A relative Who’s Who of 2023 NFL prospects from FCS college football programs will be participating in the biggest all-star games in January and February.
Nearly 150 different players, and the list could still grow.
The best of the postseason showcases draw hundreds of NFL personnel (plus USFL, XFL and CFL) to the practices and games to evaluate candidates for the draft, which will be held from April 27-29 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Following is a list of FCS players who have been announced for the bigger all-star games:
77th Hula Bowl
Jan. 14 at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Florida
Team Kai (Brian Billick)
(86) D.J. Coleman, DE, Jacksonville State/Missouri
(77) JD DiRenzo, OL, Sacred Heart/Rutgers
(2) Elijah Dotson, RB, Northern Colorado
(27) Justin Ford, CB, Montana
(56) Alex Jensen, LT, South Dakota
(23) Jordan Jones, CB, Rhode Island
(89) Ed Lee, WR, Rhode Island
(55) Patrick O’Connell, OLB, Montana
(22) Benny Sapp III, S, Northern Iowa
(52) Erik Sorensen, C, Northern Iowa
(96) Spencer Waege, DE, North Dakota State
(84) Caleb Warren, FB, Rhode Island
Team Aina (Mike Smith)
(77) Brevin Allen, DE, Campbell
(53) Liam Anderson, OLB, Holy Cross
(17) Tim DeMorat, QB, Fordham
(52) Ryan Greenhagen, ILB, Fordham
(85) Julian Hill, TE, Campbell
(13) Tyler Hudson, WR, Central Arkansas/Louisville
(15) E.J. Jenkins, TE, Saint Francis/South Carolina/Georgia Tech
(1) Darius Joiner, S, Western Illinois/Duke
(92) Devonnsha Maxwell, DL, Chattanooga
(8) Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Youngstown State
(70) TK McLendon, DL, Eastern Kentucky
(82) Ryan Miller, TE, Furman
(31) Lachlan Pitts, TE, William & Mary
(56) Colby Reeder, OLB, Delaware/Iowa State
Notable: DeMorat finished second in the 2022 Walter Payton Award voting after passing for an FCS-high 4,891 yards as well as 56 touchdowns. … O’Connell and Ford finished second and fourth, respectively, in the 2021 Buck Buchanan Award voting. … Greenhagen’s 31 tackles against Nebraska on Sept. 4, 2021 represent the Division I single-game high since the NCAA began to track defensive statistics in 2000.
Recap: Former FCS defensive players stood out in a game won by Team Kai 16-13. Coleman collected five tackles and 1.5 sacks, while the Montana duo of Ford (three pass breakups) and O’Connell (four solo tackles) also contributed to the win. For Team Aina, Allen (six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, fumble recovery) and Reeder (six tackles) were impressive. DeMorat had both a 75-yard touchdown pass and an interception in four attempts, while Miller caught a nine-yard TD working out of the slot.
8th Tropical Bowl
Jan. 21 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida
American Team (Todd Littlejohn)
(14) Connor Degenhardt, QB, Holy Cross/New Haven
(22) Hunter Nichols, FS, San Diego
(23) Ronald Kent Jr., CB, Western Carolina/Central Michigan
(26) Johnny King, WR, Southeast Missouri
(27) Caylin Newton, WR, Howard/Auburn/William & Mary
(28) Corey Reed Jr., WR, Bethune-Cookman
(29) Dylan Classi, WR, Princeton
(33) Antonio Zita, PK, Tennessee State/Charlotte
(35) Noah Gettman, P, Sacred Heart/Akron
(38) Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey, LB, James Madison/Texas
(41) Kameron Jones, ILB, Chattanooga
(42) Adrian Hope, OLB, Furman/Coastal Carolina
(43) Tylar Wiltz, LB/S, Missouri State/Pittsburgh
(66) Drew Bones, OL, Illinois State
(96) KeShaun Moore, Edge, Hampton
National Team (Jim Collins)
(10) Jordan Murray, TE, Missouri State/Hawaii
(11) Kobe Perry, DB, Austin Peay/UCF
(16) Fred Payton, QB, Mercer
(33) Que’shaun Byrd, RB, Bethune-Cookman
(34) Todd Sibley Jr., RB, Pittsburgh/UAlbany
(42) Jalen Mackie, LB, Dartmouth/UMass
(49) Tyler Roberts, H-back/TE, Merrimack
(61) Wade Willet, OL, Cal Poly/Sam Houston
(64) Tre’Mond Shorts, OL, ETSU/LSU
(71) D.J. Stuckey, C/OG, Cal Poly/UNLV
(92) Maxi Hradecny, DT, Duquesne
(96) Francis Bemiy Jr., DE, Southern Utah
(99) Chukwuemeka Manning Jr., DL, Austin Peay
Notable: Newton, a quarterback to begin his college career, is the younger brother of Cam Newton, the 2010 Heisman Trophy recipient and 2015 NFL MVP. … At Tennessee State, Zita kicked a 62-yard field goal in the spring 2021 season, just one yard shy of the FCS record. Less than one month later, Gettman had an 82-yard punt for Sacred Heart, tying for that season’s long.
