The postseason leadup to the NFL Draft could be a dizzying up-and-down journey for FCS gamers, however the prospects who impress at school all-star video games make their evaluations clearer.
Within the final month, numerous FCS gamers gained rising NFL inventory amongst scouts on the Reese’s Senior, East-West Shrine, Hula and Tropical bowls. A whole bunch of NFL personnel attended the practices and video games to guage prospects, lots of whom will likely be chosen within the 2024 draft, to be held from April 25-27 in Detroit.
Following are a few of the rising FCS gamers following the most important postseason all-star video games:
Dylan Laube, New Hampshire, RB, 5-9½, 210
The FCS chief in all-purpose yards per recreation every of the previous two seasons – the swish-army knife additionally ranked fourth as a sophomore in 2021 – Laube shined at Senior Bowl practices, displaying velocity, separation and power in addition to an innate talent to catch the ball in tight protection. The flexibility is no surprise after he was chosen twice as a first-team all-purpose choice on the Stats Carry out FCS All-America Crew.
South Dakota State Contingent
The NFL-ready gamers of the two-time reigning FCS nationwide champion may very well be separated on this listing, nevertheless it would possibly make it go on and on. Hybrid linebacker Isaiah Stalbird (5-11½, 207) bought the spectacular performances began solely six days after the Jackrabbits’ 2023 title win over Montana with 5 tackles and a fumble restoration on the Hula Bowl, and Isaiah Davis (6-0, 200) capped them with between-the-tackle toughness and a 20-yard run that was the second-longest on the Senior Bowl.
The Jackrabbits led all faculties with 5 gamers on the Shrine Bowl. Offensive guard Mason McCormick (6-4, 310) was named to West group’s all-practice squad and fashioned a stud left aspect of the road with sort out Garret Greenfield (6-5½, 332). Twin large receivers Jadon (6-1½, 205) and Jaxon (6-2, 206) Janke and tight finish Zach Heins (6-6, 264) all had at the least one reception, highlighted by Jadon Janke with a 52-yard catch.
Khristian Boyd, Northern Iowa, DT, 6-2, 320
After excelling on the Hula Bowl, Boyd earned a name as much as the East-West Shrine Sport, the place, much like McCormick, he was an all-practice choice for the East group. He’s a bull rusher with a excessive motor, typically dazzling in follow reps with a push-pull-swim transfer. He completed with three tackles in every of his two all-star video games whereas gaining rising NFL inventory.
Jalen Coker, Holy Cross, WR, 6-1, 218
The 2023 FCS chief in landing receptions (15) went from being a Hula Bowl standout (like Boyd, his Crew Aina teammate) to incomes a spot on the Shrine Sport. His capability to high-point catches underscored how he performs above his measurement, and he had arguably the very best landing reception on the all-star recreation circuit. An harm throughout Shrine week follow stored him out of the sport, however he had already gained rising NFL inventory.
Levi Drake Rodriguez, Texas A&M-Commerce, DT (6-2½, 290)
Drake Rodriguez epitomizes what an all-star recreation alternative affords a small faculty prospect – particularly from a smaller faculty within the Division I subdivision. He’s not anticipated to be drafted, however will likely be in an NFL camp nonetheless. Small faculty draft evaluator Josh Buchanan stated the burly prospect was flying underneath the radar throughout an “FCS Delivered” podcast in December. On the Tropical Bowl, Drake Rodriguez was a one-man wrecking crew with 4 tackles for 19 yards in losses, together with three sacks.
Rising NFL Inventory: Different Notable All-Star Sport Performances
We’ve tracked FCS gamers on the all-star video games, with the upcoming HBCU Legacy Bowl ending the schedule.
A Southeast Missouri pair have been noticeable FCS gamers with rising NFL inventory, with security Lawrence Johnson (5-11, 196) posting six tackles (5 solos) on the Hula Bowl and large receiver Ryan Flournoy (6-1, 200) getting upgraded from the Hula to the Shrine, then the Senior Bowl.
Huge receiver Ayir Asante (6-0, 178), Coker’s former teammate at Holy Cross who spent a grad switch season at Wyoming, had three receptions for 86 yards and 45 kickoff return yards on the Tropical Bowl.
Tight ends Cam Grandy (6-4, 255) of Illinois State and Mason Pline (6-6, 254) of Furman earned call-ups to the Shrine Bowl following sturdy weeks on the Hula Bowl. Pline suffered a leg harm on a reception within the Shrine Bowl.
(Wrapping up the 2023 Season and South Dakota State Dominance on “FCS Delivered”)
