Recruiting rankings are what they are. They're fun for fans to look at, but in the end, you'll see just as many top 100 kids miss as you'll see top 500 kids hit. I'd call it an inexact science, but there's no science involved. It's educated guesswork.
For instance, this year's No. 1 pick in Thursday's NFL Draft was ranked the No. 2,535-best player in his high school class. There were 190 quarterbacks in Fernando Mendoza's class ranked above him.
Now, did anyone foresee this skinny kid, who was headed to Yale before Cal swooped in, to become a Heisman Trophy winner and lead perennial loser Indiana to a national championship? Of course not. But it's a reminder recruiting rankings mean squat. But we still love them.
Analysis for every pick: 2026 NFL Draft Round 1 grades
The NFL Draft regularly produces its most memorable moments off the stage, when selections end with a handshake or embrace from the commissioner.See the moments when draft night emotions peak as Roger Goodell greets players hearing their names called.Above, Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the New York Jets as the number two pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
1 / 6Roger Goodell shares hugs with players on the NFL draft stageThe NFL Draft regularly produces its most memorable moments off the stage, when selections end with a handshake or embrace from the commissioner.See the moments when draft night emotions peak as Roger Goodell greets players hearing their names called.Above, Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the New York Jets as the number two pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
The NFL Draft regularly produces its most memorable moments off the stage, when selections end with a handshake or embrace from the commissioner.See the moments when draft night emotions peak as Roger Goodell greets players hearing their names called.Above, Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the New York Jets as the number two pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
USA TODAY Sports broke down how 2026 first round picks were ranked coming out of high school, which includes Max Iheanachor, who went No. 21 and doesn't have a high school recruiting profile.
The rankers got some right. Of the 32 first-round picks, 15 were ranked within the top 100 of their graduating class. But nearly as many (12) were ranked outside the top 500. Of those 12, eight were outside the top 900.
Here's a look at where they ranked as prospects using 247Sports Composite rankings.
2-stars, No. 2,535 in nation, No. 311 in Florida, No. 191 QB
4-stars, No. 66 in nation, No. 5 in California, No. 7 EDGE
4-stars, No. 80 in nation, No. 2 in Missouri, No. 6 RB
4-stars, No. 60 in nation, No. 13 in Florida, No. 9 WR
4-stars, No. 212 in nation, No. 5 in Ohio, No. 22 LB
3-stars, No. 651 in nation, No. 15 in Maryland, No. 59 CB
Washington Commanders: LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State)
New Orleans Saints: WR Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State)
3-stars, No. 920 in nation, No. 132 in Texas, No. 131 WR
5-stars, No. 10 in nation, No. 2 in Florida, No. 2 OT