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6 Small-School Prospects to Know Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft
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- 6 Small-School Prospects to Know Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft
After a lengthy pre-draft process, many fans are well acquainted with top 2026 NFL Draft prospects like Fernando Mendoza , Jeremiyah Love , Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese . Programs like Ohio State , Miami, Oregon and Indiana will likely have multiple players taken in Round 1. However, it's always worth shedding light on some of the draft gems from smaller schools who could eventually become well-known.
Ahead of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, here are a few small-school prospects fans should know about who could be picked quite early.
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Emmanuel McNeil-Warren , S, Toledo
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Of all the smaller-school prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has the best shot of being picked in Round 1. This past season with the Toledo Rockets, he earned Second-Team All-American honors after recording 77 solo tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss, 5 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. At the NFL Combine, he measured at 6-foot-3 and put up an excellent time in the 40-yard dash of 4.52. He drew an NFL comparison to Talanoa Hufanga by ESPN 's Matt Miller, with McNeil-Warren's outstanding range, instincts, and ability to close ground quickly all standing out. He'll be a top-50 pick, at a minimum, and could develop into a high-end starter.
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
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While San Diego State Aztecs star Chris Johnson probably hears his name called early on Day 2, instead of joining Rashaad Penny as the program's recent first-round picks, he is one of the best cornerbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft. He offers good size (6-foot) with excellent speed (4.4 40-yard dash time) along with instincts and a feel for the position that could make him a Week 1 starter. At the very least, Johnson will be playing plenty of snaps in his rookie season, and there's at least a possibility that five years from now he's the second-best corner from this draft class.
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Ted Hurst , WR, Georgia State
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In most cases with small-school prospects, teams have to be willing to have a little patience with their development curve. Georgia State wide receiver Ted Hurst faced much lesser competition at Georgia State, but what makes him stand out is that 6-foot-3 frame with very good speed (4.42 40-yard dash) and good strength to go with it. Hurst might not see the field a ton in his first NFL season, outside of being used as the occasional deep threat, but his long-term upside absolutely makes him a surefire Day 2 pick. He could join the growing list of wide receivers taken in Round 3 who wind up having better careers than first-round receivers.
Bryce Lance , WR, North Dakota State
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The younger brother of Trey Lance , North Dakota State wide receiver Bryce Lance brings athleticism to the table that could sneak him into becoming a Round 3 selection. What NFL teams care about is the athleticism at 6-foot-3, which he demonstrated during the pre-draft process with both his 40-yard dash (4.34 seconds) and vertical jump (41.5″). Similar to former NDSU wide receiver Christian Watson , Lance will need some time to recalibrate in the NFL as his speed won't quite be as effective against top competition. With that said, he does have very good hands and there's the size-athleticism combo for him to become a starting wide receiver in the NFL in two to three years once he develops as a route runner.
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Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin
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After the top four small-school prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, there's a bit of a drop-off. Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings will be a Day 3 pick this weekend, but he does have a shot at a lengthy career in the National Football League. He stands at 6-foot-1 with the length and physicality that can absolutely translate to the next level. Demmings also brings intangibles that coaches will love, which should earn him a few extra reps in practice and improve how quickly he can adjust to the NFL's learning curve. He'll likely play special teams as a rookie before competing for a starting job in 2027.
Cole Payton , QB, North Dakota State
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The 2026 NFL Draft class is not particularly strong at quarterback, but you can at least see a scenario unfold where Cole Payton works his way into a productive career. North Dakota State's former signal-caller offers enticing athleticism (4.56 40-yard dash) at nearly 6-foot-3, and he offers plenty of arm strength to go with it. There is some playmaking ability here as a dual-threat quarterback, with a ceiling that is slightly more possible of being hit because of his work ethic. Payton is going to be a multi-year project for a coaching staff, but the physical tools and how he carries himself make it a worthwhile investment. Even if he doesn't achieve his ceiling, he could be an exciting backup quarterback long-term for the right play-caller.
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