RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The college football season is practically upon us, and on Monday, On3 released its preseason All-America teams for the 2026 season.
You know the names and faces, some of whom were destined for greatness coming out of high school. Of the 26 players named to the First Team, 10 were blue-chip prospects. Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith , Texas EDGE Colin Simmons and Georgia safety KJ Bolden were among the five-stars in the 2024 cycle that have panned out and then some at the college level.
However, there have also been quite a few diamonds in the rough that are now at the forefront of the sport. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss , Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy and Indiana defensive tackle Tyrique Tucker are three of the six unranked high school recruits that cracked On3’s First Team. There are also eight former three-stars listed.
Rivals is looking back at the recruiting profile of each of On3’s preseason All-America First Team honorees, accompanied with commentary from senior CFB reporter Chris Low:
OFFENSE
QB — Trinidad Chambliss , Ole Miss
Recruiting Cycle: 2021 Rivals Industry Ranking: Not Ranked High School: Forest Hills Northern (Mich.)
Chambliss, now rather infamously, was an unranked prep recruit and landed at Division II Ferris State in Michigan. The dual-threat passer threw for 1,610 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior for Forest Hills Northern. He transferred to Ole Miss as a fifth-year senior last season and put his name on the national radar. After winning a sixth year of eligibility, he’s back in Oxford for one more ride with the Rebels.
Low: “Chambliss’ impact is felt throughout the entire Ole Miss locker room. He’s the kind of player who always gives you a chance, and his teammates know the play (or game) is never over when he’s on the field.”
RB — Kewan Lacy , Ole Miss
Recruiting Cycle: 2024 Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 184 NATL. (No. 16 RB) High School: Lancaster (Texas)
One of the best burners in his class in the Lone Star State, Lacy tallied 221 carries as a senior for Lancaster and turned them into more than 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns. He finished as a top-100 prospect in On3’s final 2024 rankings. Originally committed to Nebraska, Lacy backed off that pledge and eventually landed with Missouri, choosing the Tigers over Ole Miss and Alabama. He spent his freshman year in Columbia, but then entered the portal and finally found his way to Oxford. After an All-American sophomore campaign, he’ll lead the Rebels’ charge once again alongside Chambliss and new head coach Pete Golding this fall.
Low: “The second part of the Rebels’ dynamic duo in the offensive backfield, Lacy is explosive, tough and durable. He led all FBS backs in rushing attempts (306), which was a school record, and also scored a school-record 24 touchdowns last season.”
RB — Ahmad Hardy , Missouri
Recruiting Cycle: 2024 Rivals Industry Ranking: Not Ranked High School: Lawrence County (Mo.)
Another zero-to-hero success story, Hardy had 5,434 total yards across his last three seasons at Lawrence County, rushing for 54 touchdowns while also tallying over 100 tackles on defense. That didn’t lead to any big offers, however. He signed with ULM and put together a Freshman All-American season for the Warhawks. He returned to the Show-Me State last year and dominated in his first year at Mizzou. Hardy’s status for the beginning of the 2026 season remains up in the air after suffering a gunshot wound to his leg in May.
Low: “Let’s hope we see Hardy on the field sooner as opposed to later, because if healthy, he’s the best running back in college football. The 5-10, 210-pound Hardy led the nation with 1,181 yards after contact last season.”
WR — Jeremiah Smith , Ohio State
Recruiting Cycle: 2024 Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 1 NATL. High School: Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Fla.)
There was never any doubt about Smith blossoming into stardom. Before taking the college football world by storm at Ohio State, he was nearly the consensus No. 1 prospect in the 2024 cycle. Dominating for Florida powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna, he caught 151 passes over his junior and senior seasons, scoring 39 times and accruing more than 2,400 yards. The Buckeyes landed his commitment in December of 2022 and fended off the likes of Miami and Florida State for an entire year. There’s a very real chance he leaves Columbus holding a majority of the Big Ten program’s receiving records.
Low: “The 6-4, 222-pound junior is the most dynamic player in college football, and he’s also been one of the most consistent performers. He’s caught 27 touchdown passes in his first two seasons and put up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.”
WR — Malachi Toney , Miami
Recruiting Cycle: 2025 Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 420 NATL. (No. 61 WR) High School: American Heritage (Fla.)
Toney opted to reclassify up to the 2025 cycle, speeding his high school career up a year. In his final campaign with American Heritage, one of Florida’s top programs, he caught 58 receptions and 12 touchdowns, helping the Patriots win a state title. He was a four-star in his original cycle, but finished as a three-star before heading to Coral Gables. Toney committed to The U twice throughout his process. After a record-setting freshman year, he’s back in the saddle for year two with the Hurricanes this fall.
Low: “Only a true freshman, Toney was Miami’s top offensive playmaker during its run to the national championship game last season. He’s electric any time he gets his hands on the ball and set school records with 109 catches, which led all FBS receivers, and 1,211 receiving yards.”
TE — Jamari Johnson , Oregon
Recruiting Cycle: 2023 Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 344 NATL. (No. 10 TE) High School: Inglewood (Calif.)
Johnson was a high school All-American during his time at Inglewood, playing all over the offensive side of the ball and a little bit of defense, too. He was an imposing figure at the prep level and that hasn’t changed in college. The...
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