2022 Draft Recap

May 1st, 2022 8:00am

By Chuck Bitner, D2Football.com

Five former Division 2 players were selected in the 2022 NFL draft this weekend. Fayetteville State’s standout cornerback Joshua Williams was the first player selected from a non-Division 1 institution. Williams was drafted in the fourth round by the Kansas City Chiefs, with the 135th pick. Williams is the first Fayetteville State player to be drafted since 1976. 

In the sixth round, cornerback Gregory Junior made history by becoming the first ever Ouachita Baptist player to be selected in the draft. Junior went to the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 197th pick. Moments later, Northwest Missouri State defensive lineman Sam Roberts became the Bearcats' seventh draft pick in school history. Roberts was taken at pick #200 by the New England Patriots. 

In the seventh and final round of the draft, two more Division 2 athletes heard their names called. Lenoir-Rhyne wide receiver Dareke Young was chosen by the Seattle Seahawks at pick #233. Young was the only offensive player to be drafted from a Division 2 school and is also the second Lenoir-Rhyne athlete to be drafted in the last three years. Valdosta State defensive back Christian Matthew closed out the Division 2 draft day with his selection by the Arizona Cardinals at pick #244. Matthew is Valdosta State's sixth NFL draft selection.  

Here is the complete list of Division 2 selections in the 2022 NFL draft

#135 DB Joshua Williams, Fayetteville State (Kansas City Chiefs)

#197 DB Gregory Junior, Ouachita Baptist (Jacksonville Jaguars)

#200 DL Sam Roberts, Northwest Missouri State (New England Patriots)

#223 WR Dareke Young, Lenoir-Rhyne (Seattle Seahawks)

#244 DB Christian Matthew, Valdosta State (Arizona Cardinals)

Immediately following the conclusion of the draft, many Division 2 players were signed to undrafted free agent contracts, highlighted by Ferris State's national championship winning quarterback Jared Bernhardt, who was signed as a WR / KR by the Atlanta Falcons. 

Here is the latest update to Josh Buchannon's top 25 D2 prospects (last updated 5/2/2022, 8pm, ET). Many more D2 prospects have also signed contracts or accepted rookie camp invitations. We will do our best to compile a complete list when possible.