The NCAA, in collaboration with the American Football Coaches Association and the National Football League, will host an FCS Showcase during the 2026 Division I FCS championship in Nashville, Tennessee, in January.
The purpose of the event is to provide a premier evaluation platform for about 50 Football Championship Subdivision prospects who are eligible for the 2026 NFL draft. It will provide invited players with a complete evaluation by NFL team scouting staffs, while leveraging the national spotlight of the championship. The championship game will be played Monday, Jan. 5, in Vanderbilt's FirstBank Stadium and broadcast on ESPN.
"This first-of-its-kind-event gives FCS student-athletes the chance to put their best foot forward and connect with NFL scouts and staff," said Ty Halpin, NCAA director of championships. "It adds to the excitement of FCS championship weekend, which culminates with a prime-time kickoff to crown our national champion in Nashville."
This initiative reflects a continued commitment of the NCAA, AFCA and NFL to enhance exposure and opportunity for FCS student-athletes. Key benefits include enhanced early evaluation access for student-athletes, greater visibility and exposure for prospects ahead of the traditional draft cycle, and alignment across governing bodies to support football development and player readiness.
"Having coached at the FCS level, I've seen firsthand the caliber of players that exist across that division," said Craig Bohl, AFCA executive director. "The AFCA is honored to partner with the NCAA and NFL Football Operations to help put on the FCS Showcase. This collaboration is about ensuring every talented player has a chance to be evaluated on the biggest stage."
Each NFL club has been asked to nominate a list of 10-15 top prospects it would like to evaluate at the event. Only players who are considered automatically eligible for the 2026 NFL draft are eligible to attend; underclassmen will not be considered.
"The FCS Showcase represents another important step in our shared commitment to player development and opportunity," said Roman Oben, NFL vice president of football development. "By bringing this platform to championship weekend, we're ensuring that deserving FCS student-athletes have access to the same visibility, evaluation and support as their peers from larger programs."
Student-athletes invited to the event will be interviewed Jan. 4 by representatives of NFL clubs. The prospects will participate in some limited on-field drills on the morning of Jan. 5, and participants will be invited to attend the championship game that evening.
