Heading into the 2025 college football season, it was clear that new quarterbacks were going to tell the tale. Thirteen of the top 21 national title contenders had new starters, and nine of the top 15 names on my most important players list were either first‑time starters or starting at a new school. (Another new starter, Fernando Mendoza, would go on to define the season.)

A different story is taking shape in 2026. With a couple of extremely prominent exceptions in Tuscaloosa and Lubbock, most of this year’s top‑ranked schools will feature veterans. Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, Texas’ Arch Manning, Oregon’s Dante Moore, Notre Dame’s CJ Carr and Georgia’s Gunner Stockton, among others, all have at least one year of starting experience at their current schools. Meanwhile, a couple of key, new starters – Indiana’s Josh Hoover and Miami’s Darian Mensah – have two years of starting experience elsewhere.

This year’s key passers bring far more experience to the table, while nearly every contender seems to be counting on key, new pass catchers and pass rushers to come through. Every season has its own different personality. It’s time for my annual most important players list. Below are 40 players who could define the season with moments, or long spells, of greatness.

Some play for contenders, while others play for the teams that might prevent contenders from reaching their goals. All of them will have a chance to make their mark on 2026.