Stephen F. Austin CB Charles Demmings Selected 163rd Overall by Minnesota Vikings at 2026 NFL Draft

Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks defensive back Charles Demmings (21) intercepts a pass as Jacksonville State Gamecocks take on Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks during the FCS Kickoff at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. Jacksonville State Gamecocks lead Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 21-17.

For the first time since 2023 Stephen F. Austin has had a player drafted. Defensive back Charles Demmings was selected by the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday with the 163rd overall pick. Demmings is the first FCS defender to be selected in this year’s draft and joins defensive end B.J. Thompson as the only SFA alum to be drafted this decade. He is also the second Southland player to be taken this draft as Southeastern Louisiana defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor went in the fourth round.

An injury kept Demmings off the field some during the 2025 season but that did necessarily hurt his draft stock as he was still invited to the NFL Combine back in February. There he impressed scouts with a blazing 4.41 40-yard dash and a 42” vertical jump. Demmings received high grades practically across the board in Indianapolis and measured in at 6-1, 193 pounds.

His college career was a productive one from the cornerback spot. In his four years with Stephen F. Austin, Demmings logged nine interceptions and broke up 35 passes. His speed consistently made him one of the subdivision’s top secondary players and one of the hardest to throw against. He was a First-Team All-Southland pick last fall.