2026 NFL Draft: Small-school prospects who will make a big impact

Allen was the DII Participant of the Yr with a gaudy 2,409 speeding yards and 30 touchdowns in solely 12 video games. He faces a giant leap to the professionals, however the manufacturing makes him an intriguing prospect.

Barnett has loads of measurement at 6-foot-5, 320 kilos, and he was a key a part of Wyoming’s lineup for 4 seasons. He has an opportunity to tag on as a late-round decide or undrafted free agent.

Demmings earned a Senior Bowl invite after a powerful faculty profession. He capped off his profession with 4 interceptions final season and provides quite a lot of size with the potential to be a middle-round decide.

Fuller earned an invitation to the NFL Mix after ending first-team All-MAC final season. He has the bodily traits to succeed on the subsequent stage, standing at 6-foot-1 with good velocity.

Heidenreich is an intriguing prospect as a consequence of his versatility. He is able to enjoying operating again, wideout, or on particular groups, and was a key cog in Navy’s offense final season with over 1,400 yards from scrimmage and 9 touchdowns.

Gyllenborg did not produce eye-popping numbers in faculty, however a powerful Senior Bowl exhibiting might transfer him up draft boards. He completed his faculty profession with 80 catches for 1,023 and 7 touchdowns in 4 seasons at Wyoming.

Heldman has garnered consideration after a breakout senior season at Central Michigan. He capped off his profession with 10.5 sacks and will sneak in as a late-round decide.

Henry lacks measurement however was extremely productive in three seasons at UTSA. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry final season and has additionally proven up as a cross catcher.

Hurst proved troublesome to cowl during the last two seasons at Georgia State, with a mixed 15 touchdowns. He has the potential to be a severe deep menace at 6-foot-3.

James-Newby created some buzz after transferring from Idaho final 12 months, with 9 sacks and two pressured fumbles. He is considerably undersized however has made up for it together with his manufacturing.

Johnson earned a Senior Bowl invite after an excellent 2025 season, with 4 interceptions and two scores. The Aztecs star might capitalize on his momentum to grow to be a late-round decide.

The youthful brother of former first-round quarterback Trey Lance, Bryce, capped off his faculty profession with back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He was a notable deep menace, averaging greater than 21 yards per reception final season.

Lemieux has displayed versatility throughout the offensive line however is prone to settle at inside lineman as a consequence of his lack of measurement. He has an opportunity to construct his inventory on the Senior Bowl.

McNeil-Warren is a tall, very productive security who has posted stable numbers during the last three seasons at Toledo. He capped off his profession with 77 tackles, two interceptions, and three pressured fumbles final season.

Montgomery earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl, and profiles as a slot receiver at sub-six ft. He had greater than 1,500 yards receiving final season for John Carroll.

Owens stepped up massive for Florida Worldwide final season, with 1,334 yards speeding and 11 touchdowns. He exhibits potential as an early-down again and late-round decide.

Payton is a flexible sign caller who has rushed for practically 2,000 yards over 5 seasons at North Dakota State. He confirmed off superb passing accuracy final season and will obtain an invitation from NFL groups.

An LSU switch, Sampson lastly discovered the sector at Louisiana final season and completed with 537 yards and 6 touchdowns in 10 video games. At 6-foot-4, his deep skill ought to appeal to consideration.

Proctor has loads of measurement and completed his faculty profession with 16 sacks. He exhibits upside as an inside cross rusher.

Murdock was a tackling machine during the last two seasons at Buffalo, with 156 tackles in 2024 and 142 tackles final season. He might hear his title known as on Day 3 of the draft.

Smith is barely undersized at 5-foot-10, however confirmed good manufacturing during the last two seasons at Toledo. Throughout that point, he totaled 24 passes defensed and three interceptions.

Tucker’s breakout 2025 season as one of many nation’s prime cross rushers has actually helped his NFL prospects. He completed final 12 months with 14.5 sacks after transferring from Houston.

Voisin is older than a lot of the competitors after first arriving at South Alabama in 2019, however should not be ignored. He profiles as a slot receiver, and leaped ahead final season with 67 catches for 776 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Walthall was extremely productive during the last two seasons at Incarnate Phrase after transferring from Hawaii. Over two seasons, he scored 22 touchdowns and was a serious menace on the skin.

A switch from Japanese Washington, Wortham made a distinction with the ball in his fingers final season. He had over 1,200 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns, and likewise added seven touchdowns on the bottom. Wortham’s NFL future might come as a kick returner.