The FCS (formerly known as I-AA) enters its 49th season in 2026 following its inception in 1978. In honor of that history, here are 49 players to know for the 2026 season.

This is not a ranking of the top 49 players in the FCS, meaning some fan-favorite players will be left off the list. However, those players are likely to be on the national radar all season long.

That said, let’s dive into the 49-player list.

Quarterback

Keali’I Ah Yat, Montana
Andrew Body, Alabama State
Beau Brungard, Youngstown State
Devin Farrell, Rhode Island
Collin Hurst, West Georgia
Jerry Kaminski, North Dakota
Justin Lamson, Montana State
Chase Mason, South Dakota State
Chris Parson, Austin Peay
Ty Pennington, Northern Arizona
Dante Reno, Yale
Frankie Weaver, Monmouth
DJ Williams, Southern Illinois

There’s plenty of talented returning quarterbacks in the FCS this season. It starts at the top with reigning Walter Payton Award winner Beau Brungard, who’s attempting to become the first back-to-back winner since Sam Houston State’s Jeremiah Briscoe from 2016-17.

The MVFC also features North Dakota’s Jerry Kaminski, South Dakota State’s Chase Mason and Southern Illinois’ DJ Williams. All but Williams led their teams to the FCS playoffs last season, but Williams might be the most electric of the group as a dual-threat option.

Over in the Big Sky, you’ll find the No. 2 and No. 3 quarterbacks by popular opinion in the FCS — in whatever order — in Montana’s Keali’I Ah Yat and Montana State’s Justin Lamson. Both turned down transfer portal opportunities to run it back for a chance at a title in 2026. Northern Arizona’s Ty Pennington has shown flashes as well, leading the Lumberjacks to the postseason in 2024.

Yale’s Dante Reno led Yale to the playoffs last season — the first year the Ivy League sent teams to the postseason. He’ll enter 2026 without his father, Tony Reno, as his head coach. Monmouth’s Frankie Weaver will also have a new head coach as Jeff Gallo takes over. 2026 will be Weaver’s first year as the full-time starter after filling in for injury in six games last season.

Weaver will start the season behind Rhode Island’s Devin Farrell when it comes to the CAA quarterback pecking order. Farrell’s return to the Rams has URI entering the season with national title expectations. Those same title expectations follow Andrew Body as he returns to Alabama State. His Hornets are hoping to finally break through to the SWAC championship game and Celebration Bowl.

Austin Peay’s Chris Parson and West Georgia’s Collin Hurst close out the list, representing the UAC. Parson had the Governors on the bubble for the playoffs last season, while Hurst did the same at Presbyterian. 

UPSET WATCH: 12 potential FCS over FBS upsets for the 2026 college football season

Running back

Chase Bingmon, Prairie View A&M
Victor Dawson, Illinois State
MJ Flowers, Tennessee Tech
Eli Gillman, Montana
Tylan Hines, Tarleton State
Adam Jones, Montana State
Ja’briel Mace, Villanova
Charles Pierre Jr., South Dakota
Luke Yoder, Lehigh

Eli Gilman turned down the transfer portal to return to Montana as the reigning Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year with consecutive All-American seasons and a Jerry Rice Award win as a freshman. He’s been a must-know name in the FCS for the last three years, and year four should see a difference. 

Adam Jones is across the state with the Bobcats and was pivotal to Montana State’s FCS championship last year. Jones and crew beat Illinois State for the title, which featured Victor Dawson in its backfield. Could we see Jones vs. Dawson in the national championship game again in 2026? Only time will tell.

Another playoff matchup last year was Villanova vs. Lehigh. Both teams are in the Patriot League this year, which means Mountain Hawk Luke Yoder will be on the opposite sideline of Wildcat Ja’Briel Mace. Yoder finished eighth in rushing yards last year while Mace adds an extra element with his return game capabilities.

The theme of great running back matchups continues with Tarleton State and Prairie View A&M. Tylan Hines will represent the Texans and Chase Bingmon will represent the Panthers in a Week 0 primetime battle. Both could start the season with a bang for teams aiming to avenge disappointing postseason losses.

The final two running backs to know didn’t play much — if at all — in the FCS last year. South Dakota’s Charles Pierre Jr. missed all but two games after being named a preseason All-American in 2025. MJ Flowers played FBS ball in 2025 after a breakout campaign at Eastern Illinois. Flowers is now with Tennessee Tech, and Pierre is now healthy with the Coyotes in 2026.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:  Top 25 nonconference FCS games 

Wide receiver

Marquis Buchanan, Rhode Island
Taco Dowler, Montana State
Samuel Gbatu Jr., UC Davis
Chedon James, Idaho State
Bugs Mortimer, Stephen F. Austin
Brayden Smith, Mercer

The best returning receiver in the FCS in 2026 is Rhode Island’s Marquis Buchanan after he led the FCS in receiving last season. Right behind Buchanan in receiving yards was UC Davis’ Samuel Gbatu Jr. Yet, neither Buchanan nor Gbatu has what Montana State’s Taco Dowler has — a championship ring. Dowler was a star during MSU’s run to the title last fall.

