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The average number of FCS prospects who get drafted in the seven-round format of the NFL Draft from 1994-2021 is 19. That average has a good chance to be exceeded in 2022. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has 21 FCS players getting selected in his mock draft. ESPN’s Jordan Reid has 23.
With the draft one day away, here is the last look at the top FCS prospects using Draft Scout’s database HERO Sports subscribes to (including those who played their final year at an FBS program).
Getting drafted isn’t the only way to reach the NFL, though. Below the top prospects is a list of FCS players who may not be drafted but will get an NFL shot via an undrafted free agent contract or a rookie minicamp tryout.
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School: Arkansas (2021 transfer from Illinois State)
School: Western Kentucky (2021 transfer from Houston Baptist)
School: Nebraska (2021 transfer from Montana)
School: Florida A&M
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School: Western Kentucky (2021 transfer from Houston Baptist)
School: Fresno State (2021 transfer from Sac State)
In 2018 and 2019 (before COVID interrupted the 2020 and 2021 draft process), a combined 350+ FCS players got a shot at the NFL as rookies, a majority of which were undrafted free agents who signed a team contract or guys who received rookie minicamp tryout invites.
Below are FCS prospects who may or may not get drafted. But they will get an opportunity to earn a spot on a team as a UDFA or a tryout invite if they are undrafted, per Draft Scout’s database.
Western Illinois/Northern Illinois FB Clint Ratkovich
Southern OG Ja’Tyre Carter
James Madison QB Cole Johnson
Alcorn State/Louisville SS Qwynnterrio Cole
Western Illinois WR Dennis Houston
Idaho State WR Tanner Conner
Eastern Washington OT Tristen Taylor
Yale SS Rodney Thomas II
Nicholls WR Dai’Jean Dixon
Sam Houston FS Tristin McCollum
Alabama A&M WR Dee Anderson
Incarnate Word RB Kevin Brown
Alabama A&M QB Aqeel Glass
UT Martin TE Rodney Williams II
South Dakota State QB Chris Oladokun
Prairie View A&M/Liberty OLB Storey Jackson
South Dakota State SS Michael Griffin II
Northern Arizona DE Carson Taylor
Northern Iowa DT Jared Brinkman
Fordham/Iowa State K Andrew Mevis
Tarleton State CB Devin Hafford
Jacksonville State QB Zerrick Cooper
Morehead State WR BJ Byrd
James Madison OG Liam Fornadel
Eastern Washington QB Eric Barriere
Central Arkansas WR Lujuan Winningham
Montana State WR Lance McCutcheon
Southern Illinois DE Anthony Knighton
Western Illinois FS Michael Lawson
Central Connecticut State WR Tyshaun James
North Dakota State TE Josh Babicz
Southeastern Louisiana University TE Nolan Givan
Northern Iowa/Iowa CB Xavior Williams
Jackson State DT Antwan Owens
Holy Cross DE Benton Whitley
Eastern Washington WR Talolo Limu-Jones
Weber State WR Rashid Shaheed
North Dakota State DE Brayden Thomas
Jacksonville State/Boston College TE Trae Barry
The Citadel WR Raleigh Webb
Montana CB Omar Hicks Onu
Tarleton State CB Benjie Franklin
Southern Illinois ILB Bryce Notree
James Madison DE Bryce Carter
Southern Illinois OG ZeVeyon Furcron
Montana State OT Lewis Kidd
Southern Illinois WR Landon Lenoir
SEMO/Auburn SS Bydarrius Knighten
South Dakota State CB Don Gardner
Jackson State WR Keith Corbin III
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HERO Sports is the go-to website for FCS football news, analysis, and predictions.