After a lengthy pre-draft process, many fans are well aware of top 2026 NFL Draft prospects like Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiah Love, Sonny Styles, and Arvel Reese. Programs like Ohio State, Miami, Oregon and Indiana are likely to have multiple players drafted in Round 1. However, it is always worthwhile to highlight some talented players from smaller schools who may eventually become famous.
Ahead of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, here are some small school prospects that fans should know about who could be selected early.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Of all the small-school prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has the best chance to be selected in Round 1. Last 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 6-foot-3 and ran an excellent time of 4.52 in the 40-yard dash. He was compared in the NFL to Talanoa Hufanga by ESPN's Matt Miller, with McNeil-Warren's excellent range, instincts and ability to close down the field quickly all being prominent. He'll be at least a top-50 pick, and could develop into a high-level starter.
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
While San Diego State Aztecs star Chris Johnson might have heard his name called early in the day, instead of joining Rashaad Penny as the program's recent first-round selection, 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) as well as instincts and feel at the position that could make him a Week 1 starter. At the very least, Johnson will play a lot of snaps in his rookie season, and there's at least a possibility that five years from now he'll be the second-best corner from this draft class.
Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
In most cases with small-school prospects, teams will have to be willing to have a little patience with their development curve. Georgia State wide receiver Ted Hurst faced very little competition at Georgia State, but what makes him stand out is his 6-foot-3 frame with very good speed (4.42 40-yard dash) and good strength to go with it. Hurst didn't see a ton of field time in his first NFL season, other than being used as an occasional deep threat, but his long-term upside certainly makes him a surefire option for day two. He could join the growing list of wide receivers taken in Round 3 who will have better careers than first-round receivers.
Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
North Dakota State wide receiver Bryce Lance, younger brother of Trey Lance, brings athleticism to the table that could land him a Round 3 selection. What NFL teams care about is the 6-foot-3's athleticism, which he demonstrated with both his 40-yard dash (4.34 seconds) and vertical jump (41.5″) during the pre-draft process. Similar to former NDSU wide receiver Christian Watson, Lance will need some time to readjust to the NFL as his speed will not be as effective against top competition. That said, he has great hands and he has the size-athleticism combo to become a starting wide receiver in the NFL in two to three years after developing as a route runner.
Charles Demings, CB, Stephen F. Austin
Following the top four small school prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, here are some of the lows. Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demings will be selected for the third round this weekend, but he has a chance for a long career in the National Football League. He stands at 6 feet 1 inch tall and has a physique that can definitely reach the next level. Demings also brings intangibles that coaches will love, which should help him earn some extra reps in practice and improve how quickly he can adjust to the NFL's learning curve. He will likely play special teams as a rookie before competing for a starting job in 2027.
Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
The 2026 NFL Draft class isn't particularly strong at quarterback, but you can at least see a scenario where Cole Payton works his way into a productive career. The former North Dakota State signal-caller offers attractive 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 potential here to play as a dual-threat quarterback, with a range that has a slightly higher chance of getting hit due to his work ethic. Payton is going to be a multi-year project for a coaching staff, but the physical tools and how he handles himself make it a worthwhile investment. Even if he doesn't reach his ceiling, he could still be an exciting backup quarterback long-term for the right play-caller.
