NFL Draft sleepers: The best FCS, HBCU & small-school players you should know in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.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 DraftNFL Draft sleepers 20261. Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota StateBased 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.Bryce Lance, brother of Trey Lance, is a big red zone threat at 6’3, 204lbs with the ability to get vertical.He’s made some INSANE catches 👀Should develop his route tree, and has the movement skills to do so.

Another potential top 50 pick from NDSU 🦬 pic.twitter.com/15OCExwEWr— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) August 14, 2025Lance 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 Draft2.

Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. AustinProjected 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.3.

Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota StateLance 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 th