The 2026 Rivals250 was recently released, giving a glimpse into the future of college football recruiting. As programs across the country start to prioritize their targets for the next recruiting cycle, there are five teams in the West Region that have already made strong moves in building their 2026 classes.
Colorado, under the leadership of head coach Deion Sanders, is focusing on high school prospects in the 2025 and 2026 classes. The Buffaloes have been active in offering scholarships to top recruits, with a particular emphasis on the 2026 class. While Sanders initially focused on building his roster through the transfer portal, he is now looking to bring in more high school players to create a more well-rounded team. With only eight signees in the last recruiting cycle, Colorado is looking to increase its numbers in the coming years.
Oregon has had a strong start to its 2026 recruiting class by securing a commitment from four-star defensive lineman Tony Cumberland out of Scottsdale, Arizona. Head coach Dan Lanning’s decision to stay at Oregon rather than pursue other opportunities has boosted the program’s recruiting efforts. With top prospects like five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons and five-star defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart showing interest in the Ducks, Oregon’s recruitment efforts are off to a promising start.
UCLA is making a comeback in recruiting under its new coaching staff after former coach Chip Kelly’s lackluster efforts in that area. The Bruins have already landed a commitment from four-star receiver Jonah Smith in the 2026 class and are seeing renewed interest from high school coaches and prospects. UCLA is looking to revitalize its recruiting efforts and build a competitive team for the future.
USC leads the country in 2026 commitments with four, but faces competition for top recruits like four-star cornerback Brandon Lockhart. The Trojans have also secured commitments from two other defensive backs and a four-star wide receiver. USC is actively recruiting high-profile stars and has a strong foundation for its 2026 class.
Washington has maintained its recruiting momentum under new head coach Jedd Fisch, who brings NFL experience and a strong recruiting presence to the program. Fisch’s ability to recruit talent from the West Coast, particularly Southern California, has already paid off with the commitment of four-star athlete Ansu Sanoe from Oregon. Despite concerns about Fisch’s history of moving between coaching positions, he has proven his ability to recruit and build successful teams.
Overall, these five programs in the West Region have made significant strides in their 2026 recruiting efforts, setting the stage for competitive classes in the future. Stay tuned for more updates as the recruiting cycle progresses.
