Spring evaluations drive 2026 On300 rankings update
On3 has updated its On300 football prospect rankings for the 2026 cycle. This update comes on the heels of the initial On300 release in March.
We’ve spent the last several months building out the On3 rankings for the 2026 cycle. This includes adding first-time ratings for dozens of prospects. Over 700 2026 prospects have ratings from On3. Furthermore, this update features 14 new entrants into the On300.
The last month has also allowed for more information to be gathered on prospects who were previously ranked in the initial On300. For many, it’s as simple as verified heights and weights, testing results and track times. The flow of actionable information can be uneven and incomplete at this early stage. That’s why we’re constantly looking to update and tweak the rankings as we learn more about the prospects.
We’re around than 20 months away from the final rankings for the 2026 cycle. We’re ranking prospects off of their sophomore seasons and are looking to forecast several years down the line. There’s a ton of football left to be played. Some prospects are new to football. Many will look much different physically over the course of the next year. Hundreds of FBS prospects have yet to emerge. It is critical to note that how these prospects develop and play as juniors and (most importantly) seniors will heavily outweigh these initial underclassman rankings.
With that said, lets take a look at some storylines within this updated 2026 On300.
Jackson Cantwell joins the five-star group
Offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell (No. 4) is the lone new five-star in this update, joining defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart (No. 1), wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. (No. 2) and previous five-star outlier offensive tackle Immanuel Iheanacho (No. 3) among the five-star ranks.
At 6-foot-7.5, 305 pounds, Cantwell offers an outstanding combination of size, explosive strength and athleticism. The Nixa (Mo.) High standout boasts a big-framed, well-proportioned build. He shows a strong anchor and moves well. Cantwell plays behind his pads and sinks his hips to explode through much shorter defensive linemen. A three-sport athlete, Cantwell (basketball, track and field) doubles as a national standout thrower in the shot put, where he’s posted eye-popping results, which supports the physical skills we see on Friday nights. Earlier this spring, he posted an utterly amazing 74-9.75 foot shot put throw, good for second nationally and eighth all-time in high school track and field. The son of two Olympian throwers, Cantwell is a prospect with a number of positive indicators. In addition to his readymade size, on-field skills and athletic profile, he’s also one of the younger top offensive linemen in the class, turning 16 years-old in May. Cantwell holds offers from a who’s who of college football, with programs like Georgia, Missouri, Nebraska, Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Oregon among those in the mix early on.
Movement within the top 30
After the four five-stars, the remainder of the top ten remains the same with a few minor shakeups within the group: IOL Lamar Brown (No. 5), OT initial On3 outlier John Turntine (No. 6), ATH Brandon Arrington (No. 7), initial On3 outlier EDGE Zion Elee (No. 8), EDGE Anthony Jones (No. 9) and safety Blaine Bradford (No. 10).
Several other prospects ascended within the top 30.
Cornerback RJ Sermons (No. 15) has shown one of the better size/speed combinations at the position to this point. The Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) High product ran well under 11.0 seconds in all 10 100 meter races this track season, consistently showing high-end speed.
EDGE Hezekiah Harris (No. 16) is a high upside pass rusher who touts one of he more physically-imposing frames at the position early on. Harris measured in at 6-foot-5 and over 230 pounds with elite length for the position earlier in the spring.
Athlete Derrek Cooper (No. 17) is set to play his junior season at Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna and has put together a strong off-season. After earning On3 Top Performer honors at Under Armour’s Miami Camp, Cooper posted a personal best of 10.88 seconds in the 100 meters. A potential running back or safety/linebacker, Cooper is a name to know out of South Florida in 2026.
Georgia quarterback commit Jared Curtis (No. 19) moves into the top 20. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder was the On3 MVP at Under Armour’s Nasvhille camp after turning in a standout performance. Curtis has one of the strongest arms in the country with the ability to drive the ball with significant velocity to all levels. The ball jumps out of his hand. There’s no denying the Bulldog pledge is a top arm talent. Curtis joins fellow quarterbacks Faizon Brandon (No. 11) and Dia Bell (No. 14) inside the top 20.