Conference titles went to Brayden Smith of Mercer and Bugs Mortimer of Stephen F. Austin, respectively. One thing that helps Mortimer stand out is his ability in the return game after returning four punts to the house in 2025.

Chedon James is back at Idaho State after a two-year hiatus that saw him at Fresno State and UIW. James led the FCS in receptions and ranked fourth nationally in receiving yards during his last season with the Bengals. He, along with quarterback Jordan Cooke, has Idaho State trending upward entering the year.

FIRST HBCU RANKINGS: See the 2026 preseason HBCU football rankings

Offensive linemen

Liam Becher, North Dakota
Quinten Christensen, South Dakota State
Titan Fleischmann, Montana State
Erik Gray, Stephen F. Austin
Luke Roaten, Abilene Christian
Joshua Sales Jr., Austin Peay
Landon Woodard, Illinois State
Desmeal Leigh, Youngstown St

The FCS offensive linemen pipelines at South Dakota State and Montana State continue in 2026 as Quinten Christensen and Titan Flieschmann return for the Jackrabbits and Bobcats, respectively. 

Luke Roaten anchors the right side of the Abilene Christian offensive line, which features his twin brother Landon at guard and Colter Lynch at center. It’s arguably the best right side in the FCS. Meanwhile, Liam Becher anchors the left side of North Dakota’s offensive line that brings back four returning starters in 2026.

Austin Peay’s Joshua Sales Jr. showed versatility last season playing both left and right tackle in 2025 en route to First-Team All-American honors, while Stephen F. Austin’s Erik Gray was the 2025 Southland Offensive Lineman of the Year.

A pair of MVFC linemen conclude the offensive trenches in Landon Woodard and Desmeal Leigh. Leigh could end up being one of the top FCS 2026 NFL draft prospects.

ALMOST TIME: Here’s when the 2026 college football season starts

Defensive lineman

Camden Byrd, Richmond
Andrew Huff, Lamar
Lance Rucker, North Dakota
Joshua Stoneking, Furman
Michael Wells, Youngstown State

When it comes to edge talent in the FCS in 2026, no one enters the season ranked higher than Furman’s Joshua Stoneking, the runner-up for last season’s Buck Buchanan Award. He led the FCS in sacks and tackles for loss last season. 

In the MVFC, North Dakota’s Lance Rucker had 11.5 sacks while Youngstown State’s Michael Wells had 10.5 sacks. Lamar’s Andrew Huff had 6.5 sacks while Richmond’s Camden Byrd had 8.5 sacks.

While some pass rushers left for the FBS after successful seasons, these top-tier edge rushers chose to come back to the FCS and should build off of impressive 2025s.

THEY’RE BACK: Why top FCS stars returned to schools over the transfer portal

Linebackers

Tye Niekamp, Illinois State
Jordan Franklin, South Carolina State
Peyton Wing, Montana

Tye Niekamp was a unanimous First-Team FCS All-American last year and one of the heartbeats of Illinois State’s defense during its run to the FCS title game with 160 tackles last season. Montana’s Peyton Wing helped the Grizzlies to the FCS semifinals last season with 78 tackles and four interceptions. Meanwhile, South Carolina State’s Jordan Franklin actually got the job done, ending the season with a victory in the Celebration Bowl, capping off a 62-tackle, 12-tackle-for-loss season.

NEW HOMES: Making sense of FCS conference realignment

Defensive backs

Rex Connors, UC Davis
Caden Dowler, Montana State
Christopher Jean, Central Connecticut State
Abu Kamara, Yale
Kam Sallis, Jackson State

It was a long offseason wait, but UC Davis safety Rex Connors is back in the FCS after being granted more eligibility. His brother Porter is also back with the Aggies at linebacker, further bolstering their defense.

Speaking of brothers, no player had more interceptions in the FCS than Montana State’s Caden Dowler last season, snagging six passes from opposing quarterbacks in 2025. Caden and Taco are back with the Bobcats to form the best brotherly tandem in the FCS in 2026.

Abu Kamara earned three FCS First-Team All-American honors last season after flying around the field with 76 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions. Jackson State’s Kam Sallis also stuffed the stat sheet last season to the tune of 53 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Closing out the list is Central Connecticut State’s Christopher Jean. Jean helped the Blue Devils win back-to-back NEC titles in the last two seasons with 31 career passes defended.