FCS Football’s 2025 NFL Draft Mystery: Which Hidden Stars Will Shock the Scouts?

The 2025 NFL Draft is gearing up to take over Green Bay, Wisconsin, from April 24th through the 26th — and if you’re wondering which players will be making waves, look no further than the relentless giants on the offensive line from the FCS ranks. Seriously, have you ever stopped to think about the sheer force these offensive linemen wield? Grey Zabel from North Dakota State and Charles Grant from William & Mary aren’t just names on a board; they’re the muscle-bound anchors ready to flex their dominance on draft day. As the spotlight shines on these titans, it’s clear the trenches will be the battlefield to watch. So, who exactly are the FCS stars set to change the game this year? Let’s dive in and break down the prospects who’ll have scouts buzzing and franchises dialing. LEARN MORE

The 2025 NFL Draft will be held from April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Offensive linemen will play a big part of the FCS football selections.

Let the FCS offensive lineman step forward to flex their muscles.

Once again, the big men up front are drawing the buzz of analysts and are expected to remain in demand among the FCS prospects in this week’s NFL Draft. Grey Zabel of FCS national champion North Dakota State and Charles Grant of William & Mary headline the class.

Heading toward the three-day event, which begins Thursday night, here is a breakdown of leading FCS prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft:

2025 NFL Draft Breakdown

Lambeau Field and Titletown, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Thursday, April 24 (8-11:30 p.m. ET)

TV: NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes

Round 1: Picks 1-32 (10 minutes allotted to teams between selections)

Friday, April 25 (7-11 p.m. ET)

TV: NFL Network, ABC, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes

Round 2: Picks 33-64 (seven minutes)

Round 3: Picks 65-102 (five minutes)

Saturday, April 27 (Noon-7 p.m. ET)

TV: NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes

Round 4: Picks 103-138 (five minutes)

Round 5: Picks 139-176 (five minutes)

Round 6: Picks 177-216 (five minutes)

Round 7: Picks 217-257 (four minutes)

Key FCS Prospects in 2025 NFL Draft

Top 400 Rankings through April 21 on NFL Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board

Grey Zabel, North Dakota State, C/OG (6-6, 312)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 28 (peak 26)
• 2024 Stats Perform FCS All-America First Team
• Expected to become the sixth NDSU offensive linemen selected in the draft since 2014 (with 12 picks in the last 11 drafts, the Bison would tie for a credible 69th among FBS programs).

Charles Grant, William & Mary, OT (6-5, 311)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 89 (peak 76)
• 2024 Stats Perform FCS All-America First Team
• A veteran of 50 career games (with 41 starts) at William & Mary, Grant allowed only two sacks in his final three seasons.

David Walker, Central Arkansas, Edge (6-1, 267)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 130 (peak 88)
• 2024 Buck Buchanan Award recipient
• Also the third-place finisher in the 2022 Buchanan voting, Walker earned three consecutive spots on the Stats Perform FCS All-America First Team.

Carson Vinson, Alabama A&M, OT 6-6½, 314)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 145 (peak 103)
• 2024 Stats Perform FCS All-America Third Team
• The big man started all 48 games of his A&M career since 2020, allowing just one sack as a senior (against Auburn).

Jackson Slater, Sacramento State, OG (6-3, 311)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 152 (peak 111)
• 2024 Stats Perform FCS All-America First Team
• Made 44 straight starts before missing the final three games of the 2024 season (he didn’t allow a sack or a QB hit in the first nine games).

