COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOW
College Football Now features the nations best top football recruits, college football FBS, FCS, D2 & NAIA Top 25 rankings, as well as the new CFP top 25 rankings releases!
2026-2027 CFB TOP 25 RANKINGS
College Football Now 2026-2027 CFB Top 25 Rankings can be found by clicking the top 25 rankings graphics below!
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TOP FOOTBALL RECRUITS
College Football Now top football recruits & CFB Playoff top 25 databases are under evaluation year around for the top football recruit & top 25 rankings, as well as for college coaches, recruiters, alumni & fans nationally!
S.T.E.P RADAR EVALUATION HEAT MAPS
Click the S.T.E.P Radar Evaluation Heat Map graphics below to learn more about how top football prospects & recruits are evaluated at College Football Now & Scout Trout Elite!
Bounce-back & Transfer portal pipeline recruits are located on the 2026 Top Football Recruits at College Football Now & were re-classed.
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2031 TOP COLLEGE FOOTBALL RECRUITS
Check out the new College Football Now 2031 Top Football Recruits by smashing the official CFB Now 2031 Top Football Recruits graphic below!
TOP COLLEGE FOOTBALL RECRUITS
College Football Now top college football recruits are evaluated utilizing the S.T.E.P ratings algorithm that was developed over the past 10 seasons evaluating top tier collegiate football talent in recruiting & for the NFL Draft!
NFL DRAFT 2026
S.T.E.P LEADERSHIP SCORES (CAREER BACK-TEST)
S.T.E.P RATINGS
📊 Scout Trout Elite Prospect Ratings (S.T.E.P.)
What Is S.T.E.P.?
S.T.E.P. Ratings (Scout Trout Evaluation & Projection) is a proprietary analytical framework developed by Meredith “Merf” Trout to evaluate football prospects with depth, context, and projection power — not popularity or hype.
S.T.E.P. is built to answer one critical question for athletes and coaches:
“Given this player’s film, physical profile, and developmental trajectory, how likely is he to help a college roster?”
Unlike traditional recruiting rankings that often rely on offers or subjective scouting buzz, S.T.E.P. Ratings are rooted in what actually translates from high school to college and beyond.
What Is S.T.E.P.?
S.T.E.P. Ratings (Scout Trout Evaluation & Projection) is a proprietary analytical framework developed by Meredith “Merf” Trout to evaluate football prospects with depth, context, and projection power — not popularity or hype.
S.T.E.P. is built to answer one critical question for athletes and coaches:
“Given this player’s film, physical profile, and developmental trajectory, how likely is he to help a college roster?”
Unlike traditional recruiting rankings that often rely on offers or subjective scouting buzz, S.T.E.P. Ratings are rooted in what actually translates from high school to college and beyond.
S.T.E.P TRANSFER PORTAL EVALUATIONS
Learn more about S.T.E.P transfer portal evaluations by clicking the graphic below!
🏈 AUSTIN NOVOSAD
STEP™ TRANSFER PORTAL RATING
QB | Class of 2023 Oregon → Bowling Green
🔢 Overall STEP Transfer Score: 34.6 / 40
(High-confidence development transfer)
🔠 STEP™ CATEGORY BREAKDOWNS — Sustainability: 8.8 / 10
Why it scores high
This is a quarterback built to start, grow, and stay stable once installed.
T — Technique: 8.7 / 10Strengths
E — Execution: 8.6 / 10Evidence
Execution improves when reps increase — which is exactly what this transfer unlocks.
P — Presence: 8.5 / 10Intangibles
He becomes the guy, not a depth chart name.
🧮 STEP™ TRANSFER TOTAL
34.6 / 40
STEP™ TRANSFER TIER:🟢 “Program Elevator QB”
🔁 TRANSFER PORTAL CONTEXT ADJUSTMENT
Factor Impact Oregon Depth Chart Suppressed reps, not talent
Bowling Green Opportunity Immediate command
Conference Fit (MAC) Timing + accuracy advantage
Development Window 2–3 year starter runway
📈 PROJECTED OUTCOME PATH
🧠 SCOUT TROUT ELITE TAKE
“Austin Novosad didn’t transfer because he couldn’t play --
he transferred because he needed ownership of an offense.
That’s when timing quarterbacks become leaders.”
