Big Ten Insiders Identify 15 Potential Breakout Players for 2026 Season
A new report from CBS Sports highlights 15 athletes poised for significant performance leaps, including transfers and young talents from Indiana, Oregon, Nebraska, and USC.
Big Ten insiders have identified 15 players poised for breakout performances in the 2026 college football season, according to a report by CBS Sports. The list features a mix of transfers and emerging talents from various conference programs, including Indiana, Oregon, Nebraska, USC, Penn State, Ohio State, Washington, Iowa, Michigan State, UCLA, and Michigan. The report attributes the potential for these players' success to increased playing opportunities, favourable scheme fits, and offseason development.
Key figures highlighted in the analysis include Indiana defensive end Burnham, Oregon linebacker Jackson, Nebraska running back Jamal Rule, and USC offensive lineman Boucard. Burnham, a transfer from Notre Dame, is viewed as a seasoned veteran needed at a premium position following Indiana's draft losses. With 17 career tackles for loss and six sacks, he is expected to complement Kansas State transfers Chiddi Obiazor and Tobi Osunsanmi in a competitive edge-rusher rotation.
At Oregon, linebacker Jackson is positioned to take on expanded leadership responsibilities after tone-setter Bryce Boettcher departed for the NFL. Described by coaches as a "freak" athlete with 4.3 speed in the 40-yard dash, Jackson has spent previous seasons developing behind veterans. His ability to play sideline-to-sideline in space aligns with head coach Dan Lanning’s defensive requirements, and he is expected to capitalise on the snaps and production now available to him.
Nebraska’s offensive outlook features running back Jamal Rule, whose physical, downhill style fits head coach Matt Rhule’s vision for a gritty offensive identity. Rule, who recently scored a 75-yard touchdown in spring practice, has adjusted quickly to the college game and is seen as a serious contender for meaningful carries. His emergence adds depth to a backfield that requires physicality and reliability in the rushing attack.
On the defensive line, USC’s Boucard offers disruptive potential against the run, a area where the Trojans have sought greater consistency. While he may serve in a rotational capacity initially, his ability to occupy blockers and collapse running lanes is viewed as critical for a unit aiming to contend for conference titles. The report notes that several future NFL prospects are waiting for their moment across the league, with these 15 players identified as those most likely to become major storylines this fall.
