NFL Draft sleepers: The best FCS, HBCU & small-school players you should know in 2026

Every year, the NFL Draft is highlighted by players from big-name schools.

A significant majority of the college stars that are lucky enough to be drafted by an NFL team attended an FBS school, typically in a Power 4 conference (Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, ACC). Especially in the NIL era, where players are transferring at historic rates, it's not often a team can find a hidden gem from a small school.

However, that doesn't mean it's impossible. At the 2026 NFL Draft, most of the best players will be coming from the elite-level schools like Ohio State, Indiana, Georgia, Miami or Clemson. But a select few have a shot to be taken despite coming from an FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) school, or an HBCU.

Here is a breakdown of 10 potential sleepers in the 2026 NFL Draft, among only players who are coming from an FCS program or an HBCU.

MORE: The Sporting News' three-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft

NFL Draft sleepers 2026

1. Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State

Based on rankings and grades by most draft analyst and scouts, Bryce Lance is generally considered the best "small-school" player in the 2026 NFL Draft — although he is coming from a dynastic FCS school, North Dakota State, that will soon be elevated to the FBS's Mountain West Conference.

While Lance isn't quite in the top-tier of this year's wide receivers, a group led by Ohio State's Carnell Tate, USC's Makai Lemon Arizona State's Jordan Tyson, he has been given a projected second-or-third-round price tag. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 204 pounds, Lance is an elite athlete — he ran a 4.34 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

Lance enters the NFL after five years at North Dakota State, one of the more experienced receivers available. In 2024, he led FCS with 17 receiving touchdowns and contributed to a national title, and in 2025, he was a first-team Associated Press FCS All-American after posting 51 receptions for 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns.

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) August 14, 2025

Lance has been praised for his ball skills and speed, but coming from the FCS, also faces questions about the quality of defensive backs he's faced and his ability to work in short ranges as a route-runner. He is ranked as the consensus No. 16 wide receiver available, per NFL Mock Draft Database.

And, of course, he has a last name that many NFL fans will recognize: Bryce is the brother of quarterback Trey Lance, the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.  

MORE: Ranking the best wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft

2. Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin

Projected as a fourth-or-fifth-round pick, cornerback Charles Demmings is coming out of Stephen F. Austin, where he spent all four years of his collegiate career. He was a full-time starter by his sophomore season, then blossomed into a First-team All-Southland Conference selection in 2025 by posting four interceptions, 18 tackles and five pass-breakups.

Demmings stands at 6-foot-1 and 193 pounds; he ran a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. In his assessment of the cornerback, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote that Demmings "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. His recognition and instincts are average from off coverages and he can be a step slow to drive on throws in front of him," Zierlein wrote about Demmings. "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."

For now, Demmings appears capable of being a strong special-teams contributor or cornerback deeper on a depth chart — but in the long-term, a team could be optimistic about his athleticism and ball skills, leaving Stephen F. Austin as the program’s all-time leader in passes defended.

After impressing at the NFL Combine, Demmings likely boosted his draft stock. He is ranked as the consensus No. 21 cornerback available, per NFL Mock Draft Database.

— Kent Lee Platte (Mathbomb) (@mathbomb.bsky.social) April 7, 2026 at 6:22 PM

3. Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State

Lance isn't the only Bison star who could be drafted this year. His quarterback, Cole Payton, could benefit from what's generally been considered a weaker year for the position.

The 6-foot-3 left-handed passer was only a full-time starter at North Dakota State for one of his five seasons there, but it was a strong one. Payton posted led the FCS in passing efficiency (193.84) while putting up 16 touchdowns vs. four interceptions through the air, plus 777 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.

He's a dual-threat quarterback that brings good size to the NFL, something that could be attractive to teams in the draft. Payton's ability to make throws on the move and his mobility, especially as a speedy rusher, has made him 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

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 10, 2026

Payton's limited starting experience and sub-par passing mechanics are the reasons he's a projected mid-round selection, though. He isn't a player that can immediately step in as a starter, needing some pocket-passing development as a quarterback who can't throw into the necessary tight windows often.

