ESPN Junior 300 football recruiting rankings: Five-stars, QBs

The next wave of elite college football recruits is coming, and it's already drawing lofty comparisons to some high-end talent.

The ESPN Junior 300 rankings for the Class of 2026 stack the top rising juniors in the country heading into the summer. Edge talent continues to take on greater importance across all levels of the sport -- 12 first-round picks in the 2024 NFL draft play either offensive tackles or edge rushers -- and this class is great on both sides of the ball.

Five-star prospects are also getting bigger and faster, already clocking in with NFL-ready measurables. Wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., an Ohio State commit, stands at 6-foot-6 with a 4.59-yard 40-yard dash, a nearly 79-inch wingspan and a max speed of almost 20 mph.

Edge Jahkeem Stewart checks in at 6-6, 281 pounds and runs a 1.86 10-yard split and a 4.85 40-yard dash. Kendre' Harrison, meanwhile, is an elite multisport athlete who reminds us of some of the NFL's more dominant tight ends in recent memory. All are great athletes with immense ceilings.

Here's a look at the top 2026 players at each position and how the five-stars stack up:

Jump to a section:
Top offensive recruits
Top defensive recruits
Notable QBs | Five-star linemen

Top prospects at each position

OFFENSE

QB: Jared Curtis (Georgia commit)

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 4

Dia Bell

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 9

These two pocket passers are the strength of this quarterback class and among the top leaders in this group. Both players have terrific size.

Curtis, a Georgia commit, checks in at 6-4, 225 pounds and is one of the most resourceful athletes and passers in this class. He was also one of the most impressive in-person performers on the camp circuit.

Bell is 6-3, 195 pounds and has a combination of accuracy, athleticism, touch and timing.

Curtis finds ways to get the job done and plays with confidence. He looks like he's having fun playing sandlot football with his buddies. He oozes moxie.

Bell, who plays at American Heritage (Plantation, Florida), regularly faces better competition, though. The uncommitted prospect has consistently performed well against terrific athletes and good teams. Bell can run but he doesn't do it unless he must. He has pocket discipline and presence.

WR: Chris Henry Jr. (Ohio State commit)

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 2

Over the past 20 years, we may not have seen another player with Henry's stature (6-6, 200 pounds), who is also twitchy and explosive at the same time. Henry looks like Randy Moss did in high school. His sudden ability to stop and start without gearing down or telegraphing his routes is impressive. He is not only a jump ball mismatch due to his size, but he has the rare ability to take a 6-yard crossing route and make people miss and win footraces for long touchdowns. He is a candidate to push for the No. 1 overall player in the 2026 class.

RB: Savion Hiter

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 53

This running back class is unique, offering players of all shapes and sizes as well as several top runners who split time at wide receiver or in the slot. Hiter is a pure running back and a load carrier. He's stout, low to the ground and has a combination of power and speed. Hiter was clocked at nearly 21 mph in games and ran a 4.6 laser-timed 40-yard dash last spring. He shows burst through the hole and has the lateral agility to be a slippery, make-you-miss runner. At times, he looks like he is gliding once he gets to the second level, yet routinely pulls away from defenders in the open field.

TE: Kendre' Harrison

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 3

Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates and Jimmy Graham are all examples of outstanding tight ends this century with excellent basketball backgrounds. Harrison could be next. As of now, the multisport star wants to play both sports in college and has offers from schools to do so. His physical tools and playmaking ability on the gridiron have him among the initial five-stars in the 2026 class.

Harrison has elite length at roughly 6-foot-6 and combines it with strong hands and good body control, allowing him to present an exceptional catch radius. Unsurprisingly, given his size and basketball background, he's a red zone nightmare with his ability to high-point the football. Harrison runs well, stretches the seam and extends plays after the catch. He has been measured topping over 20 mph during games. He has all the ingredients to become a versatile college player.

Though it's still early in the process and balancing two sports at a high level is never easy, Harrison has the tools to become one of the elite high school tight ends of the ESPN 300 era. He's a coveted prospect and many schools are in the mix, even after he recently shifted his focus to 15 programs. The Reidsville, North Carolina, native was recently on campus for UNC's spring game.

UNC Spring Game Today #GDTBATH @CoachFKitchens @CoachMackBrown @CoachGalloway7 pic.twitter.com/3d1ZQFQZs8

— k̷e̷n̷d̷r̷e̷'̷ ̷h̷a̷r̷r̷i̷s̷o̷n̷ (@SupremeDre8) April 20, 2024

OT: Lamar Brown

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 5

Brown could be listed as an athlete considering he can play either side of the ball. Though he could be an FBS-caliber defensive lineman, he's a five-star offensive lineman. At 6-4 and 265 pounds, he does not have eye-popping size at this stage and could end up developing as an interior lineman. Right now, he is simply a big man with great flexibility and smooth movement skills. He has good balance, redirection and can mirror defenders well.

While not a hulking figure, he also can generate good push in the run game and is a tenacious finisher. A prospect from the Baton Rouge area, Brown is targeted by several top programs, but in-state LSU will be tough to beat. While we feel his best fit is on offense, a desire to play defense could play a role. The side of the ball he is recruited to play could be a factor to watch.

Athlete: Brandon Arrington

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 7

One of the fastest players in the class, Arrington ran a scorching 10.44 100-meter this spring. While he likely projects at wide receiver, his length is going to tempt coaches to put him at corner. His ability to change the game and flip field position as a return man is among the best this class has to offer. He is one of the most fluid and smoothest athletes you will find. Arrington is tremendously flexible and how quickly he gets to top speed is unique. He's a touchdown waiting to happen when he gets into the open field.

