2026 NFL Draft summer buzz: Harvard QB, Trey Lance’s brother among FCS stars worth keeping an eye on

SPORTIVO
Article arrow_drop_down

Even in this modern era of college football and the transfer portal, there has still been an average of 12 FCS players selected in the last four NFL drafts.

While there likely won’t be an FCS first-rounder next year like there was this year with Seattle Seahawks No. 18 overall selection Grey Zabel, there will surely once again be a number of FCS draft picks.

Players at the Power Four and Group of Five levels obviously make up most of the pool of prospects, but pro scouts eventually find a number of capable players operating at the lower levels of college football

Based on feedback from NFL scouting sources, here are five FCS players already on the radar of scouts as prospects for next year’s draft (listed alphabetically):

While Harvard has only produced one NFL draft pick at quarterback in its history, that QB ended up playing 17 seasons in the league and making 147 career starts. That player: Ryan Fitzpatrick. Soon though, Fitzpatrick — a 2005 seventh-round pick — may no longer hold the distinction of being Harvard’s only draft pick at quarterback. After throwing for 2,430 yards with 23 touchdown passes and only three interceptions last year in his first season as a full-time starter, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Craig now enters his senior year on the radar of NFL scouts as a potential draftable player. 

“Good decision-maker,” an NFL scout told CBS Sports. “Really like his pocket presence and mobility. Stands tall. Full field reads, gets through progressions with natural pace. Worried about his arm strength. That’s what would hold me back from (him) being draftable at the moment. Better athlete than I expected though and has escapability.”

Craig led the Crimson to an 8-2 record last season while ranking seventh in the FCS in yards per completion (14.38) and 10th in passing efficiency (158.8).

“He’s super talented,” Harvard head coach Andrew Aurich told CBS Sports. “Really strong arm and very good runner but we didn’t need to use him that way last year. High football IQ. Loves to study tape. The former head coach, Tim Murphy, told me he’s the best he’s seen since Ryan Fitzpatrick at Harvard.”

High Tide: Alabama roster features close to a dozen 2026 NFL Draft prospects, pro scouts say

Matt Zenitz

High Tide: Alabama roster features close to a dozen 2026 NFL Draft prospects, pro scouts say

Demmings briefly entered the transfer portal during the winter window but decided to withdraw and return to Stephen F. Austin despite garnering Power Four interest, including an offer from Mississippi State. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound cornerback has compiled totals of 38 tackles, four interceptions and 18 pass deflections the past two seasons. At least some scouts view him as a draftable player entering the season.

“Absolute stud,” a coach familiar with Demmings told CBS Sports. “Has length, good football intelligence, heavy hands and can run. Solid tackler, too. Only real weakness in his game is he’s not the best blitzer. Credit to SFA for being able to keep him there. (One of the top Group of Five programs) wanted him bad.”

North Dakota State wide receiver Bryce Lance is the younger brother of 2021 first-round NFL Draft pick Trey Lance.
Getty Images

Four years after the San Francisco 49ers selected Trey Lance with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, North Dakota State now has another member of the Lance family emerging as a legit NFL draft prospect: Trey’s younger brother, Bryce. 

After accumulating just one total catch through his first three years at North Dakota State, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Lance broke out big-time last season while helping the Bison win the FCS national championship. He finished the season with 75 catches, 1,071 yards and an FCS-high 17 receiving touchdowns. Now, multiple scouts have mentioned Lance as a possibility to go in the first few rounds of next year’s NFL draft.

“He will thrive anywhere because he will outwork anyone,” a member of North Dakota State’s staff told CBS Sports. “He is the ultimate teammate, workhorse and example you want in the locker room. From a physical standpoint, he is 6-3 with long arms and strong hands. Will run a mid-4.4 (in the 40-yard dash) when testing. Not afraid of contact and will do all the dirty work with honor. Really good catch radius. Routes are improving. One of those guys that if football doesn’t work out, he may run for mayor in his hometown. Well respected, well-liked and extremely aware of who he is and how he impacts others.”

