5 true freshmen to watch in the 2026 college football season – sportingnews.com

Sam Profeta
There are several incoming true freshmen that are set to make immediate impacts in the 2026 college football season. Many of whom are projected starters on offseason depth charts, and others who could make an impact later on in the season.
Jared Curtis is being given the keys to the Vanderbilt program as a true freshman following the hype that Diego Pavia brought to the Commodores over the last two seasons. Curtis was a top-3 recruit across all platforms and the second-ranked QB in the 2026 class.
He’s been listed as the starter across multiple outlets. He showed glimpses of his potential in the Vanderbilt spring game, throwing for 88 yards and leading two scoring drives. Vandy brought in three new starters on the offensive line, two receivers, and no QBs as they commit to him this season.
This one should not come as a surprise. Chris Henry was the top receiver in the 2026 class, and given their success with Jeremiah Smith as a true freshman, we can fully expect to see him involved early in the season.
Henry caught a 40-yard touchdown pass from sophomore QB Tavien St. Clair in Ohio State’s spring game.
Hiter was the top running back prospect in 2026 and should see some meaningful snaps in a run-heavy Michigan offense. Although slotted behind sophomore back Jordan Marshall, who ran for 932 yards last season, the Wolverines also saw Justice Haynes put up 857 rushing yards on just 20 fewer snaps.
That said, Michigan is in for another run-heavy season that could see Hiter make an impact in the run game.
Depending on which ranking, Jackson Cantwell has been seen as high as the second-ranked player in the country and the top-ranked offensive tackle. He finds himself in a great spot with Miami following Francis Mauigoa being drafted.
He’ll be a crucial piece to the Hurricanes’ offensive line that now needs to protect 4-star transfer QB Darian Mensah.
Although not listed as a starter, there is a possibility that Keisan Henderson could take over that role at some point in the 2026 season. Henderson was the number one QB prospect in the 2026 class ahead of Jared Curtis.
More: 5 bounce back candidates for the 2026 college football season
As it sits right now, last year’s starter, Conner Weigman, is slated to be under center as QB1 come Week 1. Weigman is coming off a 2,705-yard and 25 touchdowns season with only 9 interceptions.
We could see Henderson get some playtime if Houston finds themselves ahead. It’s also worth noting that Weigman has been benched before during his time at Texas A&M.
Sam Profeta is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has been writing professionally in the sports industry for over six years, covering college sports for multiple online publications. He graduated from Florida State University in 2019, where he reported on the Seminoles football and basketball teams on WVFS radio.
 

source