on the team in tackles for loss despite limited snaps. Ohio State tight end Nate Roberts could fill the void left by two tight ends drafted in April, while Virginia Tech's Aycen Stevens earned the program's coveted Lunch Pail under new coach James Franklin.
Clemson defensive tackle Andy Burburija arrives from Iowa Western after an 11-sack NJCAA All-America season. Oklahoma running back Lloyd Avant transferred from Colorado State to bolster a run game that ranked 112th nationally last season.
Why does Florida's Ben Hanks III stand out?
Among the most intriguing SEC sleepers is Florida redshirt freshman cornerback Ben Hanks III. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Gainesville native played just three games in 2025, posting eight tackles, one interception and two pass breakups — including a 48-yard pick against Florida State in his first career start.
Hanks was a highly rated recruit in the 2025 class, so he is not a sleeper by recruiting standards. But limited game exposure makes him one for opponents. ESPN noted he impressed Jon Sumrall's staff during spring practice with size and route recognition for coordinator Brad White's defense. Hanks is also a legacy — his father, Ben Hanks Jr., was an All-SEC linebacker at Florida.
As the Gators open a new era under Sumrall, Hanks could be central to resetting the culture in Gainesville. For broader coverage of performance trends and recovery angles in athletics, see our Longevity & Biohacking hub.
How did last year's sleepers perform?
ESPN's track record gives the 2026 list credibility. Beyond Cooper and Howell, standouts from the 2025 sleeper class included NC State running back Hollywood Smothers, Iowa safety Koen Entringer, Arizona State running back Raleek Brown and South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse.
That history suggests at least a handful of this year's 51 names — from Miami edge rusher Armondo Blount to UCLA receiver Brian Rowe Jr. — could become household names by December. Whether you're building a watch list for college football tonight or tracking Week 1 storylines, Rittenberg's roster is the authoritative starting point.