Taylor Swift's 2025 in Photos, from Her Engagement to “The Life of a Showgirl” and “The End of an Era,” for Her 36th Birthday

Kevin Mazur/Getty for The Recording Academy; Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott; Taylor Swift/Instagram

What a year it's been forTaylor Swift.

When it seemed impossible for her to top her colossal 2024 — which included the release of her 11th albumThe Tortured Poets Departmentand the end of her record-breakingEras Tour— the pop star managed to outdo herself in 2025. In February, she attended theGrammysas a nominee and supported her soon-to-be fiancéTravis Kelceat theSuper Bowl. They made headlines by revealing theirengagementin August, on top of Swift announcing her 12th studio albumThe Life of a Showgirl.

Her new LP smashed sales records upon release in October, and she closed out the year by dropping her highly anticipated Eras Tour documentary,The End of an Era. OnThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert, she said that she strived for"longevity,"and 20 years into her career, she has accomplished just that.

As she celebrates her 36th birthday on Dec. 13, 2025, look back on Swift's successful year in photos.

February: Taylor Swift Attends the 2025 Grammys

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Swift attended the2025 Grammysas a nominee in six categories, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. She also presented the award for Best Country Album, whichBeyoncéwon forCowboy Carter.

Throughout the ceremony, the superstar looked to be having the time of her life, dancing withMargaret Qualley, the wife of close collaboratorJack Antonoff, toastingKendrick Lamarand celebrating Beyoncé'sAlbum of the Year victory.

February: Taylor Swift Attends the Super Bowl

Gregory Shamus/Getty

A week later, Swift touched down in New Orleans to support her boyfriend Kelce as the Kansas City Chiefs attempted to win their third Super Bowl in a row. Notably, when the jumbotron showed the singer in the stands and the crowd booed, sheshrugged and laughed the momentoff.

May: Taylor Swift Buys Back Her Masters

TAS Rights Management

Six years after her Big Machine Records catalog was sold toScooter Braun, Swift penned a heartfelt letterannouncing that she had reacquired the mastersfor her first six albums.

"I've been bursting into tears of joy at random intervals ever since I found out that this is really happening," she wrote in astatement on her website. "I really get to say these words: All of the music I've ever made... now belongs... to me. And all my music videos. All the concert films. The album art and photography. The unreleased songs. The memories. The magic. The madness. Every single era. My entire life's work."

June: Taylor Swift Performs in Nashville

Kane Brown/Instagram

For her first performance since wrapping her Eras Tour in December 2024, the singer-songwriterpopped out at her boyfriend's Tight Ends & Friends concertin Nashville, surprising the crowd by singing "Shake It Off" withKane Brown.

"We would like to dedicate this to our favorite players who are going to play and these are the tight ends," she said to introduce the hit single.

An exclusive source told PEOPLE, "The crowd lost their minds! At the end of her performance she made sure to thank the band and gave each one of them a hug."

July: Travis Kelce Hard Launches Taylor Swift on Instagram

Travis Kelce/Instagram

Kelceposted photos with Swift on his Instagram for the first timeon July 24 in his off-season recap. They posed together in his-and-hers caps that read "Captain" and "First Mate," and they matched in sleek black outfits in a cute dinner snap. In another photo, the two had a snow day withErin Andrewsand other close friends, likely taken during theirwinter getawayto Montana.

"Had some adventures this offseason, kept it 💯," he captioned the slideshow, cheekily referring to his girlfriend's then-unreleased song "The Fate of Ophelia."

August: Taylor Swift Announces Her New Album on 'New Heights'

New Heights/YouTube

The star made herhighly anticipated debuton the Aug. 13 episode of boyfriend's podcastNew Heights, which he co-hosts with brotherJason. During her appearance, the trio chatted about herrelationshipwith Travis, her Eras Tour, her masters and, most importantly, her upcoming album:The Life of a Showgirl.

August: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Get Engaged

Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce

Kelce and Swift broke the internet with the biggest engagement announcement of the year on Aug. 26.

"Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married 🧨," the "Opalite" singer captioned the intimate, lavish garden proposal that took place in Kelce's backyard after they taped theNew Heightsepisode.

September: Taylor Swift Attends Selena Gomez's Wedding

In September, Swift supported her best friendSelena Gomezas theOnly Murders in the Buildingactress wedBenny Blancoin California. Over the next few weeks, the former Disney star shared photos from her nuptials, including a video of Swiftreactingto Gomez's wedding dress.

