FCS features numerous potential NFL draft picks
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Most of the attention leading up to the NFL Draft centers on the top players, the ones who can change the fortunes of a franchise, help it climb up from the bottom.
Far less attention is generally paid to the players in the Championship Subdivision and below, players who probably could have followed the trend of looking to transfer up when it became evident that they had the skills but opted to stay where they started.
Two of them from last year’s draft, No. 34 overall pick Christian Watson, a wide receiver from North Dakota State selected by the Green Bay Packers, and cornerback Tariq Woolen, the No. 153 pick by the Seattle Seahawks from UTSA, have excelled and likely are in the running for rookie of the year accolades.
This year’s draft will be no different, and as teams set their draft boards, here are five FCS players who might warrant extra attention from each team’s talent evaluators:
Cody Mauch, OL, North Dakota State
Massive linemen have become a habit for the Bison, winners of nine of the last 11 FCS titles, and Mauch is this year’s best prospect from the FCS “by a considerable margin,” according to Jim Nagy, executive director of the Senior Bowl.
While a left tackle for the Bison, Mauch projects more as a guard in the NFL because his arms aren’t long enough to meet the reach the threshold NFL teams have for tackles.
Hunter Luepke, FB, North Dakota State
Luepke was invited to the Senior Bowl but won’t play because of a left shoulder injury that will require surgery, but he’s the best fullback at any level in the draft, Nagy said.
When the Bison lost 31-28 to Arizona early this season, Luepke rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries and caught three passes for 65 yards and another TD.
Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State
He’s only a junior, but some project him as high as a top-50 pick. A solid blocker with good hands, he caught 65 passes for 780 yards and six touchdowns last season with at least two receptions in every game. He’s missed more than half of this season with an ankle injury but has 21 catches for 249 yards and two TDs.
McClendon Curtis, OL, Chattanooga
There must be something about the Mocs and the offensive line. A year ago, Cole Strange was drafted in the first round by the New England Patriots, and here comes Curtis.
“Big man. Big body. Looks the part,” Nagy said.
Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton
Iosivas is a speedy wide receiver and two-sport star who finished fourth at the 2022 NCAA indoor championships in the heptathlon and set an event record with a 6.71-second clocking in the 60.
In football, he caught 66 passes for 943 yards and seven TDs this year and finished his career with 125 catches for 1,909 yards and 17 TDs in just three seasons.