The 2026 NFL Draft is just a few weeks away and there will be several hundred players from around the country hoping to get their names called in Pittsburgh. Several of those players will be looking to make the extra big jump from FCS to the pros. Last season the subdivision sent eight of its best players to the NFL through the draft and this year there’s a real chance they could get even more. Here are ten notable FCS players to keep an eye on as the draft draws nearer:
1. Bryce Lance, WR – North
Dakota State
One of the top receivers in the FCS over the last couple of seasons has been NDSU star Bryce Lance. He delivered two terrific seasons for the Bison to close out his college career, going for over 1,000 in both 2024 and 2025, helping his team take home the national championship two years ago. Lance is one of the more athletic prospects in this year’s draft and was invited to the NFL Combine earlier this winter where he clocked a 4.34 40-yard dash and 41.5″ vertical jump among several other impressive marks. He is expected to be a Day 2 pick. He is also the younger brother of current Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance who was selected third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
2. Charles Demmings, CB – Stephen F. Austin
SFA standout Charles Demmings has been one of the best FCS secondary players for several seasons now. Having played 42 games since the start of 2022, Demmings has logged 63 tackles, nine interceptions and an impressive 35 defended passes. He was an instrumental piece in getting the Lumberjacks to the quarterfinals of last year’s playoffs. Demmings was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine back in February and put up high marks in most every drill he partook in. That included a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash and an 11′ broad jump. He was graded very highly in his overall athleticism score and could see his name go off the board as early as the fourth round by many projections.
3. Cole Payton, QB – North Dakota State
The most efficient passer in the FCS last year was Cole Payton out of North Dakota State and once again it looks like the Bison will be sending a signal caller to the NFL via the draft. Payton started at NDSU for just one season following the departure of Cam Miller last year but still wowed, passing for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns and just four interceptions. A dual-threat from under center with a lot of speed, Payton also ran for 777 yards and 13 scores in 2025. He was named to the All-Missouri Valley second team and earned an invite to the NFL Combine. While in Indy, Payton impressed across the board, posting a 4.56 40-yard dash, a 40” vertical jump and 7.12 in the three-cone drill. If he is taken off the board it will likely be late on Day 2 or sometime in Day 3.
4. Kaleb Proctor, DT – Southeastern Louisiana
The top defensive line prospect from the FCS ranks is Southeastern Louisiana’s Kaleb Proctor. Standing at 6’3” and weighing in at 291 pounds, Proctor was terrific for the Lions pass rush last season, logging 13 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He also was responsible for 43 total stops and had a pair of pass breakups. Those efforts earned him Southland Defensive Player of the Year honors. Proctor was invited to the NFL Combine and showed out for scouts. He received an overall athleticism grade of 81, putting him fourth in that category among all defensive tackles in Indianapolis. He generates an extreme amount of pressure on opposing passers for an interior defensive lineman and should be able to bolster an NFL unit if given the chance.
5. Erick Hunter, LB – Morgan State
Erick Hunter has been a mainstay of the Morgan State defense for the better part of four seasons and closed his college career out with stellar numbers last fall. Hunter logged 102 total tackles, 14 of which went for loss, along with four sacks, an interception and three forced fumbles all from his linebacker position. He was named to several honors lists including the All-MEAC first team, All-American third team and HBCU All-American team for his efforts. Hunter is a tenacious defender with a nose for the ball. He fights through blocks extremely well and is quick off the snap. Hunter has been projected a to be a mid to late round pick.
6. Daniel Sobkowicz, WR – Illinois State
No FCS player ended their season on more of a heater than Illinois State wideout Daniel Sobkowicz and it might just be enough to carry him to a selection in the upcoming draft. The 6’3” Sobkowicz finished his college career atop the Redbirds’ record books with the most receiving touchdowns (41) and had a program-best 19 scores during the 2025 season alone. Sobkowicz was a man possessed throughout the FCS playoffs, hauling in 26 catches for 366 yards and eight touchdowns during the postseason alone. He is terrific in one-on-one situations, especially near the goal line and his ability to wrestle the ball away from defenders is as good as any college football receiver. Sobkowicz is looking to be the first ISU player taken in the NFL Draft since 2018. He will likely be a late round pick but could climb up the board pending team needs in the middle rounds.
7. A.J. Pena, LB – Rhode Island
Rhode Island linebacker A.J. Pena has been one of the top defensive players in the subdivision for several years and last fall might have been his best yet. Pena won the CAA Defensive Player of the Year award and was second in the FCS for tackles for loss with 21. He also finished his senior season with 11 sacks, 72 takedowns and 11 QB hits. He closed out his time at Rhody with 235 total tackles and a whopping 38 sacks over three years. Pena has a knack for hunting down the ball carrier wherever he may be on the field and consistently has his hands in on the play. He worked out as an edge rusher at Rhode Island’s pro day in March and, while he is likely a long shot to get drafted, he does have a shot to hear his name called in the late rounds. Regardless, he should have no problem nabbing an NFL opportunity even if he doesn’t get selected.
8. Delby Lemieux, OL – Dartmouth
An unranked recruit coming out of high school, Dartmouth tackle Delby Lemieux is not on the cusp of taking his skills to the NFL. He is arguably the best interior lineman in the FCS, starting 27 career games at left tackle for the Big Green. The 6’4”, 295-pound Lemieux was a force to be reckoned with in the trenches. In his 35 college appearances, Lemiuex saw 950 pass-blocking snaps and allowed just 30 pressures and three sacks. He is a two-time All-American and participated in this year’s Senior Bowl where he continued to turn heads. Limieux will still need to put on a little weight if he is to join an NFL offensive line but could certainly get selected in the draft on Day 3 if the right team comes along at the right time.
9. James Conway, LB – Fordham
One of the most productive defenders in college football history, linebacker James Conway brings an ultra-impressive resume to the pros. The Fordham stud posted a staggering 595 career tackles making him the FCS’s all-time tackle leader (and he did that in spite of suffering a season-ending injury in 2024). Conway has an extremely high football IQ and can read opposing offenses with the best of them, as was evident by his ability to be in on practically every play. His one real knock is his size as he stands 6’1” and only weighs 235 pounds. Some of that can be addressed in the weight room, though. While Conway’s numbers are among the best out there, he will still probably slip to the sixth or seventh round because of his build. What he lacks in size, however, he should be able to make up for in the cerebral side of his game.
10. Rodney Hammond, RB – Sacramento State
Running back Rodney Hammond came over to Sac State from Pittsburgh prior to last season and was a playmaker for the Hornets in 2025. He led the team in rushing yards (1,216), rushing touchdowns (13) and rushing average per game (101.3). Hammond was also a dynamic special teamer, returning 16 kicks for 455 total yards and a score. His speed and fluidity is something that served him well during his senior season. Hammond was often untouchable in open space and has great downfield vision. Shockingly, though, he somewhat underperformed at his pro day, posting a 4.62 40-yard dash and a 4.75 in the short shuttle. Those numbers may end up hurting Hammond’s chances of getting drafted as he is likely a fringe draft pick. If he does not get selected, however, he is a strong candidate to be picked up as a free agent.
