Ranking college football's best defenders, from game wreckers to shutdown corners
Whittling the list of the top pass rushers, linebackers and secondary men down to 10 was no easy task.
What if the SEC has a really bad start in non-conference play to open the season? What if Indiana drops three games or Penn State wins 10? What if Notre Dame finally breaks through for their first National Title since 1988 and what if USC finishes UNDER 8 wins in year five under Lincoln Riley? What if the BIG 12 is a two bid league and what if the college football playoff gets even messier in November? McElroy tackles some of the biggest ‘what if’s’ heading into the 2026 season.
What if the SEC has a really bad start in non-conference play to open the season? What if Indiana drops three games or Penn State wins 10? What if Notre Dame finally breaks through for their first National Title since 1988 and what if USC finishes UNDER 8 wins in year five under Lincoln Riley? What if the BIG 12 is a two bid league and what if the college football playoff gets even messier in November? McElroy tackles some of the biggest ‘what if’s’ heading into the 2026 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Can Georgia (or another SEC team) get its national title swagger back?
Three seasons have passed without a championship from the SEC, but as always, there are plenty of contenders.
Greg McElroy breaks down who has the most elite pass catching units in college football knowing the Ohio State is Wide Receiver U until further notice. Will Miami be even better than last year with Malachi Toney & Cooper Barkate, can Trey’Dez Green and a group of transfers get LSU to the next level and does Indiana with Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh have the best WR duo in the BIG 10? Can Moore and Wesco improve the Clemson offense, how great can Texas be with Wingo and Cam Coleman and if the Oregon WR’s stay healthy will the Ducks have one of the most dangerous pass catching units in the country?
Greg McElroy breaks down who has the most elite pass catching units in college football knowing the Ohio State is Wide Receiver U until further notice. Will Miami be even better than last year with Malachi Toney & Cooper Barkate, can Trey’Dez Green and a group of transfers get LSU to the next level and does Indiana with Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh have the best WR duo in the BIG 10? Can Moore and Wesco improve the Clemson offense, how great can Texas be with Wingo and Cam Coleman and if the Oregon WR’s stay healthy will the Ducks have one of the most dangerous pass catching units in the country? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Five-star analysis: How the No. 2 player in the country fits at Texas
There are 21 five-star players in the class, and we scout each one's game for the next level.
5-star CB John Meredith III commits to Texas
Five-star prospect John Meredith III, ESPN's No. 1 cornerback in the 2027 class, announced his commitment to Texas.
5-star recruit John Meredith commits to Texas football on McAfee (1:19)
2027 recruiting class rankings: Texas A&M strengthens hold on top spot
These schools are setting the pace as the recruiting race heats up.
Texas A&M adds four-star defender Henderson
Texas A&M added ESPN's No. 1 outside linebacker to the nation's top-ranked 2027 recruiting class with a commitment from four-star defender Kaden Henderson.
#1 OLB Kaden Henderson commits to Texas A&M on McAfee (1:04)
Ranking CFB's top running backs: Who are the best of a strong group?
Kewan Lacy, Mark Fletcher Jr. and a host of others are in the running for the top of our list.
Who has the best secondaries in college football, the ones that could change games, the ones who could swing college football playoff races? Would you rather have Ohio State’s or Michigan’s secondary? Texas Tech showed out last year, can Pollock & Boyd do it again? Does Notre Dame have the best player on the best secondary or can Alabama lay claim to both? Are the transfers ready to step up EVERYWHERE and where do Texas A&M, Oregon, Georgia and LSU land in the rankings? McElroy ranks the Top 10 “no fly zone” DB units in 2026.
Who has the best secondaries in college football, the ones that could change games, the ones who could swing college football playoff races? Would you rather have Ohio State’s or Michigan’s secondary? Texas Tech showed out last year, can Pollock & Boyd do it again? Does Notre Dame have the best player on the best secondary or can Alabama lay claim to both? Are the transfers ready to step up EVERYWHERE and where do Texas A&M, Oregon, Georgia and LSU land in the rankings? McElroy ranks the Top 10 “no fly zone” DB units in 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Clark Lea expands on process of picking Vandy's next starting QB (2:52)
Burrow: Bengals' vibes similar to LSU title team
Joe Burrow said the vibes on this year's Bengals' team are similar to what they were on the 2019 LSU team he led to a College Football Playoff championship.
Four-star defensive end Whitehead chooses LSU
Lane Kiffin continued a hot week on the recruiting trail with a commitment from four-star defensive end Chris Whitehead, who's ranked No. 47 in the SC Next 300.
'I could never pick one': Why LSU's Ahmad Hudson plans to do what most elite recruits won't
The LSU commit is ranked among the nation's top prospects in football and basketball and has no plans to give either one up.
Updated college football Top 25: How far does Texas Tech fall without Sorsby?
The Brendan Sorsby saga for Texas Tech appears to have ended. How will the Red Raiders fare without their presumptive QB1?
Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko talks with Greg McElroy about the expectations in College Station, the growth of Marcel Reed, what new offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins will bring, how the Aggies will handle a brutal SEC schedule and much more. Plus, Elko is just one of a handful of coaches entering year 3 at their respective schools so McElroy ask the questions: what will Cignetti do following up a National Championship, what Kalen DeBoer can do to appease Alabama fans, and watch out for Manny Diaz (Duke) and Jedd Fisch (Washington).
Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko talks with Greg McElroy about the expectations in College Station, the growth of Marcel Reed, what new offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins will bring, how the Aggies will handle a brutal SEC schedule and much more. Plus, Elko is just one of a handful of coaches entering year 3 at their respective schools so McElroy ask the questions: what will Cignetti do following up a National Championship, what Kalen DeBoer can do to appease Alabama fans, and watch out for Manny Diaz (Duke) and Jedd Fisch (Washington). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Batt leaves Michigan State to be new Kentucky AD
Kentucky has hired Michigan State AD J Batt to serve in the same position with the Wildcats as he returns to the SEC. Sources told ESPN that it is a six-year deal.
Garror's commitment bolsters Texas' 2027 class
Texas landed its second blue-chip defender in as many days Friday with a commitment from four-star edge Jabarrius Garror, ESPN's No. 4 outside linebacker in the 2027 class.
Who are the best players in the 2027 NFL draft class? The early top five at every position
The NFL draft is a long way off, but Matt Miller and Jordan Reid ranked the five best prospects at every position. How do the top QBs, OTs, CBs and more stack up?
Currie, top-3 DT recruit in '27, commits to Texas
Four-star defensive tackle Kasi Currie, No. 52 in the SC Next 300 in the 2027 cycle, has committed to the Texas Longhorns.
Florida plans $1.45B renovation to 'the Swamp'
The University of Florida is planning the most expensive -- and potentially most comprehensive -- stadium renovation in college football history, a $1.45 billion overhaul of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Ranking the top receivers in college football: Jeremiah Smith, then who?
The Ohio State star is clearly No. 1 on the list, but after that the debate begins.
2026 SEC Football Schedule: Team-by-team takeaways (6:20)