John Carroll athletics photo by Mila Rose

Once again, the NFL draft came and went without a single Division III player being drafted. Once again, nobody who played football outside NCAA Division I was taken among the 257 players selected. 

UW-Whitewater offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz was the most recent Division III player drafted, going to the Denver Broncos in 2021. Otherwise, Division III players have been relegated to singing free agent contracts or accepting invites to rookie mini-camp, such as the 12 players who did so last year.

The first, and most expected signing of a Division III player, came Saturday evening as John Carroll wide receiver Tyren Montgomery got the call everyone expected he would get, as he was offered a free agent contract. That opportunity comes with the Tennessee Titans. In 2025, Montgomery set JCU records with 119 receptions and 1,528 receiving yards and was named D3football.com first team All-American.

"Congratulations to Ty and his family on signing an NFL contract. The Titans are getting a great player, fierce competitor, and a wonderful person," said athletic director and head football coach Brian Polian. "We are very excited for Ty and know that he is going to take advantage of this opportunity. We are also incredibly proud as we have had the privilege to witness the amount of hard work and dedication he's invested into this dream. His journey is just beginning, and we will support and cheer for him every step of the way because he is forever a member of the John Carroll family."

UW-River Falls quarterback Kaleb Blaha received an invitation to the New Orleans Saints' rookie minicamp, after a season in which he earned D3football.com Offensive Player of the Year honors. Dain Walter, a first-team All-America at tackle for UW-La Crosse, is going to the Green Bay Packers' minicamp. Reed Breckheimer, the first-team tight end on the D3football.com All-America team, is going from Carroll to the Miami Dolphins rookie minicamp. Johns Hopkins quarterback Bay Harvey, our second team All-America selection at quarterback, was invited to the Washington Commanders' minicamp. 

A number of Division III football players worked out for NFL scouts at team pro days and scouts visit Division III practices all season long to make sure they find any prospect, regardless of level. Some will end up as undrafted free agent signees, and some will receive minicamp invites from teams where they will compete in hopes of staying with the team.

This story will be updated as other players sign or receive invites.