While Lance is clearly the top draft prospect in the FCS at wide receiver, Tomczak is either second or third and viewed by at least some scouts as a mid-Day 3 prospect entering the season. The 6-foot, 195-pound Tomczak, who is entering his fourth season as a starter at Youngstown, produced 73 catches for 904 yards and four touchdowns last year. That includes totals of 28 catches, 328 yards and two touchdowns in Youngstown State’s final three games.

“He’s a really good player,” an opposing coach with Power Four experience told CBS Sports. “He’s definitely gifted physically, but something that really stuck out to me is how competitive and tough he is. He’ll compete for every ball and work his a** off on the perimeter in the run game. Good speed, clean routes and excellent ball skills.”

Walthall is another FCS wide receiver with a solid chance at getting drafted next year. Like Tomczak, at least some scouts view him as a mid-Day 3 prospect entering the season. In his first year at Incarnate Word last year, the 6-foot-2 Walthall posted 85 catches, ranked third in the FCS with 1,290 receiving yards and tallied 14 touchdowns while earning FCS All-American recognition. Before Incarnate Word, Walthall spent three years at Hawaii and produced 37 combined catches in 16 games in 2022 and 2023.

“Jalen Walthall is the real deal,” Incarnate Word head coach Clint Killough told CBS Sports. “He has all the physical intangibles to compete and be productive at the highest level of football — vertical speed to stretch defenses, suddenness to separate and a special ability to make plays. He has put in tremendous work this offseason and is carrying a strong 195 pounds heading into the fall (after weighing 180 pounds last year). His daily approach since getting to UIW has proven how much he loves football.”

This news was originally published on this post .

About the author

About the author call_made

SPORTIVO

More posts

trending_flat
MLB Could Seek to Implement a Salary Cap, But Players Might Push Back

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred is reportedly pushing to implement a salary cap, at the behest of the league's owners. Bruce Meyer, the deputy executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, explained the inner workings of Manfred's potential plan, and stated that he expects "skepticism" from the players. Baseball is the only North American sport that does not have a salary cap, but the owners have pushed for it a handful of times over the last half-century. They even briefly forced one into existence during the 1994-1995 strike, before then-federal judge Sonia Sotomayor restored the previous collective bargaining agreement. In fact, Baltimore Orioles owner David Rubenstein touched on the subject while talking at the World Economic Forum when he said: "I wish it would be the case that we would have a salary cap in baseball the way other […]

trending_flat
Hull FC beat Wakefield to end 356-day winless run at home

Hull FC won their first home game of the 2025 Super League season with a gutsy 16-10 win over Wakefield Trinity at the MKM Stadium.The Black and Whites had lost 11 and drawn one since they last prevailed at the MKM Stadium on July 20 last year and Max Jowitt's 10-point haul in the first half left them up against it once again. But Zak Hardaker, Jordan Rapana and Lewis Martin all touched down within the space of a dozen second-half minutes, with Jack Charles converting twice, to seal Hull's first win in eight attempts in 2025 on their own patch.All of Hull's previous eight victories in this campaign had come on the road, remarkably keeping them in contention for a top-six finish, but they overcame an error-strewn first 40 minutes on Thursday to claim some overdue home comforts.They looked […]

Rodinei revela conversa com torcedor que pagou R$ 1 milhão para ele enfrentar o Flamengo: “Não cheguei pedindo desculpas”

Rodinei foi titular colorado no Brasileirão de 2020 - Foto: Ricardo Duarte/InterEm um jogo que poderia até ter gerado o título antecipado do Brasileirão ao Internacional caso o resultado tivesse sido diferente, Rodinei acabou sendo um dos pivôs da derrota para o Flamengo, no Maracanã, por 2×1, na reta final do campeonato de 2020, que posteriormente seria vencido pelo próprio time rubro-negro. Titular colorado, o lateral-direito só enfrentou o ex-clube pelo pagamento de uma multa de R$ 1 milhão que estava prevista no seu contrato, e que foi paga por um torcedor colorado. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEPor estar emprestado pelo Flamengo na época, Rodinei, que hoje defende o Olympiacos, da Grécia, só entraria em campo mediante tal pagamento, que foi feito através do torcedor Elusmar Maggi, investidor do ramo do agronegócio, por meio de doação ao Internacional. Mas se engana quem pensa […]

trending_flat
The Jalen Williams extension: The Thunder’s model will keep working … if ownership remains committed

