The Rise of Mid-Major FCS Programs

Why High School Athletes Should Look Beyond the Hype and Toward Opportunity

In today’s college football landscape, the recruiting board has been flipped upside down. Once upon a time, Power 5 programs fought tooth and nail for high school prospects. Now, many of those same schools are bypassing prep stars altogether — choosing instead to reload through the transfer portal, often picking up ready-made players with college experience.

That shift has quietly opened a golden door for FCS and mid-major programs — schools that are not just surviving in the transfer era, but thriving because of it.

The Opportunity Gap

According to recent recruiting data, more than 60% of FBS scholarship offers last year went to players in the transfer portal, leaving thousands of talented high school seniors scrambling for roster spots that once would have been automatic.

That reality is forcing smart, self-aware athletes to rethink the path to success.

“You can either chase the logo,” said one FCS assistant coach, “or you can chase the field.”

Mid-major and FCS schools — places like South Dakota State, Delaware, Holy Cross, North Dakota State, Florida A&M, and Richmond — are proving that player development, consistent playing time, and exposure can be just as powerful as signing with a Power 5 logo that leaves you buried on the depth chart.

Development Over Decoration

FCS and mid-major staff have always valued player growth, program fit, and work ethic over recruiting stars. In the NIL and transfer era, they’ve doubled down on that commitment.

Players at these programs stay in systems longer, master their playbooks, and build lasting relationships with coaching staffs. The result? Faster development, more meaningful game reps, and more NFL-ready athletes than ever before.

Look no further than South Dakota State, which turned zero-star prospects into national champions, or Delaware, which continues to produce next-level talent from overlooked recruiting classes.

“It’s not about where you start,” one scout noted. “It’s about how fast you develop — and who’s giving you the chance to play.”

The Competition Is Real

The biggest misconception about FCS and mid-major football is that the competition is somehow “easier.” That couldn’t be further from the truth.

FCS rosters are filled with players who had FBS offers but chose the right fit — or who were overlooked by inches, not talent. Every Saturday, these programs line up against Power 5 opponents and push them to the limit.

Just last season, FCS teams like South Dakota, Villanova, and Montana knocked off FBS programs — proof that the skill, speed, and physicality at this level are every bit as intense.

“At this level, we’ve got dogs,” said one MEAC defensive coordinator. “They might not all be 5-star recruits, but they play with 5-star hunger.”

The competition in FCS is fierce. Every rep is earned, every job is fought for, and every game carries a chip-on-the-shoulder energy that builds stronger, hungrier athletes.

FBS vs. FCS: The Real Differences

While both FBS and FCS football fall under Division I, there are key distinctions that affect how early and how often high school recruits see the field.

Category: FBS (Power 5 & Group of 5), FCS (Mid-Major & Regional Powerhouses)

Scholarships: 85 full scholarships, 63 scholarships (can be split among players)

Media Exposure: National TV deals, prominent NIL collectives, Regional coverage, growing ESPN+/FloSports streaming

Roster Turnover Constant due to portal & grad transfers Stable, with players developing 3–4 years

Facilities: Larger budgets and stadiums. Efficient, competitive facilities with focused coaching

Culture Win-now business model Development-first, family-driven systems

Player Path: Transfers in, fewer freshmen snaps, Homegrown talent, faster development curve

Chances for Freshmen Playing Time: Low — <10% of high school signees play as true freshmen. High — up to 45–60% see the field by sophomore year

At the FBS level, a typical high school recruit may redshirt, sit for 1–2 years behind transfers, or get limited special teams reps. At mid-major and FCS programs, that same athlete is far more likely to contribute early — sometimes starting within their first season.

“At a Power 5, you might get a photo shoot,” joked one FCS position coach. “Here, you get game film.”

The NIL and Exposure Factor

FCS programs may not have the deep pockets of the Power 5, but NIL opportunities are on the rise — especially in regional markets and HBCUs.

Local collectives and small-business partnerships allow athletes to build community-based brands that grow with their performance.

“Playing time equals exposure,” said one NIL consultant. “You can’t build a brand if you’re not in the field.”

A starting linebacker at Howard or Montana State can generate more NIL buzz than a backup wide receiver at Alabama.

The Smart Move for High School Recruits

For today’s under-recruited or overlooked high school athletes, FCS and mid-major programs represent a clear and strategic route to success.

At these schools, you’re not just a body on a roster — you’re an investment in a system that develops you over time.

“Go where you’re developed, not just discovered,” said an FCS recruiting coordinator.

The numbers don’t lie: more playing time, more experience, and more development translate into more opportunity — whether that’s NFL exposure, transfer options, or NIL leverage.

The New Reality

The transfer portal hasn’t ended opportunity — it’s redistributed it. The spotlight is shifting from the biggest brands to the most consistent programs.

FCS football has become the new frontier for high school recruits: a level where the competition is elite, the culture is authentic, and the pathway to the next level remains wide open.

For the next wave of athletes, it’s no longer about chasing the logo.

It’s about chasing the reps, development, and growth that make your name matter — regardless of what’s on the helmet.