The PFN Draft Preview series takes a look into the potential 2023 NFL Draft prospects set to hit the field for HBCUs this season.
Infamously, no historically black college or university (HBCU) prospect was selected in the 2021 NFL Draft . There was a four-player rebound last cycle. But the 2023 NFL Draft could feature even more talented HBCU prospects throughout the seven-round event and shortly after.
Thanks to the likes of former NFL stars turned head coaches (Jackson State’s Deion Sanders and Tennessee State’s Eddie George), NFL draft analysts (such as ESPN’s Jordan Reid), and countless others behind the scenes, HBCUs have received an increasing amount of coverage and attention on the college and draft stages.
In fact, the Shrine Bowl 1000 (25) and Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist (14) highlighted HBCU athletes leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft. But there are far more who deserve recognition. Here are 40 draft-eligible HBCU prospects (plus 40 honorable mentions) from the FCS and D2 ranks to watch throughout the 2022 season.
Whether by sea, land, or air, Isaiah Land prospers. He will swim his way past opposing tackles to put quarterbacks in the dirt or toss them through the wind. After leading the nation in sacks (19) and tackles for loss (25.5), Land took home the 2021 Buck Buchanan Award, given to the nation’s top defensive player in the FCS.
Following the jaw-dropping outing, Land entered the transfer portal and received offers from Auburn, Georgia, LSU, and others. However, he decided to remain with Florida A&M — and who could blame him? There is only one “The Marching 100.”
Land landed on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks list after running a 4.6 40-yard dash and hitting a 10’9″ broad jump at 6’4″ and 225 pounds. Although he missed the season opener against North Carolina, it shouldn’t be long before Land graces our TVs on Saturdays and, by 2023, Sundays.
2013; The last time Arkansas-Pine Bluff sent a player to the NFL draft. The drought ends next April.
Mark Evans enters his fourth year as a starter for the Golden Lions, and he may have saved his best for last. His nimble feet and strong hands allow him to reset his base and anchor. Although he has cracked the all-conference team each season, Evans’ greatest accolade may have come off the field, signing a NIL endorsement deal to join Denny’s All-Pancaker Team.
In the 2021 spring season, Jordan Lewis totaled 15 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks en route to becoming the first-ever SWAC player to win the Buchanan Award. Yet, at a listed 6’3″ and 195 pounds, Lewis’ NFL draft prospects are in the air.
Lewis will likely have to gain some weight and move to a more off-ball linebacker position. The production, intangibles, and athleticism are there for him to make it to the NFL. The only question is, can he switch positions and remain effective?
How do you stop 6’6″ and 260 pounds stretching the field? That’s what SWAC defenses had to contend with last season, and Kermari Averett towered over the competition with 51 catches, 876 yards, and 10 touchdowns.
With the way the NFL is evolving, tight ends that can win vertically and on the outside are extremely valuable. Averett shouldn’t have to wait too long to hear his name called in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Joshua Pryor broke out in 2019, bowling his way to 25 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. And even though the 2020 season was canceled, he picked up where he left off in 2021, reaching 21.5 TFLs and six sacks.
Sure, he’s facing D2 competition, but Pryor is doing what he is supposed to — dominating. He’s still growing into his NFL build (6’4″, 280) but already wins with his blend of speed and power. With violent hands and imposing lower-body strength, Pryor deserves a selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Shaquille Leonard. Javon Hargrave. Decobie Durant. What do all those names have in common? They are South Carolina State alum selected in the NFL draft. And with another impressive season, Shaq Davis should join them in 2023.
Davis’ 6’5″ and 200+ pound build is an instant mismatch for DBs, leading to a career 20.4 yards-per-catch average. Highlighting his efficiency, Davis has moved the chains (first down or touchdown) on 68 of his 88 receptions.
Jadakis Bonds is a thin 6’4″, but that hasn’t stopped him from bullying his opponents to the tune of 21 touchdowns in two seasons. He boxes DBs out like a basketball player and rises above the rim easily. With plus body control and ball tracking, Bonds pairs his red-zone friendly size with downfield potential. His totals dropped from 2019 (70-943-15) to 2021 (54-773-6), but with a year to recondition and reacclimate to the offense, Bonds could explode in 2022.
