No player’s path to the NFL draft resembles a straight line.
While it’s typical for prospects to enjoy steady and sometimes even exponential growth on their way to the pros, there’s no single way to reach the next level. And with injuries, coaching changes and other challenges now commonplace in the collegiate world, experiencing a setback or two is hardly a death knell for a player’s NFL future, especially in a landscape that has routinely given rise to late bloomers and sixth-year seniors breaking out. And with the likes of Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. serving as some of the most prominent examples of players who shook off earlier struggles en route to changing the draft conversation surrounding themselves, there’s still plenty of hope for anyone looking for a career reset.
Here are 10 NFL draft prospects for 2026 who will be looking to bounce back this season in order to boost their stock:
Carson Beck, QB, Miami (Fla.)
At this point last year, there were few established entities among the 2025 draft-eligible quarterbacks. The search for a potential franchise passer pointed some to Beck, whose impressive build (6-4, 220 pounds) and comfort dissecting defenses over the middle suggested the Georgia starter could be the early front-runner to be the first signal-caller selected in his class. But by the middle of last fall, the composure that was a hallmark of his style in 2023 was sorely missing, as Beck regularly melted down under pressure and had four contests with multiple interceptions. Still, his stock is far from unsalvageable. As the successor to Cam Ward after his transfer to Miami, Beck will look to capitalize on his transfer and final collegiate season just as the No. 1 pick did for the Hurricanes last year. His playing style is, of course, markedly different from that of Ward, as Beck’s rhythmic approach often leaves him out of sorts when he’s forced to account for an instant pass rush or operate out of structure. But if he keeps the highest-scoring offense in the Football Bowl Subdivision rolling, Beck could re-enter the first-round conversation.
Conner Weigman, QB, Houston
Between the tools that helped earn him five-star status as a recruit and the promise he showed in four stats the previous season, Weigman stirred plenty of excitement as a new coaching staff took over at Texas A&M in 2024. Then the reality check hit hard. He sustained a shoulder injury in a disastrous outing in a season-opening loss to Notre Dame, with the ailment later sidelining him for nearly a month. Despite engineering an upset of a then-top 10 team in Missouri upon his return, he was later benched for Marcel Reed against LSU and would never resume his starting role. In search of a fresh start, the 6-3, 215-pounder jumped to Houston, where he could boost his profile if he’s able to elevate an offense that ranked ninth-lowest in passing yards in 2024. Though he’s at best a developmental prospect at this point, the junior still has two years to deliver on his considerable upside.
Byrum Brown, QB, South Florida
As a redshirt freshman, Brown was the only other player besides Jayden Daniels to throw for more than 3,000 yards and rush at least 800 in the 2023 season. That’s pretty good company, especially for a redshirt freshman. A leg injury, however, knocked him out for eight games last season and halted his upward trajectory. With two years of eligibility remaining, the 6-3, 225-pounder will have ample time to highlight his substantial arm strength and comfort making plays on the move. While he’ll have to demonstrate he can hold up against stiffer competition after struggling against Alabama and Miami last season, Brown could generate a significant buzz if he fares well in his highly anticipated return.
Jaydn Ott, RB, Oklahoma
For the first two years of his career, Ott powered Cal’s offense with his reliable running, racking up 2,202 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground from 2022-23. But things fell apart last season when he suffered an ankle injury in the Golden Bears’ opener, as he managed just 385 yards (and 3.5 yards per carry) while dealing with the fallout of the ailment. At Oklahoma, he shouldn’t have to shoulder the same load he did at Cal, which should allow him to re-establish himself as a ball carrier capable of pacing an offense with his interior running.
Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
After transferring from Purdue, Burks looked to be in a good spot to stake his claim as the latest diminutive pass catcher worthy of an early-round draft slot. The 5-9, 181-pounder showed early flashes of his promise with three touchdown catches against Temple in his Sooners debut. But he suffered a soft-tissue injury in a September loss to Tennessee and would play in just one game the rest of the year, with a concussion sustained against Missouri knocking him out for the remainder of the campaign. With new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and quarterback John Mateer importing the high-flying passing attack they mastered at Washington State, Burks should be in line to showcase his deep speed and impressive tracking ability one year after he averaged just 7.9 yards per catch.
Nic Anderson, WR, LSU
Having hauled in 10 touchdown catches and averaged 21 yards per reception in a breakout 2023 campaign, Anderson entered last season as one of college football’s most formidable big-play receivers. But his follow-up effort never truly launched, with an injury that was sustained in fall camp and later reaggravated limiting him to just one appearance last year. The 6-4, 219-pounder is now starting over with the Tigers, and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier should relish the chance to take advantage of Anderson’s downfield playmaking ability.
Earnest Greene III, OT, Georgia
Despite boasting three players who would end up as Day 2 draft picks this spring, the Bulldogs’ offensive line was not without its fair share of miscues last fall. An insufficient push up front led the rushing attack to rank just second to last in the Southeastern Conference (124.4 yards per game), and the group also surrendered nearly twice as many sacks (25) as it did the previous season (13). Among the letdowns was Greene, an SEC All-Freshman pick in 2023 who was hampered by a shoulder injury for part of his sophomore campaign. The 6-4, 320-pounder is now flipping to right tackle after serving as Beck’s blindside protector for most of the past two seasons. If he exhibits more refinement and help gets Georgia’s offense back on track, Greene could draw teams in thanks to his quickness as both a pass protector and run blocker. But he still has work to do to be considered among the top draft-eligible offensive tackles, and his frame could portend a move to guard.
Patrick Payton, DE, LSU
When the Los Angeles Rams selected Jared Verse and Braden Fiske in the first two rounds of last season’s draft, Payton seemed well-positioned to be Florida State’s next premier pass rusher as he came off a seven-sack season. But the Seminoles’ woes in a 2-10 year extended to seemingly every level, and the 6-5, 255-pounder netted just four sacks. Transferring to LSU as part of a highly touted portal class, however, could help Payton rediscover his early-career form. A spot in the top 50 is entirely within reach for an edge threat with his frame and range of ways to get into the backfield, though he’ll need to bulk up and play stronger at the point of attack to get there.
Bear Alexander, DT, Oregon
A former five-star recruit who began his career at Georgia, Alexander still finds his college career defined by potential more so than production. The 6-3, 315-pounder was one of the few bright spots for a maligned USC defense in 2023, as he generated consistent pressure seldom seen for a player of his build on the interior. But Alexander decided last season to redshirt after just three games amid a clash with the coaching staff over playing time. Now at Oregon, he’ll be looking to take the sizable step from generating a smattering of splash plays to becoming a full-time force.
Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
Perkins is one of three LSU players on this list, and his stock might have the most volatility of any of them. In his breakout freshman season, he quickly established himself as one of college football’s most explosive defenders, racking up 7 ½ sacks and 13 tackles for loss. But his effectiveness waned after moving from an edge rusher role to inside linebacker in 2023, and he then suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament last September. The 6-0, 220-pounder poses a substantial riddle for any team hoping to unlock his full explosiveness and ability to chase down plays in the backfield. While moving to the STAR position in the Tigers’ defense should help underscore his versatility, Perkins also will have to prove that he has an answer for beating the blocks that too often engulfed him in previous years.