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MI vs RCB, IPL 2026: Rohit Sharma’s record against Royal Challengers Bengaluru  Rohit Sharma has been a stalwart for Mumbai Indians for a long time now, leading the side to five IPL titles.As Mumbai Indians faces its familiar foe Royal Challengers Bengaluru in an IPL 2026 clash on Sunday, let’s take a look at Rohit’s record against RCB.
Rohit Sharma’s record against RCB

Innings: 33

Runs: 848

Average: 27.35

Strike Rate: 136.99

Highest Score: 94
While statistics might show that Rohit hasn’t always been at his best against RCB, the MI opener though has scored seven fifties, including a 94 in 2018.Rohit will also look to capitalise on an impactful start to the 2026 season. He has scored 118 runs in the first three matches at an average of 39.33 with a strike rate of 168.57 so far.Published on Apr 12, 2026  #RCB #IPL #Rohit #Sharmas #record #Royal #Challengers #Bengaluru

MI vs RCB, IPL 2026: Rohit Sharma’s record against Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Rohit Sharma has been a stalwart for Mumbai Indians for a long time now, leading the side to five IPL titles.

As Mumbai Indians faces its familiar foe Royal Challengers Bengaluru in an IPL 2026 clash on Sunday, let’s take a look at Rohit’s record against RCB.

Rohit Sharma’s record against RCB

Innings: 33

Runs: 848

Average: 27.35

Strike Rate: 136.99

Highest Score: 94

While statistics might show that Rohit hasn’t always been at his best against RCB, the MI opener though has scored seven fifties, including a 94 in 2018.

Rohit will also look to capitalise on an impactful start to the 2026 season. He has scored 118 runs in the first three matches at an average of 39.33 with a strike rate of 168.57 so far.

Published on Apr 12, 2026

#RCB #IPL #Rohit #Sharmas #record #Royal #Challengers #Bengaluru

Rohit Sharma has been a stalwart for Mumbai Indians for a long time now, leading the side to five IPL titles.

As Mumbai Indians faces its familiar foe Royal Challengers Bengaluru in an IPL 2026 clash on Sunday, let’s take a look at Rohit’s record against RCB.

Rohit Sharma’s record against RCB

Innings: 33

Runs: 848

Average: 27.35

Strike Rate: 136.99

Highest Score: 94

While statistics might show that Rohit hasn’t always been at his best against RCB, the MI opener though has scored seven fifties, including a 94 in 2018.

Rohit will also look to capitalise on an impactful start to the 2026 season. He has scored 118 runs in the first three matches at an average of 39.33 with a strike rate of 168.57 so far.

Published on Apr 12, 2026

Source link
#RCB #IPL #Rohit #Sharmas #record #Royal #Challengers #Bengaluru

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Deadspin | Hornets aim to bounce back in season finale vs. Knicks <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/27734453.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/27734453.jpg" alt="NBA: Charlotte Hornets at New York Knicks" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Dec 3, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) drives past New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) in the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>After clinching the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks are expected to sit a number of key players in their regular-season finale against the visiting Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>New York (53-28) has won five straight games and 12 of its past 15, including a 112-95 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Before opening their first-round series either next Saturday or Sunday, the Knicks will face a Charlotte team headed to the East’s play-in tournament.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Hornets (43-38) saw their chances at a guaranteed playoff bid evaporate with a 118-100 home loss to the top-seeded Detroit Pistons on Friday. Charlotte has lost two straight following a four-game winning streak.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>As a result, the Hornets will be locked outside of the top eight. With a win on Sunday, they will earn the ninth seed. If they lose and the Miami Heat win, the Hornets would slide down to 10th.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>LaMelo Ball had 27 points and eight assists, and Brandon Miller added 22 points and four steals in Friday’s loss for the Hornets. </p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Charlotte allowed 62 points in the paint and was outscored 25-10 in the fourth quarter.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>“(The Pistons) are good at being physical and getting to the paint,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said. “Offensively, we let some of their physicality bother us. Our screening was not physical enough, way too many guys going under. Not the group that I think we’ve been the last couple of weeks, and what we’ve built throughout the season.”</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Rookie of the Year candidate Kon Knueppel scored 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting in the loss for the Hornets, who were outscored 27-12 on second-chance points.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-10"> <p>“A night like this can really put things in perspective,” Charlotte forward Grant Williams said. “I thought that we could have upped our physicality. Rather than us rallying together and understanding that 10 points is nothing in the NBA, I think we went the opposite way. I think the group just didn’t necessarily commit to understanding that.”</p> </section> <section id="section-11"> <p>Knueppel made two 3-pointers in the loss and became the 13th NBA player with at least 270 3-pointers in a season.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>The Hornets defeated New York 114-103 in their last meeting in Charlotte on March 26.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>New York won its seventh straight home game on Friday and impressed Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic in the process.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>“(The Knicks) have a lot of depth. They’re an elite offensive rebounding team. They have an amazing closer in (Jalen) Brunson. They have an amazing shooter and rebounder and playmaker in Karl-Anthony Towns,” Rajakovic said. “I can talk about their roster and how well they’ve played for a long time. They’re an elite, elite team.”</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Brunson scored 29 points, and Towns added 22 points and 10 rebounds to help the Knicks complete a season sweep (5-0) against the Raptors and improve to 30-9 at home this season.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>New York shot 54.7 percent from the field and outscored Toronto 58-40 in the paint.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>“Tonight was a good night to show our improvement as a team,” Towns said. “Things we can be better at, but I think that right now confidence is high, morale is great in the locker room. It feels good to step into Sunday with that kind of momentum.”</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>One area of concern is the status of forward OG Anunoby, who exited the game midway through the second quarter with an injured left ankle and did not return.</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>Anunoby will rest on Sunday as the Knicks focus on their first-round matchup. The Knicks have about a week for Anunoby to recover before facing the East’s No. 6 seed.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-20"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Hornets #aim #bounce #season #finale #Knicks

