2026 NFL Combine invites by school: Texas A&M leads way on heels of CFP appearance

Arguably the largest cease on path to the NFL Draft is the NFL Scouting Combine, which brings properly over 300 of essentially the most gifted soccer gamers in America to Indianapolis. There, the prospects will undergo drills that take a look at all the things from their athleticism to their skill to satisfy the duties of their particular place on the soccer subject.

Every yr, gamers use the mix, the place all 32 NFL teams They are represented by scouts and entrance workplace personnel, to enhance their inventory after placing collectively movie of their closing collegiate season. The NFL sent invites to 319 players in February now that the 2025 season is within the rearview mirror.

It ought to come as no shock that some of college football’s prime manufacturers, like Alabama and Ohio Statecan be sending lots of gamers to Indianapolis. But upstarts like close by Indianawhich accomplished one of one of the best Cinderella tales in school soccer historical past with a nationwide title final season, has lots of expertise headed to the mix.

Here’s a take a look at the faculty packages that produced essentially the most invites to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine:

1. Texas A&M — 13

Notable gamers: W.R. KC Concepcion; OL Ar’maj Reed-Adams; D.L. Cashius Howell; L.B. Taurean York; D.B. Will Lee III

Texas A&Mcontemporary off of its College Football Playoff debut, can have lots of illustration on the mix. Many eyes can be on the dynamic Concepcion, who has an opportunity to place up some eye-popping numbers. But the Aggies can have lots of trench monsters going by means of drills as properly. Four of their 5 offensive line starters and three of their prime defensive linemen from the 2025 season are headed to Indianapolis.

2. Alabama — 12

Notable gamers: Q.B. Ty Simpson; W.R. Germie Bernard; OL Kadyn Proctor; D.L. L.T. Overton; L.B. Deontae Lawson

The mix needs to be a terrific alternative for Simpson to spice up his draft inventory even additional in a comparatively weak quarterback class. He’s already considered as a first-round decide and its accuracy ought to present by means of within the routes-on-air interval. Bernard is one other potential riser to maintain an eye fixed on. He flew below the radar for many of the season, though he was Simpson’s favourite goal within the passing assault. Bernard’s greatest work might include the pads on, as he is a tough-running magician after the catch, however strong testing numbers may push him into an higher echelon.

T-3. Ohio State — 11

Notable gamers: W.R. Carnell Tate; TEA Max Klare; D.L. Caden Curry; D.L. Kayden McDonald; L.B. Arvell Reese; D.B. Caleb Downs

It ought to come as no shock, given how dominant Ohio State was in 2025, that its protection leads the way amongst mix invites. Seven of the 11 prospects that may characterize the Buckeyes in Indianapolis performed on the defensive facet of the ball. That consists of a number of doubtless first-round prospects. Reese has an opportunity to be the primary defender taken off the board. He can play off the ball or at edge rusher on the subsequent degree. McDonald was a unanimous All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. Downs has been one of the highest defensive backs in school soccer since he stepped foot on campus, and he is solely solidified that standing over the past couple of seasons with the Buckeyes. He’ll be a uncommon early security picked within the 2026 NFL Draft.

T-3. LSU — 11

Notable gamers: Q.B. Garrett Nussmeier; W.R. Barion Brown; L.B. Harold Perkins Jr.; D.B. Mansoor Delane; DB. AJ Haulcy

L.S.U. might have had a disappointing season, nevertheless it definitely wasn’t as a result of an absence of expertise. Nussmeier did underperform whereas battling by means of numerous harm points. Maybe he can use the mix to remind scouts why he was as soon as thought of as a prime prospect. Brown will definitely flip some heads. He’s a prime candidate to submit the quickest 40-yard sprint time of your complete occasion.

T-5. Georgia — 10

Notable gamers: W.R. Zachariah Branch; W.R. Colbie Young; D.L. Christen Miller; L.B. CJ Allen

Speaking of spectacular 40-yard sprint instances, Branch can be a must-watch for many who get pleasure from velocity. He’s a enjoyable gadget participant that might discover a good dwelling on the subsequent degree as a returning specialist. Young is a bodily spectacular wideout. If his 6-foot-3 and 215-pound body is verified by mix measurements, that may definitely stand out.

