The 2025 NFL Draft weekend wasn’t just about first-round picks and big-name programs. Several players from North Carolina’s FCS colleges are keeping their NFL dreams alive as undrafted free agents and mini-camp invitees.
As of late Sunday night (April 27), seven players with North Carolina FCS ties have signed as undrafted free agents. Two more have received mini-camp invitations.
Undrafted Free Agent Signings
✅ Chandler Brayboy, WR/KR, Elon → Jacksonville Jaguars
✅ Rushawn Baker, RB, Elon → New York Giants
✅ Jordan Bly, WR, Gardner-Webb → New York Giants
✅ Jason Ivey, OL, North Carolina A&T → Cleveland Browns
✅ Joaquin Davis, WR, North Carolina Central → Denver Broncos
✅ Torricelli Simpkins, OL, North Carolina Central/South Carolina → New Orleans Saints
✅ Hajj-Malik Williams, QB, Campbell/UNLV → Las Vegas Raiders
Mini-Camp Invitations
✅ Ty French, LB, Gardner-Webb/West Virginia → San Francisco 49ers (invite)
✅ Quantez Mansfield, DL, North Carolina Central → Minnesota Vikings (invite)
Player Spotlights
Chandler Brayboy, who played for Purnell Swett High in Pembroke, earned 2024 CAA Special Teams Player of the Year in his final year at Elon. He ranked second nationally in kick return average and brought two back for touchdowns – one of the most electric FCS players in North Carolina last season.
Rushawn Baker (Victor, NY) was an honorable mention All-CAA pick, rushing for 859 yards – including 583 yards in the Phoenix’s last four games. He transferred to Elon in 2024 after playing three seasons at Bucknell.
Jordan Bly, a Myers Park (Charlotte) product, caught 32 passes for 333 yards last season at Gardner-Webb. Bly, the son of former UNC defensive great Dre’ Bly, had a stellar pro day leading into the draft, raising his stock and opening the door for his latest opportunity.
Jason Ivey played on the line at South Mecklenburg High before joining A&T in 2019. He did not see the field for the Aggies during the 2019 or 2021 seasons, and COVID cancelled the 2020 campaign. He emerged as a starter by 2023 and parlayed his talents into a UDFA contract with the Browns.
Joaquin Davis, who played his high school (Jordan HS) and college ball in Durham (North Carolina Central), raised eyebrows at the HBCU combine. He played in 42 games for NCCU, making 92 catches for 1,211 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Signed. Sealed. Delivered. Joaquin Davis is officially league bound! 🦅 pic.twitter.com/Bl4H84VCzd — NCCU Athletics (@NCCUAthletics) April 28, 2025
Torricelli Simpkins became an instant starter for NC Central in 2021 after a standout career at Olympic High in Charlotte. After four years with the Eagles, earning plenty of MEAC recognition and FCS & HBCU All-America status in 2023, Simpkins jumped to South Carolina for his final college campaign.
Hajj-Malik Williams (Atlanta) lit up the stat sheets at Campbell, leaving as the Camels’ career passing leader (8,236 yards) and touchdowns leader (58). After transferring to UNLV last year, he was thrust into the national spotlight when the Rebels starter abruptly stepped away from the team over an NIL dispute mid-season. Williams ended up second-team All-Mountain West.
Quantez Mansfield played in 46 games over five seasons at North Carolina Central. The Southeast Guilford High product amassed 109 tackles, 30 tackles-for-loss and 11.5 sacks during his Eagles’ career. His final season included 31 stops, including 10.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks and four quarterback hurries.
Ty French (Moultrie, Ga.) left Gardner-Webb for West Virginia in 2024 as one of the most decorated defensive players in Runnin’ Bulldogs history. He earned All-Big South Conference honors four times and set the school’s career record in sacks (34.5) and tackles-for-loss (61). He finished with 22 tackles and 2.5 TFLs in spot duty for the Mountaineers.
While undrafted free agents (UDFAs) sign contracts with NFL teams and officially join the 90-man offseason roster, mini-camp invitees are not guaranteed a roster spot or a contract. Players attending rookie mini-camps are essentially trying out — hoping to impress coaches enough to earn a deal and extend their stay into training camp. Both paths offer opportunities, but only UDFAs start with a signed contract and a clearer shot at making the team.
According to HERO Sports, NFL teams drafted 15 players with FCS experience, signed 59 FCS players as undrafted free agents, and extended another 46 mini-camp invitations during the 2025 cycle.
Want to see the full list of players from North Carolina — including FBS standouts and high school stars — joining NFL teams? Want to see the eight new draftees joining the Carolina Panthers?
📌 See our full list of North Carolina players joining the NFL in 2025 here!
