Do D2 athletes ever get drafted?

Yes, Division II (D2) athletes absolutely get drafted and make it to professional leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB, though less frequently than D1 players; talent and production are what scouts look for, regardless of division, with D2 players proving their ability to play at the highest levels, exemplified by recent NFL draftees and hundreds of D2 alumni playing professionally.

Did any D2 players get drafted?

It's a common misconception that D1 is the only division with players getting drafted into the NFL. There are many D2 and D3-level players who get drafted.

Has a D2 player ever been drafted in the NBA?

Earl “The Pearl” Monroe – G, Winston-Salem State University

After a stellar college career – where he remains the program's top scorer – Monroe earned the distinction of becoming the highest-drafted Division II player in history when he was selected second overall by the Baltimore Bullets in 1967.

Can D2 athletes make it to the NFL?

Yes, D2 players can absolutely make it to the NFL, with dozens competing on opening day rosters each year, though it's less common than D1 players, with some finding success as drafted players (like Kyle Dugger) or undrafted free agents (like Tyreek Hill or Adam Thielen) who carve out great careers, proving scouts look for talent like athletic ability and football IQ over just division level. 

Do D2 athletes get recruited?

The NCAA Recruiting Calendar regulates when and how NCAA Division I (DI) and Division II (DII) college coaches can proactively start recruiting student-athletes and “help promote the well-being of prospective student-athletes to ensure competitive equality,” according to the NCAA.

The REAL Differences Between D1, D2, and D3 🚨

Is D1 or D2 better in football?

D1 is better for the highest competition, exposure, and biggest budgets, with more full scholarships and the best path to the NFL; D2 offers a strong, competitive middle ground with more balance for academics, potentially fewer hours, and partial scholarships, making it a good fit for athletes wanting high-level play without D1's intense focus and resources [1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 12, 13.}

Did any D2 players get drafted in 2025?

JAXON DALENA - SAN DIEGO PADRES

For the second year in a row, the San Diego Padres have dipped into the Division II talent pool early, selecting right-handed pitcher Jaxon Dalena from Shippensburg University in the 6th round (190th overall pick) of the 2025 MLB Draft.

Is D2 going to 5 years of eligibility?

The NCAA is considering a proposal that would grant Division II athletes a fifth year of eligibility, a rule change that coaches and players say could reshape recruiting, roster management and competitive balance across college sports. The Rule will be voted on at the 2026 NCAA Convention in January.

What is the lowest NFL salary?

The lowest-paid players in the NFL are rookies and players with few years of experience, earning the league minimum, which is $840,000 for rookies in 2025, increasing to over $1.25 million for veterans with 7+ years, with practice squad players earning even less, though specific individuals aren't named as lowest but rather by the minimum salary scale set by the CBA. Fullbacks, tight ends, and long snappers are often among the lowest-paid positions due to scheme changes, with fullbacks sometimes earning the least. 

How hard is it to go D2?

Being a Division 2 athlete also requires a lot of training and practice, but less than D1. There are still the demands all student-athletes face, but it is not as intense and rigorous as the year-round total commitment of a D1 athlete. Additionally, you're more likely to be rewarded with aid.

Has a 17 year old ever been drafted?

No, the current U.S. Selective Service System requires registration for men 18-25, not 17, though federal law technically allows for militia conscription of able-bodied men 17-45 in emergencies, and some historical drafts did involve younger men or allow enlistment at 17 with parental consent. While the draft hasn't been active since 1973, registration at 18 is mandatory, with penalties for non-registration, and 17-year-olds can enlist with permission.
 

Has anyone gone from D3 to NBA?

Devean George, Augsburg (1995-99)

Devean George remains the only Division III player taken in the first round of an NBA draft – the 23rd overall pick of the Los Angeles Lakers. George became a key rotation player for three NBA championship teams in LA.

Has a D3 player ever been drafted?