View this post on Instagram

October: Taylor Swift Releases 'The Life of a Showgirl'

Mert Alas & Marcus Piggot

The Life of a Showgirlwas released on Oct. 3 to unprecedented commercial success. The album, produced byMax Martinand Shellback, received the most streams in one day on Apple Music and Spotify, and in its first week, itsold over four million album-equivalent units— the most for any LP in history.

"I'll never forget how excited I was in 2006 when my first album sold 40,000 copies in its first week. I was 16 and couldn't even fathom that that many people would care enough about my music to invest their time and energy into it," she wrote onInstagramto celebrate the accomplishment.

Swift continued, "I have 4 million thank yous I want to send to the fans, and 4 million reasons to feel even more proud of this album than I already was."

December: Taylor Swift Releases 'The End of an Era'

2025 TAS Rights Management

To cap off this year, she did a victory lap of her last three. On Dec. 12, she premieredThe End of an Era, a six-part docuseries on Disney+ that gave a behind-the-scenes look into the making of her Eras Tour, the highest-grossing tour of all time.

"We wanted to remember every moment leading up to the culmination of the most important and intense chapter of our lives, so we allowed filmmakers to capture this tour and all the stories woven throughout it as it wound down," she explained onInstagram.

Read the original article onPeople

byDonna Devi

in

December 13, 2025

Taylor Swift's 2025 in Photos, from Her Engagement to “The Life of a Showgirl” and “The End of an Era,” for Her 36th Birthday

Kevin Mazur/Getty for The Recording Academy; Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott; Taylor Swift/Instagram What a year it's been forTaylor Sw...

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School Closed for 2 Days After Norovirus Outbreak Sickens More Than 130 Students and Staff

Google Maps

NEED TO KNOW

• Roberts Elementary School in Medford, Mass., remains closed after more than 130 students and staff members were sickened with what officials believe is norovirus

• Health officials examined the school's kitchen and do not believe it is the source of the outbreak

• A professional company was brought in to deep-clean the school

A school in Massachusetts remains closed for deep cleaning after an outbreak of the virulentnorovirus infectionhas sickened more than 130 students and staff members.

Roberts Elementary School in Medfordoriginally announcedthe closure on Dec. 10, explaining that "there were over 130 student absences at the Roberts today, with further students and staff reporting at school today feeling symptoms of an upset stomach."

"We believe the cause of this outbreak is related to the increased spread of suspected Norovirus," the statement read.

As a result, the school would be closed the following day, Dec. 11; That's when Suzanne B. Galusi, Interim Superintendent of Medford Public Schools, and Michelle Crowell, Roberts Elementary Principal, sent anothercommunicationthat the school would remain closed for a second day due to additional cases of suspected norovirus.

"More families have informed building and district leadership in the last 24 hours of their child experiencing symptoms of a stomach bug. Additionally, at this time, over 20 staff members at Roberts have notified the district of experiencing similar symptoms. Student and staff attendance rates are normal across all other schools in the district, both yesterday and today," the statement read.

Roberts Elementary remains closed for an extended deep clean. School officials explained, "A professional company is currently performing a deep clean of the school today, which includes all classrooms, door knobs, kitchen equipment, and frequently touched surfaces. They will finish their deep clean later today."

The U.S. is at the beginning of a norovirus surge, with the virus at "high" levels in wastewater, according toToday,which reports that in the coming weeks, cases are expected to rise.

Norovirus — which can cause uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhea, along with stomach pain and nausea — commonly spreads in close quarters. Outbreaks frequently happen in dorms, schools and on cruise ships. An AIDA Cruises ship currently on a 133-day world tour with stops in the U.S., England, Mexico, Japan, and South Africa is dealing with an ongoingoutbreak of the virusthat has sickened more than 100 passengers and crew members.

The way it spreads is as nauseating as the virus itself: "You can get norovirus by accidentally getting tiny particles of feces (poop) or vomit in your mouth from a person infected with norovirus," theU.S. Centers for Disease Controlsays. "If you get norovirus illness, you can shed billions of norovirus particles that you can't see without a microscope. It only takes a few norovirus particles to make you and other people sick."

Prapass Pulsub/Getty

That's why it also spreads so easilyvia food, when meals are prepared by an infected person who didn't correctly wash their hands. However, school officials shared that the cafeteria and kitchen were inspected by the Medford Board of Health & the Department of Public Health, and reported that the outbreak "is not related to any school or kitchen equipment."

