ESPN Junior 300 rankings: Comps for top 2026 football recruits

With the dust settling on the Class of 2025, it's time to look ahead to 2026's top prospects and their respective rankings.

While there's still plenty of time for additional evaluation and evolution, we can provide reasonable comparisons for the top players at each position to similar prospects from previous recruiting classes who went on to enjoy significant success in college.

There can be a multitude of reasons why comparisons are made -- measurables, skill sets or just simple body movements. These assessments aim to provide a foundation for how each player could make an early impact on Saturdays.

Here's a look at the top positional prospects in the ESPN Junior 300 and players we compare them with:

QB: Jared Curtis

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 4

Comp: Carson Beck, Miami

Both Curtis and Beck have pure passing acumen and throw with smooth, fluid strokes that can't be coached. They effortlessly get rid of the ball with speed, and both can layer their deep and intermediate throws to suit the route. Neither is a dynamic athlete, but both navigate pocket traffic with sneaky quickness. While under duress, Curtis might already change arm angles better than Beck. Curtis can also grip and rip the ball on screens and underneath throws. Beck is one of college football's best passers when he gets hot, and Curtis could have the same upside.

RB: Derrek Cooper

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 18

Comp: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State

Gordon and Cooper are gallopers with a style reminiscent of Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson -- tall, upright with a high leg drive. Both need to continue to focus on their level. But upon contact, both Cooper and Gordon rarely get knocked off their feet because of their lower body strength and ability to square up and lower their shoulders. They can sneak through tight creases despite their size, yet both have very impressive max speeds when they get to the second level on a straight line. Bigger backs need to be nimble on their feet and display contact balance while continuing to fall forward. Both Cooper and Gordon check those boxes.

WR: Chris Henry Jr. (Ohio State commit)

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 1

Comp: Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

Henry and McMillan each have rare height and length at their position. Few wide receivers who are 6-foot-5 or taller can move, shake and produce after the catch at their level. Both targets show an amazing run-and-catch aspect in the vertical passing game. Even when they're covered, they aren't really covered. Their long arms and ability to elevate in traffic create distinct advantages on the jump ball. Their twitchiness is very similar to Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins and sets them apart from other receivers at this size.

TE: Kendre' Harrison (Oregon Commit)

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 6

Comp: Colston Loveland, Michigan

Both Harrison and Loveland are tall, rangy targets who are matchup headaches in the passing game. An Idaho native, Loveland was an excellent basketball player -- like Harrison is now -- and reportedly received offers in that sport as well. Each offers a large catch radius, and their basketball backgrounds help them high point the ball and box out defenders in contested matchups. Their movement skills on the hardwood also translate to the football field. Loveland might be a bit more fluid, but each can cover ground and stretch the field. Harrison is a little stronger as a blocker than Loveland was at the same stage, but both are monster-sized receivers in tight end bodies. The 2026 five-star can be an equally dangerous weapon as Loveland has been for the Wolverines.

OL: Jackson Cantwell

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 2

Comp: Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

Both Cantwell and Proctor are towering, lengthy tackles who effortlessly carry 300-plus pounds. They use their size and power to push defenders around with tenacious finishing streaks. Cantwell better utilizes his natural power but will need to further develop his pass-blocking technique in college. Massive size, strength and nastiness are all good traits, but both move very well for their size with agility and balance. Like Proctor, Cantwell could step into a starting role right away. While there might be some growing pains, he has the elite physical tools to become one of the top tackles in college football.

DE: Zion Elee (Maryland commit)

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 8

Comp: Abdul Carter, Penn State

Carter was one of college football's most disruptive edge rushers and is a top NFL draft prospect. A leaner player, especially coming out of the 2022 class, Carter's explosive burst, excellent range and agility made him a handful. Elee shows similar flashes as a lean edge defender. While Carter has better natural bend, Elee has slightly better length with excellent first-step quickness. He can become a force as a pass rusher as he better develops his arsenal and blends it with his effort. Elee also runs well and, like Carter, factors into pursuit. Elee needs to continue to fill out his frame. He has already shown he creates problems coming off the edge and, as Carter did at Penn State, could produce in Year 1 at Maryland.

DT: Deuce Geralds

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 53

Comp: Zane Durant, Penn State

Durant was a bit of a tweener as an undersized defensive tackle in the 2022 class at roughly 6-foot-1, 255 pounds. He played with good power and mobility and became a starter by his sophomore season at West Virginia, then was a key part of the Nittany Lions defense in 2024. Geralds has some comparable traits. He lacks ideal size for a defensive tackle, but he's explosive. While there are bigger defensive tackles, both Geralds and Durant utilize their leverage well and their quickness makes them tough, disruptive matchups. While the tweener build could be an issue, their physical tools allow them to become more versatile pieces in how teams can align and utilize them.

LB: Tyler Atkinson

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 9

Comp: Barrett Carter, Clemson

Carter checked in at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds as a 2021 ESPN 300 linebacker. Those aren't ideal measurables, but he excelled at Clemson because his versatility allowed him to become a general sideline-to-sideline presence. We see some similarities with Atkinson. At 6-2, 210 pounds, we initially hesitated making Atkinson a five-star because of his size and lack of elite length. Ultimately, his production, versatility and competitive nature overrode that concern. With a blend of agility and speed, both can not only defend the run but can drop effectively in coverage. We feel Atkinson is even more explosive than Carter was at the same stage and could be a stronger pass-rushing presence. Carter had an excellent career with the Tigers as a three-down defender. Atkinson, despite not having elite size, can have impact ability and be a highly productive Power 4 linebacker in the same mold.

CB: Elbert Hill

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 12

Comp: Jahdae Barron, Texas

At 5-foot-11, neither Hill nor Barron meet the ideal height standard for corners, but their skills and production compensate to a level where evaluators are willing to overlook their size in exchange for their playmaking ability. Both are a handful to deal with on the perimeter because of their short-area explosiveness, recovery ability and the tackling mentality of a safety.

S: Jett Washington

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 15

Comp: Devin Grant, Syracuse

Finding a college comparison for Washington is difficult because of his rare size and measurables at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds. Whether he stays at safety or moves to a nickel linebacker role, there just aren't many guys built like him. Syracuse has produced two safeties over the last three years who fit the mold. One, Justin Barron, became a full-time linebacker in 2024. Grant is the other, and he has the speed, length and range to cover a lot of ground and cut down on real estate from his safety position. Washington displays the same skills and might even be a little bit more athletic.

ATH: Brandon Arrington

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 11

Comp: Jaylen Mbakwe, Alabama

Both Arrington and Mbakwe played multiple positions in high school, making the projection a bit more difficult. Mbakwe spent significant time at quarterback and has transitioned to defense, seeing significant playing time as a true freshman for Alabama. There's a good chance Arrington could end up on defense as well, but he is such an electrifying playmaker with the ball in his hands, coaches on both sides of the ball could be fighting over him once he's in the program.