T-5. Oklahoma — 10

Notable gamers: TEA Jaren Kanak; D.L. Gracen Halton; D.L. R Mason Thomas; L.B. Owen Heinecke; D.B. Robert Spears-Jennings

Kanak is a captivating prospect. He spent the primary three years of his profession as a linebacker earlier than transitioning to tight finish forward of the 2025 season. He was a third-team All-SEC choice after ending third amongst Sooners with 44 catches for 533 yards. It can be fascinating to see how he checks and the place he lands within the draft. Oklahoma has seven defenders headed to the mix after their protection led the way to a College Football Playoff appearance final season. Four defensive linemen will rep the Sooners, who had been gritty within the trenches in 2025.

T-5. Miami — 10

Notable gamers: Q.B. Carson Beck; OL Francis Mauigoa; D.L. Rueben Bain Jr.; D.L. Akheem Mesidor; D.B. Keionte Scott

Miami has loads of extraordinarily gifted massive fellas headed to the following degree. Stalwarts like Mauigoa, a dominant offensive deal with, and Bain had been a giant motive why the Hurricanes made it all of the way to the College Football Playoff National Championship. The edge-rushing duo of Bain and Mesidor performed some of their greatest soccer within the postseason. They mixed for a whopping 10.5 sacks throughout Miami’s four-game run by means of the playoff.

T-8. Clemson — 9

Notable gamers: Q.B. Cade Klubnik; R.B. Adam Randall; W.R. Anthony Williams; D.L. TJ Parker; D.L. Peter Woods

Klubnik had a really disappointing 2025 marketing campaign, however maybe he can revive his picture on the mix. As it has been so typically with Clemsonalthough, protection is the main target right here. Parker and Woods are two of one of the best defensive prospects within the draft. Both ought to hear their names known as very early.

T-8. Florida — 9

Notable gamers: OL Jake Slaughter; D.L. Caleb Banks

No matter how a lot Florida struggles on the sphere, it should at all times be well-represented within the draft. The Gators are good at churning out expertise because of their preferrred recruiting scenario. Slaughter is arguably the highest middle prospect within the draft and Banks is a extremely regarded defensive lineman who ought to have a strong skilled profession.

T-8. Indiana — 9

Notable gamers: Q.B. Fernando Mendoza; W.R. Elijah Sarratt; OL Pat Coogan; L.B. Aiden Fisher; D.B. D’Angelo Ponds

The reigning nationwide champions, clearly, have lots of stars value mentioning. Mendoza received the Heisman Trophy and, in all probability, he’ll observe that up by going first general within the 2026 NFL Draft. Ponds has a terrific shot to listen to his title known as within the first spherical as properly, though his measurement might maintain him again. Fisher has all of the makings of a mid-round steal. He’s a basically sound linebacker that is at all times across the ball. It can be attention-grabbing to see how his athletic profile stacks up, however the tape would not lie.

T-8. Iowa — 9

Notable gamers: W.R. Kaden Wetjen; OL Gennings Dunker; OL Logan Jones; D.B. Xavier Nwankpa

Don’t sleep on the Hawkeyes. Wetjen is a enjoyable participant to observe. He’s bought an opportunity to carve out a strong profession as a return specialist. Dunker and Jones are two of three beginning offensive linemen from Iowa’s 2025 squad which might be anticipated to be drafted.

T-8. Penn State — 9

Notable gamers: Q.B. Drew Allar; R.B. Kaytron Allen; R.B. Nicholas Singleton; OL Olaivavega Ioane; D.L. Dani Dennis-Sutton

Allar most likely will not compete on the mix as he continues to get well from an ankle harm that lower his 2025 season quick. An NFL staff will doubtless nonetheless take a late-round flier on him given his body and pure expertise. Allen and Singleton are each intriguing skills in their very own proper. Allen was one of the best of the 2 final seasons, however each had nice moments of their collegiate careers and each ought to hear their names known as in April.