New FCS Championship Showcase to Spotlight Rising NFL Prospects
When the 2026 Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) title game kicks off in Nashville this January, the matchup won’t be the only headline-grabber. For the first time, the NCAA, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), and the National Football League are partnering to host a special FCS Showcase — an event designed to highlight roughly 50 of the subdivision’s top draft-eligible players.
The showcase marks a significant step toward elevating the visibility of FCS athletes, who often face steeper paths to gaining national recognition compared to peers at larger Football Bowl Subdivision programs. Scheduled to take place throughout championship weekend, the event will give NFL scouting staffs direct access to evaluate, interview, and interact with some of the best athletes the FCS has to offer.
A New Stage for Hidden Talent
Ty Halpin, the NCAA’s director of championships, called the showcase “a first-of-its-kind opportunity” for the athletes involved. He emphasized that championship weekend has long brought national attention to the FCS, and adding a formal scouting event only strengthens the platform.
“There are incredibly talented athletes across the FCS landscape,” Halpin said. “This event gives them a unique stage to demonstrate their readiness for the professional level while contributing a new layer of excitement to the championship atmosphere.”
The initiative reflects a growing acknowledgment that FCS programs produce NFL-caliber players every year — from All-Pro standouts to late-round gems whose talent bloomed when given the right opportunity. Yet the road to those opportunities can be uneven. By creating a dedicated showcase, organizers hope to ensure that promising players don’t get overlooked in the crowded pre-draft process.
Support From Coaches Who Know the FCS Best
AFCA executive director Craig Bohl, who has decades of coaching experience at the subdivision level, noted that the showcase has personal meaning for those who have long advocated for FCS athletes.
“Having spent years coaching in the FCS, I’ve seen firsthand the level of skill, toughness, and competitiveness these players bring,” Bohl said. “Providing them with this kind of platform is not just exciting — it’s meaningful. They deserve to be seen.”
How the Players Were Chosen
Each NFL club submitted a list of 10 to 15 FCS prospects they were most interested in evaluating. From those submissions, approximately 50 players were selected to participate. Only athletes who are automatically eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft were considered, meaning underclassmen were not included.
This selection process ensures that the showcase features players already on the league’s radar while also giving scouts a chance to spend extended time with them — something they might not otherwise get outside of postseason all-star games and the NFL Combine.
What the Showcase Weekend Will Look Like
The event will unfold over two days:
January 4:
Players will take part in official interviews with NFL club personnel. These conversations are often just as important as on-field testing, giving scouts insight into a player’s football IQ, personality, preparation habits, and overall professionalism.
January 5:
In the morning, athletes will participate in a set of limited on-field drills. While not a full combine-style workout, the session will give scouts additional data points and a chance to see players move in a controlled setting.
That evening, participants will attend the FCS Championship Game, further integrating them into the spotlight of the division’s biggest stage.
A Meaningful Step Forward
The FCS Showcase is more than a one-weekend event — it represents a wider effort to ensure athletes at every level of Division I have pathways to the next stage of their careers. For many of these players, the road to the NFL begins with simply being seen. Championship weekend in Nashville will give them that moment.
As organizers, coaches, and scouts gather in January, the goal is clear: shine a brighter light on deserving athletes who have spent their careers overcoming obstacles — and give them the platform they need to take the next step.