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The best way to curb the spread of norovirus is by washing your hands, the CDC says — and Roberts Elementary School officials reminded families of that in their letter. "The best way to avoid the spread of Norovirus is to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water; hand sanitizer is not effective," they wrote.

They also urged all students and staff to wait at least 24 hours after experiencing "vomit-like symptoms" before returning to school. The letter concluded, "Maintaining a safe and clean learning environment for our students and staff is our top priority, and we thank you for your understanding."

Read the original article onPeople

byDonna Devi

in

December 13, 2025

School Closed for 2 Days After Norovirus Outbreak Sickens More Than 130 Students and Staff

Google Maps NEED TO KNOW Roberts Elementary School in Medford, Mass., remains closed after more than 130 students and staff members were ...

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Washington state takes stock of flooding damage as another atmospheric river looms

BURLINGTON — Floodwaters began to recede on Friday afterhistoric inundation in Washington state, but the areas hardest hit by flooding could face another wave of atmospheric river next week, and more inundation is looming.

"This situation is not over and it's not going to be over again in a couple of days," said Robert Ezelle, the director of Washington state's emergency management division, and that several river systems were expected to see another wave of moderate flooding.

For most in the state, Friday offered a respite. Officials had worried that a system of dikes along the Skagit River would fail, and potentially inundate parts of Mount Vernon, a riverside town of about 35,000.

And while the river did see record flows at Mount Vernon, both the dikes and a downtown floodwall held up. The city isn't out of the woods yet — Ezelle said the Skagit could return to a major flood stage next week.

In the nearby town of Burlington, the river did overtop a slough off the Skagit. Officials sent a warning early Friday morning to evacuate for all 11,000 Burlington residents as some neighborhoods and roadways flooded, though not all of them ultimately needed to leave.

"In the middle of the night, about a thousand people had to flee their homes in a really dire situation," Gov. Bob Ferguson said in a news conference on Friday afternoon.

The flood eventhas set records across Washington state and it prompted officials to ask about 100,000 people to evacuate this week, forced dozens of rescues and caused widespread destruction of roads and other infrastructure.

Washington state is prone to intense spells of fall rainfall, but these storms have been exceptional. The atmospheric rivers this week dumped as much as 16 inches of rain in Washington's Cascade mountains over about three days, according to National Weather Service data.

Because many rivers and streams were already running high and the soil was already saturated, the water tore through lowland communities. The Skagit River system is the third biggest on the U.S. west coast, and at Mount Vernon, this is the highest the river has ever run in recorded history.

"There has been no reported loss of life at this time," Ferguson said. "The situation is very dynamic, but we're exceedingly grateful."

By Friday afternoon, while many roadways near Burlington remained closed, parts of downtown bustled with car traffic, as national guardsmen were waving people away from road closures and curious residents were out snapping photos of the swollen Skagit. Downstream, in the town of Conway, a tree trunk and the metal siding of a trailer could be seen racing away in the current.

The dramatic week of flooding sets the stage for a difficult recovery, in a growing state that's already struggling to provide shelter to homeless residents. It's not clear how many homes have been damaged, but neighborhoods in dozens of towns and cities took on water. Recovery won't be quick — afterflooding in 2021, some residents who lost their homes were displaced for months.

President Donald Trump on Friday signed the state's request for an expedited emergency declaration, which will enable people to seek individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for things like temporary housing and home repairs. The measure will also allow state and local governments to seek federal assistance to remove debris and repair roads, bridges, water facilities and other infrastructure.

The Trump administration has made suggestions it would overhaulFEMAandprove less disaster relief to states. In left-leaning Washington, the president's pen to paper offered another an initial sigh of relief.

"One of the challenges that we've had with the administration in the past is that they don't really want to do longer term recovery," said Rep. Rick Larsen, who represents Burlington and Mount Vernon. In an interview with NBC News, Larsen added that the declaration was "an indication that they understand how disastrous this particular disaster is and we're not out of it yet."

The next atmospheric river storm on tap will likely arrive Sunday night.

Jeff Michalski, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Seattle, said a few days of dry weather will allow most rivers to recede, before they begin to swell again on Tuesday, as the rainfall pulses downstream.

Lowland parts of western Washington will receive about an inch of rain during the storm; the mountains could get up to three.

"It could possibly either prolong flooding or cause renewed flooding on some of the rivers," Michalski said. "A few rivers may bump back into flood stage moving into the Tuesday, Wednesday time frame, but we're not expecting widespread major flood levels like we have seen."

After Wednesday, the forecast calls for more rain in lowland Washington and heavy snow in the Cascades.

"It does not let up," Michalski said.

