​In the new world of college football – thanks to the NIL money and transfer portal – players often stick around a little bit longer. That means they get time to grow, mature, and improve.And then they go from great to amazing.Fernando Mendoza was good at Cal, and a legend at Indiana. CJ Carr was an untested prospect last year at this time, and then he ripped it up for Notre Dame. Who will be this year’s new superstar who takes his game to another level?26 for ’26, No. 6: College Football’s 10 New Superstars26: Winningest Programs Yet To Make the CFP25: ACC Key Questions24: Big 12 Key Questions23: Big Ten Key Questions22: Top 2027 NFL Draft Prospects21: SEC Key Questions20: What’s Next in Realignment?19. Ranking all 30 New Head Coaches18. Who Has the Easiest Schedules?17. Who Has the Hardest Schedules?16. Who Might Be the Next Indiana?15. Group of Six Teams with Best CFP Shot14. 5 Teams Due For a Letdown13. 5 Programs Under the Most Pressure12. 26 Bold Predictions11. 5 Teams We’re Disrespecting10. 5 Hottest Head Coaching Prospects9. Biggest Games of the Season8. Coaches On Hot Seat7. Teams About to SurpriseDeSean Bishop, RB TennesseeJosh Heupel’s offense knows how to get big production from the backs – Dylan Sampson led the SEC in rushing by a mile in 2024, tearing off almost 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns.Last season, with Sampson gone to the Cleveland Browns, Bishop took over and ran for close to 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns – averaging 5.9 yards per carry, just like Sampson did. The main man for the Tennessee offense should push past 200 carries and be among the nation’s top backs.Cam Coleman, WR TexasLooking for something pretentious to say at your next dinner party? Throw out the idea that Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith might not be the first wide receiver selected in the 2027 NFL Draft.The 6-3, 200-pound Coleman has size, 4.4 speed, and caught 93 passes for over 1,300 yards and 13 scores in two years at Auburn. Now he has Arch Manning throwing to him as the new Texas No. 1 target.(And, by the way, Smith actually will be the first receiver off the board.)Cam Cook, RB West VirginiaThe nation’s leading rusher is back, and now he’s on a bigger stage. Cook started his career at TCU with a little bit of success over two seasons. Meanwhile, Jacksonville State head coach Rich Rodriguez’s offense was ripping off rushing yards in chunks. He left for West Virginia. Cook became a Gamecock anyway, and 1,659 yards and 16 touchdowns later, he put together a massive season.Now he’s with Rodriguez in Morgantown, where he should be deep in the Doak Walker Award hunt as the nation’s top running back.Chris Henry Jr., WR Ohio StateApr 18, 2026; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. (15) sprints out of the rain storms following the second half as part of the annual spring game at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images The world will be watching Ohio State this year because it’s Ohio