Rivals Rankings: Who's the top player at each position in 2026 class?

The initial 2026 Rivals100 was just revealed, and there are plenty of names for fans to get to know. Here's a look at the players ranked at the top of each position.

MORE 2026 RANKINGS: Meet the initial five-stars | Gorney's thoughts on class | Top 10 countdown | Who should be No. 1?

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It's a little strange that there wasn't much disagreement when it came to slotting Lewis at No. 1 overall, but he is so far ahead of the other quarterbacks in this class that the decision became an easy one. Mechanics, footwork, arm strength, accuracy, touch – Lewis has the tools and traits to be a star at the next level.

He's completing passes at a higher rate this year (67%) than last year (65%), and he hasn't thrown an interception yet (12 last year). Clearly, Lewis is progressing as a decision-maker.

Additionally, Lewis has filled out his frame a decent amount since last year, officially measuring in at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds. He moves and throws with a smoothness and natural ability that is reminiscent of former five-star QB, Heisman winner and current USC star Caleb Williams. Lewis isn't as much of a runner as Williams was but that might change as he physically develops.

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Hiter is a super-productive and tough runner who found the end zone 24 times last year while averaging more than 11 yards per carry. He's also a standout in the triple jump and long jump and has been clocked at 11.11 in the 100-meter dash. Hiter certainly has good speed, but it's his quickness and suddenness as a ball carrier that makes him different from the other running backs in this class. He can make defenders miss in the open field or run them over.

Hiter has shown reliable hands in the camp setting and has proven to be almost impossible for linebackers to guard in passing situations. His instincts and vision with the ball in his hands stand out on film as well.

There is so much to like about Henry as a prospect, not to mention the fact that he is the son of the former NFL receiver by the same. He's a huge target for quarterbacks at 6-foot-5 but the things that make him special are traits that are more prevalent in smaller receivers.

Henry runs with a low center of gravity, accelerates at an impressive rate, has great hands and shows the route-running skills of a much more mature prospect. He implements a few subtle techniques in his routes to throw defensive backs off balance.

College coaches will love how great of a run blocker Henry is, and it should help Henry find the field early in his career.

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Harrison is a fairly rare athlete at the tight end position. He is a high-end basketball player with a handful of scholarship offers on the hardwood. His future, however, is on the football field, and defenders should be very concerned with how they can match up with Harrison.

The 6-foot-7, 237-pound tight end has impressive coordination in the open field, does a great job catching the ball with his hands and is an ideal jump-ball target in the red zone. Harrison may not be overly dynamic with the ball in his hands, but he's hard to bring down.

Cantwell is 6-foot-8 and 300 pounds with two parents who both competed in the Olympics. Who wants to bet against a player with that kind of athletic profile? Joking aside, Cantwell has eye-popping traits and outstanding film. He plays with the strength you'd expect from one of the country's best shot-put throwers and consistently plays with proper leverage.

Cantwell's footwork is impressive, and he is quick out of his stance and much more nimble than defenders expect. That quickness is a major asset to Cantwell as a pass blocker. He effectively mirrors the oncoming defensive lineman and shoots his hands with power. Cantwell can have a tendency to overextend and he'll continue work on setting and resetting his hands in pass protection.

Size, strength, quickness, aggressiveness and advanced technique – Stewart has it all and should only continue to get better. In almost any other year, Stewart would probably be the top overall prospect in the Rivals250.

Considering how technically and physically advanced he is as a prospect, Stewart would have a strong case to be a five-star in the 2024 class. It will be interesting to see how his game changes as he gets older.

Listed as a strongside defensive end, Stewart has the height (6-foot-6), length (34-inch arms) and agility to play on the edge of the defense, but he has the frame of a prospect who could easily bump inside and be a dominant defensive tackle.

Brown brings a lot to the table as a defensive lineman, and he could easily play on the offensive line as well. He checks the boxes physically with a 6-foot-5 frame, a 78-inch wingspan while weighing in at 260 pounds. Brown has the quickness to give any offensive lineman problems and he has the strength to hold up at the point of attack.

He is aggressive with his hands and can quickly shed blockers on the way to the ball carrier. Brown is a strong tackler who makes a habit of throwing down ball carriers at the line of scrimmage or in the backfield.

Jones is a weapon on the defensive side of the ball who can line up in any of the linebacker positions. He is an explosive blitzer off the edge and from depth. Jones redirects quickly and routinely chases down ball carriers from behind.

His athleticism is clearly evident when watching him work in coverage. Jones shows impressive quick-twitch capabilities and closes on the ball well. He may not be as strong a tackler yet but he plays a similar style to former Notre Dame star and current Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

Bradford is a dangerous defender in the secondary. The Louisiana native is a big hitter who has no issues dislodging the ball from the hands of would-be receivers. At 6-foot-2, Bradford has the size to be an intimidating presence and be a very effective run defender.

He has good instincts and reads the quarterback well. Bradford is very comfortable playing downhill and close to the line of scrimmage. His aggressive style should translate to the next level.

Listed as an athlete, Sadler can do a bit over everything. As a receiver, he shows off outstanding burst and can be hard to catch when he has the ball in his hands. Defensive backs have a hard time keeping him from creating separation because he accelerates so quickly.

When lining up in the secondary, Sadler relies on his instincts, which usually lead to positive results. Measuring in at 5-foot-11, Sadler doesn't tower over other players but he has the strength and mass (185 pounds) to hold up against aggressive competition.