The FCS won't get you to the NFL, many FBS coaches tell recruits right around this time of year. But that's not exactly true … in fact, more than 60 players alone from this year's national title game participants — Eastern Washington and North Dakota State — have played in the NFL, and 14 are currently on rosters heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
EWU VS. NDSU: By The Numbers
ALL-STAR GAMES: Which FCS Players Are Going?
A week from now, we will see the Bison and the Eagles do battle in Frisco, Texas for the next FCS National title trophy, and a year from now? We may be seeing another batch of players from these two teams in the NFL, wrapping up their rookie seasons.
Take a look at the current NFL players from the two FCS title teams, as well as their all-time NFL Rosters:
[divider]CURRENT EWU PLAYERS IN NFL
| POS | PLAYER | SPAN | CURRENT? | THIS YR? CAREER? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | Kendrick Bourne | 2017-2018 | 49ers | 37 catches, 428 yds, 3 TDs in 2018 |
| RB | Taiwan Jones | 2011-2018 | Bills | 8-yr career – KR this season |
| LB | Samson Ebukam | 2017-2018 | LA Rams | 13 starts, 59 tackles in 2018 |
| WR | Cooper Kupp | 2017-2018 | LA Rams | (inj) 40 catches, 566 yds, 6 TDs in '18 |
| C | Aaron Neary | 2017-2018 | LA Rams | On 2018 Practice Squad |
| OL | Jake Rodgers | 2015-2018 | Ravens | On 2018 Practice Squad |
FCS TO NFL 2019: Which Players Are Possible Draft Picks?
[divider]CURRENT NDSU PLAYERS IN NFL
| POS | PLAYER | SPAN | CURRENT? | THIS YR? CAREER? |
| CB | Marcus Williams | 2014-2018 | Bears | 109 tackles, 10 INTs in 4 seasons |
| OT | Billy Turner | 2014-2018 | Broncos | 10 starts in 2018 |
| LB | Kyle Emanuel | 2015-2018 | Chargers | 28 tackles, 4 TFLs in 2018 |
| OT | Joe Haeg | 2016-2018 | Colts | 35 starts in 3 seasons |
| QB | Carson Wentz | 2016-2018 | Eagles | 10,000 yds passing in 3 seasons |
| LB | Nick DeLuca | 2018 | Jaguars | 10 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF in 2018 |
| LB | Ramon Humber | 2009-2018 | Patriots | 285 tackles in 10 seasons |
| LB | Chris Board | 2018 | Ravens | 11 tackles in 2018 |
FCS COACHES CORNER: Here What Klieman and Best Say
[divider]RETIRED NFL PLAYERS FROM EWU
| POS | PLAYER | SPAN | DRAFT?/NOTEWORTHY |
| OL | Tom Ackerman | 1996-2003 | 5th rounder, 8 seasons |
| DB | Lamont Brightful | 2002-2004 | 6th rounder, 3 seasons |
| RB | Demitrius Bronson | 2014-2014 | 1 season |
| RB | Jesse Chatman | 2002-2008 | 5 seasons |
| FB | Dan Curley | 2003-2003 | 5th rounder, 1 season |
| TE | Mark Gehring | 1987-1987 | 1 season |
| DE | Keith Grennan | 2008-2008 | 1 season |
| SS | Matt Johnson | 2012-2012 | 4th rounder, 1 seasons |
| DB | Bashir Levingston | 1999-2000 | 2 seasons |
| S | Tevin McDonald | 2015-2015 | 1 season |
| T | Jeff Mickel | 1990-1990 | 6th rounder, 1 seasons |
| WR | Jeff Ogden | 1998-2002 | 5 seasons |
| WR | Bob Picard | 1973-1976 | 6th rounder, 4 seasons |
| T | Trent Pollard | 1994-1995 | 5th rounder, 2 seasons |
| TE | Eric Riley | 1987-1987 | 1 season |
| DT | Dario Romero | 2003-2004 | 2 season |
| T | Michael Roos | 2005-2014 | 2nd rd, Pro Bowler, 10 seasons |
| T | Kevin Sargent | 1992-1998 | 6 seasons |
| DB | Kurt Schulz | 1992-2001 | 7th rounder, 10 seasons |
| OL | Ed Simmons | 1987-1997 | 6th rounder, 11 seasons |
| DB | Isaiah Trufant | 2010-2014 | 5 seasons |
| T | Rob Woods | 1991-1991 | 4th rounder, 1 seasons |
FAN BRACKET CONTEST:Which FCS Fan Is Winning?
[divider]RETIRED NFL PLAYERS FROM NDSU
| POS | PLAYER | SPAN | DRAFT?/NOTEWORTHY |
| WR | Robert Blakley | 1982-1982 | 1 season |
| DB | Tyrone Braxton | 1987-1999 | 13 seasons – 1 Pro Bowl |
| T | Paul Cornick | 2012-2014 | 2 seasons |
| RB | John Crockett | 2015-2015 | 1 season |
| DB | Craig Dahl | 2007-2015 | 2 year starter, 8 seasons |
| LB | Jim Dick | 1987-1987 | 1 season |
| DB | Kevin Donnalley | 1981-1981 | 7th rounder, 1 season |
| RB | Lamar Gordon | 2002-2006 | 5 seasons |
| DE | Phil Hansen | 1991-2001 | 2nd rounder, 10 yr starter |
| T | Dick Hanson | 1971-1971 | 1 season |
| RB | Doug Lloyd | 1991-1991 | 6th rounder, 1 season |
| LB | Joe Mays | 2008-2015 | 6th rounder, 8 seasons |
| DT | Clarence McGeary | 1950-1950 | 1 season |
| DE | Jerry Mulready | 1947-1947 | 1 season |
| LB | Steve Nelson | 1974-1987 | 2nd rounder, 3 Pro Bowls |
| T | Jared Peck | 2004-2004 | 1 season |
| WR | Stacy Robinson | 1985-1990 | 2nd rounder, 6 seasons |
| T | Rudy Rosatti | 1923-1928 | 5 seasons |
| C | Cliff Rothrock | 1947-1947 | 1 season |
| DB | Nick Schommer | 2010-2010 | 7th rounder, 1 season |
| LB | Scott Schutt | 1987-1987 | 1 season |
| CB | C.J. Smith | 2016-2017 | 2 seasons |
| RB | Chad Stark | 1987-1987 | 1 season |
| T | Cecil Sturgeon | 1941-1941 | 1 season |
| T | Lyle Sturgeon | 1937-1937 | 1 season |
| TE | Matt Veldman | 2012-2013 | 2 seasons |
| B | Ernie Wheeler | 1939-1942 |
