Gorney’s predictions: Jackson Cantwell, Drew Allar, Clemson profitable all of it
Rivals nationwide recruiting director Adam Gorney has 3 predictions on Drew Allar’s draft standing, Clemson’s upbeat expectancies and five-star offensive take on Jackson Cantwell.
MORE GORNEY: Recruiting rumor mill
1. DREW ALLAR WILL BE FIRST QB DRAFTED
Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice launched his most sensible 25 Big Board for the 2026 NFL Draft and he didn’t have Penn State quarterback Drew Allar integrated. Four quarterbacks made the checklist in Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, South Carolina’s L. a.Norris Sellers, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik.
No Arch Manning. But additionally no Allar and that turns out like a overlooked alternative. Allar was once a four-star prospect for Rivals however will have to had been upper as a result of he had this type of nice arm popping out of highschool and has turn into one of the vital absolute best faculty quarterbacks even with out an enormous supporting forged.
Remember, in Penn State’s 23-20 loss to Notre Dame within the College Football Playoff semifinal, no Nittany Lions receiver had a catch. Allar, who did throw a foul interception to present the Irish the win, was once no longer operating with Ohio State’s receiving corps. Maybe no longer even Ohio’s.
But he’s made it paintings. Allar finished greater than 66 p.c of his passes closing season for greater than 3,300 yards and 24 touchdowns. He led Penn State to the Final Four of College Football. His receiving corps principally throughout the portal can be a lot better this 12 months and Penn State may well be the No. 1 workforce in preseason polls.
Allar is trending up and that are meant to handiest proceed throughout the pre-draft procedure.
2. CLEMSON WILL WIN THE NATTY
Over the decade, the one groups to win a couple of nationwide championships are Alabama, Georgia and Clemson. The Tigers haven’t received one since 2018 and a few argue that this system has taken a step again.
Let’s see if that speak sustains after 2025.
Former five-stars Cade Klubnik and defensive take on Peter Woods appear to be first-round locks for the NFL Draft. TJ Parker, who was once a perimeter five-star prospect, may finally end up going within the first as neatly, particularly if he continues to play so neatly.
The Tigers have an elite quarterback, tremendous proficient receivers, a cast offensive line after which the entrance seven may well be the most efficient within the nation. Clemson is solely completely loaded at the defensive position and at linebacker.
Some key switch additions on protection together with Purdue’s Will Heldt and Alabama’s Jeremiah Alexander, some other former five-star who hasn’t lived as much as expectancies but, will have dominant seasons as neatly.
Another nationwide championship is inside of hanging distance and the Tigers will have to be the favourite. If that occurs, Clemson will be the handiest workforce with 3 within the closing decade. Clemson falling off? The Tigers by no means left.
MORE CLEMSON: Commitment checklist for 2026 magnificence
3. CANTWELL IS HEADED TO THE DAWGS
On Thursday, there was once a coordinated effort by means of former Miami stars together with Bryant McKinnie to touch five-star Jackson Cantwell on social media and inform him about enjoying for the Hurricanes. Cantwell, in natural Midwest shape, replied to every gracefully and thanked them for hitting him up.
The Nixa, Mo., standout will make his announcement on Tuesday. Cantwell, ranked atop the 2026 Rivals250, may be coming off a very good discuss with again to Oregon because the Ducks attempt to get some recruiting momentum after lacking out on five-star quarterback Jared Curtis, four-star receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and others.
But within the remaining days, in spite of the most efficient efforts of others, I nonetheless have Cantwell headed to Georgia.
From early in his recruitment, Cantwell and his trainer have mentioned them selecting the proper position for his NFL construction. He sees what Georgia has finished, what the Bulldogs produce once a year within the NFL Draft and the prime expectancies put on avid gamers to win on the best possible stage in Athens.
That doesn’t scare him off. It attracts him in. And the ones are simply one of the crucial the reason why Georgia lands the No. 1 participant.