March 14, 2026, 11:11 a.m. ET

There’s no shortage of college football standouts hoping to make a career in the NFL, and the first step begins for many of them in April with the NFL Draft. And each year, there are always names that fly under the radar but end up forging opportunities in the league. Here are a few such players who weren’t invited to the NFL Combine but are boosting their draft stock late with big performances at their campus Pro Days.

Josh Gesky, C – Illinois

Gesky has helped anchor an offensive line for an Illinois program that has over-exceeded expectations over the past two seasons. Trained by 10-year NFL veteran Tony Pashos, Gesky impressed scouts from all 32 NFL teams at the recent Illinois Pro Day.

Gesky’s 4.94-second 40-yard dash would have ranked sixth at the NFL Combine, and his 33-inch vertical jump would have done the same. And he also put up 30 reps on the 225-pound bench press, which would have been fourth among Combine invites.

Scouts reportedly like his “ability to bend and be under control,” and Illinois head coach Brett Bielema called him the “most pro-ready guy I’ve had in a few years.” He has met with the Texans and drawn interest from the Ravens.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Michael Coats Jr., CB – West Virginia

Coats Jr. was one of the most highly-touted defensive back transfers in college football last offseason, coming off a season with 41 tackles, 10 pass deflections, and four interceptions. Last season at WVU, his production was a bit lighter, with no interceptions, just 30 tackles, and seven pass deflections.

But those overlooking Coats Jr. might not be doing so after his WVU Pro Day effort. In the front 3-cone drill, which beats the best time recorded among all corners at the Combine. He also recorded a 36-inch vertical and a 10-foot, 8-inch broad jump.

Tyas Martin, DT – Marshall

We’re sticking in the Mountain State for our last player on this list, but shifting to the Sun Belt and the Marshall Thundering Herd.

Martin didn’t pop off the stat sheet last season, recording just 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks. And while no marks for specific tests have been released, reports indicate Martin impressed scouts in both positional drills and standard testing, and the 6-foot-4, 330-pound mammoth of a man met with multiple teams after his performance at Marshall’s Pro Day.