Recap: The American squad cruised to a 48-10 win as Degenhardt added to a good week in practices by going 12 of 20 for 193 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. Classi (five receptions, 117 yards) and Newton (five, 61) were heavily targeted receivers, and Jones, Nichols and Wiltz had four tackles each. For the National team, Payton (14 of 19 for 191 yards with a 16-yard TD run) and Perry (four tackles, pass breakup) stood out.
11th NFLPA Collegiate Bowl
Jan. 28 at Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California
American (Jeff Fisher)
(1) Lindsey Scott Jr., QB, UIW
(10) Keenan Isaac, CB, Alabama State
(12) Xavier Gipson, WR, Stephen F. Austin
(30) Robert Soderholm, LS, VMI
(43) Eddie Ogamba, PK, Iowa State/South Dakota
(54) Marte Mapu, S/LB, Sacramento State
(86) Kemari Averett, TE, Bethune-Cookman
(87) Ryan Miller, TE, Furman
National (Eddie George)
(23) Isaiah Bolden, CB, Jackson State
(80) Taylor Grimes, WR, UIW
(36) Owen Wright, RB, Monmouth
(45) Zeke Vandenburgh, OLB, Illinois State
(46) Dalton Godfrey, LS, South Dakota
(66) Nash Jensen, OG, North Dakota State
(91) Malik Hamm, LB/DE, Lafayette
Out/Injury
Noah Gindorff, TE, North Dakota State
T.J. Luther, WR, Gardner-Webb
George Tarlas, Edge, Weber State/Boise State
Notable: The Collegiate Bowl rosters include the FCS’ 2022 national players of the year: Scott (Walter Payton Award) and Vandenburgh (Buck Buchanan Award). Scott set FCS single-season records with 60 touchdown passes and 71 total TDs, while Vandenburgh led the FCS as a senior with 14 sacks. … Talk about productive receivers: Over the last two seasons, Grimes led the FCS in receptions (171) and TD catches (30) and Gipson in receiving yards (2,530), while Miller led tight ends in TD catches (19) and was second in receptions (115) and receiving yards (1,511).
Recap: The American Team won 19-17 on Ogamba’s 24-yard field goal as time expired (he arrived just three days before the game as an injury replacement). Scott was 5 of 9 for 56 yards and an interception with 31 rushing yards, Gipson had a 48-yard reception and Mapu was in on four tackles. Hamm (three solo tackles, forced fumble, QB hurry, pass breakup) stood out for the National team.
98th East-West Shrine Bowl
Feb. 2 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas
East (Atlanta Falcons Coaching Staff)
(17) Tim DeMorat, QB, Fordham
(42) Anthony Adams, CB, Portland State
(81) Shaq Davis, WR, South Carolina State
(96) B.J. Thompson, DE, Stephen F. Austin
(97) Kobie Turner, DT, Richmond/Wake Forest
(57) Brevin Allen, DE, Campbell
West (New England Patriots Coaching Staff)
(12) Dallas Daniels, WR, Western Illinois/Jackson State
(33) Myles Brooks, CB, Stephen F. Austin/Louisiana Tech
(65) Colby Sorsdal, OT, William & Mary
(78) Mark Evans II, OG/C, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
(81) Jadakis Bonds, WR, Hampton
(89) Thomas Greaney, TE, UAlbany
(93) Devonnsha Maxwell, DT, Chattanooga
(94) Titus Leo, OLB/DE, Wagner
(99) Truman Jones, DE, Harvard
Notable: Measurables are often key with prospects below the FBS level, and the Shrine Bowl has excellent size from its FCS prospects, including Bonds (6-4, 200) and Davis (6-5, 215) at wide receiver, Jones (6-4, 242), Leo (6-3½, 245) and Thompson (6-5, 235) as edge rushers, and offensive lineman Sordal (6-6, 305). … Evans (6-3, 295) is regarded as one of the leading HBCU prospects, likely set to make the transition from tackle to an interior lineman on the next level. … Maxwell set the Southern Conference’s all-time record with 37.5 sacks.
Recap: The game did not feature a touchdown as the West won 12-3. Daniels caught two passes for 16 yards and Leo had a sack for the winning squad. Thompson produced one of the game’s stronger performances for the East, with four tackles, 1.5 sacks and an assortment of moves (some of the post-sack dance variety).
