Sports

9 Small-School Studs to Know in the 2026 NFL Draft

By Luke Easterling Athlon Sports

Most of the early picks in the NFL Draft come from Power 4 programs, but every year, there's a handful of talented prospects from smaller schools who prove they can hang at the highest level.

Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is well known as a first-round lock at this point, but he's not the only impact player who could emerge from this year's class despite playing outside of the Power 4 conferences.

Here are nine to keep an eye on as we look ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft next week in Pittsburgh:

WR Skyler Bell, UConn

If you're looking for a wide receiver who simply does all the little things well, Bell should be high on your list. A finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award (college football's best wide receiver) last season, Bell put up impressive numbers for the Huskies last season, topping 1,000 yards on more than 100 receptions, with 13 touchdown catches.

He smooth route-runner with reliable hands and the awareness to beat both man and zone coverage with subtle movements, Bell knows the finer points of the receiver position as well as anyone in this class. He's not the biggest or the fastest receiver in the group, but I won't be surprised if he continues to be productive at the next level, no matter where he lands.

WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State

He's getting more attention as we get close to the draft, but Hurst is a name that might not be familiar to many fans just yet. That's likely to change no matter where he lands on draft weekend, thanks to some dominant film and athletic traits that put him among the best pass-catchers in this year's loaded class.

Hurst checks every box from a physical standpoint that NFL teams look for in a No. 1 receiver, but his level of competition might give them pause. That said, his impressive showing during Senior Bowl week proved he belongs on the same level with the other receivers from big-name programs, and his combine numbers prove he's an elite athlete. He should be a Day 2 lock, and could go higher than many expect.

DL Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana

There aren't a ton of high-end interior pass rushers in this year's defensive line class, but Proctor is one of the most dynamic with you turn on the tape. He jumps off the screen with his explosiveness and lateral quickness, showing the ability to get into the backfield quickly and wreak havoc on opposing offenses:

There will be questions about his level of competition, but Proctor's tape is so dominant, teams should take the chance that he's got special talent at a position that continues to be vital to defensive success in the modern NFL. He should be a Day 2 pick, and if he's still on the board beyond that range, Proctor could prove to be one of the steals of the draft.

WR Bryce Lance, North Dakota State

Lance could have made a lot more money by transferring to a Power 4 school last offseason, but he stuck it out for the Bison, and dominated his competition. There will be questions about whether that dominance can translate in the NFL, but his testing numbers prove he's one of the best athletes at the position this year.

Lance's combination of size, speed and athleticism should be enough to get him picked on Day 2, regardless of his level of competition in college. In the right scheme, with the right coaching staff, Lance could eventually develop into a dynamic target who can stretch the field deep and after the catch.

OT Travis Burke, Memphis

A towering blocker (6-9, 325 pounds), Burke is being hidden by a top-heavy tackle class that will be well-represented in the first round. He's got all the power you'd expect from someone with those measurements, but Burke also brings surprising athleticism and movement skills to the table.

Burke has a nasty, physical style of play that offensive line coaches will love at the next level, and he's got physical traits you just can't teach. If he lands in the right spot, a patient and competent coaching staff could eventually develop him into a dominant starter, which could make him a bargain as a projected mid-round pick.

LB Red Murdock, Buffalo

This year's linebacker class is loaded with top talent from Power 4 programs, but if you're looking for Day 3 value at the position, Murdock is your guy. An absolute wrecking ball at the second level, Murdock packs a punch at the point of attack, and knows how to create splash plays with his hard-hitting style:

Murdock has the three-down skill set to be an every-snap defender at the next level, and his ability to impact the game as an extra pass rusher (five sacks in 2025) gives him added value in passing situations. Anytime on Day 3, Murdock should be on the radar of any team who wants to steal an eventual starter with big-play ability.

DL Landon Robinson, Navy

If you don't mind undersized interior defenders, Robinson brings impressive juice as a pass rusher that shows up in the box score. He's an absolute headache for opposing blockers due to his explosive first step and overall quickness, and he knows how to use his hands to avoid getting locked up and driven away from the ball.

An impressive showing at the Shrine Bowl proved that Robinson can hold his own against higher-level competition, and the disruptive potential he brings to the table is hard to find at the position. Any team that's willing to overlook his size being an extreme outlier could be rewarded with a big-play machine, even in a rotational role.

CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin

Another small-school prospect who should be getting more attention, Demmings turned heads with an impressive performance during Senior Bowl week, and then again at this year's NFL Scouting Combine. That sequence forced many of us back to the tape to see if those athletic traits translated to the field, and sure enough, we found an impact player:

The combine is important for small-school guys to compare those testing numbers across the board with their peers from bigger programs, and the same is true for Senior Bowl practices, where they get to prove they can match up with top talent on the field. Demmings passed both tests with flying colors, proving he's got everything he needs to be a Day 3 bargain.

QB Cole Payton, North Dakota State

It's not a great year to need an instant-impact quarterback in the early rounds, but if teams are targeting a Day 3 prospect with intriguing upside, they could look Payton's way. He's not the most technically sound passer in the class, but he's big and athletic, with a strong arm and dangerous running ability.

Even if Payton never earns a full-time starting role at quarterback in the NFL, his skill set lends itself to Taysom Hill comparisons, and that's not a bad thing. His unique combination of size, athleticism and throwing ability could make him a valuable gadget weapon in the right offense.

Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 7:01 AM.

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