By Thai Floyd, Kyle T. Mosley
Last April, HBCU Football had four athletes chosen in the 2022 NFL Draft. DB DB Decobie Durant (South Carolina State) Joshua Williams (Fayetteville State), Ja’Tyre Carter (Southern), and James Houston (Jackson State) are all establishing a name for themselves in the NFL. Several highly esteemed athletes currently have pro ambitions and will be eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City.
Football players from historically black colleges UAPB OL Mark Evans II and FAMU LB Isaiah Land have gotten formal invitations from the NFL to compete in the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
After NFL scouts examine the all-star bowl game tapes from the East-West Shrine Bowl, HBCU Legacy Bowl, NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, HULA Bowl Classic, and Reese’s Senior Bowl, hopefully more HBCU players will compete. Professional evaluators and decision-makers may be drawn to players like LB Aubrey Miller Jr. (Jackson State) and OL Robert Miller.
Why? It’s because the four 2022 HBCU NFL draftees performed well during the 2022-23 NFL season. Former Jackson State standout defender James Houston (Jackson State), who has 8.0 sacks in seven games since being promoted from the Detroit Lions’ practice team on Thanksgiving Day.
Decobie Durant (South Carolina State) had two interceptions, one of which was a pick-six, on Christmas Day. The Los Angeles Rams named the former South Carolina State Bulldog Rookie of the Year for 2022.
This season, both Chicago offensive tackle Ja’Tyre Carter and Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Joshua Williams made major contributions. This year’s draught includes athletes who can have the same effect on NFL teams in 2023-2024. I believe four players will hear their names called or ink rookie free-agent contracts with NFL clubs in April.
HBCU PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kemari Averett (TE, Bethune-Cookman)
For the second year in a row, Averett ended his tenure as a 2022 BOXTOROW HBCU All-American and First Team All-SWAC selection. In his two seasons at Bethune-Cookman, he accumulated 1,333 yards and 17 scores while catching a pass in every contest. Averett is a 6-6, 250-pound tight end who can run passes swiftly and effectively while also blocking for his teammates. More of his physical talent will be on display in the NFLPA and HBCU Legacy Bowls in the coming months.
Darren Waller of the Las Vegas Raiders is an NFL comparison.
Robert Mitchell (OL, North Carolina Central)
Robert Mitchell finished his final season as an HBCU National Champion, First Team All-MEAC, and MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year. Mitchell played in the sixth-ranked offence in the country, producing 63 pancake blocks and not allowing a rush in 659 plays. Mitchell is 6’3″ and 305 pounds, and he moves well in front of players like dual-threat quarterback Davius Richard and running back Mookie Collier. Mitchell will compete in the HBCU Legacy Bowl.
Orlando Brown Jr. of the Kansas City Chiefs is an NFL comparison.
Isaiah Land (LB, Florida A&M)
The Buck Buchanan Award winner for 2021 returned to Florida A&M for his final season, finishing his career with 89 stops, 42.5 tackles for loss, and 29 sacks, including 19 in a single season. He was awarded First Team All-SWAC and a BOXTOWROW All-American after the season. Land is quick, clocking in at 4.6 seconds and 40 time.
He has a never-ending motor, which has added to his success in education. He is also very strong, with the ability to bench press 375 pounds and squat 600 pounds. He’ll play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl and the Shrine Bowl next year. Land has received an offer to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine for the second year in a row. (2022 Markquese Bell).
Brian Burns of the Carolina Panthers is an NFL comparison.
Shaquan Davis (WR, South Carolina State)
Shaquan ‘Shaq’ Davis was number three on ESPN’s Top-050 HBCU Draft Prospect ranking during the preseason and came from a school renowned for placing players in the league like Shaquille “Darius” Leonard and Javon Hargrave.
Davis is a tall, quick receiver with the ability to make huge plays and make an impact. One of his most memorable victories was the 2021 Celebration Bowl, in which he scored three touchdowns and his squad easily defeated Deion Sanders and the Jackson State Tigers. He caught 128 receptions for 2,607 yards and 29 scores during his time at South Carolina State.
Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is an NFL comparison.
Honorable Mentions
- Mark Evans II (OL, UAPB)
- Jason Dumas (DL, Southern)
- Aubrey Miller Jr (LB, Jackson State
- BJ Bohler (DB, FAMU)
- Xavier Smith (WR, FAMU)
- Dallas Daniels (WR, JSU)
- Zach Leslie (WR, NCAT)
- DJ Golatt (QB, Bowie State)
The 2023 NFL Draft will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 27-29. Historically, HBCU athletes have included Jerry Rice, Mel Blount, Walter Payton, Buck Buchanan, and Elvin Bethea, to name a few who have earned gold jackets and been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.