DEFENSE

DE: Jahkeem Stewart

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 1

Stewart first stood out as a 6-foot-4, 280-pound eighth grader who fit in naturally among older players at high school games and seemed destined to be a big-time prospect. He has since grown almost two inches and, more impressively, continued to develop his big frame while shedding unneeded weight to get closer to 270 pounds.

Stewart is a competitive player with position versatility. Listed at defensive end, he is long and lean, but also carries good weight and can move inside to create matchup problems. He has good explosiveness and active hands with good feet to redirect and possesses very good range for his size.

Stewart has shown five-star talent since middle school and has only built upon those raw tools since. He has the ability to become a dominant force in the college trenches if he maintains his focus and growth. LSU will try to stop the player from New Orleans from leaving, but nationwide programs are pursuing him, including Ohio State and Oregon, where he recently attended a spring game.

DT: Tomuhini Topui

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 58

The defensive tackle group isn't particularly strong so far in this class, especially compared to defensive end/edge players. That could always change as some of the defensive ends grow into more of an interior role as the process continues. For now, Topui Jr. leads the way as a 300-pound nose tackle. He has the size and power to anchor and uses his hands very well to press and shed blockers. Topui's quickness and agility for his size place him atop the defensive tackle group. He can be disruptive.

He played fullback last season for Mater Dei HS (Santa Ana, California) and was a freight train of a blocker. Those skills allow him to also be active along the line of scrimmage and defensively and make plays in the backfield. Expect West Coast teams with a need for premium defensive linemen to get into the mix, but programs throughout the country have also offered. There's time for a few favorites to emerge -- a commitment doesn't seem imminent.

OLB: Anthony Jones

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 10

Tyler Atkinson

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 11

Jones is No. 1, but Atkinson is right behind him and deserves to be noted. The simple difference between Jones and Atkinson is length. Jones has it and Atkinson does not. This gives both players their own unique styles.

Jones plays closer to the line of scrimmage and often with his hand down in a defensive end spot but will need to gain significant strength and weight for the next level.

Atkinson is more of an off-the-ball missile with the ability to provide pressure off the edge with his quickness and explosive closing speed. Atkinson has a terrific motor and feel for where the football is.

CB: Elbert Hill

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 14

It's a general practice to place a premium on height for cornerbacks. In Hill's case, he's unique. He stands at just over 5-10 but has a 6-3 wingspan which compensates for his height and gives him length. Hill possesses outstanding ball skills, can play on the inside and the outside, is a dynamic return specialist and makes plays on the ball despite an ideal lack of height. Speed, explosiveness and short-area quickness are huge strengths for him.

S: Bralan Womack

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 16

Womack looks and moves like a running back, has ball skills like a wide receiver and a rugged demeanor at his safety position. He's always around the football, and he's big and physical enough to play near the line of scrimmage if needed. Womack is very instinctive when it comes to positioning himself in coverage and baiting quarterbacks into bad decisions. Womack has big upside as a return specialist, as well. He's dangerous with the ball in his hands.

Bralan Womack earned an invite to Future 50 following his performance at UA Next Camp in Nashville‼️ @B_Mack02

Impressive work from the 2026 DB locking dudes up in 1-on-1 and competing with energy and intensity 🙌 #UANext pic.twitter.com/7awdgq5G8M

— The Underclassman Report (@TheUCReport) April 20, 2024

One more QB to watch

Landon Duckworth (South Carolina commit)

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 98

Duckworth, a South Carolina commit and the top dual-threat quarterback prospect, provides value because he's so athletic and can play multiple positions. His strong arm makes him dangerous on the move because he makes off-platform plays and throws across his body look easy.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder is still developing polish and consistency as a passer, but he runs with power. He gains momentum quickly when he sees daylight and takes off. Duckworth reminds us a bit of UCF (and former Arkansas) quarterback KJ Jefferson when he came out of high school.

Other five-stars up front

OT Jackson Cantwell

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 6

A massive figure in the trenches, Cantwell can push defenders around with a tenacious demeanor. His strong athletic background helps fuel his play, including his excellent body quickness and power. The son of two former Olympic shot-putters, he also excels in field events. Cantwell has a throw of over 72 feet in the shot this spring, the top mark among sophomores in the country. He also plays basketball. The multisport athlete moves well for his size and can be effective climbing to second level.

Teams will get a big man who can bend well, quickly get into defenders and play with a nasty attitude once engaged. It wasn't hard slotting Cantwell into five-star status, even at this early stage. Cantwell seems to still be working his way through the recruiting process and doing his due diligence. Missouri keeping him in-state would be a big win, but there is no shortage of nationwide competition.

OT Immanuel Iheanacho

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 8

With a big, lengthy frame that can continue to be developed, Iheanacho's impressive size and physical tools jump out. At 6-7, 320 pounds, his measurables grab your attention, but Iheanacho impresses with his play, as well. He's quick out of his stance and can make contact with knockback power. He can continue to improve pad level and technique but blends excellent natural ability with good tenacity.

On the move, Iheanacho displays very good range and effortlessly gets downfield to be a factor as a blocker.

Iheanacho's wealth of tools provides arguably the highest ceiling among the top tackles. Still uncommitted, Penn State and Virginia Tech are teams to watch, especially with the former having had good past success with top DMV-area prospects. Alabama and Georgia have also offered -- he has been down to both campuses -- and Miami reportedly jumped into the mix with an offer this week.