Pennsylvania prospects looking to hear their names called at the NFL draft

The 2026 NFL draft is set to begin on Thursday night in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Video player above: Penn State players participate in Pro Day. Last year’s draft saw just five players from Pennsylvania high schools selected, tying 2012, 2019 and 2022 for the fewest picks in a year since the all-time low of three selections in the 2007 draft. This year, most of the talent from the state is on the offensive side of the ball, with prospects expected to be selected on Day 2 or Day 3.Here is a look at the few who hope to represent Pennsylvania by getting their names called at the draft.Running back- Nick Singleton- fourth roundThe best prospect coming out of the state of Pennsylvania has to be running back Nick Singleton from Shillington, Berks County. He was hoping to dazzle scouts with his elite athleticism at the NFL Combine but unfortunately was unable to test after suffering a broken foot during a Senior Bowl practice in January. Despite setting Penn State records in career all-purpose yards (5,586) and total career touchdowns (55), Singleton’s 2025 season paled in comparison to his 2024 numbers. He is considered a well-built back at 6-foot and 220 pounds but displayed a lack of vision and instincts in his time at Penn State. His size, speed and ability to return kicks will be enticing for NFL teams, but he will likely be a Day 2 selection.Offensive tackle – Drew Shelton- fourth roundA teammate of Nick Singleton, Shelton primarily played high school football at Downingtown West High School in Chester County but also attended IMG Academy in Florida.Shelton is an athletic left tackle who played two seasons as the full-time starter with the Nittany Lions, earning Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in both seasons.His athleticism and ability to get to any angle necessary in the run game make him a fit for teams favoring outside zone. However, he’s likely to struggle with consistency unless he gets stronger and plays with better body control. He will likely be an early Day 3 selection. Running back- Rahsul Faison- sixth round A native of Pottstown, Montgomery County, Faison is an older prospect who will be a 26-year-old rookie if he’s drafted. He spent time with Snow College and Utah State before transferring to South Carolina in 2025. He led the Game Cocks with 470 rushing yards on 96 carries, scoring three touchdowns. He’s an instinctive runner with the size, vision and wiggle to create extra yards from broken tackles. He’s patient but unpredictable, making it hard for linebackers to square him up. His 2025 production might look average, but his tape shows ability at the next level on all three downs.Running back – Eli Heidenreich – sixth roundA native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Heidenreich helped lead Mt. Lebanon High School to a state title in 2021, racking up 54 catches for 1,325 yards and 28 touchdowns. Coming out of high school, he committed to play collegiate football for the Navy Midshipmen. In 2025, Heidenreich earned Second-Team All-American Athletic Conference honors after leading the team with 51 receptions, setting a single-season record with 941 receiving yards and tying a school record with six receiving touchdowns. He set school career records with 1,994 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. Heidenreich possesses good size and toughness. Most of his run production came on jet sweeps from Navy’s option attack, but he appears to lack the acceleration to outpace NFL pursuit as a wide runner. Teams will like the mentality and his special-teams potential, but he might lack the necessary athleticism to uncover on routes or elude tacklers.Honorable MentionHere are a few other players from Pennsylvania who could see their names called at next week’s NFL draft:TE – Khalil Dinkins – Penn State – Wexford – North Allegheny High SchoolOT – Nolan Rucci – Penn State – Lititz – Warwick High School K- Nate Reed- Delaware – Manheim – Manheim Central High School

The 2026 NFL draft is set to begin on Thursday night in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Video player above: Penn State players participate in Pro Day.

Last year’s draft saw just five players from Pennsylvania high schools selected, tying 2012, 2019 and 2022 for the fewest picks in a year since the all-time low of three selections in the 2007 draft.

This year, most of the talent from the state is on the offensive side of the ball, with prospects expected to be selected on Day 2 or Day 3.

Here is a look at the few who hope to represent Pennsylvania by getting their names called at the draft.

Running back- Nick Singleton- fourth round

[image id=’4187636e-e84b-49df-8788-37cb4234eb36′ mediaId=’ee062933-3a75-4297-82e6-8bd5503e9065′ align=’center’ size=”medium” share=”true” caption=’Nick Singleton’ expand=” crop=’original’][/image]

The best prospect coming out of the state of Pennsylvania has to be running back Nick Singleton from Shillington, Berks County. He was hoping to dazzle scouts with his elite athleticism at the NFL Combine but unfortunately was unable to test after suffering a broken foot during a Senior Bowl practice in January.

