AP Names 2026 College Football Preseason All-American Teams Ahead of Kickoff
The Associated Press released its 2026 college football preseason All-American teams this week, highlighting the players expected to headline the sport heading into the season’s official kickoff later this month — though the selections come with the usual caveat that injuries and shifting form throughout the year can quickly reshape the list.
Quarterback: Moore Leads a Deep Group
Oregon’s Dante Moore earned first-team recognition at quarterback after a career year that saw him opt to return to Eugene rather than enter the 2026 NFL Draft, according to On3’s coverage of the selections. Ole Miss transfer Trinidad Chambliss earned second-team honors at the position.
Moore’s return to Oregon was widely viewed as one of the more significant offseason decisions in the sport, given the Ducks’ consistent standing among the season’s national title contenders and Moore’s individual trajectory as a passer heading into his junior campaign.
Defensive Front: Auburn’s Breakout Star Headlines
On the defensive line, Auburn’s Keldric Faulk earned first-team recognition after a standout 2025 season in which he recorded 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks in his first year with the program, according to On3. The AP’s panel viewed Faulk, alongside teammates and fellow first-team honorees, as positioned for an even stronger follow-up season in 2026.
Secondary: Georgia and Notre Dame Dominate
The defensive backfield selections were dominated by two programs in particular. Georgia placed multiple players on the first team, including cornerback Ellis Robinson IV and safety KJ Bolden, while Notre Dame’s Leonard Moore earned first-team cornerback honors, according to On3. Oregon safety Koi Perich and Alabama defensive back Bray Hubbard rounded out the first-team secondary selections.
On3’s analysis specifically flagged the secondary battle between Georgia and Notre Dame as one of the more compelling storylines of the preseason list, given both programs’ recent track record of producing NFL-caliber defensive back talent.
Second-team secondary honorees included Oregon cornerback Brandon Finney Jr., Alabama cornerback Zabien Brown, Notre Dame safety Brauntae Johnson, LSU safety Ty Benefield, and Mississippi defensive back Kelley Jones.
Why Preseason Lists Come With a Caveat
On3’s own coverage was careful to frame the list appropriately: as of publication, these represent the players considered most likely to earn All-American recognition based on returning production and expected roles — but the list is inherently provisional. Player performance rises and falls throughout a season, and injuries can remove even the most highly regarded preseason selections from contention entirely before postseason honors are finalized.
The Bigger Picture: Season Kickoff Approaches
The preseason All-American announcement lands as the 2026 college football season approaches its official start. FBS training camps opened in early August, and the season’s first games begin August 27 with Week 0 matchups, followed by the first full national Saturday on September 5. Programs across the country’s major conferences — including the Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and others — have spent the preseason finalizing depth charts and working through position battles ahead of that opening slate.
FAQ
Who was named the AP’s preseason first-team All-American quarterback? Oregon’s Dante Moore, following a standout 2025 season that led him to return to school rather than enter the NFL Draft.
Which programs had the most players on the preseason first team? Georgia and Notre Dame both placed multiple players on the first-team defensive secondary, reflecting both programs’ recent strength at that position.
Who was the top defensive lineman on the list? Auburn’s Keldric Faulk earned first-team recognition after recording 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 2025.
Does the preseason All-American team predict who will win postseason honors? Not necessarily. The list reflects expectations based on returning production heading into the season, but injuries and performance shifts throughout the year frequently change who ultimately earns end-of-season recognition.
When does the 2026 college football season begin? Week 0 games start August 27, with the first full national Saturday of the season arriving September 5.
Conclusion
The AP’s preseason All-American selections offer an early snapshot of who college football insiders expect to define the 2026 season, with Oregon’s Dante Moore, Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, and a deep crop of Georgia and Notre Dame defensive backs headlining the list. As always with preseason honors, the real test comes once the games actually begin — with the season’s August 27 kickoff now just over a week away, these projections will start facing real competition soon enough.
Sources: On3 (reporting dated August 18, 2026).