Vanderbilt defensive lineman Joshua Singh has officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, foregoing his final year of college eligibility. Singh announced his decision on January 11th, closing the door on a potential return to college football.
The 6-foot, 285-pound graduate transfer from Laie, Hawaii, hopes to become only the third player of Indian descent to play in the NFL, following Sanjay Beach and Brandon Chillar.
Singh's declaration follows a single season with the Vanderbilt Commodores, where he played in 12 games as a rotational player on the defensive line. He accumulated 27 tackles, including six for loss and one sack. While his statistics may not be eye-catching, Singh's veteran presence and ability to generate interior pressure proved valuable to Vanderbilt's defense. He was brought in from BYU to bolster the defensive line's depth and experience. Despite his height, Singh is known for playing bigger than he measures.
In a heartfelt statement shared on social media, Singh expressed gratitude to his coaches and mentors at BYU, particularly Coach Kalani, for believing in him early on. He also thanked Coach A, Bishop Feula, and Unko Jack for their support throughout the years. Singh then turned his attention to his Vanderbilt experience, expressing his appreciation to Coach Lea, Coach Greg, Coach Haye, and Coach Black for providing him with his first full-ride scholarship and the opportunity to start in the SEC.
Many other SEC prospects are expected to enter the 2026 NFL Draft. Some of the top prospects to watch include Anthony Hill Jr., a linebacker from Texas, Garrett Nussmeier, a quarterback from LSU, and LaNorris Sellers, a quarterback from South Carolina. Other notable names include Kadyn Proctor (OL, Alabama), Arch Manning (QB, Texas), Keldric Faulk (Edge, Auburn), Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt), and Eric Singleton Jr. (WR, Auburn).
Singh's path to the NFL Draft has been marked by determination and perseverance. If selected, he will add to the growing list of players with roots in India making their mark in professional sports.
