Fifteen FCS players were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, the most since 2022 and the second-most since 2018.
Using Draft Scout’s database HERO Sports subscribes to, several FCS players are viewed as potential draft picks in 2026. Below are FCS prospects that Draft Scout currently has ranked in its Top 350.
RELATED: How Many FCS Players Get Drafted Each Year?
With the transfer portal creating more player movement, NFL Draft picks for FCS players who transferred to the FBS are counted as: Any players who played multiple seasons in the FCS before playing their final season in the FBS will be counted as draft picks from the FCS. Players who started their college careers in the FCS but then played multiple seasons in the FBS won’t be counted.
1. Bryce Lance
School: North Dakota State
Position: WR
Projected Round: 3rd
Draft Scout Position Rank: No. 15
Draft Scout Overall Prospect Rank: No. 95
2. Charles Demmings
School: Stephen F. Austin
Position: CB
Projected Round: 3rd
Draft Scout Position Rank: No. 13
Draft Scout Overall Prospect Rank: No. 98
3. Cole Payton
School: North Dakota State
Position: QB
Projected Round: 5th
Draft Scout Position Rank: No. 8
Draft Scout Overall Prospect Rank: No. 171
4. J’Mari Taylor
School: NC Central (2025 transfer to Virginia)
Position: RB
Projected Round: 5th-6th
Draft Scout Position Rank: No. 11
Draft Scout Overall Prospect Rank: No. 179
RELATED: Every FCS Player Drafted Since 2013
5. Kaleb Proctor
School: Southeastern Louisiana
Position: DT
Projected Round: 5th-6th
Draft Scout Position Rank: No. 20
Draft Scout Overall Prospect Rank: No. 186
6. Mark Gronowski
School: South Dakota State (2025 transfer to Iowa)
Position: QB
Projected Round: 6th
Draft Scout Position Rank: No. 11
Draft Scout Overall Prospect Rank: No. 210
7. A.J. Pena
School: Rhode Island
Position: OLB
Projected Round: 6th-7th
Draft Scout Position Rank: No. 18
Draft Scout Overall Prospect Rank: No. 231
8. Daniel Sobkowicz
School: Illinois State
Position: WR
Projected Round: 6th-7th
Draft Scout Position Rank: No. 30
Draft Scout Overall Prospect Rank: No. 235
9. Barika Kpeenu
School: North Dakota State
Position: RB
Projected Round: 7th-HPFA
Draft Scout Position Rank: No. 18
Draft Scout Overall Prospect Rank: No. 260
10. Keyshawn James-Newby
School: Idaho (2025 transfer to New Mexico)
Position: OLB
Projected Round: 7th-HPFA
Draft Scout Position Rank: No. 20
Draft Scout Overall Prospect Rank: No. 273
11. Evan Beerntsen
School: South Dakota State (2025 transfer to Northwestern)
Position: OG
Projected Round: 7th-HPFA
Draft Scout Position Rank: No. 23
Draft Scout Overall Prospect Rank: No. 310
RELATED: FCS Podcast
12. Shadwel Nkuba II
School: Illinois State
Position: CB
Projected Round: 7th-HPFA
Draft Scout Position Rank: No. 33
Draft Scout Overall Prospect Rank: No. 313
13. Jalen Jones
School: William & Mary
Position: CB
Projected Round: 7th-HPFA
Draft Scout Position Rank: No. 34
Draft Scout Overall Prospect Rank: No. 318
14. James Conway
School: Fordham
Position: ILB
Projected Round: 7th-HPFA
Draft Scout Position Rank: No. 15
Draft Scout Overall Prospect Rank: No. 321
15. Erick Hunter
School: Morgan State
Position: OLB
Projected Round: 7th-HPFA
Draft Scout Position Rank: No. 25
Draft Scout Overall Prospect Rank: No. 347
16. Delby Lemieux
School: Dartmouth
Position: OG
Projected Round: 7th-HPFA
Draft Scout Position Rank: No. 24
Draft Scout Overall Prospect Rank: No. 349