74th Reese’s Senior Bowl
Feb. 4 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama
American (Luke Getsy)
(0) Marte Mapu, S/LB, Sacramento State
(9) Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton
(45) Aubrey Miller Jr., LB, Jackson State
(51) Isaiah Land, OLB, Florida A&M
National (Patrick Graham)
(30) Robert Soderholm, LS, VMI
(52) McClendon Curtis, OG, Chattanooga
(70) Cody Mauch, OL, North Dakota State
Out/Injury
Hunter Luepke, FB, North Dakota State
Notable: North Dakota State’s 11 selections in the last nine drafts since 2014 are the most for any FCS program. Mauch is regarded as the highest-rated 2023 FCS prospect and Luepke is expected to be drafted as well. … The lanky Land (6-3, 220) received the 2021 Buck Buchanan Award as the national defensive player of the year. … Also a track standout, Iosivas ran the fastest-ever 60 meters (6.71 seconds) in the NCAA heptathlon at the 2022 NCAA Indoor Championships.
Recap: Curtis and Mauch earned starts on the O-line and played well in the National’s 27-10 victory. Miller had a jolting tackle on the game’s opening play from scrimmage and was the American’s tackles leader (seven with five solos), while Land had a sack from the edge and a tackle for loss from an inside linebacker’s spot.
2nd HBCU Legacy Bowl
Feb. 25 at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans
Team Robinson (Trei Oliver and Richard Hayes Jr.)
(1) Jason Dumas, DE, Southern
(3) Corione Harris, S, Southern
(3) Jacory Rankin, WR, Mississippi Valley State
(4) De’Jahn Warren, CB, Jackson State
(5) Que’shaun Byrd, RB, Bethune-Cookman
(5) Keyron Kinsler Jr., DB, Alcorn State
(6) Isiah Cox, WR, Alabama A&M
(6) Rey Estes, DB, Grambling State
(9) Nelson Jordan II, DE, Alabama State
(10) Kemari Averett, TE, Bethune-Cookman
(10) Keenan Isaac, CB, Alabama State
(11) Skyler Perry, QB, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
(12) Glendon McDaniel, QB, Southern
(13) C.J. Bolar, WR, Alcorn State
(19) Xavier Smith, WR, Florida A&M
(21) Claudin Cherelus, LB, Alcorn State
(21) A.J. Davis, RB, Florida A&M
(31) Maurice Washington, RB, Grambling State
(32) Jordan Lewis, OLB, Southern
(35( Dre’Shuwn Terry, LB, Alabama A&M
(42) Jose Romo-Martinez, K, Florida A&M
(43) Chris Faddoul, P, Florida A&M
(44) Aarion Hartman, LS, Jackson State
(50) Ronnie Thomas, LB, Mississippi Valley State
(51) Tarik Cooper, LB, Texas Southern
(54) Drake Centers, OL, Texas Southern
(63) Brian Williams, OL, Southern
(70) Cortez Herrin, OL, Alabama A&M
(72) Jeremiah Stafford, OT, Southern
(74) Tony Gray, OL, Jackson State
(92) Justin Ragin, DL, Jackson State
(94) Camron Peterson, DL, Southern
(99) Kevin Victorian, DE, Prairie View A&M
Team Gaither (Eric Dooley and Chennis Berry)
(2) Alfonzo Graham, RB, Morgan State
(4) E.J. Hicks, WR, North Carolina Central
(4) Derrick Tucker, S, Texas Southern
(6) Jermaine McDaniel Jr., DE, North Carolina A&T
(8) Antoine Murray, WR, Howard
(8) Isaiah Williams, DL, Delaware State
(11) Jahsun Bryant, LB, Tennessee State
(11) Jalen Fowler, QB, North Carolina A&T
(12) Jerrish Halsey, WR, Delaware State
(13) Jeremiah Holloman, WR, Tennessee State
(15) KeShaun Moore, DL, Hampton
(17) Ali Shockley, CB, Hampton
(18) Brandon Gaddy, DL, Alabama State
(19) Zach Leslie, WR, North Carolina A&T
(48) Brooks Parker, LB, Delaware State
(50) Devin Harrell, DL, North Carolina A&T
(54) Robert Mitchell, OL, North Carolina Central
(55) Dacquari Wilson Jr., OL, North Carolina A&T
(62) Christopher Georgia, OL, Tennessee State
(70) Robert Lacey III, OL, Tennessee State
(72) Christopher Simon, OL, South Carolina State
(74) Colby Byrd, OL, Norfolk State
(75) Chris Anthony, OL, Morgan State
(81) Tyler Barnes, TE, North Carolina Central
(86) Myles Wright, TE, Morgan State
Notable: Lewis received the Buck Buchanan Award after leading the FCS in sacks and tackles for loss in the spring 2021 season. … Thomas had a monster senior campaign with 18 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. … Smith had over 50 receptions in each of his four seasons at FAMU, finishing with 280 catches for 3,620 yards and 29 TDs in 44 career games.
Recap: Team Robinson won 10-3, with Offensive MVP Smith (six receptions, 85 yards) catching the game’s only touchdown. The defense featured the Southern duo of Peterson (six tackles, three TFL, 1.5 sacks, forced fumble, PBU) and Defensive MVP Dumas (three sacks for 31 yards in losses). Team Gaither’s FCS standouts included Fowler (12 of 13 for 111 yards), Murray and Wright (three receptions each), and Bryant (four tackles).