Eight FCS Players Among 319 Invited to 2026 NFL Combine

Eight former FCS players earned invitations to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, joining a 319-player field that NFL teams will put through medicals, measurements, psychological testing, interviews and on-field drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. The NFL released the invite list on Feb. 11, and the combine runs Feb. 23 to March 2 in Indianapolis, a key evaluation window before the April 23 to 25 draft in Pittsburgh.

The eight former FCS invitees include quarterback Cole Payton of North Dakota State; running back J’Mari Taylor, listed with Virginia and North Carolina Central; wide receivers Jeff Caldwell (Cincinnati/Lindenwood), Bryce Lance (North Dakota State) and Jalen Walthall (Incarnate Word); offensive lineman Evan Beerntsen (Northwestern/South Dakota State); defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor (Southeastern Louisiana); and defensive back Charles Demmings (Stephen F. Austin). HERO Sports summed the count plainly: "Eight former FCS players have been invited to the 2026 NFL Combine." Last year saw 13 former FCS players get an invite, illustrating year-to-year fluctuation in small-school representation.

Several invitees arrive with measurable credentials and narrative value. Southeastern Louisiana’s Kaleb Proctor is listed at 6-1½ and 275 pounds and will take part in on-field work on Feb. 26 on the defensive line and linebacker day. Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings checks in at 6-1 and 190 and is scheduled for the defensive backs and tight ends on-field session on Feb. 27. TheAnalyst noted that "Three All-Americans from the Southland are among the former FCS standouts who have been invited to the NFL Combine," highlighting the Southland Conference's strong showing.

North Dakota State continues to loom large in the FCS-to-NFL pipeline. Bryce Lance, the younger brother of former Bison and current Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance, posted eye-catching production after a slow start: "The skinny: Lance, the younger brother of former Bison and current Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance, has been dynamic during his last two seasons with North Dakota State. After catching only one pass during his first 28 games, in his next 29 games he totaled 126 receptions for 2,150 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also rushed the ball nine times for 121 yards and two touchdowns." Scouts have pegged Lance as a possible third- to fifth-round selection. North Dakota State, a 10-time FCS champion since 2011 with 14 draft picks since 2014, is also set to move to the FBS later this year, altering the school’s recruiting and scouting calculus.

TheAnalyst summed the stakes succinctly: "Personnel from all 32 NFL teams place emphasis on the annual showcase, where 319 prospects will go through measurements and medical examinations, psychological testing, team interviews, and on-field workouts, in the lead-up to the NFL Draft." For FCS prospects, the combine is both visibility and verification - a chance to confirm measurables and answer positional questions under the same microscope as Power Five peers.

For NFL watchers and draft followers, these eight invites underscore the continued relevance of the FCS pipeline even as annual totals ebb and flow. The combine workouts and interviews that follow in Indianapolis will determine which of these small-school standouts convert opportunity into draft day momentum.