FCS standouts earn Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl invitations

A group of FCS players secured invitations to the major pre-draft all-star games, landing spots that can reshape draft conversations and raise visibility for programs across the subdivision. The Senior Bowl is set for Jan. 31 and the East-West Shrine Bowl for Jan. 27, and the weeks of practice tied to those games are where pro scouts often make up their minds about small-school prospects.

Among those headed to the Senior Bowl were North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton and Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings. For the East-West Shrine Bowl, the roster included South Carolina State cornerback Jarod Washington, Southeastern Louisiana defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor, University of the Incarnate Word wide receiver Jalen Walthall and quarterback Mark Gronowski, who split time between South Dakota State and Iowa during his college career.

These invitations matter because the week of practices that precede each game is the primary evaluation window for NFL personnel. On-field reps against higher-level competition and repeated position drills give players from FCS programs a clearer path to demonstrate technique, athleticism and adaptability than game tape alone can provide. For under-the-radar prospects, a strong practice week can move them up draft boards or earn coveted invites to NFL team workouts and the scouting combine.

The roster also underscores eligibility and timing considerations for players who split time between FCS and FBS. Those rules can affect which game a player is eligible for and how scouts contextualize a career that spans different levels of college football. Coaches and agents will be watching how teams translate a candidate’s role at the FCS level into a projected NFL role, whether that’s on special teams, as a rotational defender or in a starting capacity.

For communities and programs, these invitations are a recruitment and reputation boost. Local fans get a reason to follow practice coverage and pro-day announcements, and smaller programs can point to tangible paths from their rosters to the professional ranks. For teammates and coaches, the showcase validates season-long development and can spark additional scouting attention on other players from the same staff.

The takeaway? Keep an eye on practice-week coverage and pro-day dates, and treat these invites as true audition windows. Our two cents? Tune in during the week, study the drills and positional battles, and root for these small-school prospects to turn brief chances into long NFL careers — it's one of the best ways to watch the FCS pipeline influence next season's draft boards.