NFL draft prospects have until January 14th to declare for the 2026 draft, but some of these players are already making their decisions clear.
From 2019 to 2021, before the extra eligibility for Covid seasons, NIL payments and the transfer portal really started to kick in, the league averaged 126 underclassmen declarations per class. From 2023 t0 2025, though, that number dropped to just an average of 70, 56 fewer underclassmen per class and a 44 percent overall drop in underclassmen declaring.
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With direct payments from schools to players now allowed, plus the NFL still having a rookie wage scale, you could see even more kids elect to return to college football this season. With that in mind, let’s take you through the position-by-position breakdown of who is in or out of this class. We’ll update this page through the league’s official underclassmen announcement date, likely the week after the January deadline.
All rankings below come via the consensus draft board. We’ll also highlight which top-150 prospects have yet to make a decision at this time.
Quarterbacks
Declarations
Undecided (Top 150)
#2 Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
#109 John Mateer, Oklahoma
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Returning to School
Running Backs
Declarations
Undecided (Top 150)
#83 Justice Haynes, Michigan
Receivers
Declarations
Undecided (Top 150)
#95 Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Returning to School
Tight Ends
Declarations
Undecided (Top 150)
#67 Max Klare, Ohio State
Offensive Linemen
Declarations
Undecided (Top 150)
#12 Francis Mauigoa, Miami
#76 Austin Siereveld, Ohio State
#79 Carter Smith, Indiana
#134 Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Returning to School
Edge Defenders
Declarations
Undecided (Top 150)
#29 Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
#116 Kenyatta Jackson, Ohio State
Returning to School
Interior Defensive Linemen
Declarations
Undecided (Top 150)
#28 Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
#34 Amauri Washington, Oregon
Returning to School
Off Ball Linebackers
Declarations
Undecided (Top 150)
#1 Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Returning to School
Cornerbacks
Declarations
Undecided (Top 150)
#72 D’angelo Ponds, Indiana
#135 Jyaire Hill, Michigan
Returning to School
Safeties
Declarations
Undecided (Top 150)
#5 Caleb Downs, Ohio State
#59 Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
