The 2026 college football season is roughly six weeks away, and contenders across the sport have been busy this offseason stacking their rosters through recruiting and the transfer portal.

Even the deepest teams, though, have thin spots. The current NIL landscape and roster churn have made it difficult to maintain quality depth at every position, leaving certain players nearly irreplaceable for programs with championship aspirations.

After digging through early rankings, depth charts, and film, I have come away with seven players who stand above the rest in terms of importance to their respective teams. If any of these players missed significant time, their programs would be in serious trouble.

1. QB CJ Carr (Notre Dame)

Carr is coming off a strong redshirt freshman campaign where he threw for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdown passes while completing over 66% of his passes and throwing just six interceptions. Now entering his second year as the starter, Carr carries championship expectations for a Notre Dame roster that has very few holes. The Fighting Irish recruited at an elite level and attacked the transfer portal aggressively this offseason, but backup quarterback remains a concern for 2026. True freshmen Noah Grubbs and Teddy Jarrard represent the long-term contingency plan, though the primary backup will likely be redshirt freshman Blake Hebert, who has no significant playing time to his name. Carr being unavailable for any stretch would be debilitating for a talented Notre Dame team.

2. EDGE Colin Simmons (Texas)

Texas recruits at an extremely high level under coach Steve Sarkisian, so the edge room isn’t bare. Lance Jackson is expected to break out as a sophomore, Colton Vasek provides experience, and talented true freshman Richard Wesley adds upside. None of them compare to Simmons’ proven production. He has a legitimate argument as the best defensive player in the country heading into next season and should be a double-digit sack artist. If quarterback Arch Manning and the Longhorns make a run in 2026, it will likely be because the defense takes a step forward under new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, and Simmons will be at the center of that formula.

3. OT Jackson Cantwell (Miami)

This one might surprise some people. The five-star true freshman was considered by some to be the best overall player in the 2026 recruiting class. Head coach Mario Cristobal and his offensive line staff have done a tremendous job recruiting linemen, but Miami must replace both Francis Mauigoa and Markell Bell heading into next season. Cantwell, at over 6-7 and 330 pounds, is projected to start at left tackle and protect the quarterback’s blindside. The hype is real, but the depth behind him at offensive tackle does not look great. If Cantwell missed any extended time, the Hurricanes would be in a tough spot.

4. RB LJ Martin (BYU)

Martin ran for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 36 receptions for the Cougars last season. There is no proven production behind him in that running back room. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier was BYU’s second-leading rusher with 527 yards and 11 touchdowns, and the third-leading rusher was wide receiver Parker Kingston. Only one other running back eclipsed 100 yards. If BYU is going to be a potential playoff team again in 2026, the Cougars will need to ride Martin’s strong legs and all-purpose upside.

5. QB Jayden Maiava (USC)

Maiava continued USC’s legacy of strong quarterback play under head coach Lincoln Riley during his redshirt junior season. If the Trojans are going to make noise in the Big Ten and fight for a College Football Playoff spot, it will be because Maiava takes a step forward, especially with a pass-catching overhaul this offseason. True freshman Jonas Williams might be the future, but he cannot be counted on as the primary backup in 2026. USC also brought in Sam Huard, a former top-ranked recruit from Washington, but he profiles as a clipboard holder and veteran presence. If Maiava missed extended time, this quarterback room would be extremely limited.

6. QB Will Hammond (Texas Tech)

After the saga surrounding quarterback Brendan Sorsby this offseason, Hammond became a critical piece for the Red Raiders because the quarterback depth chart was already reeling. Hammond has played sparingly over the past two seasons and shown some solid moments. With Sorsby no longer in the room, and given the awkward timing of that decision, Hammond needs to steady the ship for a program fresh off a Big 12 championship and a College Football Playoff berth. Even if he ends up as a solid game manager, that would be enough. There is underlying talent still waiting to be developed, and there is a possibility Hammond ends up being a very good player for Texas Tech in 2026.

7. RB Kewan Lacy (Ole Miss)

I considered quarterback Trinidad Chambliss here, but with Deuce Knight transferring in from Auburn, that quarterback room is in a solid spot. If this Ole Miss team replicates any of the success from last season, it will be because Lacy remains the star he was as a former Missouri transfer, running for 1,567 yards and 24 touchdowns to power the Rebel offense. With Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. off to LSU, the Rebels overhauled their offensive coaching staff. Being able to lean on Lacy would be huge. Players like Makhi Frazier from Michigan State and Southern Utah transfer Joshua Dye bring some intrigue, but Lacy is the engine for this Ole Miss team in 2026.