Here's a number that will make your head spin: $822 million.That's what the Oklahoma City Thunder have committed in extensions for their star trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt makes sense. They're the team's best players, and the organization is just coming off its championship in which they were led by, well, two of them.(We'll get there.)For an organization that cheaped out of retaining James Harden after its 2012 NBA Finals appearance, the Thunder have turned the page and sent a strong message to the rest of the league: We're willing to pay to potentially become a dynasty.This is, unquestionably, a great sign to send to players, agents and fans. The potential of becoming a perennial powerhouse and being the inheritor of the Golden State Warriors' dominance in the mid 2010s could lead to an extreme rise […]

trending_flat
Clown? Backmarker? Santino Ferrucci And Conor Daly Not Mincing Words

<!--> [--> Bob Pockrass FOX Motorsports Insider <!--> --> DES MOINES, Iowa — What is worse: being called a "clown" or a "backmarker?"In the latest rejuvenated INDYCAR beef, Conor Daly and Santino Ferrucci are throwing shade on their long-running history of not exactly seeing eye to eye on things. To make things even better, both could be in contention for their first career INDYCAR victory on Saturday and/or Sunday in the Iowa Speedway doubleheader weekend."I just got caught up messing with a backmarker," Ferrucci told me Thursday about his tangle with Daly in the race last Sunday at Mid-Ohio. "We would have finished inside the top 10. I’m mad at myself."For context, a backmarker is a driver who regularly races in the back of the field rather than among the leaders in the front.Their battle at Mid-Ohio ended up with INDYCAR […]

trending_flat
Ryan Reid, former Florida State basketball player, dies at 38

Getty Images Former Florida State basketball Ryan Reid died Wednesday, French professional basketball club SLUC Nancy Basket shared. Reid spent four seasons with the Seminoles from 2006-10 as a key piece in the earlier years of the Leonard Hamilton era. Reid appeared in 126 games and made 66 starts over his four-year career. The 6-foot-8, 235-pound forward averaged 5.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting 49.5% from the field. His true impact often came in ways that didn't show up in the box score.A tenacious defender and team-first player, Reid earned a reputation as one of the best defensive forwards in the country during his time in Tallahassee. He was often tasked with guarding opponents' top scorers and took pride in doing the dirty work for a program that was building toward national relevance.Reid became a team captain as a […]

Related

trending_flat
MLB Could Seek to Implement a Salary Cap, But Players Might Push Back

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred is reportedly pushing to implement a salary cap, at the behest of the league's owners. Bruce Meyer, the deputy executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, explained the inner workings of Manfred's potential plan, and stated that he expects "skepticism" from the players. Baseball is the only North American sport that does not have a salary cap, but the owners have pushed for it a handful of times over the last half-century. They even briefly forced one into existence during the 1994-1995 strike, before then-federal judge Sonia Sotomayor restored the previous collective bargaining agreement. In fact, Baltimore Orioles owner David Rubenstein touched on the subject while talking at the World Economic Forum when he said: "I wish it would be the case that we would have a salary cap in baseball the way other […]

trending_flat
Hull FC beat Wakefield to end 356-day winless run at home

Hull FC won their first home game of the 2025 Super League season with a gutsy 16-10 win over Wakefield Trinity at the MKM Stadium.The Black and Whites had lost 11 and drawn one since they last prevailed at the MKM Stadium on July 20 last year and Max Jowitt's 10-point haul in the first half left them up against it once again. But Zak Hardaker, Jordan Rapana and Lewis Martin all touched down within the space of a dozen second-half minutes, with Jack Charles converting twice, to seal Hull's first win in eight attempts in 2025 on their own patch.All of Hull's previous eight victories in this campaign had come on the road, remarkably keeping them in contention for a top-six finish, but they overcame an error-strewn first 40 minutes on Thursday to claim some overdue home comforts.They looked […]

Rodinei revela conversa com torcedor que pagou R$ 1 milhão para ele enfrentar o Flamengo: “Não cheguei pedindo desculpas”

