Top G5 NFL Prospects for 2026: Dynasty & Devy Watchlist

Discover the top 10 Group of 5 NFL draft prospects to watch in 2025. Elite traits, big production, and rising dynasty/devy stars.

The Group of 5 continues to produce some of the most overlooked yet impactful talent in college football. Every season, G5 NFL prospects rise from smaller programs to become draft steals, fantasy football surprises, and long-term dynasty assets. For anyone tracking 2026 NFL Draft sleepers, devy dynasty rankings, or emerging college football scouting targets, identifying the right G5 players early provides a major edge.

The ten players below represent the top Group of 5 stars to watch in 2025, each offering strong production trends, translatable traits, and real NFL upside. These profiles highlight the analytics and on-field roles that make them legitimate risers, and potential fantasy contributors in devy and dynasty formats.

1. Skyler Bell, WR, UConn

• Traits: An explosive, high-volume target who has become UConn’s primary weapon. He excels at creating chunk plays and making contested catches, even against Power 5 competition.
• Analytics: His 2025 season is a statistical sledgehammer: 101 receptions for 1,276 yards and 13 touchdowns, making him a Biletnikoff Award finalist.
• Team Fit: The offensive scheme runs through him. He commands a high target share on intermediate-to-deep concepts and is universally regarded as UConn’s most likely NFL draft pick.
• Devy Risk Level: Low → Medium. National award finalist status and elite volume significantly mitigate risk. The standard “level of competition” caveat applies, but his production is undeniable.

2. Junior Vandeross III, WR, Toledo

• Traits: A shifty, high-effort slot receiver (5’8″, 182 lbs) with dependable hands and chain-moving reliability, boasting a long streak of consecutive games with a catch.
• Analytics: A 2024 First-Team All-MAC selection (85 rec, 957 yds), he backed it up with a strong 2025 campaign (e.g., 71 rec, 876 yds, 11 TDs) and a Biletnikoff watch list nod.
• Team Fit: The primary target in Toledo’s offense, used both on the boundary and in the slot, ensuring consistent target volume.
• Devy Risk Level: Medium. The production and recognition are excellent, but his smaller stature is a noted projection point for the NFL outside role.

3. Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

• Traits: A large boundary receiver (6’3″) whose game is built on contested-catch ability and long-play upside, earning him spots on national athleticism lists.
• Analytics: The team-leading receiver in 2024 (56 rec, 961 yds, 9 TDs) and again in 2025 (e.g., 64 rec, 928 yds), demonstrating consistent production.
• Team Fit: Used as Georgia State’s primary downfield and 50/50 ball target, a role that highlights his physical advantages.
• Devy Risk Level: Medium. His size and athletic profile are major positives. The risk is tied to the standard projection from the Sun Belt to the NFL, but his traits are a compelling counter-argument.

4. Anthony Smith, WR, East Carolina

• Traits: A tall, long-strider (6’3″) with bona fide big-play speed, making him a consistent vertical threat.
• Analytics: Posted a monstrous 19.3 yards per catch in 2024 (1,043 yards, 9 TDs) and was a 2025 Biletnikoff watch list member.
• Team Fit: ECU’s designated field-stretcher and primary outside threat, schemed for downfield shots.
• Devy Risk Level: Medium. His yards-per-catch is elite and the watch list recognition is real. Sources note route refinement as a development area, not a red flag.

5. Nick DeGennaro, WR, James Madison

• Traits: An explosive situational playmaker, capable of breaking games open with long grabs (60+ yards).
• Analytics: JMU’s top receiving threat with game logs showing explosive outputs, including a 162-yard performance.
• Team Fit: A key intermediate and deep threat in JMU’s offense, frequently featured in plays designed to generate chunk yardage.
• Devy Risk Level: Medium. The big-play ability is enticing. His projection relies on sustaining his 2025 volume and continuing to produce against higher-level competition to gain national draft traction.

6. Robert Henry Jr., RB, UTSA

• Traits: An explosive home-run hitter with excellent jump-cut ability and inside/outside burst.
• Analytics: A 2025 Doak Walker Award semifinalist, he led UTSA in rushing and ripped off long runs of 83 and 88 yards, showcasing his game-breaking speed.
• Team Fit: The clear feature back and explosive-play engine for the Roadrunners, carrying a significant workload.
• Devy Risk Level: Medium → High. The production and awards are top-tier, but team reporting explicitly mentions a history of ankle sprains and a heavy workload, which adds a layer of risk.

