In recent years, the FCS National Championship has served as something of a coming-out party for top NFL talent that didn’t have the previous exposure on a national stage. Whether it be recent examples like Montana State LB Troy Andersen and North Dakota State WR Christian Watson last year, or Trey Lance in 2019, there is no better opportunity for stars of FCS football to establish their names on national television.

This year’s bout between in-state rivals North Dakota State and South Dakota State looks to be as good of a game as we’ve seen in recent years and, with a lack of many household names, could end up being an opportunity for many players to play themselves into a chance to play on Sundays.

As we head into an eventful weekend, I’ll be going over some of the names to watch in the FCS National Championship.

It’s worth noting that due to injury, North Dakota State will be without fullback Hunter Luepke and tight end Noah Gindorff, who are both likely to hear their names called in April. South Dakota State also has an influx of prospects likely to return for a super senior season, including offensive linemen Mason McCormick and Garret Greenfield, as well as receivers Jaxon and Jadon Janke.

North Dakota State:

Cody Mauch OT

Projected Draft Range: Mid-Day 2

This one is obvious to anyone who has tuned into an NDSU game at some point this year, but to everyone else, get Cody Mauch on your radar ASAP. The 6-foot-6, 303-pound mauler has been one of the best linemen in not only the FCS, but the entirety of college football over the past two years. With two FCS All-American bids and starts in three different national title games, it’s hard to ignore Mauch’s stacked résumé. Pro Football Focus graded him above 80 in each of the last three seasons. His 90.9 rating in 2022 ranks first among all FCS linemen and second overall in the NCAA.

Concerns about Mauch’s 32 3/8-inch arm length will inevitably bring into question whether he projects as a guard or tackle in the NFL, but it’s hard to envision him not being a contributor in some capacity at the next level. The consensus projects him to go around the 45-60 range, with his stock trending up. Mauch will hope to follow Dillon Radunz and Cordell Volson as the next NDSU tackle to start in the NFL.

Nash Jensen IOL

Projected Draft Range: Day 3 – Priority UDFA

North Dakota State’s all-time record for games played, set by Cordell Volson last season, lasted a grand total of less than a year before being shattered by fifth-year senior Nash Jensen. Heading into his 70th career game, Jensen will look to flash his dominant combination of size and versatility in front of NFL teams. Jensen has allowed just three sacks and 29 pressures over 1,066 pass blocking snaps.

At 6-foot-4 and 329 pounds, you won’t see many guards move the way Jensen does. He’s been one of, if not the best, pass blockers in the FCS in every year he’s started, and he has strived in a similar scheme to many NFL offenses. Jensen’s age will be a turn off to many teams early on, but strong testing and showcase game performance should at the very least make him a priority UDFA.

Destin Talbert CB

Projected Draft Range: Priority UDFA

Due to NDSU’s team being predominantly made up of seniors who sat for extended periods before getting an opportunity, several of the Bison players haven’t received nearly as much draft hype as you would’ve seen under different circumstances. Fifth-year corner Destin Talbert is an obvious example of this. Having not allowed a single receiver over 100 yards in the last three seasons, Talbert is objectively an elite FCS corner. Entering the final week of the season, Talbert has yet to concede a single touchdown in 15 games.

Strong showcase game performances will get Talbert a shot at playing on Sundays. He’s shown the ability to be a NFL contributor many times, and the championship game could move the needle considerably with his stock.

South Dakota State:

Tucker Kraft TE

Projected Draft Range: Round 3-4

You’ll be hard pressed to find a player on an FCS field as skilled as South Dakota State TE Tucker Kraft. Despite missing the first half of the year with an ankle injury, Kraft hasn’t appeared to miss a step since returning. Kraft’s average of 12.7 yards per catch and three touchdowns on 35 targets would even out to better full season numbers than his breakout 2021, where he recorded 773 yards and six TDs. Kraft also adds immense value as a blocker, failing to concede a single sack or pressure in 2021.

Kraft is a physically imposing threat downfield with a wide catch radius. The similarities between him and many top tight ends in the NFL are hard to ignore, and his blocking only strengthens his stock. The consensus views Kraft as a fourth-round pick, with recent mocks projecting him as high as late-first round.

Isaiah Davis RB

Projected Draft Range: Day 3

Finally emerging from the shadow of now-Patriots running back Pierre Strong Jr., Isaiah Davis had the breakout season in 2022 that he’d shown he was capable of for years. Despite missing two games, Davis tallied a career-high 1,348 yards (ninth in FCS) and 14 touchdowns on the ground.

Davis is averaging 8.3 yards per carry in the playoffs, and he should be in for a big workload in what could be his final game. He’s not the dynamic athlete Strong was, but he’s as physical as any runner in this draft. There’s a spot for productive college runners on any NFL rosters, and Davis’s limited workload before this year may play into his favor.

Caleb Sanders IDL

Projected Draft Range: Priority UDFA

The Jackrabbits’ most productive pass rusher over the past two seasons is fifth-year senior Caleb Sanders. While he isn’t the first name you’d think of when talking about their team, his 87 pressures and 13 sacks over that span are hard to ignore.

Sanders is a well-balanced interior player who can play both the run and pass quite well. At just 6-foot-1, it’s unlikely he gets drafted, but his consistent impact will more than likely land him a spot in an NFL camp if he wants it.