Bryce Lance leads a group of prospects from FCS schools and HBCUs who could provide value in the 2026 NFL Draft. While most top picks come from Power 4 conferences, several players from smaller programs have positioned themselves for selection.
North Dakota State’s Lance stands out as the best small-school prospect available. The 6-foot-3, 204-pound receiver ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and projects as a second-or-third-round pick.
Top Small-School Prospects
Lance finished his five-year career at North Dakota State as one of the most experienced receivers in the class. He led FCS with 17 receiving touchdowns in 2024 during the Bison’s national title run. In 2025, he earned first-team Associated Press FCS All-American honors with 51 receptions for 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns.
Bryce Lance, brother of Trey Lance, is a big red zone threat at 6’3, 204lbs with the ability to get vertical.
He’s made some INSANE catches
Should develop his route tree, and has the movement skills to do so. Another potential top 50 pick from NDSU pic.twitter.com/15OCExwEWr
Scouts praise Lance’s ball skills and speed but question his route-running ability after facing FCS competition. He ranks as the consensus No. 16 receiver available, per NFL Mock Draft Database.
Lance is the brother of former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance.
Charles Demmings from Stephen F. Austin projects as a fourth-or-fifth-round cornerback. The 6-foot-1, 193-pound defender started for three seasons and earned First-team All-Southland Conference honors in 2025 with four interceptions, 18 tackles and five pass breakups.
Demmings ran a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted that he “is capable of mixing into a variety of coverages but is at his best starting from a press look.”
“He has the hips/feet to match route breaks and the speed to stay with routes as they unfold,” Zierlein wrote. “While Demmings lacks ideal play strength and is not a firm tackler, his ball skills and man-cover consistency could land him a roster spot as a future CB4 with gunner potential.”
After his Combine performance, Demmings likely boosted his draft stock. He ranks as the consensus No. 21 cornerback available, per NFL Mock Draft Database.
Chuck Demmings is a CB prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 9.10 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 278 out of 3069 CB from 1987 to 2026. ras.football/ras-informat…
Cole Payton gives North Dakota State another potential draftee. The 6-foot-3 left-handed quarterback could benefit from a weak year at the position.
Payton was a full-time starter for just one season but posted strong numbers. He led FCS in passing efficiency (193.84) while throwing 16 touchdowns against four interceptions. He also rushed for 777 yards and 13 touchdowns.
His dual-threat ability and mobility make him an intriguing prospect despite limited starting experience. Payton ranks as the consensus No. 5 quarterback in the class, per NFL Mock Draft Database.
Cole Payton has some of the most intriguing physical tools of any QB in the 2026 NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/kz1UMS9EbU
His passing mechanics need work, and he struggles with tight-window throws. But Payton could immediately contribute as a package quarterback while developing his pocket-passing skills.
Kaleb Proctor from SE Louisiana earned Southland Conference Player of the Year honors in 2025. The 6-foot-2 defensive tackle recorded 13 tackles for loss, nine sacks and 43 total tackles.
Proctor’s athleticism stands out for an interior lineman. He ran a 4.79 in the 40-yard dash with a 33-inch vertical jump at the NFL Combine.
Kaleb Proctor (6’2 291) SE Louisiana
- Quick first step
- 8 sacks in 2025
- Power in his hands
- Impressive athlete with a 9.51 RAS including a 4.79 40-yard dash, a 33″ vertical jump, and a 9’5″ broad jump
- 39 pressures in 2025 and 79 total throughout his career
- Impressed… pic.twitter.com/9nUy7Hwyyg
Size concerns and his small-school background limit Proctor’s projection. But his speed and agility could fit specific systems that value pass-rushing ability from interior linemen.
He projects as a Day 3 selection and ranks as the consensus No. 9 defensive lineman available, per NFL Mock Draft Database.
Late-Round Options
Tyren Montgomery has one of the draft’s most unique stories. The 25-year-old receiver didn’t play high school football and started as a walk-on basketball player at LSU in 2019.
After competing in a flag-football tournament, Montgomery created a highlight reel that earned him a spot at Nicholls State. He eventually transferred to Division-III John Carroll, where he broke school records.
