The FCS’ latest first pick in the NFL Draft since 2001.
Only four picks in the first five rounds.
Even no North Dakota State selection.
Bad news for FCS college football?
Nope, call it a comeback story in the 2024 NFL Draft as the FCS class gained eight selections in the final two rounds to finish with 12 overall, the second-high total of the 2020s.
Fittingly, the Missouri Valley Football Conference and two-time reigning national champion South Dakota State led the way in the strong FCS class.
Five Quick FCS Storylines
- South Dakota State had two draft selections, giving the Jackrabbits at least one pick in three straight years – the FCS’ longest active streak after North Dakota State’s five-year run came to an end.
- The MVFC continued to be the NFL’s go-to FCS conference. With the high of four picks, it has produced 22 of the 59 (37.3%) overall draft picks this decade.
- Yale offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie’s selection by the Chicago Bears at No. 75 overall marked the latest first FCS pick in a draft since 2001. Amegadjie is a Chicago-area native and grew up as a Bears fan.
- An FCS quarterback was not drafted for the second consecutive year, marking the first time that has happened since the NFL Draft first involved the Division I subdivision in 1979.
- The New Orleans Saints were the only NFL team to draft multiple FCS players (Northern Iowa defensive tackle Khristian Boyd and Eastern Kentucky offensive tackle Josiah Ezirim).
FCS Football Selections in 2024 NFL Draft
Chicago Bears: Yale OT Kiran Amegadjie
- Round: 3; Overall Pick: 75
- Height: 6-5; Weight: 323
- Quick Hit: The FCS’ first 2024 NFL Draft pick was Yale’s highest since 1982 and the Ivy League’s highest since 1998. Amegadjie has drawn comparison to new Bears’ teammate Braxton Jones (Southern Utah) for his combination of size, athleticism and length.
Philadelphia Eagles: HCU OLB/DE Jalyx Hunt
- Round: 3; Overall Pick: 94
- Height: 6-4; Weight: 252
- Quick Hit: Former Cornell safety was converted to edge rusher at HCU and developed into the 2023 Southland defensive player of the year.
Pittsburgh Steelers: South Dakota State OG Mason McCormick
- Round: 4; Overall Pick: 119
- Height: 6-4; Weight: 305
- Quick Hit: Durable interior blocker from the two-time reigning FCS championship program has a knack for getting downfield on runs and with finishing through the whistle.
New York Jets: South Dakota State RB Isaiah Davis
- Round: 5; Overall Pick: 173
- Height: 6-0; Weight: 218
- Quick Hit: The two-time national champion usually came up clutch during the FCS playoffs, where he had 100+ rushing yards 12 times and scored at least one touchdown 14 times in 16 games.
New Orleans Saints: Northern Iowa DT Khristian Boyd
- Round: 6; Overall Pick: 199
- Height: 6-2; Weight: 320
- Quick Hit: UNI’s seventh NFL Draft pick in the last 10 years had an impressive 38 reps on the 225-pound bench press during the school’s pro day.
Las Vegas Raiders: New Hampshire RB Dylan Laube
- Round: 6; Overall Pick: 208
- Height: 5-10; Weight: 206
- Quick Hit: Eyed at the next level for his rush/receive/return versatility, Laube holds FCS single-game records for receiving yards by a running back (295) and playoff all-purpose yards (424).
Dallas Cowboys: Southeast Missouri WR Ryan Flournoy
- Round: 6; Overall Pick: 216
- Height: 6-1; Weight: 202
- Quick Hit: One of only four FCS players invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, he drew rave reviews for his coachable style. In the last two seasons, SEMO went 9-3 when he caught a touchdown.
Cleveland Browns: South Dakota CB Myles Harden
- Round: 7; Overall Pick: 227
- Height: 5-11; Weight: 195
- Quick Hit: Season-ending injuries in both 2021 and ’22 are never favorable, but when healthy, Harden has been highly productive.
Minnesota Vikings: Texas A&M-Commerce DT Levi Drake Rodriguez
- Round: 7; Overall Pick: 232
- Height: 6-2½; Weight: 290
- Quick Hit: In his only TAMUC season, Drake Rodriguez corralled 56 tackles, including 7.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks. He’s the program’s first draft pick since 2000.
