Know them now before others do this fall. Here are 10 FCS football players who flashed their skills last year and appear primed for a full breakout in the 2025 season.
Whether they shined in limited action or were behind on an experienced depth chart last season, many FCS football players laid the foundation for a breakout campaign in 2025.
From quarterback Taron Dickens’ impressive four-game run during Cole Gonzales’ injury at Western Carolina to Chase Van Tol’s potential emergence as the next great South Dakota State linebacker, there are players who’ve hinted they’re ready to command the spotlight in the FCS.
Following are 10 potential FCS breakout players to keep your eyes on during the 2025 season. Most are on teams that qualified for the playoffs last year; the others are on legitimate playoff hopefuls this year.
10 Potential FCS Breakout Players
Taron Dickens, QB, Western Carolina
Height: 5-11; Weight: 180; Year: Redshirt Sophomore
The Skinny: Dickens entered last season as the backup to All-American Cole Gonzales but was thrust into the starting role for the final four games. He finished 3-1 as the starter, and became one of only five FCS QBs with two games of 400-plus passing yards during the short stint. While becoming a Jerry Rice Award finalist, he finished the season with 1,428 yards and 12 touchdowns on a 73.8% completion rate. Dickens will step into the full-time starting role this season and may have the highest ceiling of any young FCS quarterback.
Taron Dickens, 2024. (Wester Carolina Athletics)Desmeal Leigh, OL, Youngstown State
Height: 6-7; Weight: 325; Year: Junior
The Skinny: Leigh has been the anchor on a talented Youngstown State offensive line over the past two seasons, with 25 career starts and an All-MVFC honorable mention selection last year. Despite being one of the more talented offensive tackles in the FCS, he hasn’t garnered comparable recognition nationally. With another impressive season, Leigh could emerge as one of the top NFL prospects at the FCS level.
Cody Jackson, WR, Tarleton State
Height: 6-0; Weight: 175; Year: Senior
The Skinny: There’s no mistaking Tarleton State’s offense ran through running back Kayvon Britten and wide receiver Darius Cooper last year, but don’t expect the Texans to take a step back without them. Jackson put together an impressive junior campaign with 490 yards and eight touchdowns on 29 catches. During the program’s first FCS playoff appearance, he had a TD catch in both games and a career-high 104 yards against South Dakota. He will be the No. 1 target for returning quarterback Victor Gabalis, setting up Jackson for a potential All-America season.
Tarleton State WR Cody Jackson makes a catch against Abilene Christian in 2024. (TSU Athletics)Lando Brown, DE, Southern Utah
Height: 5-11; Weight: 215; Year: Redshirt Senior
The Skinny: Despite being one of the more undersized edge rushers in the FCS, Brown made an immediate impact for the Thunderbirds as a junior college transfer last season. He ranked in the top 10 of the United Athletic Conference in tackles for loss (10) while also leading the team in sacks (four). Brown was named to the conference second team, but he’s set to be featured in a bigger role this season. Another season of development could prime Brown for an All-America campaign as he aims to lead an under-the-radar SUU squad to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Marcus Calwise Jr., WR, Eastern Kentucky
Height: 5-10; Weight: 190; Year: Sophomore
The Skinny: Calwise wasted no time making an impact as a freshman, leading Eastern Kentucky in receiving yards (526) and receptions (42) and tying for the high in touchdown catches (five). He earned a starting role midseason and hit his stride in November, scoring a touchdown in each of EKU’s final four games. The Colonels will have a new starting quarterback this season, but there’s no question the passing attack will go through Calwise as one of the more talented young receivers in the FCS.
Kyon Loud, CB, Montana
Height: 6-2; Weight: 172; Year: Sophomore
The Skinny: Loud worked his way into a talented defensive rotation at Montana as a true freshman. He recorded 18 tackles (with a high of four in a playoff win over Tennessee State) and two pass breakups, allowing zero touchdowns and only 12 receptions. The Big Sky power loses all 11 starters from last season’s defense, which should give Loud an opportunity to solidify himself as the No. 1 cornerback. He has the size and tools to develop into a top corner at the FCS level over the coming seasons.
Chase Van Tol, LB, South Dakota State
Height: 6-1; Weight: 200; Year: Redshirt Sophomore
The Skinny: SDSU has a long history of All-America linebackers, and the legacy could continue this season with Van Tol becoming one of the top FCS breakout players. He’s building off a solid redshirt freshman campaign, when he served as the primary backup to All-American Caleb Francl and collected 35 tackles with one forced fumble. He’s expected to lead a revamped defense as the Jackrabbits seek to remain among the FCS’ top teams this season.
Jailen Duffie, CB, North Dakota State
Height: 5-11; Weight: 180; Year: Redshirt Sophomore
The Skinny: Duffie played a key role as a redshirt freshman in North Dakota State’s run to the 2024 FCS national championship. He started eight games, recording 26 tackles, one tackle for loss and three pass breakups. In his eight starts, Duffie allowed only eight receptions with zero touchdowns on 18 targets. He’s expected to step into a full-time starting role this season with the potential to be one of the best corners in the MVFC.
Zahmir Dawud, CB, Villanova
Height: 6-0, Weight: 185; Year: Redshirt Sophomore
The Skinny: Dawud was thrust into an immediate starting role in the first two games last season due to injuries on the team. He immediately made an impact for the Wildcats and finished the campaign with 47 tackles, four TFLs, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. In over 260 coverage snaps, Dawud only allowed 22 receptions for 234 yards, showing the ability to be the Wildcats’ next All-America defensive back. This year, he’s the only returnee in the secondary who played over 250 snaps, which sets the stage for a true breakout season in the program’s final CAA Football go-around.
Sam Goligoski, LB, UC Davis
Height: 6-3, Weight: 225; Year: Redshirt Sophomore
The Skinny: In an experienced UC Davis edge rotation, Goligoski only played 185 snaps in a reserve role last year. However, he made the most of his limited action, leading the Aggies with five sacks for 33 yards in losses, adding two other solo tackles. He will assume a much bigger role this season following the loss of all but two defensive players who played over 200 snaps last year. With a bigger role, Goligoski could be a true dark horse for Big Sky postseason accolades.
Top photos by, from left, Southern Utah Athletics, Samuel Wallace/Western Carolina Athletics and Dave Eggen/Inertia Sports Media.
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