STEP™ TRANSFER PORTAL RATING
QB | Class of 2023 Oregon → Bowling Green
🔢 Overall STEP Transfer Score: 34.6 / 40
(High-confidence development transfer)
🔠 STEP™ CATEGORY BREAKDOWNS — Sustainability: 8.8 / 10
Why it scores high
- Proven long-term QB traits dating back to 2019–2021 evaluations
- Durable frame projection (6’3.5”) with room to add functional mass
- 3.9 GPA → elite cognitive sustainability
- Transfer motivated by opportunity, not desperation
This is a quarterback built to start, grow, and stay stable once installed.
T — Technique: 8.7 / 10Strengths
- Quick, compact release
- Advanced footwork vs pressure (step-up mechanics are rare)
- Natural anticipatory thrower (throws receivers open)
- Clean sequencing on college route concepts
- MAC defenses reward timing and precision
- Less reliant on elite WR separation → fits Bowling Green perfectly
E — Execution: 8.6 / 10Evidence
- Near-flawless HS efficiency (16/20, 253 yds, 4 TDs in one half)
- Consistently high completion efficiency
- Processes quickly pre-snap and post-snap
- Comfortable in comeback, dig, and layered concepts
Execution improves when reps increase — which is exactly what this transfer unlocks.
P — Presence: 8.5 / 10Intangibles
- Calm operator, not a volume talker
- Commands offense through accuracy and tempo
- Elite 11 / All-American pedigree
- Teammates trust timing QBs early
He becomes the guy, not a depth chart name.
🧮 STEP™ TRANSFER TOTAL
34.6 / 40
STEP™ TRANSFER TIER:🟢 “Program Elevator QB”
🔁 TRANSFER PORTAL CONTEXT ADJUSTMENT
Factor Impact Oregon Depth Chart Suppressed reps, not talent
Bowling Green Opportunity Immediate command
Conference Fit (MAC) Timing + accuracy advantage
Development Window 2–3 year starter runway
📈 PROJECTED OUTCOME PATH
- Year 1: Efficient starter, system stabilizer
- Year 2: All-Conference trajectory
- Year 3: NFL scouting interest (Day 3 → UDFA range if growth continues)
🧠 SCOUT TROUT ELITE TAKE
“Austin Novosad didn’t transfer because he couldn’t play --
he transferred because he needed ownership of an offense.
That’s when timing quarterbacks become leaders.”
NIL S.T.E.P VALUATIONS
Learn more about S.T.E.P NIL valuations by clicking the info graphic below! (Cash basis is just an example)
S.T.E.P COACHING OUTCOMES
Scout Trout Elite S.T.E.P coaching outcomes featuring the only coach to score a perfect 40. S.T.E.P score!
Nick Saban: The Only Head Coach to Achieve a Perfect 40.0 S.T.E.P. Score
The S.T.E.P. grading system evaluates Substance, Technique, Execution, and Presence on a 10.0 scale, producing a maximum composite score of 40.0.
At the conclusion of his career, Nick Saban is the only head coach in modern college football history to earn a perfect 40.0 S.T.E.P. score — not for a season, but for an entire body of work.
This distinction is about sustainability + evolution, not peaks.
S — Substance (10.0 / 10.0)Program DNA | Cultural Permanence | Long-Term Stability
Substance measures whether success is repeatable without erosion.
Why Saban earns a 10:
Perfect Substance = the program outlived every variable.
T — Technique (10.0 / 10.0)
Teaching Efficiency | Scheme Translation | Development Accuracy
Technique is about how well knowledge is transferred and executed, not just scheme design.
Why Saban earns a 10:
E — Execution (10.0 / 10.0)
Performance Under Pressure | Error Suppression | Adjustment Speed
Execution is where great programs separate from legendary ones.
Why Saban earns a 10:
P — Presence (10.0 / 10.0)Authority | Psychological Edge | Competitive Gravity
Presence measures how a leader alters environments before competition begins.
Why Saban earns a 10:
Final S.T.E.P. Score
Substance 10.0
Technique 10.0
Execution 10.0
Presence 10.0
Total 40.0 / 40.0
Why No One Else Reaches 40.0
Other elite coaches may hit:
That’s why Saban remains the gold standard S.T.E.P. benchmark — not just a great coach, but the evaluation ceiling itself.
Back Reference: Scout Trout Elite (2018)
This evaluation is not revisionist history.
In 2018, Scout Trout Elite published an early leadership and process-based analysis identifying Nick Saban as the only active head coach operating at a true ceiling level across all four S.T.E.P. pillars — before the modern NIL era, before unrestricted transfer movement, and before the current volatility of college football leadership.
At the time, the conclusion was simple but controversial:
Saban was not just winning — he had built a system that could survive anything the sport threw at it.