But Payton can immediately become a package quarterback and athletic backup for an NFL team, with long-term hopes of developing into a solid dual-threat player.

— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball) September 9, 2023

MORE: Biggest, strongest, fastest from 2026 NFL Combine 

4. Kaleb Proctor, DT, SE Louisiana 

Coming out of SE Louisiana, 6-foo-2 defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor played four years at the school, including three years as a starter. In 2025, he was the Southland Conference Player of the Year, totaling 13 tackles for loss, nine sacks and 43 total tackles.

Proctor is considered an elite athletes for an interior defensive lineman; he ran a 4.79 in the 40-yard dash and recorded a 33-inch vertical jump at the NFL Combine, known for his quick first steps and overall elusiveness.

— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) March 14, 2026

Size is a concern with Proctor, on top of him coming from a small school. He isn't going to be traditional, hulking defensive tackle, but would fit best in a system that utilizes his speed and agility and ability to reach quarterbacks with different approaches. 

Projected as a Day 3 selection, Proctor is the consensus No. 9 defensive lineman available, per NFL Mock Draft Database. 

Southeastern Louisiana DI Kaleb Proctor vs. LSU. Might be my favorite small-school prospect in this class. Knifes through double teams like a shark, and jumps gaps like a running back. A 6'2", 291-pound rolling ball of butcher knives. pic.twitter.com/bf2btlYGWY

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) March 14, 2026

5. Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll

One of the older players in the class at 25 years old, Tyren Montgomery got a late start to football — and for good reason. He didn't play in high school, focusing on basketball, then was a walk-on basketball player at LSU in 2019.

After competing in a flag-football tournament, he created a highlight reel that he sent to colleges around the country — and he eventually found a hope at Nicholls State. Montgomery sat out in 2022, then played in eight games for the school in 2023 with 171 yards.

While he was then out of Division-I eligibility, he was able to transfer to John Carroll at the Division-III level, and Montgomery became their top receiver. In 2024, he posted 57 receptions for 1,071 yards and a team-record 17 touchdowns, then in 2025, he topped that with 119 catches for 1,528 yards and 15 touchdowns, breaking school records in all three categories.

Montgomery was the only Division-III player at the American Bowl and 2026 Senior Bowl. Now, after picking up football a few years ago, he's an NFL Draft prospect as a 6-foot-1 receiver after performing well at the Senior Bowl.

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) January 29, 2026

Montgomery brings some size to the slot and has been praised for his body control, coming from a basketball background. What may hurt his draft slot is Montgomery's age with lack of long-term experience, and he isn't one of the faster receivers in the class.

Based on NFL Mock Draft Database's consensus rankings, Montgomery is the No. 30-ranked wideout in the class, and he could be a fascinating UDFA if he isn't selected.

— Bryan (@RealBGauvin23) January 28, 2026

6. Michael Heldman, EDGE, Central Michigan

Central Michigan's leader in sacks last season with 10.5, Michael Heldman is now getting NFL looks — including a pre-draft visit with the Packers.

Heldman has gotten looks as both a defensive end and outside linebacker; he didn't have a rapid development at Central Michigan, totaling five sacks across 23 games in 2022 and 2023, then breakout out for 48 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and four pass-breakups last season.

A likely Day 3 pick, Heldman ran a 4.70 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day, but it was his 40-inch vertical that was more intriguing, as it would've ranked second among defensive ends at the NFL Combine. 

The 2025 First Team All-MAC selection stands at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds. He spent his full five-year college career at Central Michigan — with strong athleticism and a versatile pass-rush arsenal, Heldman could be a capable pass-rushing specialist in the later rounds. He is the consensus No. 30 EDGE available, per NFL Mock Draft Database.

— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) March 31, 2026

MORE: Ranking the best edge rushers in the 2026 NFL Draft 

7. Delby Lemieux, OL, Dartmouth

Offensive lineman Delby Lemieux was a three-time All-Ivy League selection at Dartmouth and a two-time All-American, leading to his invitation to the 2026 Senior Bowl. He would be the first Dartmouth player drafted to the NFL since 2004, when Casey Cramer was selected.

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

— Jack Brentnall (@Jack_Brentnall) January 28, 2026

Over his time in college, Lemieux played in 35 games, with 30 pressures allowed, three sacks allowed and a 3.1% pressure rate. He's best fit for an interior role despite playing tackle at Darmouth, technically sound but with the strength and technique to create running lanes well.

Lemieux's pass protection is a concern, despite his 305-pound frame and athleticism. He is the No. 36 consensus interior offensive lineman on the board, 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 of Lemieux. "He’s low-cut and can fit up blocks with leverage but needs to add more bulk."

— Bryan (@BGauvin23) March 21, 2025

8. Erick Hunter, LB, Morgan State

At both Morgan State and recently at the HBCU Showcase at the Commanders' practice facility, linebacker Erick Hunter has starred. The 6-4 defender put up 101 tackles, three passes defended, four sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles in his 2025 senior season, named to the All-MEAC First Team and FCS Football Central All-American Third Team before being invited to the American Bowl. He was also a 2025 HBCU Player of the Year Finalist.

Hunter finished his time at Morgan State as the program's second all-time leading tackler, the heartbeat of the team's defense for multiple seasons. Only furthering his case to be a late-round pick despite coming from a smaller school, Hunter then had the best 40-yard dash (4.48), vertical jump (37'') and broad jump (10'10'') at the HBCU Showcase. His 40 would have 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

— Rasheeda Liberty (Lady Lib Sports) (@ladylib1922) March 31, 2026

Considering his speed and experience, at the least, Hunter could be added to an NFL team as an immediate special teams contributor. 

— Steelers Black and Gold Nation (@B_GNation1) January 23, 2026

MORE: Sporting News' complete 7-round mock draft

9. Quincy Ivory, DL, Jackson State

Quincy Ivory has played for a few schools — he spent time at Mississippi Valley as a quarterback before playing at East Los Angeles Community College in 2022 as a defensive lineman, then appearing in eight games at Florida in 2024 and landing at Jackson State in 2025.

At 6-3 and 239 pounds, he finished the 2025 season with 71 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception and six quarterback hits. He emerged as a dominant force for Jackson State, earning SWAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, then being invited to the HBCU Legacy Bowl.

After taking advantage of his playing time at Jackson State, where he was a blend between EDGE and linebacker, Ivory is now considered a high-effort defender for the NFL who could show some promise with development.

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 19, 2026

10. Curtis Allen, RB, Virginia Union

One smaller-school running back who could be available to teams on Day 3, or as a free agent, is Virginia Union's Curtis Allen. In just 12 games last season, he rushed for an NCAA Division II single-season record 2,409 yards with 30 touchdowns — the kind of historic production that put him on an NFL radar.

Patience is one of Allen's strengths, finding gaps well and showing burst once he moves through them. The 2025 winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy, given to the best player in NCAA Division II, Allen is also a solid blocker and is able to slow defenders down a bit. He also won the Deacon Jones Trophy in 2025, awarded to the nation’s most outstanding athlete among historically black colleges.

At 6-2 and 215 pounds, Allen is a bigger running back who can bring his aggressive running style, power, balance and blocking skills to the next level. Given his size and dominance, Allen has even drawn some "Division II Derrick Henry" comparisons, although those are lofty expectations to be placed on an expected Day 3 selection or UDFA.

Allen is the No. 32 consensus running back available in the draft, per NFL Mock Draft Database. But don't be surprised if a team takes a shot on him after he ran all over Division II defenses in 2025.

— Andy (@AndyyNFL) April 3, 2026

MORE: Full 2026 NFL Draft order, picks by team