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Deadspin | Emil Lilleberg’s late goal lifts Lightning past skidding Bruins <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28707878.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28707878.jpg" alt="NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 11, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Emil Lilleberg (78) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Defenseman Emil Lilleberg scored a rebound goal with 1:35 left in regulation, leading the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning to a 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Moments after the Bruins were unable to clear a puck out of their own zone, Lilleberg buried the rebound of a Jake Guentzel shot to lead Tampa Bay (49-25-6, 104 points) to the win. </p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>The Lightning snapped a three-game losing streak and denied Boston (43-27-10, 96 points) the opportunity to clinch a playoff spot.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Brandon Hagel also scored and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 19 saves for the Lightning, who trailed 1-0 into the third period and registered their 23rd come-from-behind win this season.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Morgan Geekie scored Boston’s lone goal, his fourth in the past two games.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Jeremy Swayman made 22 saves in net for the Bruins, who are 0-3-2 in their last five games.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>Charlie McAvoy set up Geekie’s goal, becoming the first Bruins defenseman since Hall of Famer Ray Bourque in 1995-96 to record 50 assists in a single season.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>The Bruins went on their first power play of the game after a Hagel interference call with 33.6 seconds left but could not score on the 6-on-4 advantage.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Tampa Bay finished with a 24-20 edge in shots.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>The teams combined for just nine shots on goal in a low-event first period. Swayman robbed the best opportunity of the frame from a wide-open Gage Goncalves in the final minutes, closing his pads on the puck on the doorstep. </p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Geekie broke the long scoreless deadlock 10:47 into the middle frame, taking McAvoy’s stretch feed from the defensive zone down the slot for a top-shelf breakaway goal.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>The visitors drew even with 13:23 left in regulation, as Goncalves sent Hagel past two oncoming defenders and snuck a five-hole shot on Swayman.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Among a slew of absences from the Tampa Bay lineup, forward Zemgus Girgensons and defenseman Darren Raddysh both had undisclosed injuries. Raddysh scored the game-winning goal in last Saturday’s meeting with Boston.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-14"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Emil #Lillebergs #late #goal #lifts #Lightning #skidding #Bruins

Deadspin | Kings within range of higher seed as they face lowly Canucks  Apr 13, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Kings forward Quinton Byfield (55) scores a goal against Seattle Kraken goalie Nikke Kokko (39) during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images   After clinching a Stanley Cup playoff spot, the Los Angeles Kings will look to track down the top wild-card seed in the Western Conference when they face the host Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.  Quinton Byfield scored twice, while Alex Laferriere and Trevor Moore each scored and added an assist as the visiting Kings (35-26-19, 89 points) topped the Seattle Kraken 5-3 on Monday night for their fifth straight win. Los Angeles also has points in seven straight (6-0-1).  “It’s awesome,” Moore said. “It was dicey there for a while, but I’m really proud of our group for sticking together, believing in ourselves and going on this run.”  Adrian Kempe also scored while Anton Forsberg made 28 saves as Los Angeles defeated Seattle for the first time this season (1-2-1).  With the win, the Kings moved one point back of the Utah Mammoth for the first wild-card seed. Both teams have a pair of regular-season games remaining. Los Angeles has qualified for the fifth straight postseason after missing the playoffs for three years.  Byfield admitted the group was motivated to give captain Anze Kopitar a final playoff run.  “That’s what it’s about,” Byfield said. “You want to do it for one another, but at the beginning of the year, we talked about it, we wanted to give Kopi another shot for what he’s done for the organization. It’s the least we could do.”  Tuesday is the fourth and final game between the Pacific Division rivals, with the Los Angeles Kings looking to sweep the season series.  The two teams met most recently last Thursday, with the host Kings topping the Canucks 4-1.   Vancouver (24-48-8, 56 points), at the bottom of the league standings, has won back-to-back games following a 4-3 overtime win against the host Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night.  Curtis Douglas, Jake DeBrusk and Brock Boeser scored as the Canucks jumped out to a 3-1 lead, but Vancouver needed Marco Rossi’s power-play goal with 10 seconds remaining in overtime to secure two points.  Goaltender Nikita Tolopilo made 24 saves.  “Easily could have not played with the intensity or urgency we’ve seen the last three or four games, but they keep pushing, and they’re gelling together,” said Vancouver coach Adam Foote. “Give them a lot of credit, they’ve really connected as a group.”  Douglas, playing in his 41st career game, tied it 1-1 at 10:49 of the first period for his first NHL goal.  “It was pretty cool having everyone so excited. It was almost like they scored,” Douglas said of his teammates. “I have chills right now just talking about it. I don’t want to get emotional, but it was really, really special, I think, just coming down the line and seeing all the smiles and people freaking out because they’ve been there the whole time, and cheering me on and making sure I didn’t get down because I hadn’t scored yet.”  Tuesday is the final home game for the Canucks, who wrap up the season in Edmonton on Thursday.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Kings #range #higher #seed #face #lowly #CanucksApr 13, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Kings forward Quinton Byfield (55) scores a goal against Seattle Kraken goalie Nikke Kokko (39) during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

After clinching a Stanley Cup playoff spot, the Los Angeles Kings will look to track down the top wild-card seed in the Western Conference when they face the host Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.

Quinton Byfield scored twice, while Alex Laferriere and Trevor Moore each scored and added an assist as the visiting Kings (35-26-19, 89 points) topped the Seattle Kraken 5-3 on Monday night for their fifth straight win. Los Angeles also has points in seven straight (6-0-1).

“It’s awesome,” Moore said. “It was dicey there for a while, but I’m really proud of our group for sticking together, believing in ourselves and going on this run.”

Adrian Kempe also scored while Anton Forsberg made 28 saves as Los Angeles defeated Seattle for the first time this season (1-2-1).

With the win, the Kings moved one point back of the Utah Mammoth for the first wild-card seed. Both teams have a pair of regular-season games remaining. Los Angeles has qualified for the fifth straight postseason after missing the playoffs for three years.

Byfield admitted the group was motivated to give captain Anze Kopitar a final playoff run.

“That’s what it’s about,” Byfield said. “You want to do it for one another, but at the beginning of the year, we talked about it, we wanted to give Kopi another shot for what he’s done for the organization. It’s the least we could do.”

Tuesday is the fourth and final game between the Pacific Division rivals, with the Los Angeles Kings looking to sweep the season series.


The two teams met most recently last Thursday, with the host Kings topping the Canucks 4-1.

Vancouver (24-48-8, 56 points), at the bottom of the league standings, has won back-to-back games following a 4-3 overtime win against the host Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night.

Curtis Douglas, Jake DeBrusk and Brock Boeser scored as the Canucks jumped out to a 3-1 lead, but Vancouver needed Marco Rossi’s power-play goal with 10 seconds remaining in overtime to secure two points.

Goaltender Nikita Tolopilo made 24 saves.

“Easily could have not played with the intensity or urgency we’ve seen the last three or four games, but they keep pushing, and they’re gelling together,” said Vancouver coach Adam Foote. “Give them a lot of credit, they’ve really connected as a group.”

Douglas, playing in his 41st career game, tied it 1-1 at 10:49 of the first period for his first NHL goal.

“It was pretty cool having everyone so excited. It was almost like they scored,” Douglas said of his teammates. “I have chills right now just talking about it. I don’t want to get emotional, but it was really, really special, I think, just coming down the line and seeing all the smiles and people freaking out because they’ve been there the whole time, and cheering me on and making sure I didn’t get down because I hadn’t scored yet.”