Ferguson said the situation would remain "dynamic and unpredictable" over the next week.

"This is not just a one- or two- day crisis. These water levels have been historic and they're going to remain very high for an extended period of time," Ferguson said. "That puts pressure on our infrastructure. The infrastructure has, for the most part, withstood the challenge so far."

byDonna Devi

in

December 13, 2025

Washington state takes stock of flooding damage as another atmospheric river looms

BURLINGTON — Floodwaters began to recede on Friday afterhistoric inundation in Washington state, but the areas hardest hi...

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Japan declares year of the bear after surge in deadly attacks

The last time Sota Keisuke's friend saw him, his mangled body was being dragged into a bush, staining the forest floor red with blood.

Search and rescue teams followed a trail of discarded clothing before finding the 26-year-old hiker's body still hanging lifeless in the killer's mouth.

Keisuke was the latest in arecord number of peoplekilled by bears in Japan this year.

Climate change and a poor nut harvest have forced the animals out of hibernation in the mountains and into residential areas, leading to 13 deaths, around 230 attacks and tens of thousands of sightings this year.

Bears have been spotted entering gardens, homes, supermarkets, schools and bathrooms, forcing the government to deploy the army and issue warnings.

As sightings soar, local governors say they are unable to stop the surge in attacks that have led Japan to name 2025 the "year of the bear".

The encounters are often bloody and at times deadly.

When Keisuke's parents were called to identify the body, police advised them to only look at his face due to the extent of his injuries.

Data from his GPS watch found by rescuers showed that his body was moved after his death, suggesting the bear came back after the kill and dragged him away.

Japan's shrinking and ageing population has also left elderly villagers in rural areas particularly vulnerable.

In July, Seiko Takahashi, 81, was found lying in a pool of blood at her home in Akita, northeastern Japan, with animal footprints dotted around her corpse.

In October, an elderly mushroom picker was found decapitated in woods near Iwate – in the same northeastern region of Tohoku–with scratches covering his body.

And in November, the body of Kiyo Goto, 79, was found in the mountains of Akita. Police believe she had also been picking mushrooms. The severity of her facial injuries suggest she was mauled to death.

Japan is home to two types of bears: brown bears, which can weigh more than 450kg and are found in Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, and Asiatic black bears, which weigh between 80kg and 200kg and are found on the mainland.

The bears predominantly eat acorns, beechnuts and chestnuts, but a decline in harvests because of warmer temperatures and erratic rains has left the bears hungry and more likely to venture down from the mountains in search of other food, officials say.

Scientists have found that rising winter temperatures are also disrupting hibernation, keeping bears awake and in need of food when they should be asleep.

Urbanisation has also left many of Japan's rural areas less inhabited, giving bears the opportunity to venture more freely than they once would have.

Human populations in the hotspot areas of Akita and Iwate have dropped by 30 per cent in two decades. Meanwhile, experts estimate there are 44,000 Asiatic black bears in Japan today, up from 15,000 in 2012, and 12,000 brown bears, more than double its population 30 years ago.

Dr Dave Garshelis, a former wildlife research scientist and bear expert in the US, told The Telegraph: "People are moving towards urban areas for work. As they leave, the areas are becoming more wild so bears can move in.

"Now there's no buffer any longer between the wild bear population and even the urban interface. They butt right up against these places with dense housing developments.

"As they get habituated to people, they end up walking down the street like a dog and looking in garbage cans."

Hunting also used to help control population numbers, but licences are down from 517,800 in 1975 to 213,400 in 2020.

The spate of attacks has fuelled a row between the government, conservationists, hunters and the public in Japan, with groups at odds on how to protect themselves and the animals.

Some call for leniency for the bears, casting them as victims of human-caused climate change. Others say the deadly animals should be culled.

Dr Garshelis said: "The number of attacks is more than anybody would have expected.

"The attacks are not really caused by things that people are doing wrong – sometimes people are just walking in some area and a bear comes bolting out and attacks them, which is pretty unusual. It's not a prey thing and it's not like the bears are malnourished."

The scientist recommends "habitat manipulations" to make the urban areas less attractive, including using bear-proof bins.

He also believes in culling, suggesting that Japan could invite international hunters to help control numbers.

"The part of this demographic issue is that the people that were the traditional hunters have aged and there isn't a crop of young people who want to hunt, so the level of hunting has become quite low," Dr Garshelis added.

"There needs to be more emphasis on having prefectural governments hiring wildlife biologists to manage and track populations."