Rodinei foi titular colorado no Brasileirão de 2020 - Foto: Ricardo Duarte/InterEm um jogo que poderia até ter gerado o título antecipado do Brasileirão ao Internacional caso o resultado tivesse sido diferente, Rodinei acabou sendo um dos pivôs da derrota para o Flamengo, no Maracanã, por 2×1, na reta final do campeonato de 2020, que posteriormente seria vencido pelo próprio time rubro-negro. Titular colorado, o lateral-direito só enfrentou o ex-clube pelo pagamento de uma multa de R$ 1 milhão que estava prevista no seu contrato, e que foi paga por um torcedor colorado. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADEPor estar emprestado pelo Flamengo na época, Rodinei, que hoje defende o Olympiacos, da Grécia, só entraria em campo mediante tal pagamento, que foi feito através do torcedor Elusmar Maggi, investidor do ramo do agronegócio, por meio de doação ao Internacional. Mas se engana quem pensa […]

trending_flat
The Jalen Williams extension: The Thunder’s model will keep working … if ownership remains committed

Here's a number that will make your head spin: $822 million.That's what the Oklahoma City Thunder have committed in extensions for their star trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt makes sense. They're the team's best players, and the organization is just coming off its championship in which they were led by, well, two of them.(We'll get there.)For an organization that cheaped out of retaining James Harden after its 2012 NBA Finals appearance, the Thunder have turned the page and sent a strong message to the rest of the league: We're willing to pay to potentially become a dynasty.This is, unquestionably, a great sign to send to players, agents and fans. The potential of becoming a perennial powerhouse and being the inheritor of the Golden State Warriors' dominance in the mid 2010s could lead to an extreme rise […]

trending_flat
Clown? Backmarker? Santino Ferrucci And Conor Daly Not Mincing Words

<!--> [--> Bob Pockrass FOX Motorsports Insider <!--> --> DES MOINES, Iowa — What is worse: being called a "clown" or a "backmarker?"In the latest rejuvenated INDYCAR beef, Conor Daly and Santino Ferrucci are throwing shade on their long-running history of not exactly seeing eye to eye on things. To make things even better, both could be in contention for their first career INDYCAR victory on Saturday and/or Sunday in the Iowa Speedway doubleheader weekend."I just got caught up messing with a backmarker," Ferrucci told me Thursday about his tangle with Daly in the race last Sunday at Mid-Ohio. "We would have finished inside the top 10. I’m mad at myself."For context, a backmarker is a driver who regularly races in the back of the field rather than among the leaders in the front.Their battle at Mid-Ohio ended up with INDYCAR […]

trending_flat
Ryan Reid, former Florida State basketball player, dies at 38

Getty Images Former Florida State basketball Ryan Reid died Wednesday, French professional basketball club SLUC Nancy Basket shared. Reid spent four seasons with the Seminoles from 2006-10 as a key piece in the earlier years of the Leonard Hamilton era. Reid appeared in 126 games and made 66 starts over his four-year career. The 6-foot-8, 235-pound forward averaged 5.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting 49.5% from the field. His true impact often came in ways that didn't show up in the box score.A tenacious defender and team-first player, Reid earned a reputation as one of the best defensive forwards in the country during his time in Tallahassee. He was often tasked with guarding opponents' top scorers and took pride in doing the dirty work for a program that was building toward national relevance.Reid became a team captain as a […]

Be the first to leave a comment

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sportivo bridges the gap between talent and opportunity.

About SPORTIVO

Sportivo Network is a dedicated social platform for sports enthusiasts, athletes, and scouts. Whether you’re an aspiring athlete looking for opportunities, a coach searching for talent, or simply a sports lover wanting to connect with like-minded people, Sportivo is your go-to network. With features like direct messaging, profile showcasing, and talent scouting, Sportivo bridges the gap between talent and opportunity. Here, you can share your achievements, interact with professionals, and open doors to the next level in your sports journey. Join Sportivo Network – because every great athlete deserves to be discovered!
Copyright © 2025 SPORTIVO News. and SPORTIVO Network. All rights reserved.

Login to enjoy full advantages

Please login or subscribe to continue.

Go Premium!

Enjoy the full advantage of the premium access.

Stop following

Unfollow Cancel

Cancel subscription

Are you sure you want to cancel your subscription? You will lose your Premium access and stored playlists.

Go back Confirm cancellation