FCS difference makers to watch in 2018

Now that I’ve given you a few underappreciated names to watch for postseason honors on the FBS level, it’s time to give equal time to the FCS side.

The Walter Payton Award is the FCS version of the Heisman. Here are some who will be in that conversation.

Lehigh RB Dominick Bragalone (5-11, 230)

A FCS first team All American and 2017 Patriot League Player of the Year after rushing for 1,388 yards (5.6 yards) and 18 TD’s last year, he added to his career haul (3,567 yards and 39 touchdowns) which inclides three consecutive 1,000 yard campaigns. As a senior at South Williamsport (Pa.), Bragalone set a single season state record with 4,704 yards rushing.

Sam Houston State WR Nathan Stewart (5-11, 175)

The junior is another FCS first team All American who was an instant impact college performer, taking 2016 Southland Freshman of the Year honors. In ’17 he recorded 72 grabs for 1,648 yards and 14 TD’s. Stewart;s two-year total was 124 catches for 2,652 yards and 26 scores. Yet, he only had a pair of offers coming out of high school (Sam Houston and Idaho). He visited Tulane but no offer came.

Yale RB Zabe Dudek (5-9, 190)

Last year, the freshman sensation had 1,133 yards (7.1 average) and 15 touchdowns. Dudek averaged 307 yards per game in high school (Kittanning, Pa.) with 2,955 yards and 42 TD’s as a senior. Still no offers arrived. Dudek has been hailed as the best freshman runner ever for Yale, a school that produced Calvin Hill (No. 1 draft pick of Cowboys in 1969), Chuck Mercein (six years in NFL) and Dick Jauron (eight years as NFL player, 28 as a coach). Dudek’s cousin, Gus Frerotte, was a NFL QB.

A few other FCS player who deserve a little love…

Samford QB Devlin Hodge (6-1, 205)

The senior comes off a 2017 campaign with 3,983 yards passing, 31 touchdowns, 11 interceptions. He has accounted for 10,301 yards in the sir over the past three years (333.4 yards per game) and needs 4,196 yards this season to overtake Steve McNair as the FCS’s career leading passer (14,496 yards).

Samford LB Ahmad Gooden (6’1-240)

The reigning Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year (101 stops, 15.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks in ’17 ) was a ’17 FCS All American and a Buck Buchanan candidate.

South Dakota State LB Christian Rozeboom

He produced 127 tackles last fall and is projected to go in the 2020 NFL draft.

Colgate DE Nick Wheeler (6’2-256)

He had 11.5 sacks and 15.5 TFLs in ’17.

Bryant LB Thomas Costigan (6’2-230)

The Northeast Conference senior made 103 stops last season and tacked on 11.5 sacks last year. His season highlight was 16 tackles against Duquesne.