Gorney’s Predictions: Michigan, Auburn, 2026 QBs
Rivals nationwide recruiting director Adam Gorney has a trio of predictions on who will find yourself No. 1 within the 2026 class, Bryce Underwood and the way Auburn’s season will prove subsequent season.
1. A quarterback will find yourself No. 1 in 2026
No offense to Jackson Cantwell as a result of he’s an superior offensive sort out with all of the elite expertise of somebody who could possibly be a famous person within the NFL – plus he has the pedigree since each of his dad and mom have been Olympic athletes – however the 2026 quarterback class is just too good to not have one among them No. 1 total.
And the NFL Draft historical past is such that if there’s an elite quarterback then they need to nearly at all times be No. 1 since they’re means most of the time taken off the board first.
We give Folsom, Calif., standout Ryder Lyons a slight edge due to his dual-threat capabilities and unimaginable playmaking skills, however he’s additionally taking a Mormon mission after highschool so we do marvel how he’ll come again and the way that may translate to him dominating on the school degree and past.
Proper behind Lyons is Tennessee commit Faizon Brandon, one other big-time playmaker who might positively push to No. 1 after an enormous season at Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley.
Fourth total within the class is Nashville (Tenn.) Christian QB Jared Curtis, who was dedicated to Georgia early on however backed off that pledge as a result of he needed to have an open thoughts when taking different visits. Curtis is an exceptional playmaker, can throw from each arm angle and has a gunslinger mentality, however performs below-average competitors.
It’s not a complete lock however the prediction is that on the finish of this cycle – and even earlier than – a quarterback takes over the No. 1 spot.
2. Bryce Underwood shall be a Heisman candidate subsequent 12 months
Not too long ago, I did a narrative on 10 gamers to look at within the Heisman race for 2025 however I left off somebody who may not solely be within the dialogue however has the expertise to win it. He will definitely have the chance as Michigan didn’t bid up big – and get Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison concerned – for Bryce Underwood to face on the sidelines.
One of many largest tales round Nationwide Signing Day was the five-star quarterback from Belleville, Mich., flipping his pledge from LSU to Michigan. The Wolverines are in dire want of quarterback assist after quite a few makes an attempt this season didn’t work out and so they slid from nationwide champions to 7-5 (though they did beat Ohio State for the fourth-straight 12 months).
Underwood has all of the instruments to not solely be a particular school quarterback and a first-round decide however he’s an correct passer and a fantastic runner. His dual-threat stats – and his platform as Michigan’s quarterback – will propel him into the Heisman speak.
Possibly Oklahoma’s John Mateer or Texas’ Arch Manning run away with the prize however Underwood isn’t solely ok to be within the dialog, he’s ok to win the entire thing as a freshman.
3. Auburn will win at the very least 9 video games subsequent season
Auburn has not received 9 video games since 2019 and the Tigers have endured four-straight dropping seasons so I may be leaping the gun right here however I truly consider not solely will Auburn be much better subsequent season however with an elite quarterback now, coach Hugh Freeze’s offensive imaginative and prescient can lastly be realized.
Former coach Bryan Harsin was fired earlier than his two-year span confirmed an 11-14 file. Guess what Freeze’s file is after two years? Yep, 11-14.
However Auburn has recruited so a lot better beneath Freeze, the crew is loaded with playmakers at receiver, the protection is greater than strong and now quarterbacks Jackson Arnold, Ashton Daniels to some extent and excessive four-star Deuce Knight are coming to city.
Arnold received a foul deal at Oklahoma as he waited his flip after which received yanked early within the season solely to be reinstated because the starter when the Sooners had no wholesome receivers. He ought to shine in Freeze’s offense.
The schedule isn’t simple within the SEC however it’s manageable. Beat Baylor, Ball State and South Alabama to start out the season. Beat Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Mercer late within the season. That’s eight wins proper there after which the remaining video games are Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Georgia and Alabama plus a bowl recreation. It’s not simple, however it’s doable and that’s an enormous step in the correct route.
