Former FCS standouts land NFL deals, rookie minicamp invites after draft

The post-draft scramble quickly turned into a familiar FCS showcase, with former subdivision standouts filling NFL rookie pools and undrafted free-agent lists across the league. The Houston Texans alone moved on three FCS names, signing Colgate receiver Treyvhon Saunders, Illinois State receiver Daniel Sobkowicz and South Dakota State offensive lineman Sam Hagen, a sign that the pipeline still runs straight from the subdivision to pro roster fights.

The wide receiver group was especially active. The Texans also added Incarnate Word receiver Jalen Walthall, while the Kansas City Chiefs brought in Lindenwood and Cincinnati receiver Jeff Caldwell. The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Montana receiver Michael Wortham and South Dakota State receiver Alex Bullock, another indication that production at the FCS level still translates into immediate NFL opportunities. Elsewhere, the Buffalo Bills added Youngstown State receiver Max Tomczak, giving another productive pass catcher a shot to survive the first wave of cuts.

Quarterback Mark Gronowski, who starred at South Dakota State before transferring to Iowa, landed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. His path carried extra attention because it came after a résumé that made him one of the most recognizable names in the FCS-to-FBS conversation. In another backfield move, Weber State and New Mexico running back Damon Bankston signed with the New York Giants, a team that has regularly mined undrafted players for special-teams value and depth.

Defensive prospects also stayed in the mix. Southern Illinois cornerback Jeremiah McClendon joined the New Orleans Saints, Wofford safety Maximus Pulley signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, and the rookie invite list included Montana cornerback Kenzel Lawler with the Chiefs and Prairie View A&M cornerback Jaylon Shelton with the Atlanta Falcons. Lindenwood lineman Gavin Hulet was also invited to Colts rookie minicamp, extending the list of FCS players who did not hear their names called but still earned a shot.

The tracker underscored how wide the scouting net now stretches across the subdivision. Players from the MVFC, Big Sky, CAA, OVC, Ivy, Southland and HBCU ranks all surfaced in the same post-draft run, and the early returns showed the real battle begins after the draft ends, when depth charts, special teams and camp reps decide which former FCS standouts get a longer NFL stay.