Tuesday is the final home game for the Canucks, who wrap up the season in Edmonton on Thursday.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Kings #range #higher #seed #face #lowly #Canucks">Deadspin | Kings within range of higher seed as they face lowly Canucks  Apr 13, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Kings forward Quinton Byfield (55) scores a goal against Seattle Kraken goalie Nikke Kokko (39) during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images   After clinching a Stanley Cup playoff spot, the Los Angeles Kings will look to track down the top wild-card seed in the Western Conference when they face the host Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.  Quinton Byfield scored twice, while Alex Laferriere and Trevor Moore each scored and added an assist as the visiting Kings (35-26-19, 89 points) topped the Seattle Kraken 5-3 on Monday night for their fifth straight win. Los Angeles also has points in seven straight (6-0-1).  “It’s awesome,” Moore said. “It was dicey there for a while, but I’m really proud of our group for sticking together, believing in ourselves and going on this run.”  Adrian Kempe also scored while Anton Forsberg made 28 saves as Los Angeles defeated Seattle for the first time this season (1-2-1).  With the win, the Kings moved one point back of the Utah Mammoth for the first wild-card seed. Both teams have a pair of regular-season games remaining. Los Angeles has qualified for the fifth straight postseason after missing the playoffs for three years.  Byfield admitted the group was motivated to give captain Anze Kopitar a final playoff run.  “That’s what it’s about,” Byfield said. “You want to do it for one another, but at the beginning of the year, we talked about it, we wanted to give Kopi another shot for what he’s done for the organization. It’s the least we could do.”  Tuesday is the fourth and final game between the Pacific Division rivals, with the Los Angeles Kings looking to sweep the season series.  The two teams met most recently last Thursday, with the host Kings topping the Canucks 4-1.   Vancouver (24-48-8, 56 points), at the bottom of the league standings, has won back-to-back games following a 4-3 overtime win against the host Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night.  Curtis Douglas, Jake DeBrusk and Brock Boeser scored as the Canucks jumped out to a 3-1 lead, but Vancouver needed Marco Rossi’s power-play goal with 10 seconds remaining in overtime to secure two points.  Goaltender Nikita Tolopilo made 24 saves.  “Easily could have not played with the intensity or urgency we’ve seen the last three or four games, but they keep pushing, and they’re gelling together,” said Vancouver coach Adam Foote. “Give them a lot of credit, they’ve really connected as a group.”  Douglas, playing in his 41st career game, tied it 1-1 at 10:49 of the first period for his first NHL goal.  “It was pretty cool having everyone so excited. It was almost like they scored,” Douglas said of his teammates. “I have chills right now just talking about it. I don’t want to get emotional, but it was really, really special, I think, just coming down the line and seeing all the smiles and people freaking out because they’ve been there the whole time, and cheering me on and making sure I didn’t get down because I hadn’t scored yet.”  Tuesday is the final home game for the Canucks, who wrap up the season in Edmonton on Thursday.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Kings #range #higher #seed #face #lowly #Canucks

No matter what you think of NIL and the transfer portal — and your opinion is probably valid as long as it isn’t, say, Tommy Tuberville’s — there’s one thing for certain about college football’s changing landscape, and that’s the relative lack of smaller-school players in every draft class. Per ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler, the rate of prospects who transferred to bigger schools rose from 5.4% in 2018 to 38.2% in 2025. Better players are often moving to bigger schools for more money, yes, but also the opportunity to show their skills against a higher level of competition, in order to blot out that particular question mark in the eyes of NFL shot-callers.

In 2025, Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (by way of Boise State) and Seattle left guard Grey Zabel (by way of North Dakota State) were the only first-round picks from non-major conferences, and that trend looks to continue in 2026. Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren should be a lead-pipe lock as a first-round pick, but outside of that, it doesn’t look great for those guys outside of the bigger schools and conferences. Maybe San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson sneaks into the back of the first round (which he should, based on performance; more on him later), and after that, we’re grasping at straws.

Still, there are smaller-school prospects whose tape reveals NFL starting potential in the right system, and here are my favorites in this particular draft class. Could these guys line up to be the next Joe Flacco (Delaware), Shannon Sharpe (Savannah State), Sam Mills (Montclair State), or Dave Krieg (Milton College — which no longer exists)? It’s entirely possible.

Here are five offensive prospects who I believe can start in the NFL sooner or later.

Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State

Jan 31, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; National quarterback Cole Payton (9) of North Dakota State throws the ball during the second half of the 2026 Senior Bowl at University of South Alabama, Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Jan 31, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; National quarterback Cole Payton (9) of North Dakota State throws the ball during the second half of the 2026 Senior Bowl at University of South Alabama, Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Payton was a two-star recruit out of Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska, and North Dakota State was the best of the smaller-school offers he got. There were no offers from bigger schools. He sat behind Trey Lance and Cam Miller until the 2025 season, when he was given the opportunity to be more than a package-play running quarterback (other people were interested in him as a potential tight end convert).

Given that chance, Payton went off. In 2025, he completed 161 of 226 passes (71.2%) for 2,719 yards (12.0 yards per attempt), 16 touchdowns, four interceptions, and a passer rating of 127.8. He completed 35 of 56 passes of 20 or more air yards for 1,247 yards, eight touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 138.4. When under pressure, he completed 51 of 102 passes for 599 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 111.5, and when blitzed, he completed 63 of 89 passes for 1,399 yards, 10 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 150.6. Still, you’ll see opinions from alleged “experts” insisting that Payton doesn’t have a good deep arm, or that he falls apart under pressure. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The only real ding on Payton that makes sense, outside of strength of competition, is that he could be quicker and more consistent with his delivery. The one-year starter thing could be an issue for some NFL teams, as well. But if we’re going on NFL-transitive skills in a relatively weak quarterback class (Payton also ran the ball 120 times for 894 yards and 13 touchdowns last season), why wouldn’t Payton be able to hold a starting job in the NFL over time as he accentuates his development? The upside here could be Baker Mayfield-ish. Maybe the floor is Dillon Gabriel, but you could do a lot worse in the third day of the draft.

Robert Henry Jr., RB, UTSA

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - AUGUST 30: Robert Henry Jr #3 of the UTSA Roadrunners motions during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on August 30, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Maria Lysaker/Getty Images)

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – AUGUST 30: Robert Henry Jr #3 of the UTSA Roadrunners motions during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on August 30, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Maria Lysaker/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The 2026 running back class is somewhat similar to the quarterback class in that outside of the top guy (Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love), there isn’t a consensus No. 2 back. Which could leave the field open late in Day 2, or early in Day 3, for UTSA’s Robert Henry Jr. A no-star recruit from a very small high school, Henry spent his 2021 and 2022 seasons at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi before the Roadrunners snapped him up for the 2023 campaign, and he chose UTSA over Kentucky and South Carolina.

