10 small-school & HBCU prospects for the Eagles to watch in the Draft

Navy’s Eli Heidenreich (22) rushes with the ball during the Liberty Bowl game against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Jan. 2, 2026 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn.

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.

Bryce Lance, North Dakota State

North Dakota State Bison wide receiver Bryce Lance (5) evades South Dakota State Jackrabbits cornerback Dalys Beanum (7) on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at Fargodome in Fargo, Nouth Dakota.

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

Incarnate Word wide receiver Jalen Walthall (6) catches the ball near the end zone on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at Dana J. Dykehouse Stadium in Brookings.

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

Lions Kaleb Proctor 2, LSU Tigers take on the Southeastern Louisiana. Sept 20, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium.

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

Sep 7, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Marcus Carroll (9) runs the ball as Buffalo Bulls linebacker Red Murdock (2) attempts the tackle during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

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

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 26: Julian Dugger #12 of the Pittsburgh Panthers tries to break a tackle by Andre Fuller #3 of the Toledo Rockets in the fourth quarter of the GameAbove Sports Bowl game at Ford Field on December 26, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

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

SFA cornerback Charles Demmings tries to pull down ACU tight end Jed Castles Saturday Sept. 6, 2025. Abilene Christian University defeated Stephen F. Austin University at home, 28-20.

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.

Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll

John Carroll's Tyren Montgomery, left, pulls in a first-half touchdown catch defended by Mount Union's Manny Curtis, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

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.

Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

Nov 1, 2024; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Georgia State Panthers wide receiver Ted Hurst (16) makes the catch against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

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.

Devin Voisin, WR, South Alabama

Dec 21, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; South Alabama Jaguars wide receiver Devin Voisin (9) catches a pass against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

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

FIU running back Kejon Owens (5) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown against Middle Tennessee during the college football game at MTSU, on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.

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.

Payton Cole, QB, North Dakota State

North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton (9) runs the ball to the end zone for the touchdown while playing against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota.

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).

Delby Lemieux, OL, Dartmouth

Delby Lemieux

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

Nadame Tucker 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.

Morgan State linebacker Erick Hunter

Hunter was the runner-up for the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year award. He led the team with impressive stats, including 102 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, five quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles, and one interception. Additionally, he returned a blocked kick for 90 yards to score a touchdown against Norfolk State, which former Falcons and Eagles quarterback Michael Vick led.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 10 small-school, HBCU prospects Philadelphia should eye in NFL Draft