USC Trojans star Ja'Kobi Lane ranked No. 1 WR prospect for 2026 NFL Draft

This week, ESPN published Matt Miller and Jordan Reid's top five prospects at each position for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.

Unsurprisingly, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs topped both expert's list at their respective positions.

Perhaps the most unknown position in next year's draft is wide receiver.

Both Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and Alabama's Ryan Williams would top the list if they were draft eligible, but the two superstars are still two years away from draft eligibility.

That has left the field wide open.

In fact, Miller didn't even have a player in his top five that Reid had at No. 1.

That player is USC star Ja'Kobi Lane, who Reid admitted was difficult to rank but had the necessary upside to warrant the No. 1 spot.

" I have the 6-4, 195-pound redshirt sophomore ranked higher than everyone and will continue to reside on that island," Reid wrote. "But he is a polarizing prospect who has many scouts needing to see more. Despite 12 touchdowns last season, Lane had only 528 receiving yards and was held below 50 yards in eight of USC's 13 games. There isn't a true WR1 in this class yet, so, with a bit more consistency, Lane has the opportunity to rise and be the first receiver off the board." 

Coming out of Red Mountain (Arizona) in the class of 2023, Lane was low four-star prospect who initially seemed like an Oregon Ducks lock after earning a scholarship at one of their prospect camps.

However, USC offered less than a week and quickly emerged as the team to beat. 

Entering last season, the Trojans were projected to have a strong wide receiver group, headlined by Zachariah Branch, who appeared destined to emerge as the next USC superstar.

But it was Lane who experienced a big breakout, hauling in 43 receptions for more than 500 yards and 12 touchdowns.

While the lanky receiver's consistency needs to improve, his high-end plays are special and warrant plenty of draft buzz. 

If he takes the next step, Reid's projection for Lane could prove prophetic.