Rivals national recruiting analyst Greg Smith has three predictions on Tyler Warren 's draft stock, Ohio State landing a standout running back and Illinois ' efforts with in-state four-star prospects.

PENN STATE TE TYLER WARREN IS A TOP-10 PICK

Former Penn State superstar Tyler Warren is one of the best overall football players in this year’s NFL Draft. As a tight end he caught 104 passes for 1,233 and eight touchdowns last season. He essentially was the entire passing attack for the Nittany Lions. He is also a devastating run blocker and is so athletic that the team lined him up at Wildcat to rush the ball.

Warren could be a mismatch nightmare in the NFL for a creative offensive coaching staff. That type of potential should help him shoot up draft boards and be one of the first 10 names called on April 24.

FAVOUR AKIH WILL COMMIT TO OHIO STATE

Favour Akih has been the hottest running back recruit in the Midwest this offseason. His recruitment is really coming down to Miami and Ohio State . The Hurricanes held a solid lead but the Buckeyes have chipped away quickly after getting him on campus a couple times.

"Ohio State and Miami are doing a great job of recruiting me," Akih said. "It’s very hard to turn down what Miami is offering. But it would be even better to stay home and be a Buckeye. So it’s a very hard decision. Ohio State might just be a little ahead just because it’s home and I grew up here so all I know is Ohio State."

Akih told me that he wants to commit in May. I’ve fired in a FutureCast for the Buckeyes to land his verbal commitment.

ILLINOIS MISSES OUT ON 2026 IN-STATE FOUR-STARS

Illinois has been one of the talks of the offseason with how well the program has recruited. The Illini have had a nice bump on the trail after a double-digit win season last year that included a bowl win over an SEC opponent. But that momentum doesn’t look like it’ll translate to keeping the top prospects in the state home this cycle.

There are seven four-star prospects in Illinois this cycle. QB Jonas Williams and defensive end Braeden Jones are committed to USC . Tight end Mack Sutter is trending to Alabama . Michigan and Notre Dame are out front for defensive end McHale Blade . Versatile tight end JC Anderson is being recruited hard by Ole Miss and North Carolina but Illinois is in the mix. Slot receiver Nasir Rankin was heading toward committing to Illinois early but so many other programs have gotten involved. Michigan, Nebraska , Tennessee , Oregon and others are making a strong push.

I see the Illini getting shut out with the top talent in-state but still landing a solid 2026 recruiting class.