April 29th 2024.
The 2024 NFL Draft saw the selection of 257 talented football players, but unfortunately, not a single one came from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). This was a tough blow for these institutions, who have been working hard to bring attention to the skills and potential of Black athletes. Even the legendary Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders, a Hall of Famer in the NFL, has been using his platform to raise awareness about these amazing athletes. However, according to USA Today, this is not the first time that HBCUs have been overlooked in the draft. In fact, it's the second time in four years that no NFL team has chosen a player from an HBCU. This was also the case in 2021. In response to this trend, the Black College Hall of Fame came up with the HBCU Legacy Bowl in 2021, and the NFL launched the HBCU Combine in 2022.
But despite the disappointment of not being selected in the draft, there is still hope for these HBCU players. HBCU Buzz reported that 21 players who were not drafted have received invitations from various teams to attend mini-camps or join as undrafted free agents this summer. This is a huge opportunity for these players to showcase their skills and potentially earn a spot on an NFL team. For those who were invited as undrafted free agents, they have the advantage of being able to negotiate and sign with any team that shows interest in them. And for those invited to mini-camps, it's a chance to not only impress the team personnel, but also gain valuable experience and exposure.
Let's take a look at some of the HBCU players who have received invitations. Jordan Toles from Morgan State has been invited by the Baltimore Ravens, while Willie Drew from Virginia State will be attending the Carolina Panthers' mini-camp. Ian Wheeler from Howard University has been invited by the Chicago Bears, and Jarveon Howard from Alcorn State will be joining the Green Bay Packers. Other players who have received invitations include Jeblonski Green from South Carolina State (Indianapolis Colts), Mikey Victor from Alabama State (New England Patriots), and Marcus Riley from Florida A&M (New York Jets). It's exciting to see these players getting the recognition they deserve and having the opportunity to prove themselves on a bigger stage.
There are also a number of players who have been invited to participate in mini-camps. Aidan Hemphill from Texas Southern will be joining the Indianapolis Colts, while Noah Washington from Morgan State will be attending the Minnesota Vikings' mini-camp. Tairiq Stewart from North Carolina A&T has been invited by the New England Patriots, and Terrell Jennings from Florida A&M will also be joining the Patriots. Other players who have received invitations include Isaiah Major from Florida A&M (New Orleans Saints), Michael Chris-Ike from Delaware State (New York Jets), and Patrick Godbolt from South Carolina State (New York Jets). It's a great opportunity for these players to showcase their skills and potentially earn a spot on an NFL team.
It's clear that HBCU players are not being overlooked completely, as they have received a number of opportunities to impress and potentially join an NFL team. These invitations to mini-camps and as undrafted free agents are a testament to the talent and hard work of these players, and it's refreshing to see them getting the recognition they deserve. With events like the HBCU Legacy Bowl and the HBCU Combine, it's clear that the NFL is taking steps towards promoting diversity and giving HBCU players a chance to shine. Let's hope that in the future, we'll see even more HBCU players making their mark in the NFL.
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