Henry’s first two seasons at his new school were pretty good, but 2025 was when he went off. He carried the rock 152 times for 1,051 yards (6.9 yards per carry), nine touchdowns, 33 forced missed tackles, and 16 runs of 15 or more yards. Add in his 17 catches on 24 targets for 112 yards and two touchdowns last season, and the fact that he’s not a complete disaster as a pass-blocker, and you can see an NFL path as a rotational back in either a gap-first or inside zone-heavy offense. And if you’re worried about strength of competition, go watch him against Texas A&M in the 2025 season opener, when he scalded the Aggies for 177 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.

Eli Heidenreich, RB/WR, Navy

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 13: Eli Heidenreich #22 of the Navy Midshipmen catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half of the 126th Army-Navy Game against the Army Black Knights at M&T Bank Stadium on December 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 13: Eli Heidenreich #22 of the Navy Midshipmen catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half of the 126th Army-Navy Game against the Army Black Knights at M&T Bank Stadium on December 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
Getty Images

When we talk about versatile players in football, we are generally focusing on defensive linemen who can win from multiple gaps, linebackers who can also rush the passer at the line of scrimmage, or defensive backs who can credibly play multiple positions without embarrassing themselves. In this case, we’re talking about a running back and a receiver in the person of Navy’s Eli Heidenreich, who is one of the more interesting prospects in this class, regardless of position.

Heidenreich was a lightly-recruited prospect out of Allegheny County near Pittsburgh, and committed to Navy when he was offered in 2021. He started to show his versatility in the 2023 season, led the Midshipmen in receiving in 2024, and put his best season together in 2025, when he totaled 1,440 yards from scrimmage and nine total touchdowns. 499 rushing yards and three touchdowns came on just 77 carries (6.9 yards per attempt), with 23 forced missed tackles, and nine runs of 15 or more yards. Then, as a receiver, he added 51 catches on 79 targets for 941 yards and six touchdowns, and he did all of that on a lot more than swings and screens. He’s got legitimate post, over, seam, and go routes in his palette from slot and wide deployments.

I’m not going to compare Heidenreich to the likes of Christian McCaffrey — he’s not that valuable as a runner. But if you think of how much Bill Belichick relied on James White when White played for the New England Patriots from 2014 to 2021, averaging 68 receptions per season over his career, that might be a good comp. Heidenreich won’t be for everybody; some will think of him more as a “homeless” tweener. But the right offensive coordinator could turn him into an every-down hybrid player with a ton of value.

Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Ted Hurst #WO24 of Georgia State participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 28: Ted Hurst #WO24 of Georgia State participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Getty Images

One of the first things I did when Dane Brugler of The Athletic released his mandatory “The Beast” draft guide this week was to look up Georgia State’s Ted Hurst for context as to why Hurst never saw action with bigger schools. Because the tape will tell you that this guy has a future as an NFL receiver. Somehow, even after a credible high-school stint at Sol C. Johnson High School in Savannah, Georgia, Hurst was a no-star recruit and played for Valdosta State for the 2022 and 2023 seasons before getting interest from one FBS school — Georgia State. I’m at a loss to explain why he didn’t end up at a major school (no offense to Georgia State!), but Hurst now has the opportunity to prove ‘em all wrong.

Last season, the 6’4”, 206-pound Hurst caught 71 passes on 124 targets for 999 yards (if only!) and six touchdowns. He had 11 catches on 27 targets of 20 or more air yards for 377 yards, and 14 explosive plays overall. Hurst also had 22 contested catches on 50 targets. And against Vanderbilt, Memphis, and Ole Miss — his most formidable opponents — Hurst caught 15 passes on 28 targets for 169 yards while his team was getting smushed more often than not.

I think he projects well as a “Z” receiver who you want to get open in space as opposed to someone who’s going to get dirty in traffic. Drops are an issue (13 over the last two seasons) and I’d like him to up hs play strength a bit. But if Hurst is a starting receiver in the NFL in two or three years, I will not be at all surprised.

Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State

FRISCO, TEXAS - JANUARY 6: Bryce Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison catches a pass against the Montana State Bobcats during the second half of the Division I FCS Football Championship held at Toyota Stadium on January 6, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

FRISCO, TEXAS – JANUARY 6: Bryce Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison catches a pass against the Montana State Bobcats during the second half of the Division I FCS Football Championship held at Toyota Stadium on January 6, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Another speed receiver from a smaller school, though a juggernaut smaller school with a lot of NFL alumni, is Bryce Lance from North Dakota State. And yes, he is the younger brother of Trey Lance, who the San Francisco 49ers traded up to take with the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, and whose NFL career hasn’t exactly gone gangbusters.

Bryce Lance’s NFL transition looks a bit more solid. In 2025, the 6’3”, 204-pound Lance, who ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash with a 1.49-second 10-yard split (ridiculous numbers for a man his size) caught 51 passes on 69 targets for 1,079 yards (an insane 21.2 yards per catch) and nine touchdowns. Lance was a big-play machine when given the opportunity — he caught 16 passes of 20 or more air yards on 21 targets for 641 yards and three touchdowns.

Lance turned down several NIL offers from bigger schools for the 2025 season after a 2024 season in which he caught 75 passes on 99 targets for 1,069 yards and 17 touchdowns, so he’s certainly not a one-year wonder. He’s got nice separation quickness off the line against press coverage, he has the physicality and body control to hold up well in contested-catch situation, and the track speed shows up on tape. Lance has all the attributes to be a WR2 or even a WR1 over time.

