Ravens NFL Draft notebook: Under-the-radar prospects gaining traction
· Yahoo Sports
The path to the NFL draft began when postseason all-star games kicked off, marking the start of the 90-day sprint toward the first round each year. The draft may start in Mobile with the Panini Senior Bowl, but several under-the-radar and future NFL stars are on display for scouts, coaches, executives, and all 32 teams to continue to track through the scouting combine and pro days.
With the 2026 NFL draft fast approaching, we're looking at 15 under-the-radar players to watch to monitor
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Eli Heidenreich, RB, Navy
Heidenreich is a versatile running back who became only the second player in FBS history since 1956 to achieve both 475 or more rushing yards and 925 or more receiving yards in the same season. The only other player to accomplish this feat is Tavon Austin from West Virginia, who did so in 2012, recording 643 rushing yards and 1,289 receiving yards. Heidenreich holds the school record for the most career receiving touchdowns, with a total of 16. Additionally, his six touchdown catches in each of the last two seasons tied the school's single-season record.
Heidenreich holds the school record for the most career receiving yards with 1,994 yards. In 2025, he also set a school record with 941 receiving yards. Additionally, his 51 receptions in a single season are tied for the fifth-most in school history, and his total of 109 career catches ranks as the second most in the school's history.
Robert Henry Jr., UTSA
Henry Jr. was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award and received honorable mention as an All-American by Phil Steele. He was named a first-team selection in the All-American Conference and made the Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas College Second Team. Additionally, he was selected for The Athletic's Midseason All-America Team. Henry became the third Roadrunner to surpass the 1,000-yard mark in rushing, achieving 1,045 yards and nine touchdowns on 151 carries, despite missing two games due to injury. He averaged an impressive 6.9 yards per carry and recorded five games with at least 100 rushing yards, as well as six plays from scrimmage that exceeded 70 yards. In the passing game, he caught 18 passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns, totaling 1,159 all-purpose yards for the season.
Bryce Lance, North Dakota State
Bryce Lance, the younger brother of former first-round pick Trey Lance, was recognized as a finalist for the 2025 Walter Payton Award, finishing in 12th place. Lance started all 13 games as a wide receiver, contributing to North Dakota State's impressive 12-1 record, including an undefeated 8-0 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC). He was named to the All-MVFC first team for the second consecutive year and finished 12th in the voting for the Walter Payton Award, which is given to the FCS offensive player of the year. Lance led the MVFC with an average of 83.0 receiving yards per game and became the first receiver in Bison history to achieve multiple 1,000-yard seasons. He caught eight touchdown passes, totaling 51 receptions for 1,079 yards, which ranks as the third most receiving yards in a single season in NDSU history and the 11th most among FCS players in 2025.
Jalen Walthall, Incarnate Word
In just two seasons with the Cardinals, Walthall totaled over 2,000 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns, earning consensus All-American honors in 2024.
Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana
The Soutland Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Proctor played in 48 games, logging 134 total tackles, 45 solo, 26 TFLs, 16 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery.
Khalil 'Red' Murdock, Buffalo
An All-American linebacker, Murdock ranked second in the nation in tackles for both 2024 and 2025, and he is the NCAA career record holder with 17 forced fumbles. In 2025, Murdock started all 12 games as a linebacker. He ranked second in the nation with 142 tackles and contributed a team-leading 13.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, and six forced fumbles. Murdock was named a second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Associated Press, and Football Writers Association of America. He was also a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy and was selected for the AFCA Allstate Good Works Team. Additionally, he earned First Team All-MAC honors.
Andre Fuller, Toledo
Fuller only registered 29 total tackles and five pass breakups in his first two seasons. During a healthy final season, Fuller became a first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection for the first time in his career, recording 49 total tackles, an interception, and 11 pass breakups. According to Pro Football Focus, Fuller graded as top 50 in defense grades and coverage grades, respectively.
Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin
A 6-2, 180-pound Cornerback from Mesquite, Texas, Demmings is an FCS All-American, and became the program's all-time leader in passes defended with 35 over his four years at Stephen F. Austin.
Stephen F. Austin CB Charles Demmings (#1) is my late round sleeper DB for the 2026 NFL Draft. Good size/frame to continue to develop (6’ 3/4”, 185 LBs, 31 1/4” arms) who excels in press.
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) December 29, 2025
Good recovery speed. Very physical at the LOS. Expected to test very well. pic.twitter.com/YFqHoxAUYA
Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll
Montgomery attended Nichols State before transferring to John Carroll. A highly explosive athlete, Montgomery set numerous school records, holds the titles of most receptions in a single season, most receiving touchdowns for a wide receiver in a single season, and most receiving yards in a single season for the Blue Streaks.
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Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
A Savannah, Georgia native, Hurst earned All-Sun Belt First Team Offense and was the first-ever Georgia State Athlete to be named to the College Football Freaks List. Hurts led the team with 1,004 yards on 71 receptions and six touchdowns.
A lot of people are going to learn about Georgia St. WR Ted Hurst this week
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 28, 2026
- 6032, 207, 33 1/4" arms, 10" hands
- Glides to top speed and creates catching windows
- Really productive for a team that went 1-11 in 2025
- 34 catches of 20+ yards over the last 2 yrs (No. 1 in FBS) pic.twitter.com/QdsBzlYZuR
Devin Voisin, WR, South Alabama
The 24-year-old Voisin played in 67 career games and ranks third in program history in receptions (165) and yards (2,081), and is tied for 11th with 10 touchdown catches.
Kejon Owens, RB, Florida International
Owens set the FIU single-season record for rushing yards by a running back with 1,334, while leading the team with 11 rushing touchdowns, the second-most in a single season in program history. Owens recorded five 100-yard rushing performances and earned Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year honors, becoming the first Panther to receive the award in league history.
Longest offensive play of the year courtesy of @kejon_owens 🫡 https://t.co/5Rimyiu03epic.twitter.com/NOksQ2vrna
— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) October 15, 2025
Payton Cole, QB, North Dakota State
From Carson Wentz to Trey Lance, North Dakota State produces solid prospects. A 2025 Walter Payton Award finalist (3rd), Payton led the Bison to a 12-1 record, including an 8-0 mark in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in his first year as a starter. Payton Set NDSU single-season records for pass efficiency (193.8), yards per pass attempt (12.1), and total offense yards per game (268.9) and per play (9.71).
How about the southpaw North Dakota State QB Cole Payton getting his hips and feet right on this throw rolling to the right!? Excited to see him compete today. #TheDraftStartsInMobilepic.twitter.com/adQbSTZ2jG
— Steve Muench (@yougoodmuench) January 28, 2026
Delby Lemieux, OL, Dartmouth
In 2024, Lemieux won several awards as one of the top offensive linemen in the nation, earning first-team All-Ivy and being named to the All-ECAC team. Lemieux was also named an Associated Press honorable-mention All-American, earned second-team All-America honors from FCS Football Central, and was named third team by Phil Steele after starting all 10 games and allowing no sacks. In 2025, Lemieux, who stands 6-4 and 295 pounds, was named to the Associated Press FCS All-American first team.
Nadame Tucker, Edge Rusher, Western Michigan
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound edge rusher could be the next defensive standout from the Mid-American Conference. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound edge rusher could be the next defensive standout from the Mid-American Conference. Tucker was tabbed the winner of the 44th Vern Smith Leadership Award as the top player in the MAC as well as the Defensive Player of the Year. In the eight MAC games, Tucker had 12.0 tackles for loss and a MAC-best nine sacks. The New York, N.Y., native also forced two fumbles and helped the Broncos' defense allow just 14.5 points per game
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens NFL Draft notebook: Under-the-radar prospects gaining traction