Ohnishi Naoki, a scientist and expert on bears, said the casualty numbers are comparable to natural disasters like tsunamis.

He told Japanese news outlet Nippon: "In the short term, I support combining local government and hunting association efforts with self-defence force assistance. Police should also use rifles and municipalities should employ 'government hunters'.

"In the medium to long term, we'll have to go into the mountains and actively reduce the bear population," he added.

The government has now allocated a larger budget to recruit bear hunters and relaxed gun laws to make it easier for people to shoot bears.

Robot wolves with red eyes are also being used to deter the animals, glowing red and making noises when approached.

However, experienced hunters are still often left to deal with the dangerous animals themselves.

Katsuo Harada, an 84-year-old bear hunter, trains two apprentices and still goes into the wild to hunt down the animals, according to CNN.

Nearly 20 years ago, a bear gouged out his eye and mauled his ear.

The animal's skull still sits beside him today, a reminder of how quickly predator can become prey.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.

byDonna Devi

in

December 13, 2025

Japan declares year of the bear after surge in deadly attacks

The last time Sota Keisuke's friend saw him, his mangled body was being dragged into a bush, staining the forest floor red with blood. ...

Read More

2026 NFL Draft sleepers: 10 under-the-radar players who could turn heads

Are the days of theNFL draftsleeper dying off? Not necessarily.

The label itself has long been somewhat of a moving target, becoming something of a catch-all for players who last beyond the first round. But the sea change that came to college football with the rise of name, image and likeness deals – and the corresponding boom in transfer portal action – has also reshaped prevailing notions about the draft.

Small-school standouts now tend to be few and far between, as many players who build a buzz for themselves at lower rungs tend to leap at the opportunity to seize a larger spotlight – and payday – before jumping to the draft.

Even if migration patterns are shifting, teams remain as hopeful as ever that they can unearth mid-to-late-round gems, withCleveland Brownstight endHarold Fannin Jr.(third round) andChicago Bearsrunning backKyle Monangai(seventh round) serving as the latest success stories from the 2025 class.

With more than a month remaining until the underclassmen declaration cutoff date – and four until the start of the first round itself – here are 10 sleepers to keep an eye on for the 2026 NFL draft.

2. New York Giants - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 3. New Orleans Saints - Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 4. Las Vegas Raiders - Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 5. Cleveland Browns - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 6. Washington Commanders - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 7. New York Jets - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 8. Arizona Cardinals - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 9. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 10. Cincinnati Bengals - Francis Mauigoa, G/T, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 11. Minnesota Vikings - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 12. Miami Dolphins - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 13. Kansas City Chiefs - Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 14. Pittsburgh Steelers - Makai Lemon, WR, USC

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 15. Carolina Panthers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 16. Dallas Cowboys - David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 17. Detroit Lions - T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 18. Houston Texans - Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 21. Buffalo Bills - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 22. Philadelphia Eagles - Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 24. San Francisco 49ers - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 25. Los Angeles Chargers - A'Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 28. Seattle Seahawks - Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 29. Los Angeles Rams - Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 30. Denver Broncos - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 31. Chicago Bears - Quincy Rhodes Jr., DE, Arkansas

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 32. New England Patriots - Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

2026 NFL mock draft: Crazy situation could play out with quarterbacks

QB Cole Payton, North Dakota State

With this year's quarterback class shaping up to be rather thin, anyone searching for a high-upside under-the-radar passer might need to dip down to the Football Championship Subdivision level for a closer examination of Payton. In his lone year as a starter, the 6-2, 230-pound signal-caller threw for 16 touchdowns while adding 13 more on the ground. He also led theBisonto an unblemished regular season before the team's surprising ouster in the second round of the playoffs. That dual-threat ability and comfort taking deep shots make him an attractive developmental prospect for a staff willing to exhibit some patience. If some of the top quarterbacks opt to return to school, he could find himself higher up in the positional pecking order than many might expect.

WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State

The Valdosta State transfer built on a successful 2024 transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision level, hauling in 71 catches for 1,004 yards and six touchdowns. At 6-3 and 185 pounds, Hurst has the tools to be an imposing downfield threat. There might be a learning curve involved as he faces far more physical defensive backs who will challenge him both at the line of scrimmage and when the ball is in the air. But any team looking to up its credentials in the vertical passing game could be drawn to him.