#smallschool #NFL #Draft #prospects #big #impact #offense">5 small-school NFL Draft prospects who can have a big impact on offense  No matter what you think of NIL and the transfer portal — and your opinion is probably valid as long as it isn’t, say, Tommy Tuberville’s — there’s one thing for certain about college football’s changing landscape, and that’s the relative lack of smaller-school players in every draft class. Per ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler, the rate of prospects who transferred to bigger schools rose from 5.4% in 2018 to 38.2% in 2025. Better players are often moving to bigger schools for more money, yes, but also the opportunity to show their skills against a higher level of competition, in order to blot out that particular question mark in the eyes of NFL shot-callers.In 2025, Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (by way of Boise State) and Seattle left guard Grey Zabel (by way of North Dakota State) were the only first-round picks from non-major conferences, and that trend looks to continue in 2026. Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren should be a lead-pipe lock as a first-round pick, but outside of that, it doesn’t look great for those guys outside of the bigger schools and conferences. Maybe San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson sneaks into the back of the first round (which he should, based on performance; more on him later), and after that, we’re grasping at straws.Still, there are smaller-school prospects whose tape reveals NFL starting potential in the right system, and here are my favorites in this particular draft class. Could these guys line up to be the next Joe Flacco (Delaware), Shannon Sharpe (Savannah State), Sam Mills (Montclair State), or Dave Krieg (Milton College — which no longer exists)? It’s entirely possible.Here are five offensive prospects who I believe can start in the NFL sooner or later.Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota StateJan 31, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; National quarterback Cole Payton (9) of North Dakota State throws the ball during the second half of the 2026 Senior Bowl at University of South Alabama, Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images Vasha Hunt-Imagn ImagesPayton was a two-star recruit out of Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska, and North Dakota State was the best of the smaller-school offers he got. There were no offers from bigger schools. He sat behind Trey Lance and Cam Miller until the 2025 season, when he was given the opportunity to be more than a package-play running quarterback (other people were interested in him as a potential tight end convert).Given that chance, Payton went off. In 2025, he completed 161 of 226 passes (71.2%) for 2,719 yards (12.0 yards per attempt), 16 touchdowns, four interceptions, and a passer rating of 127.8. He completed 35 of 56 passes of 20 or more air yards for 1,247 yards, eight touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 138.4. When under pressure, he completed 51 of 102 passes for 599 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 111.5, and when blitzed, he completed 63 of 89 passes for 1,399 yards, 10 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 150.6. Still, you’ll see opinions from alleged “experts” insisting that Payton doesn’t have a good deep arm, or that he falls apart under pressure. Nothing could be further from the truth.The only real ding on Payton that makes sense, outside of strength of competition, is that he could be quicker and more consistent with his delivery. The one-year starter thing could be an issue for some NFL teams, as well. But if we’re going on NFL-transitive skills in a relatively weak quarterback class (Payton also ran the ball 120 times for 894 yards and 13 touchdowns last season), why wouldn’t Payton be able to hold a starting job in the NFL over time as he accentuates his development? The upside here could be Baker Mayfield-ish. Maybe the floor is Dillon Gabriel, but you could do a lot worse in the third day of the draft.Robert Henry Jr., RB, UTSACOLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – AUGUST 30: Robert Henry Jr #3 of the UTSA Roadrunners motions during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on August 30, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Maria Lysaker/Getty Images) Getty ImagesThe 2026 running back class is somewhat similar to the quarterback class in that outside of the top guy (Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love), there isn’t a consensus No. 2 back. Which could leave the field open late in Day 2, or early in Day 3, for UTSA’s Robert Henry Jr. A no-star recruit from a very small high school, Henry spent his 2021 and 2022 seasons at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi before the Roadrunners snapped him up for the 2023 campaign, and he chose UTSA over Kentucky and South Carolina.Henry’s first two seasons at his new school were pretty good, but 2025 was when he went off. He carried the rock 152 times for 1,051 yards (6.9 yards per carry), nine touchdowns, 33 forced missed tackles, and 16 runs of 15 or more yards. Add in his 17 catches on 24 targets for 112 yards and two touchdowns last season, and the fact that he’s not a complete disaster as a pass-blocker, and you can see an NFL path as a rotational back in either a gap-first or inside zone-heavy offense. And if you’re worried about strength of competition, go watch him against Texas A&M in the 2025 season opener, when he scalded the Aggies for 177 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.Eli Heidenreich, RB/WR, NavyBALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 13: Eli Heidenreich #22 of the Navy Midshipmen catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half of the 126th Army-Navy Game against the Army Black Knights at M&T Bank Stadium on December 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images) Getty ImagesWhen we talk about versatile players in football, we are generally focusing on defensive linemen who can win from multiple gaps, linebackers who can also rush the passer at the line of scrimmage, or defensive backs who can credibly play multiple positions without embarrassing themselves. In this case, we’re talking about a running back and a receiver in the person of Navy’s Eli Heidenreich, who is one of the more interesting prospects in this class, regardless of position.Heidenreich was a lightly-recruited prospect out of Allegheny County near Pittsburgh, and committed to Navy when he was offered in 2021. He started to show his versatility in the 2023 season, led the Midshipmen in receiving in 2024, and put his best season together in 2025, when he totaled 1,440 yards from scrimmage and nine total touchdowns. 499 rushing yards and three touchdowns came on just 77 carries (6.9 yards per attempt), with 23 forced missed tackles, and nine runs of 15 or more yards. Then, as a receiver, he added 51 catches on 79 targets for 941 yards and six touchdowns, and he did all of that on a lot more than swings and screens. He’s got legitimate post, over, seam, and go routes in his palette from slot and wide deployments.I’m not going to compare Heidenreich to the likes of Christian McCaffrey — he’s not that valuable as a runner. But if you think of how much Bill Belichick relied on James White when White played for the New England Patriots from 2014 to 2021, averaging 68 receptions per season over his career, that might be a good comp. Heidenreich won’t be for everybody; some will think of him more as a “homeless” tweener. But the right offensive coordinator could turn him into an every-down hybrid player with a ton of value.Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia StateINDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 28: Ted Hurst #WO24 of Georgia State participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) Getty ImagesOne of the first things I did when Dane Brugler of The Athletic released his mandatory “The Beast” draft guide this week was to look up Georgia State’s Ted Hurst for context as to why Hurst never saw action with bigger schools. Because the tape will tell you that this guy has a future as an NFL receiver. Somehow, even after a credible high-school stint at Sol C. Johnson High School in Savannah, Georgia, Hurst was a no-star recruit and played for Valdosta State for the 2022 and 2023 seasons before getting interest from one FBS school — Georgia State. I’m at a loss to explain why he didn’t end up at a major school (no offense to Georgia State!), but Hurst now has the opportunity to prove ‘em all wrong.Last season, the 6’4”, 206-pound Hurst caught 71 passes on 124 targets for 999 yards (if only!) and six touchdowns. He had 11 catches on 27 targets of 20 or more air yards for 377 yards, and 14 explosive plays overall. Hurst also had 22 contested catches on 50 targets. And against Vanderbilt, Memphis, and Ole Miss — his most formidable opponents — Hurst caught 15 passes on 28 targets for 169 yards while his team was getting smushed more often than not.I think he projects well as a “Z” receiver who you want to get open in space as opposed to someone who’s going to get dirty in traffic. Drops are an issue (13 over the last two seasons) and I’d like him to up hs play strength a bit. But if Hurst is a starting receiver in the NFL in two or three years, I will not be at all surprised.Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota StateFRISCO, TEXAS – JANUARY 6: Bryce Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison catches a pass against the Montana State Bobcats during the second half of the Division I FCS Football Championship held at Toyota Stadium on January 6, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) NCAA Photos via Getty ImagesAnother speed receiver from a smaller school, though a juggernaut smaller school with a lot of NFL alumni, is Bryce Lance from North Dakota State. And yes, he is the younger brother of Trey Lance, who the San Francisco 49ers traded up to take with the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, and whose NFL career hasn’t exactly gone gangbusters.Bryce Lance’s NFL transition looks a bit more solid. In 2025, the 6’3”, 204-pound Lance, who ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash with a 1.49-second 10-yard split (ridiculous numbers for a man his size) caught 51 passes on 69 targets for 1,079 yards (an insane 21.2 yards per catch) and nine touchdowns. Lance was a big-play machine when given the opportunity — he caught 16 passes of 20 or more air yards on 21 targets for 641 yards and three touchdowns.Lance turned down several NIL offers from bigger schools for the 2025 season after a 2024 season in which he caught 75 passes on 99 targets for 1,069 yards and 17 touchdowns, so he’s certainly not a one-year wonder. He’s got nice separation quickness off the line against press coverage, he has the physicality and body control to hold up well in contested-catch situation, and the track speed shows up on tape. Lance has all the attributes to be a WR2 or even a WR1 over time.  #smallschool #NFL #Draft #prospects #big #impact #offense

