All articles tagged with #2026 class
Five-star forward Marcus Spears Jr., the top recruit in the 2027 class, reclassifies to the 2026 class to play for Texas in 2026-27, signaling an immediate impact addition for the Longhorns.
Kansas signed the consensus No. 1 recruit in the 2026 class, Tyran Stokes, boosting the Jayhawks to No. 25 in CBS Sports' Version 13 Top 25 And 1 preseason rankings. Coach Bill Self praised Stokes as a versatile scorer, rebounder and passer who’ll form KU’s core alongside fellow five-star Taylen Kinney for the 2026-27 season.
Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2026 class, committed to Kansas over Kentucky and Oregon, giving the Jayhawks their fifth pledge in the cycle. The 6-foot-7 small forward from Rainier Beach (WA) is a Louisville native who joins fellow 2026 commits Tay Kinney, Davion Adkins, Trent Perry and Luke Barnett. Stokes cited coach Bill Self’s early trust as a key reason for choosing Kansas, while scouting notes highlight his elite size, explosiveness and potential as a multi-level scorer as he continues to develop into a primary alpha player.
Miikka Muurinen, a 6-foot-10 Finnish forward and top international talent in the 2026 class (No. 15 Rivals), has committed to Arkansas after narrowing a field of about 25 offers. The 19-year-old joins a loaded Razorbacks class alongside Jordan Smith Jr., JJ Andrews and Abdou Toure, after stints with Partizan Belgrade in the EuroLeague and earlier high-school stops at Sunrise Christian (KS) and AZ Compass Prep (AZ). He played limited minutes last season (2.4 points, 1.6 rebounds in 7.6 minutes) before leaving Partizan in February.
A ranking of the nine best transfer portal classes for 2026, led by Louisville’s blockbuster haul (Flory Bidunga, Jackson Shelstad, Karter Knox) that could boost their ACC title chances, with Texas, Tennessee, Indiana, UConn, Miami, Iowa State, Missouri, and Providence filling out the rest of the top nine as programs mix portal talent with varying levels of on-campus continuity.
Chris Washington Jr., a 6-foot-8, 185-pound four-star forward ranked No. 49 in Rivals’ 2026 class, committed to Tennessee on Thursday after visiting campus, flipping from Alabama. He chose the Vols over Auburn, Ole Miss, Villanova and USC and becomes the fourth member of Tennessee’s 2026 class, joining Ralph Scott, Manny Green and Marquis Clark. The program is also adding transfer portal players to bolster the roster for the 2026-27 season.
Eric Edholm unveils his initial top-100 NFL draft prospects for the 2026 class, with Ohio State LB/Edge Arvell Reese ranked No. 1 and a diverse mix of quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, linebackers and defensive backs described with traits, upside and injury/usage notes to guide early pre-draft judgments.
BYU landed 5-star wing Bruce Branch, who announced on ESPN's NBA Today that he is committing to BYU and reclassifying to the 2026 class (from 2027). Branch stands 6-foot-7 and plays for Prolific Prep Florida (formerly Perry HS, AZ); he is ranked #6 in the 2026 cycle by 247Sports. A scout compared him to Mikal Bridges for shot-making, length and defense. BYU pursued Branch for months, hosting an official visit on Jan 26; the commitment highlights Kevin Young's recruiting reach and booster support. Branch is a knockdown shooter and high-end scoring wing who could be a 2027 lottery pick if he declares early, and he should help BYU replace departing players while contending for Big 12 Freshman of the Year next season. This marks BYU's third straight year landing a 5-star recruit (Demin and AJ Dybantsa previously).
Amid fan outrage over Bill Belichick’s first-year Hall of Fame snub, the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026 was announced: Roger Craig, Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri will be enshrined in Canton, Aug. 8. The controversy cited Deflategate/Spygate as factors in Belichick’s exclusion and Kraft’s missed inductee threshold was noted; the ceremony will take place in Canton, Ohio.
Taylor Swift becomes the youngest-ever woman inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, joining Alanis Morissette in the 2026 class alongside Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Kenny Loggins, Tricky Stewart, Walter Afanasieff, and Terry Britten & Graham Lyle; Swift selected five songs for consideration (All Too Well (10 Minute Version), Blank Space, Anti-Hero, Love Story, The Last Great American Dynasty); induction will take place June 11 in New York City.
Taylor Swift has become the youngest-ever inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at 36, joining a 2026 class that also includes Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Alanis Morissette, Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, Kenny Loggins, and Walter Afanasieff. The piece highlights Stewart’s work on Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” and Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill era, Britten and Lyle’s Tina Turner hits, Loggins’ soundtrack legacy, and Afanasieff’s collaborations on Mariah Carey’s “Hero” and “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” It also notes Swift’s prolific output since a 14-year-old publishing deal—69 Top 10 songs with 13 No. 1s—and her habit of writing songs overnight, per CBS.
Prosper (Texas) Walnut Grove RB Cam Newton, one of the top 2026 backs available, committed to Colorado after a weekend visit—the Buffaloes were the first Power Five program to offer him. At 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, Newton posted 2,007 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns as a junior in 2024, and followed with 2,402 rushing yards, 388 receiving yards and 44 total TDs in 2025 for a 12-1 Walnut Grove team. He is unranked as a prospect and is not related to former NFL MVP Cam Newton. Colorado’s 2026 class is already sizable, bolstered by 40+ portal additions and plans to bring in close to 60 newcomers this offseason via high school, junior college and transfer signees.
Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft are among the five finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, with Belichick as a coach and Kraft as a contributor, both having had significant NFL careers and achievements. The induction process involves a vote where up to three finalists can be selected, and the outcome will be announced during Super Bowl LX week.
The article discusses Ohio State's recruiting rankings within the Big Ten for the 2026 class on National Signing Day, highlighting the significance of the early signing period and providing updates on signing, flipping, or decommitting prospects, with rankings sourced from 247Sports.com.
The Coach Blue-Ribbon Committee has named nine semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026, including six NFL coaches with Super Bowl titles, with a final selection to be made on Nov. 18. The finalists will be considered for enshrinement in August 2026, alongside other categories like players and contributors.