BROOKINGS South Dakota State has become a powerhouse in the Football Championship Subdivision but their growth is just a small chapter in what is becoming a pipeline for NFL talent.
The FCS had 12 players selected in this years NFL Draft including SDSU offensive guard Mason McCormick and running back Isaiah Davis. While the Jackrabbits have had a player selected in the draft in each of the past three seasons, the number of former FCS players on NFL active rosters grew to 113 before the start of the 2023 season.
This is a surprising trend to some including NFL.com draft analyst Eric Edholm. A native of the New England area, Edholm was impressed by the influx of talent coming to the NFL from the FCS in this years draft.
Seeing a [New Hampshire] player go in round five was crazy, Edholm said referring to Wildcats running back Dylan Laube, who was selected in the fifth round by the Las Vegas Raiders in last months draft. I appreciate those guys, especially the ones in this era who arent transferring up and jumping into the portal every chance they got. It sounded like McCormick and Davis had their chances to do that, but it was good for them to stick around, stay loyal and be rewarded for it.
McCormick was a two-time All-American in his five seasons with the Jacks and won back-to-back national championships before testing the draft waters. An older, small-school prospect, McCormick may not have had the exposure of a player from a Power 5 conference. But Edholm believes he has the talent to be a contributor at the next level after he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round (119th overall).
McCormick looks smart and surprisingly athletic, Edholm said. If you would have told me he played at Michigan, it wouldnt shock me because he crosses off or checks all of the boxes you want to see.
Edholm added that while McCormick played guard, he also has the intelligence and ability to play any of the three interior offensive line positions. McCormick showed this by taking a handful of snaps during his Pro Day workout in April and the ability to play multiple roles will be key even with the addition of West Virginia offensive lineman Zach Frazier in the second round (51st overall) and James Daniels who has started for the Steelers since signing in free agency in 2022.
Hes probably going to be a guard and a backup to start, but he could be the seventh offensive lineman on gameday, Edholm said. Hes got the versatility to do it and Pittsburghs draft was terrific. The last two years the Steelers have done great and there hasnt really been a pick that I didnt understand. He just fell right in line with another strong draft.
Davis falls into a similar position with the New York Jets. Davis was selected in the fifth round (174th overall) in last months draft and falls into a crowded backfield that includes starter Breece Hall as well as Braelon Allen, who was selected in the fourth round of the draft out of Wisconsin.
While the situation isnt ideal, its not a reflection of Daviss talent, which stood out to Edholm when he saw him at the Senior Bowl in February.
I kept thinking Who is this guy that keeps carving out 7-to-8-yard runs every touch, Edholm said. He was very impressive at that level.
Edholm also thought Davis looked impressive at the combine, which is a big turning point for prospects looking to make the NFL out of an FCS school.
He certainly didnt look out of place, Edholm said. There is a bit of a smell test for the small school guys to see how they stack up and at no point did I feel like this guy was out of his depth.
Edholm also noted that questions about Daviss speed which clocked at 4.57 seconds in the 40-yard dash is a quality that is overrated for a running back and that his receiving ability is something that can help him win a job.
I think he can do it, its just that he didnt really get a ton of chances, Edholm said of Daviss receiving ability. Can he beat out somebody behind [Hall] to get a job? Maybe that takes a year. But he was at the end of my top 100 list or just outside of it for most of the pre-draft season.
Davis and McCormick are just part of a draft class that included South Dakota cornerback Myles Harden and Northern Iowa defensive lineman Khristian Boyd as fellow Missouri Valley Football Conference draftees.
With Garret Greenfield (Seattle Seahawks), Zach Heins (Los Angeles Chargers), DyShawn Gales (Cleveland Browns), Isaiah Stalbird (New Orleans Saints) and Jadon and Jaxon Janke (Texans) also signing undrafted free agent deals, Edholm believes that the influx of talent is not only good for SDSU but good for the FCS as well.
To have two or three NFL prospects in one year is a great sign of health for the program, Edholm said. Obviously you dont see that in most FCS schools even in a bumper crop year but thats great to see.
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