Key Non-QB Battles Shaping 2026 College Football Playoff Race
Spring practice season—it’s that weird, crucial stretch where college football teams start poking at their rosters, trying to figure out what they’ve really got. Coaches are watching everything: who’s growing, which recruits might actually matter, and how to patch things up after last year’s departures.
Sure, quarterback competitions hog the spotlight, but honestly, some of the wildest position battles this spring aren’t even at QB. Across the country, these non-quarterback shakeups could absolutely change the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture for 2026.
Let’s look at a few of the most intriguing position battles as teams chase their massive expectations—or at least try to avoid disappointment.
Contents
Alabama’s Offensive Line Overhaul
Alabama’s spring feels like a total reset, especially up front. The offensive line? Almost unrecognizable. Six of last season’s seven starters are gone, so head coach Kalen DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb are basically starting from scratch.
Michael Carroll is the lone returner, and his versatility means he could land at guard or tackle on the right. Over at left tackle, redshirt freshman Jackson Lloyd—one of those “big deal” California recruits—seems like the guy for now.
Coaches are mixing and matching, testing out 7-8 linemen to see who fits where. It’s about more than just blocking; the whole line has to gel to give either Austin Mack or Keelon Russell a shot at winning the QB job.
Key Players to Watch
- Michael Carroll – Can play just about anywhere on the line, which is handy right now
- Jackson Lloyd – Redshirt freshman, big expectations at left tackle
- Adrian Klemm – New O-line coach, and honestly, he’s got his hands full
Georgia’s Wide Receiver Rebuild
Georgia’s wide receiver room is almost unrecognizable. Four of the top five pass catchers are gone to the NFL, which—let’s be real—leaves a massive gap.
London Humphries is the only familiar face left. Meanwhile, Isiah Canion came in from Georgia Tech but is stuck on the sidelines with an ankle injury, so that plan’s on hold.
That means doors are wide open for new guys. Talyn Taylor, who was a five-star prospect (and is still working back from a collarbone thing), and redshirt sophomore Sacovie White-Helton are getting real chances to prove themselves.
Emerging Stars
- Talyn Taylor – Super hyped recruit, finally healthy-ish
- Sacovie White-Helton – Track speed, and maybe ready for a bigger role
- Lawson Luckie and Elyiss Williams – Tight ends who could see way more targets
Michigan’s Defensive Line Transition
Michigan’s defense is in for a shakeup, especially on the line. Four of the top six defensive tackles are gone, and so are key edge rushers like Derrick Moore, Jaishawn Barham, and TJ Guy.
New head coach Kyle Whittingham and DC Jay Hill have their work cut out for them. Former Utah end John Henry Daley was supposed to be a big piece, but he’s still working back from an Achilles injury.
So, it’s up to guys like Cameron Brandt and Dominic Nichols to step up. The pressure’s on, and honestly, it’s hard to say how quickly they’ll figure it out.
Players to Watch
- John Henry Daley – Could be the top pass rusher if he gets healthy
- Cameron Brandt and Dominic Nichols – Both looking at much bigger roles
- Trey Pierce and Enow Etta – Important for the inside of the line
Ohio State’s Linebacker Depth
Ohio State had a pretty sweet linebacker situation last year with Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese—both could be top-10 NFL picks soon. Now? They’re gone, and that’s a tough act to follow.
The Buckeyes have a mix of experience and upside. Junior Payton Pierce is getting a shot to run things at middle linebacker, while Christian Alliegro transferred in from Wisconsin to fight for outside snaps.
Sophomore TJ Alford has been turning heads too. It’s a competition, and honestly, a bit of a mystery how it’ll shake out.
Depth and Competition
- Payton Pierce – Knows the system, now needs to lead
- Christian Alliegro – New guy from Wisconsin, trying to carve out a spot
- TJ Alford – Young, but getting noticed
Texas’ Offensive Line Health
Texas fans have to be holding their breath over the O-line. Injuries are piling up—Trevor Goosby and Andre Cojoe are both recovering from surgery, which has forced the staff to get creative with lineups.
Connor Robertson, a fifth-year senior, is locked in at center. Meanwhile, Brandon Baker has shifted inside to guard after starting at right tackle.
Transfers are part of the plan, too. Melvin Siani (from Wake Forest) and Jonte Newman (from Texas A&M) are both expected to play significant roles.
Key Additions
- Connor Robertson – Veteran presence at center
- Brandon Baker – Now at guard, but has started elsewhere
- Melvin Siani and Jonte Newman – New faces who might stabilize things
USC’s Wide Receiver Revamp
USC’s offense is going to look different—no more Makai Lemon or Ja’Kobi Lane, both off to the NFL. Senior Lake McRee is gone too, so the Trojans are leaning heavily on Tanook Hines, who’s back for another round.
They’ve added Terrell Anderson from NC State, hoping he adapts fast. There’s also a lot of buzz around freshmen like five-star tight end Mark Bowman and four-star slot guy Trent Mosley.
New Faces
- Tanook Hines – Could be set for a breakout
- Terrell Anderson – Transfer with a lot to prove
- Mark Bowman and Trent Mosley – Freshmen with a shot to play early
Washington’s Running Back Situation
Washington’s backfield is, well, pretty thin right now. Injuries have piled up, so true freshman Brian Bonner is suddenly in the spotlight.
With Jonah Coleman and Adam Mohammed gone and guys like Jayden Limar and Trey Cooley hurt, Bonner’s getting thrown into the fire. Redshirt freshman Quaid Carr is also in the mix, and the hope is someone can step up to help out quarterback Demond Williams.
Injury Impact
- Brian Bonner – True freshman expected to take on a significant role
- Quaid Carr – Redshirt freshman in the rotation
- Jayden Limar and Trey Cooley – Key players recovering from injuries
Spring practice is rolling along, and these position battles? They’re going to matter—a lot—when it comes to the 2026 College Football Playoff picture.
Coaches are still searching for the right mix, hoping to squeeze every bit of potential out of their squads. You never really know how it all shakes out until the pads are on and the lights are bright, right?
If you want to dig deeper into these battles, here’s a link to CBS Sports with more details.
