Bryce Lance rising fast as the NFL Draft’s top small-school prospect

Over the past three NFL Draft cycles, FCS prospects have become increasingly prominent. This past draft saw 15 FCS players selected, including five taken within the first four rounds. The first FCS player off the board was Grey Zabel, who became the highest-drafted offensive lineman in FCS history.

This year North Dakota State has another elite small-school prospect entering the league. Wide receiver Bryce Lance stands as the top small-school prospect on my 2026 draft board thanks to a rare combination of production and physical traits.

 Production that dominated the FCS level

Lance earned FCS All-American honors this past season while recording his second consecutive 1,000-yard campaign. He finished with a career-high 1,079 receiving yards on just 51 receptions. That followed a dominant 2024 season in which he caught 75 passes, the second-most in school history, and set a program record with 17 touchdown receptions. Simply put, Lance has consistently dominated FCS competition.

His physical traits are just as impressive as the production. Lance has ideal size at 6-foot-3 and 204 pounds, which allows him to routinely box out defenders and win contested catches. Over the past two seasons he has caught more than 60 percent of passes thrown into tight coverage, a strong indicator of his ability to win in traffic.

Speed is another trait that separates him. At the NFL Scouting Combine he ran a blazing 4.34-second 40-yard dash, giving him legitimate deep-threat ability. Lance used that speed to average an absurd 21.2 yards per reception this past season despite defenses consistently keying on him, with his head coach Tim Polasek noting that “the impact that he's having on coverages right now is, I've never been part of a passing offense in my entire career where one guy is shifting and tilting the secondary.”

Lance also has some of the most reliable hands in the class. Lance has some of the most dependable hands in the 2026 receiver class. Over the past two seasons he has dropped only five passes and consistently attacks the football with his hands rather than letting it get into his body. He also shows excellent body control when adjusting to passes in traffic and making contested catches.

Character and work ethic are also major positives. His coaches rave about his preparation and competitive mindset, with Polasek saying that “Lance is a great worker. He pays attention to the details extremely well and he’s an explosive guy with great size. He’s a competitive spirit and takes pride in his craft.”

There are still areas for improvement. Lance will need to sharpen his route breaks, which is common for bigger receivers adjusting to NFL-level defensive backs. He will also face the usual questions that come with FCS prospects about the level of competition. Participating in a postseason showcase like the Senior Bowl could have helped answer some of those questions.

As for his draft projection, I currently carry a third-round grade on Lance and rank him as the ninth-best wide receiver in the class. That’s slightly higher than the consensus at NFL Mock Draft Database, which places him closer to the fourth round, and he was not included among the top 11 receivers by Mel Kiper Jr.

Regardless of where he ultimately lands, Lance has the tools to make an immediate impact. His blend of size, speed, and big-play ability is reminiscent of former NDSU receiver Christian Watson, who developed into a dangerous vertical threat after entering the league. If Lance follows a similar path, he could quickly become one of the biggest steals of the 2026 NFL Draft.