Jalen Travis, Princeton/Iowa State, OT (6-8, 341)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 161 (peak 141)

Teddye Buchanan, UC Davis/Cal, LB (6-2, 233)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 166 (peak 145)

Jackson Hawes, Yale/Georgia Tech, TE (6-4, 253)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 182 (peak 126)

Marcus Yarns, Delaware, RB (5-10½, 189)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 240 (peak 189)

Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington, WR (5-10, 193)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 267 (peak 210)
• 2024 Stats Perform FCS All-America First Team

Max Brosmer, New Hampshire/Minnesota, QB (6-2, 217)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 270 (peak 221)

Marcus Wehr, Montana State, OG (6-2, 300)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 294 (peak 217)

Luke Newman, Holy Cross/Michigan State, OG (6-3, 312)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 299 (peak 220)

Elijah Ponder, Cal Poly, Edge (6-3, 251)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 301 (peak 301)

Marcus Harris, Idaho/Cal, CB (5-11, 190)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 311 (peak 306)

Lan Larison, UC Davis, RB (6-0, 215)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 315 (peak 229)
• 2024 Stats Perform FCS All-America First Team

Isas Waxter, Villanova, CB (6-1, 209)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 326 (peak 245)
• 2024 Stats Perform FCS All-America Second Team

Thor Griffith, Harvard/Louisville, DT (6-2, 320)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 332 (peak 188)

Robert McDaniel, Alcorn State/Jackson State, SS (6-1, 212)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 345 (peak 262)

Phillip Webb, Jackson State, Edge (6-5, 265)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 361 (peak 361)

Kenny Gallop Jr., Howard, SS (5-11, 212)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 371 (peak 190)

Tommy Mellott, Montana State, QB (6-0, 208)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 381 (peak 275)
• 2024 Walter Payton Award recipient

Nick Kubitz, North Dakota State, ILB (6-2, 224)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 394 (peak 369)

Wande Owens, Yale, New Hampshire, SS (5-11, 205)

• Draft Big Board Ranking: 398 (peak 368)

Other Key FCS Prospects Ranked Outside Top 400

Chandler Brayboy, Elon, WR/KR (6-0, 205)

• 2024 Stats Perform FCS All-America First Team

JJ Galbreath, South Dakota, TE (6-3, 231)

Brendan Hall, Montana State, P (6-7, 235)

Keondre Jackson, Illinois State, SS (6-1, 211)

• 2024 Stats Perform FCS All-America Third Team

Cam Miller, North Dakota State, QB (6-1, 217)

• 2024 Stats Perform FCS All-America First Team

Dymere Miller, Monmouth/Rutgers, WR (5-11, 181)

TJ Moore, Mercer, CB (6-0, 187)

• 2024 Stats Perform FCS All-America First Team

Jared Penning, Northern Iowa, OT (6-5, 319)

ShunDerrick Powell, Central Arkansas, RB (5-7, 183)

• 2024 Stats Perform FCS All-America Second Team

Ja’seem Reed, San Diego, WR (6-0, 190)

Carter Runyon, Towson, TE (6-4, 234)

• 2024 Stats Perform FCS All-America First Team

Torricelli Simpkins, North Carolina Central/South Carolina, OT (6-5, 319)

Aaron Smith, South Carolina State, ILB (6-0, 234)

Mike Smith Jr., Eastern Kentucky, SS (6-0, 213)

Elijah Williams, Morgan State, Edge (6-3, 270)

• 2024 Stats Perform FCS All-America Second Team

TaMuarion Wilson, Central Arkansas, OLB/S (6-1, 215)

• 2024 Stats Perform FCS All-America Third Team

Number of FCS Picks by Year

Since the NFL Draft was reduced to seven rounds in 1994, FCS football has averaged over 18 selections per year, but there’s a significant decline during the 2020s and the era of the NCAA transfer portal.

First-Round Picks From FCS

NCAA Division I college football split into FBS and FCS levels in 1978. Since then, 23 FCS players have been first-round selections in the NFL Draft, including North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz as the highest at No. 2 in 2016 (Philadelphia Eagles).

FCS Programs with Most NFL Draft Picks

During each school’s FCS era, Jackson State leads the way with the most NFL Draft picks. Other HBCU programs also are among the leaders, although North Dakota State has stood out the most over the last decade.

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