# 2026 college football player projections

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/2026-college-football-player-projections
> Updated: 2026-08-18T11:10:39.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

During SEC Media Days, Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy announced his return for the 2026 season, stating his “unfinished business” is to win a national championship. Lacy, a transfer from Missouri, follows a 2025 season in which he recorded 1,567 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns.

As the 2026 season approaches, Lacy has been projected as a top contender for the Doak Walker Award. Other prominent college football players identified as award contenders include Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith for the Biletnikoff Award and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore for the Jim Thorpe Award.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-18: College football stars projected for major 2026 awards

Key college football stars, including Kewan Lacy of Ole Miss and Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State, are projected as top contenders for major 2026 individual awards.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/college-football-stars-projected-for-major-2026-awards

### 2026-07-21: Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy aims for national title at SEC Media Days

Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy, who logged 1,567 yards and 24 TDs in 2025, announced his 2026 return and goal of a national championship at SEC Media Days, joining QB Trinidad Chambliss under new coach Pete Golding.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ole-miss-running-back-kewan-lacy-aims-for-national-title-at-sec-media-days

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Cite as: 2026 college football player projections. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/2026-college-football-player-projections