Clemson’s Peter Woods is expert Dane Brugler’s top defensive tackle as the 2026 draft approaches. Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina
As the college football season winds down and the 2026 NFL Draft process lurches into gear, impact players across college football face big decisions about their futures: go pro or return to school for another season?
Underclassmen have until Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, to file declaration papers with the league seeking “special eligibility” for the draft, though players participating in the College Football Playoff or National Championship will have a separate deadline of Friday, Jan. 23. The full list of approved early entries will be sent to the 32 NFL clubs on Saturday, Jan. 24.
Any player three years removed from his senior year of high school is eligible for the 2026 draft. Below, we’ll be tracking all non-seniors who have publicly acknowledged their intention to declare for the draft.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be held April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
| Player | Pos. | School |
|---|---|---|
|
Kage Casey |
OT |
|
|
Ryan Eckley |
P |
|
|
Anthony Hill Jr. |
LB |
|
|
Emmett Johnson |
RB |
|
|
Jermod McCoy |
CB |
|
|
T.J. Parker |
Edge |
|
|
Avieon Terrell |
CB |
|
|
Antonio Williams |
WR |
|
|
Peter Woods |
DT |