New Orleans Saints: Eastern Kentucky OT Josiah Ezirim
- Round: 7; Overall Pick: 239
- Height: 6-5; Weight: 329
- Quick Hit: Converted defensive tackle anchor anchored the O-line of the United Athletic Conference’s top-ranked offense.
Kansas City Chiefs: Holy Cross OG C.J. Hanson
- Round: 7; Overall Pick: 248
- Height: 6-5; Weight: 300
- Quick Hit: Holy Cross’ first draft pick since 1989 excelled particularly with run blocking. He ended his college career with 38 straight starts.
Denver Broncos: Yale/South Carolina C/OG Nick Gargiulo
- Round: 7; Overall Pick: 256
- Height: 6-5; Weight: 318
- Quick Hit: After being Yale’s lone team captain in 2022, the versatile Gargiulo was named a captain at South Carolina as a grad transfer last year.
Free Agent Frenzy
Key undrafted FCS players who were candidates for undrafted free agent contracts following the 2024 NFL Draft:
- Sundiata Anderson, Grambling State, DE (6-3½, 240)
- Joe Andreessen, Bryant/Buffalo, ILB (6-0, 240)
- McCallen Castles, UC Davis/Tennessee, TE (6-4, 250)
- Ricardo Chavez, Idaho, PK/P (6-1, 199)
- Jalen Coker, Holy Cross, WR (6-1, 208)
- Matthew Cook, Northern Iowa, PK (6-0, 196)
- Russell Dandy, Eastern Illinois, CB (5-10, 180)
- Anim Dankwah, Howard, OT (6-8, 353)
- Theo Day, Northern Iowa, QB (6-6, 225)
- Mike Edwards, Campbell, OT (6-6, 360)
- Owen Glascoe, LIU, TE (6-3, 244)
- Cam Grandy, Illinois State, TE (6-4½, 253)
- Garret Greenfield, South Dakota State, OT (6-6, 311)
- Alex Gubner, Montana, DT (6-2, 295)
- Devron Harper, Mercer, WR (5-8, 165)
- Hayden Hatten, Idaho, WR (6-1, 210)
- Zach Heins, South Dakota State, TE (6-6, 260)
- Michael Hiers, Samford, QB (6-1, 205)
- Braxton Hill, Montana, LB (6-1½, 228)
- Jarveon Howard, Alcorn State, RB (5-10, 219)
- Ty James, Mercer, WR (6-0, 199)
- Jadon Janke, South Dakota State, WR (6-2, 212)
- Jaxon Janke, South Dakota State, WR (6-2, 206)
- Lawrence Johnson, Southeast Missouri, SS (6-0, 201)
- PJ Jules, Southern Illinois, S (5-11½, 205)
- Jake Kubas, North Dakota State, OG, (6-3½, 308)
- Nate Lynn, William & Mary, DE (6-3, 253)
- Marshel Martin IV, Sacramento State, WR/TE/H-back (6-1, 222)
- Isaiah Major, Florida A&M, ILB (5-11, 233)
- Bryce Oliver, Youngstown State, WR (6-1, 214)
- Jay Person, Chattanooga, OLB (6-2, 237)
- Mason Pline, Ferris State/Furman, TE (6-6, 251)
- Winston Reid, Weber State, ILB, 5-11½, 223
- Billy Schaeffer, Lafayette, OLB (6-3, 231)
- Jaden Shirden, Monmouth, RB (5-8, 187)
- Derryk Snell, Montana State, FB (6-1, 231)
- Isaiah Stalbird, South Dakota State, OLB/S (5-11½, 207)
- Jalen Sundell, North Dakota State, C (6-5, 301)
- Lorenzo Thompson, OL, Rhode Island (6-6. 307)
- Mason Tipton, Yale, WR (5-10, 182)
- Mikey Victor, Alabama State, CB (6-2, 205)
- Chris Walker, Montana, OT (6-6, 305)
- David White Jr., Western Carolina, WR (6-2, 195)
(Schools with the most NFL Draft selections during their FCS era.)
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