2026 NFL Draft: Chris Johnson leads list of small-school standouts

You don't have to be a Power 4 star to make it in the NFL.

The 2025 All-Pro team featured plenty of small-school standouts who have become the league's best at their positions. Look no further than tight end Trey McBride out of Colorado State or cornerback Quinyon Mitchell out of Toledo.

Even in the era of NIL, which is powering an exciting transfer portal, prospects can outplay their college's standing and make it to the NFL as first-round picks. Mitchell was a first-round selection in 2024 and Eagles fans are thrilled to have him.

The top of this year's draft board is dominated by players from the Power 4 conferences. Stars from the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12 and ACC will hear their names called early and often come the first round of April's NFL Draft. After the first 32 picks, that certainly won't stop.

But there are prospects from more unheralded places who will hear their names called during the NFL draft, including one potentially in the first round. Here are the top small-school prospects to know in the 2026 NFL Draft:

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2026 NFL Draft: Small-school prospectsCB Chris Johnson, San Diego State

Johnson brings ideal size and speed at a premium position. At 6-foot and 193 pounds, Johnson hit 4.40 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 10 feet, six inches in the broad jump at the NFL combine. He hit 17 bench press repetitions, tied for the most among all cornerbacks, showing his mix of speed and strength.

Johnson stayed with the Aztecs in 2025 and took a step forward in coverage. He allowed just 18 receptions on 43 targets and none of them ended in a touchdown, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). He set a career-best in passer rating allowed when targeted at 16.1 with four interceptions and five pass breakups. In a league looking for shutdown corners on the outside, Johnson has the makings of a small-school gem.

Draft projection: Late Round 1/early Round 2.

S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

Caleb Downs and Dillon Thieneman are locks for the first round but Toledo's latest top defensive back prospect won't be too far behind them. McNeil-Warren combines good size (6-foot-3, 32 inch arms) with solid speed (4.52 40-yard dash).

In run defense, he's a solid tackler who could use some improvement on his footwork to make sure his hard hits bring opposing ball-carriers down. But that power converted well to turnovers; McNeil-Warren has 11 career forced fumbles, per PFF. He's a rangy cover man who uses his length to disrupt passes. He notched five pass breakups in 2025 alone and two interceptions. Penalties are not a concern with that length, though, with just one in his college career.

Draft projection: Early Round 2

WR Bryce Lance, North Dakota State

The younger brother of former No. 3 overall pick Trey, the latest Bison star with the surname Lance, was one of the top athletic performers at the NFL combine. He measured in at over 6-foot-3 and 204 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds. His broad jump of 11 feet, one inch and his 41-inch vertical jump were among the best at the position.

His speed isn't sudden, more long speed that takes some time to gather up. His jumps and overall strength make him a threat in contested catch situations. He can't be a top one or two targets in a passing game yet, though, because he needs to improve his releases and overall route-running at the next level.

Draft projection: Round 4

WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State

If Hurst played at an SEC school, there's a chance he's a top-50 selection. Like Lance, he's got size at 6-foot-4 and 206 pounds with good long speed (4.42-second 40-yard dash). He's more agile than Lance but less proven in contested-catch scenarios.

Hurst's footwork shows up against press coverage to shake defenders off and bodes well for his progression as a route runner. It may take some time but Hurst could grow into a reliable No. 2 wide receiver on the outside for an NFL team.

Draft projection: Round 4

OT Kage Casey, Boise State

This offensive tackle class is top-heavy, as teams will likely use a top-50 pick to secure their favorite prospects in the group. Casey falls out of that range but offers a lot for teams to like.

His three years of starting left tackle experience and frame at 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds is a good place to start. His average athleticism and length may ultimately require a move to the inside, similar to what happened with fellow small-school left tackle Grey Zabel in the 2025 NFL Draft. Casey can deploy his strong hands in the run game well and could contend for a starting role sooner than later.

Draft projection: Late Round 4/early Round 5

DT Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana

Proctor is slightly undersized for the position at 6-foot-2 and 291 pounds but came to the NFL Combine and did exactly what an undersized small-school player needs to make noise. He showed off his elite athleticism with a 1.69-second 10-yard split in the 40-yard dash, a 33-inch vertical jump and nine feet, five inches in the broad jump.

In the position drills, he showed off his bend which should make him a potential plus pass rusher from the interior. His smaller frame may be tough against NFL-sized offensive linemen, specifically in run defense, but he's tailor-made for stunts and inside games.

Draft projection: Late Round 5/early Round 6

Edge Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan

Tucker is one of the older prospects in the class at his position and is undersized at 6-foot-2 and just 247 pounds. Like Proctor, that smaller frame may show up more against NFL offensive lineman than his college competition.

Still, Tucker has great bend, burst and overall footwork to be a rotational pass rusher for a team looking for smaller bodies off the edge. He could struggle against NFL length but has enough tools to warrant an investment on Day 3.

Draft projection: Round 6

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL Draft: Small-school stars who will make an impact