FCS quarterbacks have by no means stuffed the annual NFL Draft in massive numbers, however there have been loads of splashes and success tales.
From Phil Simms to Steve McNair to Joe Flacco to many extra.
Because the 1979 NFL Draft was the primary to contain FCS gamers, there have been 60 quarterback alternatives from the decrease tier of NCAA Division I faculty soccer.
None have been taken in final yr’s draft and none are anticipated to be chosen on this yr’s draft, which can be held from April 25-27 in Detroit.
That’s by no means occurred in consecutive drafts.
Whereas it’s too early for anyone to hit the panic button, it’s straightforward to pinpoint the lower in FCS draft alternatives at soccer’s most vital place. What’s not as concrete is that if the state of affairs is right here to remain.
Historical past of FCS Quarterbacks within the NFL Draft
The distinguished record of FCS quarterbacks drafted into the NFL started with Simms, whose senior season at Morehead State in 1978 was the primary following the Division I cut up into an upper-tier Division I-A – now referred to as the FBS – and Division I-AA – now referred to as the FCS.
The subsequent spring, the New York Giants shocked some by selecting Simms seventh total within the first spherical of the 1979 NFL Draft.
Simms went on to a stellar profession, together with as a Tremendous Bowl-winning MVP, one thing Flacco (Delaware graduate) later completed with the Baltimore Ravens. McNair (Alcorn State), Stan Humphries (Northeast Louisiana), Wealthy Gannon (Delaware) and Jimmy Garoppolo (Japanese Illinois) additionally have been drafted FCS quarterbacks who made Tremendous Bowl begins on shedding groups.
Kurt Warner is a 3rd former FCS QB to be a Tremendous Bowl-winning MVP, however he was undrafted out of Northern Iowa. Moreover, Doug Williams, Tremendous Bowl XXII MVP with the Washington Redskins, is usually mistaken as a former FCS quarterback, however his senior season at Grambling State in 1977 occurred one yr earlier than the Division I cut up.
Neil Lomax (Portland State), John Friesz (Idaho), Ryan Fitzpatrick (Harvard), Bubby Brister (Northeast Louisiana), Josh McCown (Sam Houston State), Tarvaris Jackson (Alabama State) and Josh Johnson (San Diego) are different former FCS sign callers who went from being drafted to prolonged NFL careers.
Within the final 10 years, North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz turned the highest-drafted FCS participant – not simply quarterback – when the Philadelphia Eagles made him the second total decide in 2016. Trey Lance got here out of the identical Bison program and went third total to the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, matching McNair (Houston Oilers, 1995) with the second-highest draft spot for a former FCS participant.
The latest former FCS QB draft alternatives occurred in 2022: Bailey Zappe, a four-year starter at Houston Baptist who spent a grad switch season at Western Kentucky, went to the New England Patriots within the fourth spherical, and former Samford and South Dakota State QB Chris Oladokun was picked by the Pittsburgh Steelers within the seventh spherical. Oladokun has been a Tremendous Bowl champion with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in every of the previous two seasons.
What’s Working Towards FCS Quarterbacks
If it at all times appears like gamers under the FBS must work a bit tougher with NFL scouts, it’s as a result of they face a “small college” label when being evaluated for the subsequent degree.
If it’s not in regards to the total degree of competitors, then there’s typically the issue of an FCS quarterback being a second slower or an inch shorter than what’s favored by scouts.
Recipients of the Walter Payton Award (introduced by FedEx Floor) typically acquire a lift from the highlight that comes with being the FCS nationwide offensive participant of the yr, however the smaller dimension of latest quarterback winners – Japanese Washington’s Eric Barriere (2021) and UIW’s Lindsey Scott Jr. (2022) – led to little NFL curiosity.
Not less than these two quarterbacks completed their faculty careers within the FCS. The staggering rise in transfers with fast eligibility elsewhere – typically to pursue greater ranges of NIL income (identify, picture and likeness) – has modified the panorama.
They are saying the NFL will discover any participant with expertise, however FBS applications are beating the league to it. Three quarterbacks who have been consecutive Jerry Rice Award recipients – the FCS’ nationwide freshman of the yr – transferred to FBS applications after their sophomore seasons: UIW’s Cameron Ward (2020 recipient) to Washington, Jackson State’s Shedeur Sanders (2021) to Colorado, and Idaho’s Gevani McCoy (2022) to Oregon State.
Moreover, after the 2023 season, three Stats Carry out All-America quarterbacks made FBS transfers: New Hampshire senior Max Brosmer (first workforce), the 2023 Payton Award runner-up, to Minnesota; Holy Cross senior Matthew Sluka (second workforce) to UNLV; and UAlbany sophomore Reese Poffenbarger (third workforce) to the Miami Hurricanes.
What FCS Quarterbacks are 2024 NFL Prospects … and Past
Whereas an FCS quarterback isn’t anticipated to be drafted later this month, a lot have been evaluated by NFL groups at all-star video games and professional days. Some will land NFL alternatives by signing a free-agent contract following the draft or by way of a tryout with a workforce.
The FCS sign callers who’ve been among the many extra carefully seen throughout the scouting course of:
Mitch Davidson, Youngstown State (6-foot-4, 220 kilos)
Theo Day, Northern Iowa (6-5, 230)
Mike DiLiello, Austin Peay (6-2, 215)
Nolan Grooms, Yale (6-2, 195)
Miles Hastings, UC Davis (6-1, 195)
Michael Hiers, Samford (6-2, 220)
Kasim Hill, Rhode Island (6-2, 234)
Parker McKinney, Japanese Kentucky (6-2, 208)
Justin Miller, Southern Utah (6-2, 210)
Jeremy Moussa, Florida A&M (6-2½, 220)
Davius Richard, North Carolina Central (6-2, 225)
Blake Stenstrom, Princeton (6-3, 220)
Richard was at or close to the highest of the FCS contingent, however he suffered an ankle damage on a landing run within the HBCU Legacy Bowl on Feb. 24. His restoration time may go into the summer time.
Day’s 6-5 dimension ought to be enticing to NFL groups. After starting his profession at Michigan State, he transferred to UNI and handed for 8,276 yards and 58 touchdowns in three seasons. However turnovers have been a difficulty, together with 15 interceptions as a senior.
McKinney handed for 12,751 profession yards at Japanese Kentucky, rating eleventh in FCS historical past. Hiers joined McKinney and Brosmer as the one FCS quarterbacks to surpass 3,000 passing yards in every of the final two seasons.
On the horizon, South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski is a prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft. He acquired the 2023 Walter Payton Award and was named probably the most excellent participant of the Jackrabbits’ back-to-back nationwide championship recreation wins.
Moreover, North Dakota State’s Cam Miller is a 2½-year starter already as he enters his remaining season this fall. In Wentz, Lance and Easton Stick (2019), the Bison program has had three quarterbacks drafted since 2016.
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