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Colts 2026 Draft Class: UDFA Signings, Rookie Minicamp Invites, and Rookie Jersey Numbers Revealed

The Indianapolis Colts are putting the finishing touches on their roster as they kick off their rookie minicamp.
Noah Compton|
Aug 30, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver EJ Horton Jr. (13) runs the ball past Ball State Cardinals linebacker DeJuan Echoles Jr. (31) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Aug 30, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver EJ Horton Jr. (13) runs the ball past Ball State Cardinals linebacker DeJuan Echoles Jr. (31) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

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Indianapolis Colts

The 2026 NFL Draft is over, but adding more competition to the mix is not.

The Indianapolis Colts ended up making eight draft selections after entering draft weekend with seven, a class fully comprised of productive players from the two biggest conferences (SEC, Big Ten). They addressed many needs they had entering draft weekend, including doubling up at linebacker and edge rusher, arguably their two biggest needs before festivities began.

The Colts have a solid history of adding key contributors as post-draft signings, including linebacker Gary Brackett and running back Dominic Rhodes. Ironically, they've had even more success turning opposing UDFA signings into franchise players of their own, such as kicker Adam Vinatieri and center Jeff Saturday.

More recently, though, general manager Chris Ballard has earned a reputation for finding key contributors after the draft, particularly special teamers. Not only did he land franchise punter Rigoberto Sanchez, long-snapper Luke Rhodes, and kicker Spencer Shrader as UDFA signings, but he famously nabbed cornerback Kenny Moore II off waivers as a former UDFA signing to kick off his tenure as the Colts general manager.

Therefore, key contributors can be found even after the draft has wrapped up, and the Colts need to hit on as many prospects as possible if they want to right the ship in 2026.

The Colts exited draft weekend with 86 rostered players following their eight draft selections. With a 90-man limit to enter training camp, there will inevitably be some cuts to make room for the UDFA signings in question.

With that being said, let's take a look at the Colts' post-draft activity. From UDFA signings and minicamp tryout invites to an excerpt on which signing(s) have a chance to stick around for the long run, we've got all your post-draft needs in this single article.

The Indianapolis Colts' 2026 NFL Draft Class is officially set as of Thursday, May 7th, 2026 -- includes undrafted free agent signings, rookie minicamp tryout invites, and jersey numbers for the eight draft selections. Just in time for the Colts' rookie camp circuit, which takes place May 8-9.

2026 NFL Draft Class

Round 2, Pick 21 (53rd overall): LB CJ Allen
Round 3, Pick 14 (78th overall): S A.J. Haulcy
Round 4, Pick 13 (113th overall): G Jalen Farmer
Round 4, Pick 35 (135th overall): LB Bryce Boettcher
Round 5, Pick 16 (156th overall): EDGE George Gumbs Jr.
Round 6, Pick 33 (214th overall): EDGE Caden Curry
Round 7, Pick 21 (237th overall): RB Seth McGowan
Round 7, Pick 38 (254th overall): WR Deion Burks

Rookie Jersey Numbers Revealed

It's worth noting that at least one of these initial jersey numbers will likely change before the regular season, but it's an exciting first-look nonetheless.

UDFA Signings

Wisconsin S Austin Brown

Arkansas DL Cam Ball

Ole Miss LB Tahj Chambers

Virginia Tech EDGE Mitchell Melton

LSU LB Whit Weeks

Abilene Christian RB Jordon Vaughn

Penn State OL Nolan Rucci

Purdue WR E.J. Horton

Texas State RB Lincoln Pare

Arkansas WR Raylen Sharpe

Duke WR Sahmir Hagans

Alabama C Geno Vandemark

Rookie Minicamp Invites

Wisconsin WR Jayden Ballard
North Alabama TE Kaleb Heatherly
James Madison CB Mekhi Rodgers
British Columbia LB/S Benji Sangmuah
Pittsburgh P Caleb Junko
Texas State CB Jaden Rios
Virginia Tech DL Ben Russo-Bell
Lindenwood OL Gavin Hulet
Virginia LS Bryce Robinson
Idaho State TE Michael Shulikov
Toledo WR/KR Trayvon Rudolph
Ole Miss LB Tyler Banks
Ouachita Baptist CB Steven Weston Jr
Virginia LS Bryce Robinson
UCF K Noe Ruelas
Rhode Island OL Thomas Buxton
SMU DL Kevenion'ta 'Shaq' Spears
Illinois LB Kenenna Odeluga
Houston Christian CB Zayteak McGhee
Vanderbilt DT Zaylin Wood
Rutgers OL Gus Zilinskas
Minnesota DB Jai'Onte McMillan
Penn State WR Liam Clifford
Utah State TE Broc Lane
Kansas TE DeShawn Hanika
Furman S Taylen Blaylock
Duke RB Anderson Castle
Carroll T Andrew Devine
Louisville CB Rodney Johnson
Mississippi State QB Blake Shapen
BYU C Weylin Lapuaho

Hidden Gems to Watch

OL Nolan Rucc
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive linenam Nolan Rucci (72) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Nolan Rucci is easily the most intriguing UDFA signing the Colts have made. He is a massive man at 6'8" and 314 pounds, and his incredible frame and arm length only add to said intrigue. General manager Chris Ballard has continued to find success with draft-and-stash offensive linemen late in the draft, and Rucci profiles as a potential next installment despite going undrafted.

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Noah Compton
NOAH COMPTON

Noah Compton is the Publisher of Indianapolis Colts On SI. Noah is from the Indy area and has been covering the Colts since 2022, including stops at FanSided, The Blue Stable, and SBNation.

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