The dreams of playing in the NFL aren’t over for college players when the draft wraps up. For a large number of players, that’s when things really start to kick into gear. Multiple teams may come calling, offering a free agent contract or an invite to their rookie minicamp. Undrafted free agent deals can sometimes be better than getting picked in the seventh round and gives a player the option of choosing the best fit. There’s also minicamp invites for those looking to prove they belong at the professional level.
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This is usually the route for a majority of FCS players. In HERO Sports’ latest update this morning on the FCS rookie free agency tracker, more than 160 players have either signed a free agent deal or have been invited to minicamps.
Where are all these players coming from? Here are the number of players from each FCS conference:
- 29 – MVFC
- 28 – OVC
- 26 – Big Sky
- 22 – CAA
- 14 – Southland
- 10 – SoCon
- 10 – MEAC
- 9 – Ivy
- 9 – Patriot
- 6 – NEC
- 3 – Big South
- 2 – Pioneer
- 1 – Independent
It’s no surprise to see the big three conferences (MVFC, Big Sky, CAA) at the top. The Ohio Valley Conference also continues to show its high level of athletes with 28 players getting picked up.
The player from an independent team is North Alabama receiver Dre Hall. The Lions are transitioning up from Division II.
Between draft picks, undrafted free agents and minicamp invites, Jacksonville State leads the FCS with seven. James Madison and North Dakota State, who faced off in the national title games, follow with six each.
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NEXT: Predicting Every 2018 Conference Champion in the FCS