7. Sieh Bangura, RB, Ohio

• Traits: A classic north-south workhorse back, praised for his toughness and effectiveness in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
• Analytics: The MAC rushing leader in 2025, posting a ~1,123-yard, 13-touchdown season with a solid 5.6 YPC average.
• Team Fit: Ohio’s primary between-the-tackles runner, used to control tempo and finish drives.
• Devy Risk Level: Medium. He is the definition of a high-floor, volume-based back. The primary risk is the long-term toll of his heavy collegiate workload.

8. Byrum Brown, QB, USF

• Traits: A dynamic dual-threat playmaker who combines efficient passing with prolific rushing production, generating national Heisman and watch-list chatter.
• Analytics: Posted massive total offense numbers in 2025 (e.g., ~2,883 pass yards, 24 pass TDs, 904 rush yards, 13 rush TDs).
• Team Fit: The undisputed focal point of the USF offense, which is built around his skills as a passer and primary runner in designed-run concepts.
• Devy Risk Level: Low → Medium. His production and national profile are immense. The risk is the perennial projection question for dual-threat QBs: how will his game translate to a pro-style NFL offense?

9. Walker Eget, QB, San José State

• Traits: An experienced, productive G5 passer known for durability and capable of high-volume passing outputs.
• Analytics: Maintained a 3,000+ yard passing pace in 2025 (e.g., 3,047 yards, 17 TDs), with multiple 300-400 yard games.
• Team Fit: The starter in a pro-style, pass-oriented attack at SJSU, giving him valuable experience in NFL-style concepts.
• Devy Risk Level: Medium. The passing volume is attractive. The risk lies in consistency, as local coverage points to turnover concerns that need to be cleaned up.

10. Toby Payne, TE, Marshall

• Traits: A traditional, well-rounded inline tight end (6’4″, 235 lbs) with receiving upside and a defined role as a blocker in a run-heavy scheme.
• Analytics: Provided reliable production (e.g., 34 rec, 381 yds, 3 TDs in 2025) with several games showcasing higher receiving yardage.
• Team Fit: A key piece in Marshall’s offense as both a blocker and a safety-valve pass-catcher, earning preseason Mackey Award mentions.
• Devy Risk Level: Low → Medium. For the TE position, he has a desirable profile. The risk is the general uncertainty of projecting an inline G5 TE to a pass-heavy NFL role, but he has no major injury flags.

Past G5 Success Stories

Understanding the path from G5 star to NFL contributor is essential. These five players provide the blueprint.

1. Tyjae Spears (RB, Tulane):

   An AAC Offensive Player of the Year who transitioned seamlessly to a complementary, playmaking role with the Tennessee Titans as a 3rd-round pick.

2. Josh Allen (QB, Wyoming):

   The archetype for the high-ceiling G5 QB. A star at Wyoming, he became an NFL MVP and franchise cornerstone for the Buffalo Bills, proving scouts will invest heavily in elite G5 talent.

3. Davante Adams (WR, Fresno State):

   A prolific G5 receiver who developed into an elite NFL All-Pro. He is the prime comp for big-bodied, highly productive G5 wideouts like Ted Hurst or Anthony Smith.

4. Derek Carr (QB, Fresno State):

   A high-volume passer at Fresno State who became a multi-year, Pro Bowl NFL starter. He’s the model for productive G5 passers like Walker Eget who show pro-ready traits.

5. Ben Roethlisberger (QB, Miami (OH)):

   The historic example of G5 upside. A MAC star who became a two-time Super Bowl champion and future Hall of Famer, reminding us that franchise quarterbacks can be found outside the Power 5.

The Group of 5 continues to produce real NFL talent, and these ten players stand out as the top G5 NFL prospects to watch heading into the 2026 draft cycle. For fans, scouts, and devy fantasy football managers, keeping these rising stars on your radar now can give you an early edge. As their roles grow and evaluations sharpen, several of them could become the next big G5 draft sleepers to break through at the next level.

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FAQ

Q: Who are the top Group of 5 prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft?
A: Names like Skyler Bell, Junior Vandeross III, Ted Hurst, and Byrum Brown headline the list due to elite production and NFL traits.

Q: Which G5 players are best for devy fantasy leagues?
A: Bell, Brown, and Robert Henry Jr. offer strong devy value with translatable profiles.

Q: Why do NFL teams scout the Group of 5 heavily?
A: The G5 consistently produces overlooked prospects who become draft steals due to lower national exposure.

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