Jonaz Walton (No. 30) moves up within the running back ranks. The Carrollton (Ga.) Central product had one of the more productive and efficient sophomore seasons at the position, rushing for 1,683 yards and 22 touchdowns at 8.8 yards per carry. Walton showed some impressive speed on the track this spring posting a personal best of 10.63 seconds in the100 meters.
Big movers within the top 100
This update saw a handful of prospects make big moves within the top 100.
Running back Damarius Yates (No. 31) made the highest debut in the On300. The 5-foot-9.5, 180-pounder has some of the best sophomore film of the running back group, flashing outstanding change of direction and instincts in the open field. Yates is a fluid, loose runner with dangerous cutback ability. The De Kalb (Miss.) Kemper County product rushed for 1,129 yards and 19 touchdowns at nearly 11 yards per carry as a sophomore, while adding seven receiving touchdowns.
Safety Bralan Womack (No. 53) is another prospect from the Magnolia State to make a big debut in the On300. A dynamic three phase playmaker on Friday nights as a receiver, defensive back and return man, Womack was a standout and On3 Top Performer at Under Armour’s Nashville camp earlier in the spring. The Brandon (Miss.) Hartfield Academy star registered as a strong athlete and made a ton of plays on the ball in 1-on-1’s. His size, athleticism and coverage instincts made an impression and added further context to what we saw on his junior film.
Running back Davian Groce (No. 59) has a physical and technical skill set that sets him apart early on. At over 6-feet and around 200 pounds, Groce is a big back who doubles as one of the best pass catchers at the position to this point in the cycle. The Frisco (Texas) Lone Star product rushed for 935 yards and 12 touchdowns at 7.7 yards per carry, while adding 563 yards and five touchdowns as a receiver. Groce has also laid down a 10.90 second mark in the 100 meters this spring.
At nearly 6-foot-3 and around 165 pounds, USC cornerback commit Brandon Lockhart (No. 69) is one of the taller top corners in 2026. Lockhart had a positive showing at Under Armour’s Los Angeles camp earlier in the spring, showing good cover ability to go with top end speed.
Wide receiver Jordon Gidron (No. 94) has shown the ability to separate at all levels, both on Friday nights and in the camp setting. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder is a functional mover with change of direction and top end speed. He proved to be a tough cover at Under Armour’s Charlotte camp and recently took home state titles in the 100 meters (10.70 seconds) and 200 meters (21.63 seconds).
Checking the early commits
22 prospects within the 2026 On300 are currently committed. Florida State’s top-ranked class leads the way with four On300 commits early on.
WR Chris Henry Jr. (No. 2) – Ohio State
QB Jared Curtis (No. 19) – Georgia
DL Tony Cumberland (No. 22) – Oregon
LB Rodney Colton (No. 33) – South Carolina
LB Izayia Williams (No. 41) – Syracuse
RB Jonathan Hatton Jr. (No. 47) – Oklahoma
ATH Demetres Samuel Jr. (No. 52) – Syracuse
ATH Efrem White (No. 54) – Florida State
CB Dorian Barney (No. 61) – Alabama
ATH Darryon Williams (No. 62) – Florida State
LB Jordan Campbell (No. 65) – Miami
CB Brandon Lockhart (No. 69) – USC
RB Messiah Mickens (No. 90) – Penn State
RB Raycine Guillory (No. 98) – Texas
OT Carson Nielsen (No. 112) – Iowa
CB Jaelen Waters (No. 155) – Florida State
CB Dominick Kelly (No. 180) – USC
CB Jamarrion Gordon (No. 205) – Alabama
OT Andrew Trout (No. 214) – Minnesota
S Darryl Bell III (No. 226) – Florida State
RB Ansu Sanoe (No. 286) – Washington
WR Malachi Toney (No. 292) – Miami