Don't sleep on these guys! 51 breakout candidates for the 2026 season

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg surveyed coaches across Power 4 and Group of 6 conferences to identify 51 sleeper candidates for the 2026 college football season — players not on ESPN's top 100 list who could emerge as stars. Previous editions successfully highlighted Indiana's Omar Cooper Jr. (NFL first-round pick) and Texas A&M's Cashius Howell (SEC sack leader).

Indiana sophomore running back Khobie Martin headlines the list after flashing big-play ability behind departed NFL backs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black. Martin posted 506 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns on just 77 carries in 2025, with consecutive 100-yard games despite never exceeding 12 carries. Coach Curt Cignetti praised his downhill running and steady improvement: "We're really counting on him. He's got a bright future."

Florida State junior cornerback Ja'Bril Rawls missed half of 2025 due to injury but produced in seven starts (40 tackles, 1 interception, 2 TFLs). He was the Seminoles' only defender with multiple 10-tackle games. Coach Mike Norvell projects first-round ability: "He can press, he can play off. Tony's defense..." Defensive coordinator Tony White plans to deploy Rawls versatilely alongside Duke transfer Ma'Khi Jones.

The list reflects varied pathways to success in an era of increased player movement, spanning positions and backgrounds from transfers to injury returnees.

ESPN的Adam Rittenberg调查了Power 4和Group of 6联盟的教练，以确定2026年大学橄榄球赛季的51名黑马候选人——这些球员未出现在ESPN前100名榜单中，但可能成为明星。往届榜单成功挖掘了印第安纳大学的Omar Cooper Jr.（NFL首轮选秀）和德克萨斯A&M大学的Cashius Howell（SEC擒杀王）。

印第安纳大学大二跑卫Khobie Martin在失去NFL跑卫Roman Hemby和Kaelon Black后，凭借爆发力成为榜单焦点。他在2025年仅77次冲球就推进506码并达阵7次，尽管单场从未超过12次冲球，却连续两场破百码。教练Curt Cignetti称赞其 downhill 跑法和稳定进步：“我们非常依赖他，他前途光明。”

佛罗里达州立大学大三角卫Ja'Bril Rawls因伤缺席2025赛季半程，但首发7场即贡献40次擒抱、1次抄截和2次线后擒抱，是塞米诺尔队唯一多次单场擒抱上双的防守球员。教练Mike Norvell预测其首轮潜力：“他能施压，能打区域防守……”防守协调员Tony White计划将其与杜克大学转学生Ma'Khi Jones搭配使用，实现多面手部署。

该榜单反映了球员流动加剧时代下多元的成功路径，涵盖从转学生到伤愈复出者等不同背景和位置。

关键实体：公司：ESPN、印第安纳大学、佛罗里达州立大学、波士顿学院、杜克大学、德克萨斯A&M大学、北卡罗来纳州立大学、爱荷华大学、亚利桑那州立大学、南卡罗来纳大学、鲍灵格林大学 | 人物：Adam Rittenberg、Khobie Martin、Curt Cignetti、Ja'Bril Rawls、Mike Norvell、Tony White、Ma'Khi Jones、Omar Cooper Jr.、Cashius Howell、Hollywood Smothers、Koen Entringer、Raleek Brown、Brandon Cisse、Arch Manning、Trinidad Chambliss、Julian Sayin、CJ Carr、Darian Mensah、Malachi Toney、Jeremiah Smith、Colin Simmons、Kewan Lacy、Roman Hemby、Kaelon Black、Turbo Richard | 地点：印第安纳州、佛罗里达州、德克萨斯州、俄亥俄州、密西西比州、北卡罗来纳州、爱荷华州、亚利桑那州、南卡罗来纳州、弗吉尼亚州、维克森林大学