WR Bryce Lance, North Dakota State

The younger brother of former Bison standout and 2021 No. 3 overall pickTrey Lanceisn't just coasting off name recognition. Lance averaged an eye-popping 21.2 yards per catch in 2025 after hauling in 17 touchdowns the previous year. With strong and reliable hands, the 6-3, 209-pound target figures to be an immediate asset as a weapon in the red zone and on contested catches. It might take some time for him to round out his route tree and learn to beat cornerbacks who won't simply be overwhelmed by him, but he presents traits and a skill set that teams will be eager to tap into.

WR Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State

Listed at 5-9 and 170 pounds, Thompson's stature might be disqualifying for some teams, especially if he measures in even smaller at the NFL scouting combine. But any franchise ruling him out on his size alone might be doing itself a disservice. The former Texas high school 200-meter champion has shown that he can scorch even the speediest defensive backs in theSoutheastern Conference, as he averaged 17.9 yards per catch and had at least 60 yards in each of his last six games against stout competition. Any front office interested in tapping into his explosiveness must ensure its coaching staff would have a plan to scheme touches for him, as a traditional downfield receiver role might not suffice. But if utilized correctly, he could become the kind of big-play threat defenses will have to account for on every down. He's a strong candidate to test well in Indianapolis and rise in the pre-draft process.

TE Oscar Delp, Georgia

The former top tight end recruit in his class never met the outsized expectations he was saddled with asBrock Bowers' successor, as he never eclipsed 250 receiving yards in a regular season. The best might be yet to come from a player who still boasts a good deal of promise. The 6-5, 245-pounder could stand to get a little stronger at the point of attack and at the catch point, but there should be no concerns about his ability to hold up as an in-line player given his impressive work as a run blocker and pass protector. Like many of his past classmates, Delp didn't get to showcase the full range of his athleticism and abilities in the Bulldogs' scheme, leaving him with untapped potential as a vertical weapon and run-after-catch threat. That usage has left him underdeveloped as a route runner, but he presents a fairly high floor with intriguing upside.

OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

Having never played football before junior college, the Nigeria native presents a unique profile for teams to assess after he focused on soccer and basketball growing up. As is to be expected, the 6-6, 330-pounder is lagging behind his peers when it comes to the finer points of the position. But Iheanachor has made serious strides in a short amount of time, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors this fall. With surprisingly nimble feet and the frame and power to displace defenders in the run game as a right tackle, he's the kind of project almost any offensive line coach would leap at the opportunity to take on.

DE Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida

Finding a premier pass rusher beyond the first two rounds can be exceedingly difficult, thoughTrey HendricksonandMaxx Crosbyprove there are always rare exceptions to the rule. Lawrence doesn't belong in their class yet, but he has some tools worth developing. The 6-4, 260-pounder weaponized his length and speed off the edge to finish tied for fifth in the Big 12 with seven sacks. His insufficient strength leaves him as a liability against the run, which might cap his early contributions. But with the proper development, he could be a promising edge threat to bring along more gradually.

DT Mateen Ibirogba, Wake Forest

Many of the top defensive tackles in the upcoming classes are space-eating nose tackle types. The 6-3, 296-pound Ibirogba draws a sharp contrast to them. The Georgetown transfer had a slow acclimation to Power Four football but was steadily disruptive this fall, throwing opponents off with his rapid first step. That didn't translate to a gaudy sack total (2), but he should have no shortage of suitors – so long as the junior declares – who would be interested in harnessing his ability to create havoc on the interior.

CB Devon Marshall, North Carolina State

A strong senior season for Marshall was punctuated by one of the best performances by a defensive back all season. In theWolfpack's penultimate game of the regular season against Florida State, the former Villanova transfer locked down Seminoles super-sized standout Duce Robinson while notching two interceptions and six pass break-ups, giving him an FBS-high 15 on the season. The arrow is clearly pointing up for the 5-11, 200-pounder, who relishes taking on one-on-one matchups. He'll be an attractive option for teams that need a coverage presence who can hang with bigger targets, and his solid tackling and work against the run should further endear him to prospective defensive coordinators.

CB Hezekiah Masses, Cal

After transferring from Florida International last December, Masses raised his profile considerably by establishing himself as one of college football's premier ballhawks. His 18 passes defensed were the most in the FBS, and he tied for fifth with five interceptions. Between his ball skills and his 6-1, 185-pound frame, the first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection is perfectly suited for zone-heavy schemes that amplify his playmaking ability, though he can hold his own in man coverage as well. His pedestrian long speed and slender build likely will stifle his draft stock, but he could end up as a mid-round bargain.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026 NFL Draft sleepers: 10 under-the-radar players to keep an eye on

byDonna Devi

in

December 13, 2025

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