History Says Ryan Poles Will Target A Small-School Sleeper — Here Are The Top Candidates
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has a soft spot for the little guy. Not literally, mind you, but figuratively. Since taking over his current role in 2022, the Bears GM has spent at least one draft pick every year on a player hailing from a small school. Not a mid-major one. An actual FCS, Division II, or lower program. You had Braxton Jones from Southern Utah, Travis Bell from Kennessaw State, Kiran Amegadjie from Yale, and, of course, Zah Frazier from Texas-San Antonio.
It feels like a safe assumption that Poles will strike in that area again in the 2026 NFL draft. That is especially true if he works to add some extra picks at some point. The question becomes which small school prospect figures to draw Poles’ attention the most, or more specifically, the Bears’ coaching staff. I gathered five names that fit many of this team’s offensive and defensive preferences.
Ryan Poles will have some fascinating options.
Curtis Allen (RB, Virginia Union)
Not just a one-year wonder but a one-year legend. Allen was a backup for three years in college, serving in a rotational role. He didn’t get the nod as a starter until 2025. Then he shattered the Division II record with 2,409 rushing yards, previously held by NFL standout Danny Woodhead. Allen is lauded for his mixture of good size (6’2″, 215 lbs), power, and excellent vision. He shows an uncanny feel for how his blocking will unfold and for finding the lane. He won’t win with quickness or speed, but the guy is a load to bring down.
Ted Hurst (WR, Georgia State)
Being a 6’3″ receiver with low 4.4 speed by itself is worth noting. He can get vertical really well and has a natural feel for boxing out defenders and making tough catches in traffic. The best part is that he has the fluidity and quickness to run good routes. He just doesn’t know how to do it consistently yet. Ben Johnson and his staff would fix that. Once he learns, all of the tools are there for him to be a legitimate threat. The big uncertainty is how willing he’ll be as a run blocker given his slimmer frame.
Kaleb Proctor (DT, Southeastern Louisiana)
The 2026 draft class is light on interior pass rushers. Not many names stand out with that quality this year. That means anybody who does will get extra attention. His final season saw him finish with nine sacks and 13 tackles for a loss. He has elite athleticism for his position and an explosive first step. His inventory of pass rush moves is also surprisingly deep. The core concern with him is size. Proctor is only 6’2″ and 291 lbs. That means he won’t fit every defense. He’ll have to land under a coach who understands how to use him. Dennis Allen is particularly experienced with undersized yet explosive defensive tackles.
Ricky Freymond (EDGE, Western Colorado)
He certainly looks the part at 6’5″ and 265 lbs. The first thing you hope to notice about a Division II prospect is whether he dominated his level of competition. Freymond had 29 sacks and 58 tackles for a loss across his four years of college. He also had eight forced fumbles. His power stands out, able to overwhelm blockers while collapsing the pocket or holding the edge against the run. His explosiveness is also solid, helping him win more than one way while pursuing the quarterback. His down senior season might keep his draft stock semi-under the radar, but he has the dimensions of an NFL contributor.
Charles Demmings (CB, Stephen F. Austin)
We know what defensive backs coach Al Harris likes in his cornerbacks. He wants size, length, athleticism, and ball skills. Demmings made waves for his school throughout his entire career, snagging nine interceptions. He’s 6’1″ with 32-inch arms and 4.41 speed. All of that shows up on film, allowing him to play tough press coverage against every wide receiver he faced. He’s explosive and smooth in his backpedal, showing the fluidity to turn and run down the field without losing his guy. The big question will be whether Ryan Poles and the coaches can live with his somewhat average run support.