Declared Underclassmen for NFL Draft
Ohio State Safety Caleb Downs Enters NFL Draft
Alabama QB Ty Simpson & Ohio St WR Carnell Tate Declare for NFL Draft
Linebacker CJ Allen & Wideout Branch Join Growing List of Playmakers
Updated Jan. 8
Frank Coyle
With the key CFP games in the process and the semi-finals here for Jan. 8/9, the declaration date has opened for the transfer portal with many top draft selections expected to make decisions on turning pro. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is the next blue chip prospect to enter the NFL Draft. Downs carries a top 3-5 grade at this point for an outstanding career in a number of roles in the Buckeyes secondary. Wideout Carnell Tate looks to become the next Buckeye receiver to be drafted in the first round. The Georgia Bulldogs lost linebacker CJ Allen and wideout Zachariah Branch after impressive 2025 performances. OT Spencer Fano of Utah sat out his team’s bowl game after an excellent 2025 performance. He ranks in the top ten selections currently in our new Top 150 pro prospect rankings in DraftInsiders.com current late December Newsletter.
Underclassmen Dates
With the NFL allowing draft-eligible underclassmen to participate in college all-star games, an early deadline of Jan. 5 gives players an opportunity to submit their petitions for special eligibility to the league sooner.
The traditional deadline for underclassmen to submit a petition to the league is Jan. 14. An extended deadline of Jan. 23 is exclusively for underclassmen on teams participating in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
The upcoming NFL Draft will attract another strong group of underclassmen. Each year a high number of underclassmen decided to turn pro with 100 prospects annually entering the NFL ranks. With the advent of the NIL and players moving easily in the transfer portal former record number of underclassmen has been safe recently. The deadline period approaches between Jan 5th and Jan. 23rd. Expect many new additions here over the next few days. This draft class will be a very heavy offensive talent group from both the underclassmen and senior classes.
In addition, to the large number of underclassmen entering the pro ranks, many players opted out of their bowl game to prepare for the demanding NFL Draft postseason preparation. Both the All-star weeks and NFL Combine along with the critical pro day events become lasting impressions for a prospects final draft grade. These players have increased in recent years and this is a recent disturbing development with key players ending their college careers prior to their team’s most important postseason bowl game on the agenda.
Declared Underclassmen – Top Pro Prospects
By school / alphabetically
Check Web site – draftinsiders.com for Updated List of Underclassmen thru late January
Alabama
OT Kadyn Proctor
QB Ty Simpson
Arizona State
CB Keith Abney II
WR Jordyn Tyson
Auburn
Edge Keldric Faulk
OC Connor Lew
WR Eric Singleton
Boise State
OT Kage Casey
Boston College
OT Jude Bowry
Buffalo
LB Red Murdock
BYU
LB Isaiah Glasker
RB LJ Martin
DT Keanu Tanuvasa
P Sam Vander Haar
Clemson
Edge T.J. Parker
CB Avieon Terrell
WR Antonio Williams
DT Peter Woods
Duke
OL Brian Parker II
Florida
DT Caleb Banks
Florida State
QB Thomas Castillanos
CB Earl Little
Georgia
LB CJ Allen
WR Zachariah Branch
DT Chrisitan Miller
LSU
WR Aaron Anderson II
Michigan
TE Marlin Klein
Michigan State
P Ryan Eckley
Missouri
LB Josiah Trotter
Nebraska
RB Emmett Johnson
Northwestern
Edge Anto Saka
Notre Dame
RB Jeremiyah Love
RB Jadarian Price
OL Billy Schrauth
OL Aamil Wagner
Ohio State
S Caleb Downs
Oklahoma
LB Owen Heinecke
Penn State
OL Olaivavega Ioane
Pittsburgh
LB Kyle Louis
South Carolina
CB Brandon Cisse
S Jalon Kilgore
Stanford
CB Collin Wright
Tennessee
WR Chris Brazzell II
LB Arion Carter
CB Colton Hood
CB Jermod McCoy
Texas
TE Jack Endries
LB Anthony Hill Jr.
CB Malik Muhammed
Texas A&M
OG Chase Bisontis
LB Taurean York
USC
WR Ja’Kobi Lane
WR Makai Lemon
S Kamari Ramsey
Utah
OT Spencer Fano
Edge Logan Fano
OT Caleb Lomu
Washington
WR Denzel Boston
RB Jonah Coleman
