Well, folks – National Signing Day is here. Beginning Wednesday (Feb. 5) and running through April 1, FCS players can sign letters of intent with their chosen schools.
While the whole nature of college football has changed with the transfer portal and NIL, getting a big-time talent right out of high school is still considered a victory by FCS staffs.
Sure, FCS programs will take their share of FBS transfers through the portal, but they’ll also continue to take that undersized young man at 17 years old who sprouts skyward four or five inches and packs on 50 pounds of good weight thanks to a professional workout regimen and diet. That’s how so many FCS products go from walk-ons to potential all-conference picks.
Coming into the later signing period for 2025, we decided to look at some of the most coveted prospects who ultimately ended up signing or committing to the FCS so far.
Today, we take a look at the wide receivers. Could one of these young men ultimately win the FCS’ version of player of the year, the Walter Payton Award? We think so.
RELATED: Top Incoming FCS Quarterback Recruits
NOTE: Ranking criteria is based primarily on scholarship offers received, whether early verbals or even later written.
THE TOP 5
NOTE: These are the incoming freshmen (not transfer portal candidates) who have either already signed during the early signing period in December, or are committed to sign during the spring signing period which begins this week.
NO. 1 – Dreyden Garner
FCS CHOICE: Sacramento State
OTHER TOP CHOICES: Ole Miss, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Oklahoma State, among others
THE BREAKDOWN: An explosive playmaker, let’s just say Colorado was looking pretty good for him until the coaching change. The 6-foot, 180-pound San Diego product could play multiple positions on the field, as evidenced by his 1,042 yards receiving and 14 TDs, 82 tackles, 5 INTs, and 1,477 all-purpose yards – all in his senior year alone.
NO. 2 – Kha’leal Sterling
FCS CHOICE: Western Carolina
OTHER TOP CHOICES: Pitt, Arizona State, West Virginia, Oregon, SMU, Arkansas, 7 G5 offers
THE BREAKDOWN: Sterling originally committed to Pitt, but pulled back during the early signing period in December. Former WCU offensive coordinator Kade Bell had just landed the OC job with Pitt, but Sterling ended up going to Bell’s former home. The Miami native is also a track star in high school and could be a game-breaker for the Catamounts.
NO. 3 – Hayden Anderson
FCS CHOICE: Sacramento State
OTHER TOP CHOICES: Oregon, California, Arizona, Utah, Washington, Wazzu, Oregon State
THE BREAKDOWN: This California native has been productive all four years of high school, finishing with an eye-popping 200 receptions for 3,444 yards and 41 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,080 yards and 17 TDs, and played some quarterback too. Another absolute skill-playing gem for the Hornets, who have had their best recruiting effort in school history.
NO. 4 – Ryan Matulevich
FCS CHOICE: Dartmouth
OTHER TOP CHOICES: Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas A&M, West Virginia, UCF, 6 G5 offers
THE BREAKDOWN: Matulevich is another great example of the kind of talent Ivy League programs can bring in because of its academic reputation, not just football brand. A state championship team product in Venice, Fla., yes he had SEC options – but the 5-foot-11, 175-pound threat will bring his career of 179 receptions, 2,711 receiving yards, and 30 TDs to the FCS.
NO. 5 – Anjuan Coleman
FCS CHOICE: Wofford
OTHER TOP CHOICES: Oregon, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisville, Pitt, SMU, West Virginia, 7 G5s
THE BREAKDOWN: Wofford dipped down into Miami and got an absolute steal from Central High School, a guy who can rip you and zip by you. Coleman didn’t have some of the gaudy numbers of the players listed above him, but his plays came in big moments in massive games. His playmaking ability becomes clear during the clutch moments.
THE NEXT 5
NO. 6 – Savion Taylor
FCS CHOICE: Cal Poly
OTHER TOP CHOICES: Colorado, California, Boise State, Washington State, among others
THE BREAKDOWN: Taylor is coming off a massive senior season in California where he caught 106 passes for 1,416 yards and 14 TDs.
NO. 7 – Emmanuel Dyson
FCS CHOICE: Saint Francis (PA)
OTHER TOP CHOICES: Marshall, Boston College, Maryland, Rutgers, Syracuse
THE BREAKDOWN: A former Marshall commitment, Dyson didn’t sign with the Thundering Herd in December after Tony Gibson was hired to replace Charles Huff – who took the head coaching job at Southern Miss after his contract wasn’t renewed at Marshall. One of the biggest pickups at Saint Francis (PA) ever.
NO. 8 – Landon Dulaney
FCS CHOICE: South Dakota State
OTHER TOP CHOICES: Boise State, most of the MVFC
THE BREAKDOWN: South Dakota State’s recent exploits on the field are helping win recruiting battles like the one with speedster Dulaney. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound even turned down a trip from a Minnesota coach, making it clear he wasn’t leaving his home state. He finished the year with 82 catches, 1,064 yards, and 19 TDs.
NO. 9 – Reed Phillips
FCS CHOICE: Harvard
OTHER TOP CHOICES: More than 20 scholarship offers from G5s and FCS schools
THE BREAKDOWN: The rangy Phillips (6-foot-3, 165 pounds) is an example of the kind of talent that impressive recruiter Andrew Aurich – the new Crimson head coach – and his staff can bring into a program.
NO. 10 – Eric Slater
FCS CHOICE: Howard
OTHER TOP CHOICES: Kentucky, Indiana, several others
THE BREAKDOWN: This Michigan native opted not to go with the SEC or Big Ten and instead go to an HBCU, something we’ve seen more often lately. Expect to see more examples as time goes on.
JUST MISSED
Kayin Booker, Portland State; Jayden Guy, Tennessee State; Parker Mady, Montana State; Ian Willis, Illinois State
