Boston College, Minnesota Football Programs Produce Top NFL 2026 Draft Prospects

Several college football programs are showcasing promising NFL prospects for the 2026 draft. Boston College, under Bill O'Brien, boasts talents like left tackle Jude Bowry, safety Carter Davis, quarterback Grayson James, and tight end Jeremiah Franklin, with Bowry potentially a top-45 draft pick. Minnesota's 2024 recruiting class features impactful underclassmen including quarterback Drake Lindsey, who has three years of eligibility left, and juniors Anthony Smith and running back Darius Taylor, both viewed as early draft pick contenders. Virginia and Virginia Tech football programs are struggling, with prospects like offensive tackle McKale Boley and quarterback Kyron Drones showing varying potential amid inconsistent team performance. Despite Minnesota's current challenges, they have maintained a strong draft presence, especially with defensive players like Anthony Smith and Deven Eastern showing significant upside. These insights reveal a mix of emerging talent and ongoing developmental challenges across these college programs heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.