HBCU draft pick tracker: Updated list of 2026 NFL selections, top prospects available

TL;DR

The 2026 NFL Draft is underway, highlighting talents from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). While this year's draft class is not expected to be highly impactful, there are still notable players anticipated to be selected.

Key points

2026 NFL Draft highlights HBCU talents
Notable players expected to be drafted
Draft starts with the first round on Thursday

HBCU draft pick tracker: Updated list of 2026 NFL selections, top prospects available originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026 NFL Draft has arrived, and that means another chance for the top talents from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to make their mark.

HBCUs have produced some of the best players in NFL history, including Jerry Rice, Walter Payton and Michael Strahan.

This year's HBCU draft class isn't projected to be that impactful, but there are notable players expected to be drafted at some point.

The NFL Draft begins with the first round on Thursday, followed by the second and third rounds on Friday and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday.

Below, we'll keep track of the HBCU players who are selected.

2026 NFL DRAFT HQ:Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available

HBCU NFL Draft picks 2026

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This section will be updated with pick information once the first HBCU player is taken, and will be updated with each pick.

MORE:The full origin story of ESPN's NFL Draft pick chime

Top HBCU NFL Draft prospects 2026

There are four players from HBCUs listed on The Sporting News' NFL Draft sleepers list put together by Daniel Mader.

Kaleb Proctor ranks the highest of that quarter. He's a defensive tackle from SE Louisiana who ran a 4.79-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

Next, those rankings include Erick Hunter, a linebacker from Morgan State. He's 6-foot-4 and had 101 tackles in 2025.

Best names in the draft:Ephesians Prysock | R Mason Thomas | DeVonta Smith | Zxavian Harris

It stays defensive with Quincy Ivory, a lineman from Jackson State (who actually began his college career as a junior college quarterback). Ivory was the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year as an edge-rushing linebacker.

As far as HBCU offense goes, the name to know is Curtis Allen from Division II Virginia Union. He ran for a D-II record 2,409 yards with 30 touchdowns in 2025.

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Q&A

What are the top HBCU prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft?

The article mentions that there are notable players from HBCUs expected to be drafted, although specific names are not detailed.

When does the 2026 NFL Draft take place?

The 2026 NFL Draft begins with the first round on Thursday, followed by the second and third rounds on Friday, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday.

How have HBCUs contributed to the NFL historically?

HBCUs have produced legendary NFL players such as Jerry Rice, Walter Payton, and Michael Strahan, showcasing their significant impact on the league.