Despite setting Penn State records in career all-purpose yards (5,586) and total career touchdowns (55), Singleton’s 2025 season paled in comparison to his 2024 numbers. He is considered a well-built back at 6-foot and 220 pounds but displayed a lack of vision and instincts in his time at Penn State.

His size, speed and ability to return kicks will be enticing for NFL teams, but he will likely be a Day 2 selection.

Offensive tackle – Drew Shelton- fourth round[image id=’bbcaf158-85de-43a0-87a7-4a06fc8987bb’ mediaId=’cad1fe94-7456-44df-9472-baba896e8c59′ align=’center’ size=”medium” share=”true” caption=’Drew Shelton’ expand=” crop=’original’][/image]

A teammate of Nick Singleton, Shelton primarily played high school football at Downingtown West High School in Chester County but also attended IMG Academy in Florida.

Shelton is an athletic left tackle who played two seasons as the full-time starter with the Nittany Lions, earning Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in both seasons.

His athleticism and ability to get to any angle necessary in the run game make him a fit for teams favoring outside zone. However, he’s likely to struggle with consistency unless he gets stronger and plays with better body control. He will likely be an early Day 3 selection.

Running back- Rahsul Faison- sixth round [image id=’12bbcf86-2986-42bd-8d5d-7c554961d0fa’ mediaId=’bed731cc-a934-48cd-86e6-804b759fef0a’ align=’center’ size=”medium” share=”true” caption=’Rahsul Faison’ expand=” crop=’original’][/image]

A native of Pottstown, Montgomery County, Faison is an older prospect who will be a 26-year-old rookie if he’s drafted. He spent time with Snow College and Utah State before transferring to South Carolina in 2025. He led the Game Cocks with 470 rushing yards on 96 carries, scoring three touchdowns.

He’s an instinctive runner with the size, vision and wiggle to create extra yards from broken tackles. He’s patient but unpredictable, making it hard for linebackers to square him up. His 2025 production might look average, but his tape shows ability at the next level on all three downs.

Running back – Eli Heidenreich – sixth round
[image id=’f5b20549-a5da-453b-94e2-d92a9372e4e7′ mediaId=’aeac76c6-827e-4631-a170-0945b76115c3′ align=’center’ size=”medium” share=”true” caption=’Eli Heidenreich’ expand=” crop=’original’][/image]

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Heidenreich helped lead Mt. Lebanon High School to a state title in 2021, racking up 54 catches for 1,325 yards and 28 touchdowns. Coming out of high school, he committed to play collegiate football for the Navy Midshipmen.

In 2025, Heidenreich earned Second-Team All-American Athletic Conference honors after leading the team with 51 receptions, setting a single-season record with 941 receiving yards and tying a school record with six receiving touchdowns. He set school career records with 1,994 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns.

Heidenreich possesses good size and toughness. Most of his run production came on jet sweeps from Navy’s option attack, but he appears to lack the acceleration to outpace NFL pursuit as a wide runner. Teams will like the mentality and his special-teams potential, but he might lack the necessary athleticism to uncover on routes or elude tacklers.

Honorable Mention

Here are a few other players from Pennsylvania who could see their names called at next week’s NFL draft:

TE – Khalil Dinkins – Penn State – Wexford – North Allegheny High SchoolOT – Nolan Rucci – Penn State – Lititz – Warwick High School K- Nate Reed- Delaware – Manheim – Manheim Central High School[iframe src=”https://hearsttelevisiondatajournalism.htvapps.com/2026-NFL-draft/index.html” scrolling=”no” frameborder=”0″ style=”width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none; height:1000px;” ][/iframe][related id=’09142886-cf37-4b3a-adbd-9bf88b6a4d5f’ align=’center’ source=””][/related][related id=’4b27d7f3-4e16-42ca-bdf1-61aa28216876′ align=’center’ source=””][/related][related id=’755e137e-40b5-44bb-ba8a-138af481efab’ align=’center’ source=””][/related]