NFL Draft Quarterbacks Performance: Assessment of Quarters Selected in Recent Years' Drafts
Tossing the Ball: A Look at NFL's FCS QBs
Turns out, the NFL doesn't shy away from giving smaller schools a chance to shine. Here's a glance at the last decade of FCS quarterbacks selected in the draft and how they faired:
Drafted Tales
2025: Cam Miller, Cam Ward (North Dakota State | Incarnate Word and Miami)
North Dakota State's Miller and Ward proved history can be made at any level with Miller marking the first FCS quarterback chosen in the 6th round since 2022, while Ward set the stage as the first ever FCS signal-caller to be picked first overall in the NFL Draft.
2023: Chris Oladokun, Pittsburgh Steelers
Oladokun, a seven-year soldier playing for USF, Samford, and South Dakota State, demonstrated athletic resilience, leading the Jackrabbits to the 2021 national title. Despite being released by the Steelers before the 2022 season, he found a home with the Chiefs and made his NFL debut, taking over for five snaps, including a five-yard dash.
2022: Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
Claiming two national championships (2018, 2019) with North Dakota State, Lance showcased his talents, being crowned the 2019 Walter Payton Award winner as the top offensive player in the FCS, setting an NCAA all-divisions season mark for most attempts (287) without an interception. Lance bid his time, starting two games with the 49ers and once with the Cowboys and finally landed with the Chargers last month, throwing for 1,063 yards and five touchdowns in twelve NFL games.
Surprising Stories and Statistics
Dipping into the Past:
Amongst the quarterbacks listed, Garoppolo, Wentz, and Heinicke are some notable names, with Garoppolo having a successful and Pro-Bowl worthy career. Wentz, on the other hand, led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl victory, while Heinicke made waves by guiding the Commanders to a playoff berth.
FCS to Top Choices:
Though Ward's selection as the first overall pick was a first, he exemplified the potential hidden in smaller programs. When given the chance, FCS quarterbacks can indeed rise to professional stardom.
- In the 2025 NFL Draft, FCS quarterbacks Cam Miller from North Dakota State and Cam Ward, previously of Incarnate Word and Miami, showed the league doesn't overlook smaller schools.
- Interestingly, Miller became the first FCS quarterback chosen in the 6th round since 2022, while Ward was the first ever FCS signal-caller to be picked first overall.
- Chris Oladokun, who played for USF, Samford, and South Dakota State, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023. Despite being released before the 2022 season, he found a new team in the Chiefs and made his NFL debut.
- Trey Lance, a former North Dakota State player, was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2022 draft. He has since played for the Cowboys and Chargers, accumulating 1,063 yards and five touchdowns in twelve NFL games.
- Notable FCS players drafted in the past include Jimmy Garoppolo, Carson Wentz, and Taylor Heinicke, showcasing the potential for FCS players to achieve professional stardom.
- Tommy Mellott, a Bison player transferring to Montana State, could potentially add his name to the list of successful FCS quarterbacks drafted in the future.
