Forty-two players granted special eligibility for 2026 NFL Draft

The NFL has announced 42 players granted special eligibility for the 2026 NFL Draft, alongside 21 underclassmen who have completed their degree requirements with remaining college football eligibility and are also eligible for the draft. The 2026 NFL Draft is set to take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. Sixteen of these players applied before the new early "soft" deadline of January 5, introduced to aid in planning and invitations for all-star games. An additional 26 players submitted their applications by the traditional deadline of January 14. A separate "Championship" deadline of January 23 has been established for players participating in the FBS National Championship Game on January 19. All listed players have met the league's three-year eligibility rule and have renounced their remaining college eligibility through a written notification to the league office by the January 14 deadline.