Montgomery posted 119 catches for 1,528 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2025. He was the only Division-III player at both the American Bowl and 2026 Senior Bowl.
Another day at the Senior Bowl, another impressive play made by John Carroll’s Tyren Montgomery. He’s put himself on the draft radar in Mobile.
One of the best stories in the draft, he began his career as a walk-on basketball player at LSU. He didn’t play high school football. pic.twitter.com/VRWmZVr7zs
His basketball background gives him good body control, but his age and limited experience may hurt his draft position. Montgomery ranks as the No. 30 receiver in the class, per NFL Mock Draft Database.
Michael Heldman led Central Michigan with 10.5 sacks in 2025. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound pass rusher has drawn pre-draft interest, including a visit with the Packers.
Heldman broke out in his final season with 48 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and four pass breakups. His 40-inch vertical at his pro day would’ve ranked second among defensive ends at the NFL Combine.
The First Team All-MAC selection spent five years at Central Michigan. His versatility and athleticism make him a candidate for a pass-rushing specialist role.
He ranks as the consensus No. 30 EDGE available, per NFL Mock Draft Database.
Delby Lemieux could become the first Dartmouth player drafted since 2004. The offensive lineman earned three All-Ivy League selections and two All-American honors before receiving a Senior Bowl invitation.
Dartmouth OT Delby Lemieux got a lot of work at center on Day 1. Showed strong, tight hands in pass pro drills pic.twitter.com/n378RJ4NzS
Lemieux allowed 30 pressures and three sacks over 35 college games. Despite playing tackle at Dartmouth, he projects better as an interior lineman in the NFL.
His 305-pound frame brings athleticism, but pass protection remains a concern. Lemieux ranks as the No. 36 interior offensive lineman, per NFL Mock Draft Database.
“Lemieux is very athletic and will have no issues as a pulling center or in getting to his landmarks on outside zone,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote. “He’s low-cut and can fit up blocks with leverage but needs to add more bulk.”
HBCU Standouts
Erick Hunter from Morgan State finished as the program’s second all-time leading tackler. The 6-foot-4 linebacker recorded 101 tackles, four sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles in 2025.
Hunter earned All-MEAC First Team honors and was a 2025 HBCU Player of the Year finalist. He then dominated at the HBCU Showcase, posting the best 40-yard dash (4.48), vertical jump (37 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, 10 inches).
His 40 time would’ve ranked third among linebackers at the NFL Combine.
Congrats to our client, Erick Hunter @ErickHunter04 on an exceptional performance at the HBCU Showcase. @MSUBearsFB pic.twitter.com/s2cAxaAEkC
Hunter’s speed and experience make him an immediate special teams contributor.
Quincy Ivory took a unique path to Jackson State. He started as a quarterback at Mississippi Valley before moving to defensive line at East Los Angeles Community College. After eight games at Florida in 2024, he landed at Jackson State for 2025.
The 6-foot-3, 239-pound defender earned SWAC Defensive Player of the Year honors with 71 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception. His blend of EDGE and linebacker skills brings versatility.
@gojsutigersfb DL Quincy Ivory talks with @SherreeBurruss after practice ahead of the HBCU Legacy Bowl!
The 2026 @HBCULegacyBowl is Saturday at 4pm ET on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/sgbGfticTM
Curtis Allen from Virginia Union set an NCAA Division II single-season record with 2,409 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns in 12 games. The 2025 Harlon Hill Trophy winner also earned the Deacon Jones Trophy.
At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Allen brings patience, burst and blocking ability. Some scouts have drawn “Division II Derrick Henry” comparisons, though those expectations may be lofty for a Day 3 prospect.
Allen ranks as the No. 32 running back available, per NFL Mock Draft Database.
D2 Superstar #VirginiaUnion RB Curtis Allen was a late add to my board, and a late round RB I’m intrigued by.
Allen rushed for 2,409 yards and recorded 30 TDs this past season, has good size, and produces big runs with great patience and strength. pic.twitter.com/YqmNItvYDw
