Only three players across the entire country received unanimous CBS Sports Preseason All-America honors this year, setting an incredibly high bar for the upcoming college football season. Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Texas EDGE Colin Simmons, and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore are those chosen few, and it’s already clear who the experts are betting on to absolutely dominate. Smith and Moore both ended the 2025 campaign as first-team picks and are back in that spot for 2026, joined by Oregon defensive tackle A’Mauri Washington. When you get that kind of unanimous vote, you know these guys are the real deal.
Unanimous Picks and a Dual-Threat Freak Unleashed
Beyond the unanimous top dogs, one name everyone absolutely needs to watch is Miami’s Malachi Toney. This dude is a certified problem, getting picked as both a first-team all-purpose player and a second-team wide receiver. Seriously? That kind of dual selection is wild! As a freshman, Toney put up 1,211 yards and 10 touchdowns receiving, plus 13 yards and another score rushing. And get this, he even completed 4 of 7 passes for two touchdowns! Yeah, he can sling it too. On top of all that, he added 298 yards on 23 punt returns. That’s not just versatility, that’s a Swiss Army knife with a jet engine attached. When the college football season kicks off in a few weeks, everyone’s going to find out if he can keep that insane pace.
The Powerhouses Are Already Flexing Hard
When you look at the conference breakdown, it’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect: the SEC is already running the show. They snagged a ridiculous 15 first-team selections and 25 total honorees. The Big Ten? They’re next in line, but with only half as many total picks, coming in at a respectable 13. Combined, these two powerhouse conferences account for a whopping 38 out of 54 total selections. That’s 70% of the entire team, with 10 SEC programs and 6 Big Ten programs represented. It’s a two-horse race, and let’s be real, one of those horses already has a massive lead.
Individually, Texas is leading the charge with five overall picks, and get this: every single one of those Longhorns made the first team. That’s a huge statement from a single program! Oregon, LSU, and Miami (FL) are right behind them with four total selections each, with the Ducks boasting three first-teamers. Even reigning champion Indiana got three players selected, alongside powerhouses like Georgia, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, and Texas Tech. The talent is concentrated, big time.
Oregon’s Unprecedented Preseason Haul Just Set the Bar
But let’s talk about Oregon for a sec, because they are making serious noise before anyone even takes a snap. Quarterback Dante Moore was named the 2026 CBS Sports Preseason Player of the Year, and head coach Dan Lanning earned recognition as the 2026 CBS Sports Preseason Coach of the Year. That’s a massive double-whammy for the Ducks! Having your starting QB and your head coach singled out like that before the season even starts? That tells you everything about the massive expectations building around that program. Is this their year to truly break through?
With the college football season “just a few weeks away,” all eyes will be locked on these players and programs. Can Oregon live up to the massive preseason hype with their coach and QB getting all this love? Will Malachi Toney continue to be an absolute highlight reel? We’re about to find out, and it’s going to be a must-watch, wild ride of a season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply