NFL Combine A Shrinking Stage for Lower Level Prospects

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The annual NFL Scouting Combine has long served as a showcase for the nation’s top college football prospects, providing an opportunity to impress professional scouts, coaches, and executives. However, in recent years, the event has become increasingly exclusive to players from the largest and most prestigious programs, and the 2025 edition will further highlight this trend. With fewer than nine players from Group of 5 (G5), FCS, and Division II schools invited it is clear that the NFL is giving diminishing attention to prospects outside the Power 4 conferences. This shift raises concerns about the accessibility of the league for under-the-radar talent and the broader implications for college football’s evolving landscape.

One of the primary reasons for the declining representation of G5, FCS, and Division II athletes at the Combine is the increasing prevalence of the NCAA transfer portal. Over the past decade, elite players from smaller programs have frequently transferred to Power 4 schools before their junior or senior seasons. With more relaxed transfer rules and the allure of greater exposure, NIL deals, and enhanced competition, talented athletes are migrating to larger programs at an unprecedented rate. As a result, many players who originally developed at lower levels are no longer counted as representatives of those conferences by the time they reach the Combine.

For example, a player who excels at a school like Appalachian State or North Dakota State may transfer to an SEC or Big Ten powerhouse before completing his collegiate career. While this move benefits individual players looking to boost their draft stock, it reduces the visibility of G5, FCS, and Division II schools at the Combine. As this trend continues, fewer upperclassmen from these smaller programs will receive opportunities to showcase their skills on a national stage, further eroding the pipeline from lower levels to the NFL.

The 2025 Combine’s lack of representation for non-Power 4 athletes is not an isolated incident—it is part of a broader pattern that will likely continue in the coming years. With the college football landscape becoming increasingly stratified, NFL teams are now focusing their scouting efforts on the highest levels of competition, often neglecting players from smaller programs who may have just as much potential.

This shift is particularly detrimental to upperclassmen who remain at their original schools. Without the exposure of playing for a major program, these players face an uphill battle to gain recognition from NFL scouts. The Combine, once a place where small-school standouts could prove their worth alongside blue-chip prospects, is becoming more of an exclusive club for those from the most well-known programs. As a result, many deserving players will go unnoticed, their professional aspirations stifled by a system that increasingly favors those from powerhouse schools.

While the NFL’s shrinking focus on lower-level talent may be discouraging, alternative professional leagues are filling the void. The National Gridiron League (NGL) is one such organization that provides opportunities for players whom the NFL may have overlooked. By offering a platform for athletes from G5, FCS, and Division II programs, the NGL ensures that talented football players still have a pathway to continue their careers at the professional level.

Unlike the NFL Combine, which increasingly caters to Power 4 prospects, the NGL actively scouts and recruits players from diverse backgrounds. This league recognizes that talent is not exclusive to major conferences and that many outstanding athletes need a chance to prove themselves at the next level. With structured development programs, professional coaching, and game-day exposure, the NGL allows these players to refine their skills and showcase their abilities in a competitive setting.

Moreover, the NGL’s role in player development could eventually benefit the NFL. If the league successfully cultivates overlooked talent, NFL teams may take notice and reevaluate their scouting practices. Players who excel in the NGL could earn opportunities in NFL training camps, preseason games, or even regular-season rosters. In this way, the NGL serves as a second chance for players and as a proving ground for hidden gems who might have otherwise been left out of professional football altogether.

The 2025 NFL Combine’s minimal representation of G5, FCS, and Division II players indicates a broader shift in football talent evaluation. With the transfer portal funneling top players to Power 4 programs and the NFL prioritizing those schools in its scouting efforts, opportunities for small-school standouts are dwindling. However, alternative leagues like the National Gridiron League are stepping up to allow overlooked athletes to pursue professional careers. As the football landscape continues to evolve, it will be crucial for these alternative leagues to thrive, ensuring that talent is recognized and rewarded regardless of where it originates. If the NFL Combine continues to overlook small-school prospects, it may ultimately miss out on some of the best and most determined talent available.

For more NGL news and updates, continue to visit www.gongl.com.