GMs concerned with lack of competition among HBCU players after going undrafted.

The issue of getting players from HBCUs into the NFL has been widely discussed, with former Jackson State head football coach Deion Sanders leading the charge. However, this year, just like in 2021, no players from HBCUs were selected. Despite the NFL's backing of initiatives like the HBCU Legacy Bowl and HBCU Combine, which were created in 2021 and 2022 respectively, there was still a lack of representation from HBCUs in the draft.

According to a report by USA Today, only four HBCU players were drafted in 2022, and in the previous year, only one player, Jackson State cornerback Isaiah Bolden, was selected in the seventh round by the New England Patriots. It was expected that players like Virginia State cornerback Willie Reed and Howard University offensive tackle Anim Dankwah would also be drafted, but unfortunately, they were not chosen.

The Athletic reported in 2023 that the NFL is ultimately a business, and team executives are hesitant to use draft picks on players they don't believe can succeed at the next level. Jim Trotter, a reporter for The Athletic, spoke to six NFL GMs from different backgrounds, including race, team status, and age, and they all shared the same sentiment that the level of competition in FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) is not on par with the level of competition in FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision).

Orlando Arnold, an alumni of Alabama State and a certified agent, also spoke to The Athletic about the challenges of getting visibility for players from HBCUs. He mentioned that while the saying "if you can play, they will find you" still holds true, there is more effort required to ensure that HBCU players are seen by NFL scouts and evaluators. He also noted the impact of the transfer portal, which has changed the way players move between football subdivisions.

Trotter also acknowledged that the fight for equitable treatment of Black employees within the NFL is a real one, but creating a narrative that the league has a bias against HBCU players is not helping this cause. He shared a tweet from February 2024 in which he called out NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for not addressing the lack of diversity among the league's media members.

In response, Goodell stated during a Super Bowl media week press conference that he disagrees with Trotter's claim and is willing to review the data and address the issue. However, in a joint statement released by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) in February, they expressed disappointment in the lack of progress made by the NFL in hiring Black media members. They challenged the league to take action and make a serious effort to address these inequalities.

The NABJ also emphasized the importance of having diverse voices telling NFL stories, especially with the league being one of the most watched events in the world. They urged the NFL to act quickly in resolving this matter, as it reflects insensitivity to the league's players, audience, and event participants. The lack of representation from HBCUs in the NFL draft and among media members shows that there is still work to be done in creating a truly diverse and inclusive environment within the league.

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