There’s a well-received notion in sports activities that the highest stage will discover a proficient participant regardless of the extent beneath.
In FCS faculty soccer, typically the proficient gamers are proper there in plain sight, able to be chosen within the first spherical of the NFL Draft.
It’s a choose group for the reason that FCS originated in 1978, with offensive linemen Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa) and Cole Unusual (Chattanooga) changing into the twenty second and twenty third all-time first-rounders within the 2022 draft.
The record features a trio of colleges with a number of first-rounders: Alcorn State and Jackson State with three every, and North Dakota State with two.
Former FCS Gamers Chosen in NFL Draft First Spherical
1979 – Phil Simms, QB, Morehead State: New York Giants, No. 7 Choose
There’s widespread perception quarterback Doug Williams was the primary FCS first-round decide, however his remaining season at Grambling State in 1977 predated the Division I cut up. The excellence belongs to Simms, considered one of three Tremendous Bowl MVPs (21) on this record (additionally Jerry Rice and Joe Flacco).
1980 – Roynell Younger, CB, Alcorn State: Philadelphia Eagles, 23
1983 – Leonard Smith, CB, McNeese State: St. Louis Cardinals, 17
Smith was a part of the 2014 School Soccer Corridor of Fame class and had an All-Professional season with the Cardinals in 1986.
1984 – Terry Taylor, CB, Southern Illinois: Seattle Seahawks, 22
1985 – Jerry Rice, WR, Mississippi Valley State: San Francisco 49ers, 16
The best extensive receiver in soccer historical past holds all-time NFL data for receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895), receiving touchdowns (197), complete touchdowns (208) and all-purpose yards (23,546).
1988 – John Stephens, RB, Northwestern State: New England Patriots, 17
The 1988 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Yr with 1,168 dashing yards was 43 when he died in a automobile accident in 2009. His daughter is tennis star Sloane Stephens.
1988 – Aaron Jones, DE, Jap Kentucky: Pittsburgh Steelers, 18
1989 – Shawn Collins, WR, Northern Arizona: Atlanta Falcons, 27
1990 – Eric Inexperienced, TE, Liberty: Pittsburgh Steelers, 21
A two-time Professional Bowl choice, Inexperienced caught 362 passes and 36 touchdowns in a 10-year profession.
1992 – Robert Porcher, DE, South Carolina State: Detroit Lions, 26
The three-time All-Professional spent his complete 12-year NFL profession with the Lions, totaling 571 tackles and 95.5 sacks in 187 video games. The franchise’s annual Man of the Yr award is called after Porcher.
1993 – Lester Holmes, OG, Jackson State: Philadelphia Eagles, 19
1994 – John Thierry, DE, Alcorn State: Chicago Bears, 11
1995 – Steve McNair, QB, Alcorn State: Houston Oilers, 3
The late McNair was named the SWAC’s offensive participant of the 12 months 4 occasions, obtained the 1994 Walter Payton Award (FCS offensive participant of the 12 months) and earned 2003 NFL MVP honors.
1996 – Jamain Stephens, OT, North Carolina A&T: Pittsburgh Steelers, 29
2000 – Sylvester Morris, WR, Jackson State: Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, 21
2000 – Rashard Anderson, CB, Jackson State: Carolina Panthers, 23
Anderson’s choice two picks after Sylvester Morris made Jackson State the primary, and nonetheless solely, FCS program to have two first-rounders in the identical draft.
2008 – Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State: Arizona Cardinals, 16
In a extremely productive 12-year NFL profession with six completely different franchises, DRC intercepted 30 passes with six pick-sixes and picked up 455 tackles.
2008 – Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware: Baltimore Ravens, 18
No participant in NFL historical past has extra passing yards (41,269) and not using a Professional Bowl season, however Flacco has a Tremendous Bowl 47 title on his resume.
2016 – Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State: Philadelphia Eagles, 2
A member of NDSU’s 5 straight nationwide championship groups from 2011-15, Wentz is the highest-drafted FCS participant, picked one spot behind high general choice Jared Goff (Los Angeles Rams).
2019 – Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State: Houston Texans, 23
2021 – Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State: San Francisco 49ers, 3
Lance went 17-0 as a starter at NDSU, changing into the primary participant to obtain each the Walter Payton and Jerry Rice (FCS freshman of the 12 months) awards in the identical season (2019).
