College Football Defensive Players Who Could Help Their NFL Draft Stock in 2026 Season
While professional teams are hard at work in the current cycle, the college football world has an indirect eye on the 2027 NFL draft.
Yes, the priority is this current offseason in preparation for the 2026 campaign. But we know, in exactly one year's time, some of the nation's best players will be moving on from college and chasing their NFL dream.
And for those returning guys, an elevated draft stock is their collective hope.
The list is subjective, but it features potential pro-level players with an opportunity to soar into the first-round conversation for 2027.
Keon Sabb, S, Alabama
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Depending on who you asked, Keon Sabb had some Day 2 believers in the 2026 cycle. Bleacher Report's draft crew was among that group.
However, he decided to stay in Tuscaloosa for a final year.
It's a logical choice for Sabb, who followed an injury-shortened 2024 with a solid 2025 season. He collected 54 stops and an interception, playing well in coverage and rarely missing tackles on the back end.
Sabb, a 6'1", 204-pound safety, has a clear opportunity to solidify his already good reputation with a similar type of season.
Quincy Rhodes Jr., Edge, Arkansas
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Outside of SEC country, Quincy Rhodes Jr. might not be a familiar name. He put together a breakout season in 2025, but Arkansas went 2-10.
There's no doubt the 6'6" rusher became the focus for opponents, though. Rhodes drove UA's disruption with eight sacks, surpassing any teammate's total tackles for loss (7.5). He totaled 15.5 stops in the backfield, by the way.
What's in store for his encore?
Now coached by former Memphis boss Ryan Silverfield, the Hogs reinforced the defensive front with several transfers. The hope is a revamped unit can spark a resurgent season for Arkansas.
Nevertheless, Rhodes will be the featured player in that group and will begin the season soundly on NFL radars.
Wendell Gregory Jr., Edge, Kansas State
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Wendell Gregory Jr. is on the move again.
Adding a third school to his journey, the well-traveled pass-rusher is now at Kansas State after a redshirt year at South Carolina and a breakout stint at Oklahoma State.
Last season, Gregory posted 12 tackles for loss (four sacks) and earned Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors with OSU.
Kansas State made him a priority after losing several key transfers at the position, and that spotlight may propel Gregory to a new destination in 2027—this time in the NFL.
Whit Weeks, LB, LSU
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Back to the SEC once more, LSU linebacker Whit Weeks is aiming to recover more of his previous form after an injury-shortened year.
After notching 49 tackles as a true freshman, he paced the Tigers with 125 stops (10 for loss) in 2024. Last season, an ankle injury limited him to eight appearances and a modest 31 takedowns for a reeling LSU program that fired Brian Kelly.
Optimism is not in short supply as the Lane Kiffin era kicks off, however, and Weeks' return is one valuable part of an intriguing defense.
Plus, it'll be a chance for the veteran to reinforce his NFL profile.
As long as Weeks is back to being a reliable tackler and key factor in the backfield, plenty of scouts will take notice.
Damon Wilson II, Edge, Miami
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It turns out having a Hall of Famer as your position coach does not hurt!
On their way to a national runner-up finish in 2025, the Hurricanes boasted an elite edge-rushing duo in Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor under the guidance of former NFL star Jason Taylor.
Bain solidified his high draft prospects with 15.5 tackles for loss, and Mesidor soared into the Day 1 conversation after collecting 17.5 of his own.
Damon Wilson II is hoping to follow suit after transferring from Missouri, where he posted 9.5 TFLs (nine sacks) and a terrific 54 total pressures. Wilson also broke up two passes and snagged an interception.
Considering the D-line talent expected around him in Miami, Wilson is entering a hugely favorable situation in his final college season.
DJ McKinney, CB, Notre Dame
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DJ McKinney, similarly, could flourish on a stingy defense.
Over the last three seasons—one at Oklahoma State, two at Colorado—he accumulated 135 tackles with four interceptions and 19 pass breakups.
McKinney was a top player at both stops, but he was particularly effective when opposite former CU star Travis Hunter in 2024. Notre Dame will offer a strong supporting cast in 2026 with Leonard Moore and Christian Gray.
Yes, there's an open question about who will play nickel. McKinney didn't play there at CU, and neither Moore nor Gray did often last season.
One way or another, though, McKinney's talent should keep him on the field.
Bear Alexander, DT, Oregon
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Oregon used its considerable resources to bring back the entire defensive line, and that surprising wave started with Bear Alexander.
Granted, he was the most likely to stick around for another season. The lineman began at Georgia in 2022, transferred to USC for a couple years and played for Oregon in 2025. He's been solid, not quite great, along the way.
The trend is undeniably positive, though.
Alexander, a top-50 prospect out of high school, flashed that upside with 50 tackles (6.5 for loss) last season. The 6'3", 302-pounder showed off impressive power and served as a gap-plugging force on a talented front.
It's plausible that Alexander, fellow D-tackle A'Mauri Washington and edge-rusher Matayo Uiagalelei could all be first-rounders in 2027.
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