Tommy Tuberville’s — there’s one thing for certain about college football’s changing landscape, and that’s the relative lack of smaller-school players in every draft class. Per ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler, the rate of prospects who transferred to bigger schools rose from 5.4% in 2018 to 38.2% in 2025. Better players are often moving to bigger schools for more money, yes, but also the opportunity to show their skills against a higher level of competition, in order to blot out that particular question mark in the eyes of NFL shot-callers.

In 2025, Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (by way of Boise State) and Seattle left guard Grey Zabel (by way of North Dakota State) were the only first-round picks from non-major conferences, and that trend looks to continue in 2026. Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren should be a lead-pipe lock as a first-round pick, but outside of that, it doesn’t look great for those guys outside of the bigger schools and conferences. Maybe San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson sneaks into the back of the first round (which he should, based on performance; more on him later), and after that, we’re grasping at straws.

Still, there are smaller-school prospects whose tape reveals NFL starting potential in the right system, and here are my favorites in this particular draft class. Could these guys line up to be the next Joe Flacco (Delaware), Shannon Sharpe (Savannah State), Sam Mills (Montclair State), or Dave Krieg (Milton College — which no longer exists)? It’s entirely possible.

Here are five offensive prospects who I believe can start in the NFL sooner or later.

Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State

Jan 31, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; National quarterback Cole Payton (9) of North Dakota State throws the ball during the second half of the 2026 Senior Bowl at University of South Alabama, Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Jan 31, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; National quarterback Cole Payton (9) of North Dakota State throws the ball during the second half of the 2026 Senior Bowl at University of South Alabama, Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Payton was a two-star recruit out of Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska, and North Dakota State was the best of the smaller-school offers he got. There were no offers from bigger schools. He sat behind Trey Lance and Cam Miller until the 2025 season, when he was given the opportunity to be more than a package-play running quarterback (other people were interested in him as a potential tight end convert).

Given that chance, Payton went off. In 2025, he completed 161 of 226 passes (71.2%) for 2,719 yards (12.0 yards per attempt), 16 touchdowns, four interceptions, and a passer rating of 127.8. He completed 35 of 56 passes of 20 or more air yards for 1,247 yards, eight touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 138.4. When under pressure, he completed 51 of 102 passes for 599 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 111.5, and when blitzed, he completed 63 of 89 passes for 1,399 yards, 10 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 150.6. Still, you’ll see opinions from alleged “experts” insisting that Payton doesn’t have a good deep arm, or that he falls apart under pressure. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The only real ding on Payton that makes sense, outside of strength of competition, is that he could be quicker and more consistent with his delivery. The one-year starter thing could be an issue for some NFL teams, as well. But if we’re going on NFL-transitive skills in a relatively weak quarterback class (Payton also ran the ball 120 times for 894 yards and 13 touchdowns last season), why wouldn’t Payton be able to hold a starting job in the NFL over time as he accentuates his development? The upside here could be Baker Mayfield-ish. Maybe the floor is Dillon Gabriel, but you could do a lot worse in the third day of the draft.

Robert Henry Jr., RB, UTSA

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - AUGUST 30: Robert Henry Jr #3 of the UTSA Roadrunners motions during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on August 30, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Maria Lysaker/Getty Images)

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – AUGUST 30: Robert Henry Jr #3 of the UTSA Roadrunners motions during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on August 30, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Maria Lysaker/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The 2026 running back class is somewhat similar to the quarterback class in that outside of the top guy (Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love), there isn’t a consensus No. 2 back. Which could leave the field open late in Day 2, or early in Day 3, for UTSA’s Robert Henry Jr. A no-star recruit from a very small high school, Henry spent his 2021 and 2022 seasons at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi before the Roadrunners snapped him up for the 2023 campaign, and he chose UTSA over Kentucky and South Carolina.

Henry’s first two seasons at his new school were pretty good, but 2025 was when he went off. He carried the rock 152 times for 1,051 yards (6.9 yards per carry), nine touchdowns, 33 forced missed tackles, and 16 runs of 15 or more yards. Add in his 17 catches on 24 targets for 112 yards and two touchdowns last season, and the fact that he’s not a complete disaster as a pass-blocker, and you can see an NFL path as a rotational back in either a gap-first or inside zone-heavy offense. And if you’re worried about strength of competition, go watch him against Texas A&M in the 2025 season opener, when he scalded the Aggies for 177 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.

Eli Heidenreich, RB/WR, Navy

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 13: Eli Heidenreich #22 of the Navy Midshipmen catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half of the 126th Army-Navy Game against the Army Black Knights at M&T Bank Stadium on December 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 13: Eli Heidenreich #22 of the Navy Midshipmen catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half of the 126th Army-Navy Game against the Army Black Knights at M&T Bank Stadium on December 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
Getty Images

When we talk about versatile players in football, we are generally focusing on defensive linemen who can win from multiple gaps, linebackers who can also rush the passer at the line of scrimmage, or defensive backs who can credibly play multiple positions without embarrassing themselves. In this case, we’re talking about a running back and a receiver in the person of Navy’s Eli Heidenreich, who is one of the more interesting prospects in this class, regardless of position.

