2026 NFL Combine snubs: College football players who won’t be working out in front of the scouts in Indianapolis

The NFL released its official list of 319 prospects invited to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and as always, the omissions are generating just as much chatter as the invites.

While missing the Combine isn’t a death sentence for a draft hopeful, it can significantly impact early-round momentum. The week in Indianapolis is more than just 40-yard dashes. It’s medical evaluations, interviews, and face time with decision-makers. And a few standout names won’t be getting that opportunity.

Biggest snubs from the 2026 NFL Combine invite list

Mikail Kamara, EDGE, Indiana

One of the most puzzling omissions is Indiana edge rusher Mikail Kamara. Kamara led the Big Ten in pressures (58) and was a key force in the Hoosiers’ championship run. Despite questions about his 6′1″ frame and length, his production was undeniable.

Pass rushers are always in demand in the NFL, so leaving out one of the most disruptive defenders in the conference is not going unnoticed. Kamara will now have to rely heavily on Indiana’s pro day to prove he belongs in the early rounds.

Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana

Another Hoosier left off the list is running back Kaelon Black. Black rushed for 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025, averaging 5.6 yards per carry and dominating in the College Football Playoff with 241 yards and three scores. So why no invite?

Age may be a factor. Black will be 25 during his rookie season and running back remains one of the most devalued positions in the draft. Still, given his production on the biggest stage, many expected to see him in Indianapolis.

Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll

Division III standout Tyren Montgomery might be the most intriguing snub of all. After setting school records with 119 catches and 1,528 yards, Montgomery turned heads at the Senior Bowl, showing polished route running and reliable hands against Power Five competition.

Nearly 50 wide receivers were invited to the Combine. Montgomery wasn’t one of them. He was a small-school prospect, but he proved he could compete with top-tier talent, so the exclusion seems especially harsh.

Riley Mahlman, OT, Wisconsin

Offensive tackles with starting experience don’t grow on trees, which makes Wisconsin’s Riley Mahlman’s omission surprising. Mahlman logged over 2,800 snaps at both tackle spots in his career and impressed during the East-West Shrine Bowl.

With the NFL constantly searching for tackle depth, many draft analysts believed he’d at least get the chance to test in Indianapolis.

Landon Robinson, DL, Navy

Robinson was an AP First-Team All-American and AAC Defensive Player of the Year. He also reportedly boasts a 700-pound squat and elite testing numbers, earning a spot on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List.”

Yet he won’t be in Indy. He’s a defensive lineman with elite strength metrics and on-field dominance, so the absence is notable.

Without the platform of the Combine, NFL prospects must lean heavily on pro days and private workouts. But history shows that doesn’t mean it’s over. Plenty of players have gone undrafted or overlooked in the pre-draft process and managed to carve out long NFL careers. The path to get there is just a little longer.

Sometimes, snubs can even create motivation. With pro days approaching, these players now have something extra to prove. The NFL Combine begins on Monday, February 23 and runs until Monday, March 2 in Indianapolis.

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