Early 2026 NFL Mock Draft Sends Shockwaves Through College Football with Surprise Picks and Rising Stars Shaking Up Projections
The 2026 NFL Draft is still months away, but that hasn’t stopped the football world from buzzing after the release of a new mock draft that is already sending seismic shockwaves through college football. While early mocks are often speculative and fluid, this particular projection has drawn intense attention from analysts, coaches, and fans alike due to its surprising top picks, unexpected omissions, and the emergence of players previously flying under the radar. The ripple effects from this mock are already being felt across the collegiate landscape, with implications not just for the draft itself, but for the 2025 college football season as a whole.
At the center of the buzz is a bold prediction: a defensive player, not a quarterback, goes No. 1 overall. This alone marks a significant departure from recent draft trends, where quarterbacks have dominated the top of the board year after year. According to the mock draft in question, the projected first overall pick is Georgia edge rusher Malik Evers, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound powerhouse who terrorized opposing backfields during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Evers’ rise has been meteoric, and scouts have become enamored with his combination of speed, power, and technique.
Analysts believe Evers could be a Myles Garrett-type force in the NFL, and if his current trajectory holds, he could become the first defensive player to go No. 1 overall since Travon Walker in 2022. The mock’s boldness in placing Evers atop the board underscores how dominant he has been in SEC play and how NFL teams may value a game-changing pass rusher more than a quarterback in this particular class.
Of course, the quarterbacks aren’t far behind. The mock draft has three signal-callers going in the top ten, led by USC’s Julian Blake at No. 2 overall. Blake, a dual-threat phenom entering his junior year, is viewed as the best all-around quarterback prospect in the class. He possesses elite arm strength, poise in the pocket, and the ability to create off-script—all qualities that NFL front offices covet. If he continues to develop under Lincoln Riley, Blake could easily reclaim the top spot as the process unfolds.
Another eyebrow-raising selection is the placement of Clemson’s Cade Klubnik at No. 6 overall. After an up-and-down 2024 campaign, Klubnik is viewed by some scouts as a high-ceiling, low-floor prospect. His physical tools are impressive, and with another year of refinement under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, he could put together the kind of breakout season that elevates his draft stock into the elite tier. This projection is clearly betting on that upside—and it has certainly sparked debate.
Perhaps the most surprising inclusion in the top ten is Oklahoma State wide receiver Jalen Shaw, a player who wasn’t even on most draft radars this time last year. The mock projects Shaw to go No. 9 overall, praising his explosive acceleration, route nuance, and competitive toughness. His sudden emergence speaks to the evolving nature of college football, where transfer portal moves and breakout seasons can rapidly reshape the draft narrative.
On the other end of the spectrum, several highly touted names are conspicuously absent from the first round. Alabama quarterback Jaxson Miller, once thought to be a surefire top-five pick, is left out entirely. His omission reflects concerns over turnover issues and inconsistency against high-level defenses. While Miller still has time to prove himself, the message is clear: no prospect is guaranteed a draft slot based on reputation alone.
Also absent is Michigan offensive tackle Ryan Booker, a former five-star recruit whose stock has dipped due to lingering injury issues and underwhelming film in 2024. Once projected as a top-15 lock, Booker’s slide is a cautionary tale about the unforgiving nature of draft evaluation, where durability and current performance often outweigh pedigree.
The mock draft has also had a significant impact on team-level narratives. For example, multiple ACC players were projected in the first round, indicating a potential resurgence for a conference that has seen its top talent frequently overshadowed by the SEC and Big Ten. North Carolina linebacker Devin Ross is projected at No. 14 overall, and Florida State cornerback Marcus Tillman lands at No. 18—both selections that reinforce the depth and quality of defensive talent in the conference.
Meanwhile, the Big Ten dominates the trenches in this mock, with four offensive linemen from the conference projected in the top 20. Ohio State’s left tackle Landon James leads the way at No. 7 overall, praised for his athletic footwork and elite hand placement. This further cements Ohio State’s reputation as an offensive line factory and suggests that the Buckeyes could have another playoff-caliber team in 2025.
Beyond individual projections, the mock draft is already influencing how teams and players approach the upcoming season. Coaching staffs are undoubtedly using these projections as motivational tools, both for those included and for those omitted. For players like Shaw and Ross, the recognition serves as validation—and raises the stakes for staying consistent. For players like Miller and Booker, it’s a wake-up call that the NFL doesn’t operate on hype—it responds to production and progress.
Recruiting may also feel the ripple effects. Prospective recruits often look at a school’s ability to produce NFL talent as a major factor in their decision. A school placing multiple players in the first round—even in a mock—can be used as a pitch in living rooms across the country. Programs like Oklahoma State, North Carolina, and Florida State will be quick to amplify the attention their stars are receiving.
Even NFL front offices are paying attention, though they’ll be the first to admit that August mock drafts hold little weight compared to actual scouting evaluations conducted during the season and at the NFL Combine. Still, these early projections help shape the public narrative and can influence which players attract the most media and fan scrutiny.
Of course, history tells us that many of these early projections won’t pan out exactly as written. Injuries, team performance, and player development will cause the board to shift dramatically by the time the real draft rolls around in April 2026. But that’s part of what makes these early mock drafts so impactful—they offer a first look at the stories that will define the coming season.
As training camps open and the countdown to kickoff begins, the players mentioned in this mock will carry both the burden and the opportunity that come with the spotlight. Every snap, every rep, and every decision will be viewed through the lens of draft stock. Coaches will protect their players, media will dissect every move, and fans will latch onto rising stars as future saviors of their favorite NFL teams.
Meanwhile, players not mentioned in the mock will work just as hard to force their way into the conversation. The snubs and surprises will be talking points throughout the fall, fueling rivalries, social media debates, and locker-room motivation. That’s the beauty—and the chaos—of college football intersecting with the NFL Draft.
So while the 2026 NFL Draft is still months away, this latest mock has already made its mark. It’s a spark in the powder keg of preseason anticipation, a set of predictions that will be tested and twisted by the unpredictable nature of the sport. Some names will rise, others will fall, and new stars will inevitably emerge.
But one thing is certain: the path to the 2026 NFL Draft has begun, and college football will never be the same.