That assessment was based on:
Why the 2018 Evaluation Matters Now
Since that original analysis:
What was identified in 2018 as:
Scout Trout Elite Historical Note
Scout Trout Elite does not grade in hindsight --
we track process in real time and let outcomes confirm the model.
Nick Saban’s final 40.0 S.T.E.P. score stands as the first fully completed proof case that the system works across eras, not just seasons.
The S.T.E.P. grading system evaluates Substance, Technique, Execution, and Presence on a 10.0 scale, producing a maximum composite score of 40.0.
At the conclusion of his career, Nick Saban is the only head coach in modern college football history to earn a perfect 40.0 S.T.E.P. score — not for a season, but for an entire body of work.
This distinction is about sustainability + evolution, not peaks.
S — Substance (10.0 / 10.0)Program DNA | Cultural Permanence | Long-Term Stability
Substance measures whether success is repeatable without erosion.
Why Saban earns a 10:
- Built a culture that survived staff turnover, NIL, transfer portal, and generational athletes
- Standardized accountability regardless of recruiting rank or star power
- Eliminated entitlement before it could metastasize
- Maintained identity while allowing innovation
Perfect Substance = the program outlived every variable.
T — Technique (10.0 / 10.0)
Teaching Efficiency | Scheme Translation | Development Accuracy
Technique is about how well knowledge is transferred and executed, not just scheme design.
Why Saban earns a 10:
- Defensive teaching mastery across multiple schematic eras
- Developed players and assistants at elite rates
- Film study, practice tempo, and teaching language were standardized
- Technique was simplified without being dumbed down
E — Execution (10.0 / 10.0)
Performance Under Pressure | Error Suppression | Adjustment Speed
Execution is where great programs separate from legendary ones.
Why Saban earns a 10:
- Elite postseason execution across multiple decades
- Rare self-inflicted losses
- In-game adjustments consistently flipped matchups
- Situational football (red zone, 3rd down, 2-minute) was elite year over year
P — Presence (10.0 / 10.0)Authority | Psychological Edge | Competitive Gravity
Presence measures how a leader alters environments before competition begins.
Why Saban earns a 10:
- Recruiting battles shifted before visits occurred
- Opponents coached tighter against Alabama
- Players elevated preparation because of expectations
- Assistants carried Saban’s imprint wherever they went
Final S.T.E.P. Score
Substance 10.0
Technique 10.0
Execution 10.0
Presence 10.0
Total 40.0 / 40.0
Why No One Else Reaches 40.0
Other elite coaches may hit:
- 38–39 for peak stretches
- 36–37 for sustained success
- 34–35 for legacy impact
That’s why Saban remains the gold standard S.T.E.P. benchmark — not just a great coach, but the evaluation ceiling itself.
Back Reference: Scout Trout Elite (2018)
This evaluation is not revisionist history.
In 2018, Scout Trout Elite published an early leadership and process-based analysis identifying Nick Saban as the only active head coach operating at a true ceiling level across all four S.T.E.P. pillars — before the modern NIL era, before unrestricted transfer movement, and before the current volatility of college football leadership.
At the time, the conclusion was simple but controversial:
Saban was not just winning — he had built a system that could survive anything the sport threw at it.
That assessment was based on:
- Cultural durability over star dependency
- Staff regeneration without performance drop-off
- Player development independent of recruiting hype
- Process dominance rather than schematic trends
Why the 2018 Evaluation Matters Now
Since that original analysis:
- The transfer portal exploded
- NIL fundamentally altered roster management
- Coaching lifespans shortened dramatically
- Blueblood programs experienced internal erosion
What was identified in 2018 as:
- Elite Process Alignment
- A perfect 40.0 S.T.E.P. career outcome
Scout Trout Elite Historical Note
Scout Trout Elite does not grade in hindsight --
we track process in real time and let outcomes confirm the model.
Nick Saban’s final 40.0 S.T.E.P. score stands as the first fully completed proof case that the system works across eras, not just seasons.
2027 PLAYER S.T.E.P RATINGS
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL RANKINGS 2026
College Football Now FBS, FCS, D2 & NAIA football top 25 rankings can be found below for the 2026-2027 college football season!
2026 HEISMAN TROPHY FRONTRUNNERS
View the College Football Now 2026 Heisman Frontrunners by clicking the graphic below!
THE POSITIVES OF THE NCAA TRANSFER PORTAL PT.1 - OPPORTUNITY & ACCOUNTABILITY
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14)
2025 TOP FOOTBALL RECRUITS
College Football Now & Scout Trout Elite 2025 top football recruits can be found by clicking the buttons to 2025 top FB recruit position rankings pages & the new 2025 Top 500+ Football Recruit Rankings below!