Heidenreich was a lightly-recruited prospect out of Allegheny County near Pittsburgh, and committed to Navy when he was offered in 2021. He started to show his versatility in the 2023 season, led the Midshipmen in receiving in 2024, and put his best season together in 2025, when he totaled 1,440 yards from scrimmage and nine total touchdowns. 499 rushing yards and three touchdowns came on just 77 carries (6.9 yards per attempt), with 23 forced missed tackles, and nine runs of 15 or more yards. Then, as a receiver, he added 51 catches on 79 targets for 941 yards and six touchdowns, and he did all of that on a lot more than swings and screens. He’s got legitimate post, over, seam, and go routes in his palette from slot and wide deployments.

I’m not going to compare Heidenreich to the likes of Christian McCaffrey — he’s not that valuable as a runner. But if you think of how much Bill Belichick relied on James White when White played for the New England Patriots from 2014 to 2021, averaging 68 receptions per season over his career, that might be a good comp. Heidenreich won’t be for everybody; some will think of him more as a “homeless” tweener. But the right offensive coordinator could turn him into an every-down hybrid player with a ton of value.

Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Ted Hurst #WO24 of Georgia State participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 28: Ted Hurst #WO24 of Georgia State participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Getty Images

One of the first things I did when Dane Brugler of The Athletic released his mandatory “The Beast” draft guide this week was to look up Georgia State’s Ted Hurst for context as to why Hurst never saw action with bigger schools. Because the tape will tell you that this guy has a future as an NFL receiver. Somehow, even after a credible high-school stint at Sol C. Johnson High School in Savannah, Georgia, Hurst was a no-star recruit and played for Valdosta State for the 2022 and 2023 seasons before getting interest from one FBS school — Georgia State. I’m at a loss to explain why he didn’t end up at a major school (no offense to Georgia State!), but Hurst now has the opportunity to prove ‘em all wrong.

Last season, the 6’4”, 206-pound Hurst caught 71 passes on 124 targets for 999 yards (if only!) and six touchdowns. He had 11 catches on 27 targets of 20 or more air yards for 377 yards, and 14 explosive plays overall. Hurst also had 22 contested catches on 50 targets. And against Vanderbilt, Memphis, and Ole Miss — his most formidable opponents — Hurst caught 15 passes on 28 targets for 169 yards while his team was getting smushed more often than not.

I think he projects well as a “Z” receiver who you want to get open in space as opposed to someone who’s going to get dirty in traffic. Drops are an issue (13 over the last two seasons) and I’d like him to up hs play strength a bit. But if Hurst is a starting receiver in the NFL in two or three years, I will not be at all surprised.

Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State

FRISCO, TEXAS - JANUARY 6: Bryce Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison catches a pass against the Montana State Bobcats during the second half of the Division I FCS Football Championship held at Toyota Stadium on January 6, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

FRISCO, TEXAS – JANUARY 6: Bryce Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison catches a pass against the Montana State Bobcats during the second half of the Division I FCS Football Championship held at Toyota Stadium on January 6, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Another speed receiver from a smaller school, though a juggernaut smaller school with a lot of NFL alumni, is Bryce Lance from North Dakota State. And yes, he is the younger brother of Trey Lance, who the San Francisco 49ers traded up to take with the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, and whose NFL career hasn’t exactly gone gangbusters.

Bryce Lance’s NFL transition looks a bit more solid. In 2025, the 6’3”, 204-pound Lance, who ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash with a 1.49-second 10-yard split (ridiculous numbers for a man his size) caught 51 passes on 69 targets for 1,079 yards (an insane 21.2 yards per catch) and nine touchdowns. Lance was a big-play machine when given the opportunity — he caught 16 passes of 20 or more air yards on 21 targets for 641 yards and three touchdowns.

Lance turned down several NIL offers from bigger schools for the 2025 season after a 2024 season in which he caught 75 passes on 99 targets for 1,069 yards and 17 touchdowns, so he’s certainly not a one-year wonder. He’s got nice separation quickness off the line against press coverage, he has the physicality and body control to hold up well in contested-catch situation, and the track speed shows up on tape. Lance has all the attributes to be a WR2 or even a WR1 over time.

#smallschool #NFL #Draft #prospects #big #impact #offense">5 small-school NFL Draft prospects who can have a big impact on offense

No matter what you think of NIL and the transfer portal — and your opinion is probably valid as long as it isn’t, say, Tommy Tuberville’s — there’s one thing for certain about college football’s changing landscape, and that’s the relative lack of smaller-school players in every draft class. Per ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler, the rate of prospects who transferred to bigger schools rose from 5.4% in 2018 to 38.2% in 2025. Better players are often moving to bigger schools for more money, yes, but also the opportunity to show their skills against a higher level of competition, in order to blot out that particular question mark in the eyes of NFL shot-callers.

In 2025, Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (by way of Boise State) and Seattle left guard Grey Zabel (by way of North Dakota State) were the only first-round picks from non-major conferences, and that trend looks to continue in 2026. Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren should be a lead-pipe lock as a first-round pick, but outside of that, it doesn’t look great for those guys outside of the bigger schools and conferences. Maybe San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson sneaks into the back of the first round (which he should, based on performance; more on him later), and after that, we’re grasping at straws.

Still, there are smaller-school prospects whose tape reveals NFL starting potential in the right system, and here are my favorites in this particular draft class. Could these guys line up to be the next Joe Flacco (Delaware), Shannon Sharpe (Savannah State), Sam Mills (Montclair State), or Dave Krieg (Milton College — which no longer exists)? It’s entirely possible.

Here are five offensive prospects who I believe can start in the NFL sooner or later.

Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State

Jan 31, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; National quarterback Cole Payton (9) of North Dakota State throws the ball during the second half of the 2026 Senior Bowl at University of South Alabama, Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Jan 31, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; National quarterback Cole Payton (9) of North Dakota State throws the ball during the second half of the 2026 Senior Bowl at University of South Alabama, Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Payton was a two-star recruit out of Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska, and North Dakota State was the best of the smaller-school offers he got. There were no offers from bigger schools. He sat behind Trey Lance and Cam Miller until the 2025 season, when he was given the opportunity to be more than a package-play running quarterback (other people were interested in him as a potential tight end convert).

Given that chance, Payton went off. In 2025, he completed 161 of 226 passes (71.2%) for 2,719 yards (12.0 yards per attempt), 16 touchdowns, four interceptions, and a passer rating of 127.8. He completed 35 of 56 passes of 20 or more air yards for 1,247 yards, eight touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 138.4. When under pressure, he completed 51 of 102 passes for 599 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 111.5, and when blitzed, he completed 63 of 89 passes for 1,399 yards, 10 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 150.6. Still, you’ll see opinions from alleged “experts” insisting that Payton doesn’t have a good deep arm, or that he falls apart under pressure. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The only real ding on Payton that makes sense, outside of strength of competition, is that he could be quicker and more consistent with his delivery. The one-year starter thing could be an issue for some NFL teams, as well. But if we’re going on NFL-transitive skills in a relatively weak quarterback class (Payton also ran the ball 120 times for 894 yards and 13 touchdowns last season), why wouldn’t Payton be able to hold a starting job in the NFL over time as he accentuates his development? The upside here could be Baker Mayfield-ish. Maybe the floor is Dillon Gabriel, but you could do a lot worse in the third day of the draft.

