FCS prospects are headed to the 2026 NFL Draft

Small-school NFL Draft analyst Josh Buchanan ranks the top FCS football prospects ahead of the Combine. North Dakota State and wide receivers lead the way.

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They are still considered NFL Draft prospects this time of year, but that can be a little misleading.

Most FCS players tend to be NFL prospects, not necessarily draft prospects, ready and willing to take any opportunity at the next level. Many will sign with a team after the draft or try out, and they will contribute each year to the nearly 200 FCS alumni on NFL rosters.

Draft numbers have declined for the FCS this decade, with player transfers to the higher tier FBS being more common. Additionally, entire programs that often offered prospects continue to advance, and depth will shrink more than ever in 2027 after 10-time FCS national champion North Dakota State leaves for the Mountain West Conference later this year.

This year, however, NDSU is still leading the way for many FCS NFL prospects.

Josh Buchanan, one of the leading small-school draft analysts, updated his FCS rankings ahead of the NFL Combine, although the list will continue to evolve throughout the pro days and leading up to the draft, which Pittsburgh will host April 23-25.

Josh Buchanan’s FCS NFL Draft Outlook

Pre-NFL Combine

1. Bryce Lance, North Dakota State

Position: Wide receiver; Height: 6-3; Weight: 209; NFL Draft Projection: 3rd-4th round

Notable: All but one of the 7-yard catches in Trey’s younger brother Lance’s career (127 receptions, 2,157 yards, 25 touchdowns) have come in the past two seasons.

2. Cole Payton, North Dakota State

Position: Strategist; Height: 6-2½; Weight: 229; NFL Draft Projection: 4th-5th round

Notable: The 2025 FCS leader in passing efficiency is a lefty with good arm strength and elusive running skills. NDSU has selected four quarterbacks in the last 10 drafts.

3. Charlie Demmings, Stephen F. Austin

Position: cornerback; Height: 6-1; Weight: 190; NFL Draft Projection: 7th round

Notable: After recording 1,731 career snaps, according to PFF, Demmings had nine interceptions among his 35 assists, a school record.

4. Daniel Sobkowicz, Illinois State

Position: Wide receiver; Height: 6-2; Weight: 205; NFL Draft Projection: 7th Round-PFA (Priority Free Agent)

Notable: An excellent route runner who showed consistency from year to year while ranking first in Redbirds history in receptions (262) and TD catches (41) and second in receiving yards (3,559).

5. Michael Wortham Jr., Montana

Position: Wide Receiver/Return; Height: 5-8; Weight: 182; NFL Draft Projection: 7th Tour-PFA

Notable: The former college QB played a big role at Eastern Washington and then Montana. He set the Grizzlies single-season all-purpose yardage record (2,431) in his final season.

6. Kaleb Proctor, Southeast Louisiana

Position: Defensive tackle; Height: 6-1½; Weight: 275; NFL Draft Projection: PFA

Notable: A quick explosion has Proctor finishing second among FCS interior D-linemen in 2025 with 13 tackles for loss. He had a three TFL and two sack performance against LSU.

7. Jalen Walthall, UIW

Position: Wide receiver; Height: 6-1; Weight: 200; NFL Draft Projection: PFA

Notable: An outside receiver capable of stretching the field, Walthall had nine 100-yard games and 22 touchdown catches in two seasons at UIW after transferring from Hawaii.

8. Sam Hagen, South Dakota State

Position: Offensive tackling; Height: 6-6; Weight: 327; NFL Draft Projection: PFA

Notable: The four-year starter at MVFC (two seasons at North Dakota) impressed in the Hula Bowl after missing four games as a senior with a knee injury.

9. Barika Kpeenu, North Dakota State

Position: Run back; Height: 5-10; Weight: 213; NFL Draft Projection: PFA

Notable: The ability between the tackles led Kpeenu to tie for fourth in the FCS in rushing touchdowns (20) as a senior.

10. Jarod Washington, South Carolina State

Position: cornerback; Height: 6-0; Weight: 186; NFL Draft Projection: PFA

Notable: The top-rated HBCU prospect led the FCS in passes defended (23) and pass breakups (21) in his final season.

11. Jalen Jones, William and Mary

Position: cornerback; Height: 6-0; Weight: 195; NFL Draft Projection: PFA

12. Derek Robertson, Monmouth

Position: Strategist; Height: 6-1½; Weight: 200; NFL Draft Projection: PFA

13. Max Tomczak, Youngstown State

Position: Wide receiver; Height: 6-0; Weight: 195; NFL Draft Projection: PFA

14. Temi Ajirotutu, Villanova

Position: Offensive guard; Height: 6-5; Weight: 310; NFL Draft Projection: PFA

15. Michael Otty, Bryant

Position: Defensive tackle; Height: 5-11½; Weight: 281; NFL Draft Projection: PFA

16. Shadwell Rain II, Illinois State

Position: cornerback; Height: 5-11; Weight: 190; NFL Draft Projection: PFA

17. Ike Ojukwu, East Texas A&M

Position: Offensive guard; Height: 6-4; Weight: 309; NFL Draft Projection: PFA

18. Isiah King, Idaho

Position: Outside linebacker; Height: 6-2; Weight: 215; NFL Draft Projection: PFA

19. Chris Mosley, North Carolina Center

Position: Run back; Height: 5-11; Weight: 180; NFL Draft Projection: PFA

20. Michael Briscoe, Cal Poly

Position: Wide receiver; Height: 6-1; Weight: 205; NFL Draft Projection: PFA

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Top photo, left to right, via NSDU, Illinois State and South Carolina State Athletics. For For more FCS football coverage, follow on social media at X, Facebook, Instagram and blue sky.