TOP 2025 FOOTBALL RECRUITS
College Football Now & Scout Trout Elite top 2025 football recruits & 2025 High School Football All-Americans slide-show can be found below and 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026 football offers are updated on the Scout Trout Football Offers page!
2026 TOP FOOTBALL RECRUITS
College Football Now 2026 top football recruits can be found via the new College Football Today RokFin 2026 Top 200+ Football Recruit Rankings & on the 2026 Top Football Recruits Scouting page by clicking the button below!
2026 TOP 200+ FOOTBALL RECRUIT RANKINGS
The College Football Now 2026 Top 500+ Football Recruit Rankings features the best rising class of 2026 football recruits in the world of college football recruiting!
2027 TOP FOOTBALL RECRUITS
Check out the new College Football Now 2027 top football recruits by clicking the graphic below!
2028 TOP FOOTBALL RECRUITS
The College Football Now top 2028 football recruits watch-list features the best rising high school freshmen football players nationally!
2029 TOP FOOTBALL RECRUITS
The College Football Now 2029 top football recruits database features rising class of 2029 football recruits scouting & recruiting profiles!
2030 TOP FOOTBALL RECRUITS
The College Football Now 2030 top football recruits database features rising class of 2030 football recruits scouting & recruiting profiles!
2026-2027 CFB BOWL GAME APPAREL
College Football Now 2026-2027 CFB Bowl game apparel & CFP gear will be released the week following the announcement of the 2026-2027 CFB bowl game & CFB Playoff match-ups!
SCOUT TROUT NFL PLAYERS
Congrats to 2018 Scout Trout All-Americans Tykeem Doss of the Baltimore Ravens & Lincoln Sefcik of the New York Jets for making it to the National Football League!
Pipeline program enrollment date for both Tykeem Doss & Lincoln Sefcik - 7/16/2017
Pipeline program enrollment date for both Tykeem Doss & Lincoln Sefcik - 7/16/2017
COLLEGE FOOTBALL RECRUITMENT
Fill out the college football recruitment form below to receive a top football recruit evaluation for national rankings consideration & exposure to the world of college football recruiting!
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYERS
Scout Trout Elite & College Football Now college football players data sheet of current players, alumni and future NFL stars can be found below! (Pipeline program recruits)
2025 FLORIDA GATORS FOOTBALL PREVIEW
The College Football Now & Scout Trout Elite 2025 Florida Gators preview & 12 team CFP bracket prediction can be found by clicking the graphic of "The Swamp" below!
2024 TOP FOOTBALL RECRUIT RANKINGS
College Football Now 2024 top football recruits were initially evaluated through the utilization of the Scout Trout Elite S.T.E.P ratings algorithmic formula before the 2020 NCAA FB evaluation period.
Check out the College Football Today RokFin 2024 Top 500+ by clicking HERE & view 2024 top ranked recruits scouting & recruiting data by using the buttons below!
Check out the College Football Today RokFin 2024 Top 500+ by clicking HERE & view 2024 top ranked recruits scouting & recruiting data by using the buttons below!
CFB PLAYOFF RANKINGS FORMULA
The Scout Trout Elite formulated College Football Today CFB Playoff rankings formula was created during the 2018-2019 CFB season and was the world's consensus best solution for an expanded CFB Playoff bracket.
ALL-AMERICAN DB MYLES ROWSER NAMED TO FCS BLUEBLOODS FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICAN TEAM
2023 TOP 1000+ FOOTBALL RECRUIT RANKINGS
College Football Now 2023 top football recruits & can be found below via the position rankings buttons below and are ranked on the 2023 Top 1000+ Football Recruit rankings on College Football Today RokFin!
2022 TOP FOOTBALL RECRUITS
College Football Now 2022 top football recruit rankings were formerly featured on CollegeFootballToday.Org & were initially evaluated through the utilization of the Scout Trout Elite S.T.E.P ratings algorithmic formula before the 2019 NCAA FB evaluation period. Check out the College Football Today RokFin 2022 Top 700+ by clicking HERE & check out the new 2022 top FB recruit rankings page on College Football Now by clicking HERE or the button below.
SCOUT TROUT ELITE 2018
STUDENT-ATHLETES GETTING PAID
The CFB Today Token system was developed by Scout Trout through the course of learning the intricacies of the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency & the ever-evolving landscape of student-athletes being compensated for the name, image & likeness.