Robert Henry Jr., RB, UTSA

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - AUGUST 30: Robert Henry Jr #3 of the UTSA Roadrunners motions during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on August 30, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Maria Lysaker/Getty Images)

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – AUGUST 30: Robert Henry Jr #3 of the UTSA Roadrunners motions during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on August 30, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Maria Lysaker/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The 2026 running back class is somewhat similar to the quarterback class in that outside of the top guy (Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love), there isn’t a consensus No. 2 back. Which could leave the field open late in Day 2, or early in Day 3, for UTSA’s Robert Henry Jr. A no-star recruit from a very small high school, Henry spent his 2021 and 2022 seasons at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi before the Roadrunners snapped him up for the 2023 campaign, and he chose UTSA over Kentucky and South Carolina.

Henry’s first two seasons at his new school were pretty good, but 2025 was when he went off. He carried the rock 152 times for 1,051 yards (6.9 yards per carry), nine touchdowns, 33 forced missed tackles, and 16 runs of 15 or more yards. Add in his 17 catches on 24 targets for 112 yards and two touchdowns last season, and the fact that he’s not a complete disaster as a pass-blocker, and you can see an NFL path as a rotational back in either a gap-first or inside zone-heavy offense. And if you’re worried about strength of competition, go watch him against Texas A&M in the 2025 season opener, when he scalded the Aggies for 177 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.

Eli Heidenreich, RB/WR, Navy

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 13: Eli Heidenreich #22 of the Navy Midshipmen catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half of the 126th Army-Navy Game against the Army Black Knights at M&T Bank Stadium on December 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 13: Eli Heidenreich #22 of the Navy Midshipmen catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half of the 126th Army-Navy Game against the Army Black Knights at M&T Bank Stadium on December 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
Getty Images

When we talk about versatile players in football, we are generally focusing on defensive linemen who can win from multiple gaps, linebackers who can also rush the passer at the line of scrimmage, or defensive backs who can credibly play multiple positions without embarrassing themselves. In this case, we’re talking about a running back and a receiver in the person of Navy’s Eli Heidenreich, who is one of the more interesting prospects in this class, regardless of position.

Heidenreich was a lightly-recruited prospect out of Allegheny County near Pittsburgh, and committed to Navy when he was offered in 2021. He started to show his versatility in the 2023 season, led the Midshipmen in receiving in 2024, and put his best season together in 2025, when he totaled 1,440 yards from scrimmage and nine total touchdowns. 499 rushing yards and three touchdowns came on just 77 carries (6.9 yards per attempt), with 23 forced missed tackles, and nine runs of 15 or more yards. Then, as a receiver, he added 51 catches on 79 targets for 941 yards and six touchdowns, and he did all of that on a lot more than swings and screens. He’s got legitimate post, over, seam, and go routes in his palette from slot and wide deployments.

I’m not going to compare Heidenreich to the likes of Christian McCaffrey — he’s not that valuable as a runner. But if you think of how much Bill Belichick relied on James White when White played for the New England Patriots from 2014 to 2021, averaging 68 receptions per season over his career, that might be a good comp. Heidenreich won’t be for everybody; some will think of him more as a “homeless” tweener. But the right offensive coordinator could turn him into an every-down hybrid player with a ton of value.

Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Ted Hurst #WO24 of Georgia State participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 28: Ted Hurst #WO24 of Georgia State participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Getty Images

One of the first things I did when Dane Brugler of The Athletic released his mandatory “The Beast” draft guide this week was to look up Georgia State’s Ted Hurst for context as to why Hurst never saw action with bigger schools. Because the tape will tell you that this guy has a future as an NFL receiver. Somehow, even after a credible high-school stint at Sol C. Johnson High School in Savannah, Georgia, Hurst was a no-star recruit and played for Valdosta State for the 2022 and 2023 seasons before getting interest from one FBS school — Georgia State. I’m at a loss to explain why he didn’t end up at a major school (no offense to Georgia State!), but Hurst now has the opportunity to prove ‘em all wrong.

Last season, the 6’4”, 206-pound Hurst caught 71 passes on 124 targets for 999 yards (if only!) and six touchdowns. He had 11 catches on 27 targets of 20 or more air yards for 377 yards, and 14 explosive plays overall. Hurst also had 22 contested catches on 50 targets. And against Vanderbilt, Memphis, and Ole Miss — his most formidable opponents — Hurst caught 15 passes on 28 targets for 169 yards while his team was getting smushed more often than not.

I think he projects well as a “Z” receiver who you want to get open in space as opposed to someone who’s going to get dirty in traffic. Drops are an issue (13 over the last two seasons) and I’d like him to up hs play strength a bit. But if Hurst is a starting receiver in the NFL in two or three years, I will not be at all surprised.

Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State

FRISCO, TEXAS - JANUARY 6: Bryce Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison catches a pass against the Montana State Bobcats during the second half of the Division I FCS Football Championship held at Toyota Stadium on January 6, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

FRISCO, TEXAS – JANUARY 6: Bryce Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison catches a pass against the Montana State Bobcats during the second half of the Division I FCS Football Championship held at Toyota Stadium on January 6, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Another speed receiver from a smaller school, though a juggernaut smaller school with a lot of NFL alumni, is Bryce Lance from North Dakota State. And yes, he is the younger brother of Trey Lance, who the San Francisco 49ers traded up to take with the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, and whose NFL career hasn’t exactly gone gangbusters.

Bryce Lance’s NFL transition looks a bit more solid. In 2025, the 6’3”, 204-pound Lance, who ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash with a 1.49-second 10-yard split (ridiculous numbers for a man his size) caught 51 passes on 69 targets for 1,079 yards (an insane 21.2 yards per catch) and nine touchdowns. Lance was a big-play machine when given the opportunity — he caught 16 passes of 20 or more air yards on 21 targets for 641 yards and three touchdowns.

Lance turned down several NIL offers from bigger schools for the 2025 season after a 2024 season in which he caught 75 passes on 99 targets for 1,069 yards and 17 touchdowns, so he’s certainly not a one-year wonder. He’s got nice separation quickness off the line against press coverage, he has the physicality and body control to hold up well in contested-catch situation, and the track speed shows up on tape. Lance has all the attributes to be a WR2 or even a WR1 over time.

#smallschool #NFL #Draft #prospects #big #impact #offense

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