10 Current College Football Stars That Could Make 2028 LA Olympics in Flag Football

Yahoo

22-05-2025

At this year's Spring League Meeting, NFL owners passed a resolution by a vote of 32-0 that will allow the league's players to try out for and participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
In 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved flag football for inclusion in the 2028 Olympics. While everyone immediately assumed that this meant the NFL's stars would be able to participate, it wasn't always a guarantee due to the injury concerns that come with it.
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This isn't just an NFL issue, either, as the NHL has also not had its players representing their home countries in the Olympics since 2014, albeit the cost of travel and inability to market also played a role. However, similar to the NFL in 2028, the NHL will again have participants in the upcoming winter games in 2026 and 2030.
With all the excitement surrounding NFL players participating in the 2028 Olympics, many fans have begun crafting their "Dream Team" online, with names such as Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill being popular suggestions.
However, there is a little over three years between now and the 2028 Olympics, which means all of the league's current superstars will be three years older than they are. Not the craziest of math calculations needed to reach that conclusion, but that means three more full NFL seasons to play, three more years to deal with possible injuries and there is also the inevitable decline of current stars.
While there are certainly players in the league who will be hitting their prime age, such as Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Raiders tight end Brock Bowers or Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, there is a chance that a handful of current college football stars could be at the perfect age once the Olympics roll around.
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With the sport being significantly different from 11-on-11 tackle football, the ideal team will consist of hyper-athletic and elusive playmakers on offense, as well as those who can cover or rush them on defense. The roster will consist of only 10 players in total, as it is a five-on-five format, which means the committee will likely have to include one quarterback, three receivers/running backs, and a center who is immediately eligible as a receiver.
Defensively, the team will need pass rushers and defensive backs.
Keeping all of this in mind, here are 10 current college football stars who may have a chance to be playing for Gold when 2028 rolls around.
Ohio State DB Caleb Downs.© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Caleb Downs, Safety, Ohio State
2024 Stats: 81 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 6 pass breakups, 79-yard punt return TD
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After leaving Alabama as a freshman superstar, Caleb Downs picked up right where he left off at Ohio State in 2024. He helped lead the team to a title, and earned first-team All-America honors along the way. He is athletic as they come, as we saw during his 79-yard punt return for a touchdown against Indiana, and can help slow down opposing teams' best playmakers, as PFF credited him with a coverage grade of 85.
Alabama WR Ryan Williams.Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Ryan Williams, Wide Receiver, Alabama
2024 Stats: 865 receiving yards, 48 catches, 8 TDs, 2 rushing touchdowns
At just 17 years old this past season, Ryan Williams looked like a third-year starter for the Alabama Crimson Tide. The freshman All-America selection is about as explosive and elusive as one can get, and may have some defenses wishing they could bring him down by pulling his flag. Even then, they still may not be able to slow down Williams. He seems to have the right amount of shiftiness to make life difficult for opposing defenses.
South Carolina Gamecocks edge Dylan Stewart.Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
2024 Stats: 23 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles
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Although Dylan Stewart was a five-star recruit, it feels fair to assume that most around the sport didn't expect him to immediately be one of, if not the best, pass rusher in college football. PFF credited him with a pass rush grade of 91.4, indicating how difficult he is to block. Even with rules in place to allow for quarterbacks to have some time to throw in flag football, with no one blocking Stewart, those additional rules may not do opposing quarterbacks any good.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4).Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jeremiah Smith, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
2024 Stats: 1,315 receiving yards, 76 Catches, 15 TDs
Similar to both Stewart and Williams, Jeremiah Smith was a true freshman this past season, but played well beyond his years. One could make an argument that he's the best player in all of college football, and it seems nearly impossible to cover, even when defenses can have safety help. With it being five-on-five, that means there is a corner out there on an island, or another elite receiver like Williams is on an island due to the defense focusing on Smith. He's a big play waiting to happen, with six 50-yard receptions, which led the country.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Leonard Moore (15).Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Leonard Moore, Corner, Notre Dame
2024 Stats: 48 tackles, 2 interceptions, 11 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles
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Another freshman who instantly made an impact last season, Leonard Moore, was sticky in coverage for the Fighting Irish as they made a deep run in the College Football Playoff and played for a title. PFF gave him a coverage grade of 86.5, and he was chosen as the Freshman Defensive Player of the Year by the Football Writers Association of America. He will have a couple more years to hone his craft, and truly turn into a shutdown corner.
Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Boo Carter (23).Caitie McMekin/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Boo Carter, Defensive Back/Wide Receiver, Tennessee
2024 Stats: 38 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, 12 punt returns for 198 yards
While there may never be another Travis Hunter, we may see more programs allow players to play both ways for years to come. One notable school that will be taking a crack at possibly fielding the "next Travis Hunter" is the Tennessee Volunteers. Former four-star recruit Boo Carter shined on defense and in the return game for the Vols, but will also be taking snaps at wide receiver next year. In a setting like this, with limited roster space, Carter can provide some versatility and play-making on both sides of the ball.
Texas Longhorns linebacker Colin Simmons (11).Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
2024 Stats: 48 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 3 forced fumbles
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Given the fast-paced nature of flag football games, having pass rushers who can rotate in to rush the quarterback is essential. Similar to Stewart, Simmons was a true freshman who immediately burst onto the scene as one of the best pass rushers in college football, and he has the perfect amount of speed that can make a quarterback's life miserable.
Vanderbilt Commodores tight end Eli Stowers (9).© Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Eli Stowers, Tight End, Vanderbilt
2024 Stats: 638 receiving yards, 49 Catches, 5 TDs
Stowers comes off as the perfect center for a flag football setting. Right after snapping the ball, tight ends are pass eligible, and the former four-star quarterback has the athleticism to make an impact that the Team USA offense could use. If the team also wants to get creative and somehow use him as a passer, his background at signal caller opens that up as well.
Duke Blue Devils cornerback Chandler Rivers (0).Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
Chandler Rivers, Corner, Duke
2024 Stats: 3 interceptions, 9 pass breakups, 54 tackles
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The more defensive backs who can lock down opposing receivers, the better. It also doesn't hurt that a guy like Duke's Chandler Rivers has two pick-sixes to his name during his career. Rivers only allowed 13 catches last season for a completion rate of 31% when throwing his direction. Even if teams did complete a pass on him, they only gained an average of 4.5 yards, so Rivers could completely take out a team's best receiver.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16).Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Arch Manning, Quarterback, Texas
2024 Stats: 939 yards passing, 9 touchdowns to 2 interceptions, 108 yards rushing, 4 rushing touchdowns
The most important position in the sport could be played by the biggest name in college football. He has a rocket of an arm, and his athleticism is a game-changer. Quarterbacks can only run past the line of scrimmage after handing the ball off, allowing them to receive a lateral or go out for a pass. Unlike his uncles who were pure pocket passers, Manning carved out a role for himself last season as a wildcat quarterback. He was clocked at over 20 miles per hour on his near-70-yard touchdown run against UTSA, and will only continue to develop as a passer. While it may be premature to tab him as the Olympic quarterback, he is widely viewed as the potential top pick in next year's NFL Draft, so it may not be too outlandish.
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