He was the 20th Division III player to be drafted since 1990. Marpet was the first Division III player to be selected in the top 100 players in an NFL draft since 1990, when the Seattle Seahawks chose Ferrum College's running back Chris Warren with the 84th pick.

Have any D2 players made it to the MLB?

More current MLB players who attended D2 schools: Hunter Brown – RHP, Wayne State University. Louie Varland – RHP, Concordia University, St. Paul.

What GPA is needed for D2?

Earn a minimum 2.2 core-course GPA. 3. Ask your high school counselor to upload your final official transcript with proof of graduation to your Eligibility Center account. Division II schools require you to meet academic standards.

Can a D2 school move up to D1?

Conferences inviting Division II and III schools to join Division I must confirm the school meets academic requirements, including being above the 10th percentile of Division I members in the Academic Progress Rate, Graduation Success Rate, or the difference between the federal graduation rates for student-athletes and ...

What college player has 9 years of eligibility?

College football player Cam McCormick, a tight end for the University of Miami, received an unprecedented ninth year of NCAA eligibility for the 2024 season, primarily due to extensive season-ending injuries sustained during his time at the University of Oregon (2016-2023), making him the first player granted such an extended career. After beginning his career at Oregon and suffering multiple injuries, he transferred to Miami, earned degrees, and petitioned successfully for his historic extra year, allowing him to play in 2024 as a 25-year-old.
 

Has any D2 players made the NFL?

Yes, many Division II (D2) football players have made it to the NFL, with dozens consistently on rosters, including recent stars like Tyreek Hill (West Alabama) and Matthew Judon (Grand Valley State), proving D2 is a viable pipeline, with players often excelling in specific roles like special teams or as backups, notes NCAA.com and FloFootball. While fewer are drafted high, many find success as undrafted free agents or late-round picks, with notable recent examples including quarterback Tyson Bagent (Shepherd) and punter Ethan Evans (Wingate). 

Is division 2 good for soccer?

Yes, NCAA Division II (D2) soccer is very good, offering a high level of competitive play with a great balance between strong athletics and academics, allowing for more flexibility than D1 while still providing scholarships and a pathway to potentially play professionally, though D1 generally has more scouts. Top D2 teams can compete with D1 programs, and the experience provides a solid foundation for student-athletes who want a full college experience with meaningful sport. 

Do D2 football players get paid?

Yes, D2 football players can earn money, primarily through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, and they receive athletic scholarships, but generally not direct salaries like professionals, though a major 2025 settlement may allow universities to pay athletes directly. D2 scholarships are often partial, covering some costs, with full rides being rare, but players can profit from endorsements and sponsorships, creating a new path to compensation beyond just schooling.
 

Can D2 football give full rides?

Very few student-athletes at Division II schools will receive full scholarships, but most will receive partial scholarships or some other form of athletic-based financial aid. Additionally, student-athletes can apply for other scholarships, like merit or academic scholarships or other forms of financial aid.

Has a D2 player ever made the NBA?

Yes, several NCAA Division II (D2) players have made it to the NBA, with prominent examples including NBA champion Derrick White, NBA champion Ben Wallace, Hall of Famer George Gervin, and current players like Haywood Highsmith, proving D2 talent can translate to the highest level, often after transferring up or developing in the G-League. While less common than D1 players, the path is challenging but achievable, with players like White starting at D2 before moving to D1 and getting drafted, and others like Highsmith going D2 to G-League to NBA. 

Is it hard to go D2 in football?

Going D2 in football is challenging but achievable, requiring high-level skills, significant physical strength (e.g., 300lb bench for linemen), strong academics (3.0+ GPA), and consistent performance against tough competition, with players often being top high school athletes, though walk-ons can get opportunities if they meet physical and skill demands, notes Reddit users and Quora. While less intense than D1, D2 demands about 15-20 hours of weekly commitment, so it's a serious athletic pursuit, not a casual entry, requiring dedication and demonstrated talent, according to Top Tier Lessons and NCSA.