2026 NFL Draft: Georgia’s Top College & High School Football Prospects to Watch
POLICY WIRE — Atlanta, USA — The highly anticipated 2026 National Football League Draft is set to unfold over three days and seven rounds, with hundreds of aspiring athletes hoping to secure a...
POLICY WIRE — Atlanta, USA — The highly anticipated 2026 National Football League Draft is set to unfold over three days and seven rounds, with hundreds of aspiring athletes hoping to secure a professional contract.
This major event will be hosted in Pittsburgh, where college stars and emerging talents will learn their professional football destinations. Among the significant pool of potential draftees are numerous players who honed their skills at Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of Georgia, alongside standout athletes who excelled at high schools across the state.
The journey to the NFL Draft is often filled with personal stories of dedication and triumph, not just for the players but for their families as well, illustrating the profound impact of professional sports aspirations.
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Leading Prospects from Georgia Universities
The state’s collegiate programs are poised to contribute a strong contingent to the 2026 draft class, showcasing the depth of talent nurtured within Georgia.
Georgia State University Potential Draftees
- Ted Hurst
Georgia Institute of Technology Players to Watch
- Haynes King
- Eric Rivers
- Keylan Rutledge
- Ahmari Harvey
University of Georgia Standouts
- Dillon Bell
- Zachariah Branch
- Colbie Young
- Oscar Delp
- Monroe Freeling
- Micah Morris
- Christen Miller
- CJ Allen
- Daylen Everette
- Brett Thorson
Prominent Former Georgia High School Talents
Beyond current collegiate rosters in Georgia, a substantial number of prospects who previously starred in the state’s high school football programs are now making names for themselves at universities nationwide, positioning them for the upcoming draft. Exploring the backgrounds and legacies of these players often reveals a rich tapestry of athletic development.
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- CJ Daniels (Currently at Miami, previously Parkview High School)
- Marlin Klein (Currently at Michigan, previously Rabun Gap, Nacoochee School)
- Jalen Farmer (Currently at Kentucky, previously Eastside High School)
- Alan Herron (Currently at Maryland, previously Banneker High School)
- Connor Lew (Currently at Auburn, previously Kennesaw Mountain High School)
- Cameron Ball (Currently at Arkansas, previously Tri-Cities High School)
- Joshua Josephs (Currently at Tennessee, previously North Cobb High School)
- Kayden McDonald (Currently at Ohio State, previously North Gwinnett High School)
- LT Overton (Currently at Alabama, previously Milton High School)
- Zion Young (Currently at Missouri, previously Westlake High School)
- Caleb Downs (Currently at Ohio State, previously Mill Creek High School)
- Avieon Terrell (Currently at Clemson, previously Westlake High School)
- Marcus Allen (Currently at North Carolina, previously Walton High School)
- Colton Hood (Currently at Tennessee, previously Eagles Landing Christian Academy)
- VJ Payne (Currently at Kansas State, previously Buford High School)
- Jalon Kilgore (Currently at South Carolina, previously Putnam County High School)
- Avery Smith (Currently at Toledo, previously Riverwood High School)
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, these athletes represent the promising future of professional football, with many having deep ties to Georgia’s rich football tradition.