How will Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim look without Aqeel Glass throwing him the football in 2022? The two have been inseparable since Ibrahim walked onto the program in 2019. But with Glass attempting to crack a roster in the NFL, Ibrahim will have to prove he can still produce in order to receive his own shot next year. He led the SWAC with 1,008 yards last season and routinely made defenders miss after the catch.
The heart and soul of Jackson State’s defense, Aubrey Miller plays with violence. Plenty of players play with violence, but few do so in a controlled manner — Miller is one of them. He fires off the snap, plays to the whistle, sheds blocks, secures tackles, and keeps opponents in front of him. Miller embodies the saying, “You can’t stop him. You can only hope to contain him.”
After two years at Jackson State and under the tutelage of Sanders, where exactly does De’Jahn Warren stand in the 2023 NFL Draft? He has the raw talent to be the best HBCU corner in the class. Yet, he doesn’t have the production to back that up. With Al Young and CJ Holmes departed, 2022 is a make-or-break year for Warren. Nevertheless, I’d bet on Warren separating himself from the pack.
I’d also bet on Isaiah Bolden tapping into the potential he showed as a former four-star recruit at Florida State. He’s a long 6’2″ and has juice, as evidenced by two return touchdowns in 2021. Still, he’s largely an unknown with less than 200 defensive snaps in his collegiate career.
While Warren and Bolden might be the top CB duo, there is no doubt Jeblonski Green and Patrick Godbolt are the No. 1 EDGE combo in the FCS. As Jay Z said, “Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t.” So let’s give them a look.
Green is a wide-bodied thumper at 6’3″ and 265 pounds. If he gets inside your chest, you may as well blow the whistle. On the other hand, Godbolt is long and explosive but is more reliant on his physical tools than technique currently.
With safety Markquese Bell now a Dallas Cowboy, it’s BJ Bohler’s time to shine in the Sunshine State. He may only be 5’9″ and 180 pounds, but Bohler uses the sideline to his advantage, gets his head around swiftly, and is a certified playmaker. Don’t take my word for it: He had four INTs and 12 PBUs last season.
Even if NFL teams force him to move into the slot, Bohler has the burst to match two-way go’s. And he’s a dependable special-teams player to boot!
Grambling State is moving from a 3-3-5 defensive scheme to a more traditional 4-3, which should unleash Sundiata Anderson. As the 5-technique, Anderson can pin his ears back and rush off the edge. He has prototypical NFL size at 6’5″ and 240 pounds and posted five sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss in 2021.
But Anderson is more than a pass rusher. In fact, pass rushing isn’t his best phase. Where Anderson thrives is as a run defender, attacking blocks and wrenching himself free or creating space for a teammate to make a play.
Let me preface this by saying Aaron Donald is a 1-of-1 player. He may be the best defensive player in the history of the sport. But Jason Dumas is Aaron Donald lite on the HBCU circuit.
Across four seasons (37 games), Dumas has amassed 46 tackles for loss, 21 sacks, and four forced fumbles. 5’10” and 230 pounds is not a build conducive to NFL success. However, Dumas makes up for it with bend, a stellar get-off, natural leverage, and rapid hands.
I’ve been on the Demetri Morsell hype train since he won CIAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 on the back of nine — yes, NINE — interceptions. He has dealt with injuries since with Bowie State, but now joining Southern, he’s ready to put his talent on center stage. Morsell can click and close in an instant while also being able to hit the afterburners downfield.
Jordan Carter also left Bowie State for Southern, bringing two of the CIAA’s best corners to the SWAC. Carter isn’t afraid to come downhill, registering 19.5 tackles for loss in two seasons. He is a physical DB and, along with Morsell, will benefit from Jordan Lewis wreaking havoc up front.
Joshua Williams became Fayetteville State’s first drafted player since 1976. And fellow cornerback Brandon Barnes-Brown looks to join him in the league in 2023.
Teams tested Barnes-Brown last season with Williams shutting down the other side, but the teacher soon became the student. Barnes-Brown recorded a conference-best five interceptions and another eight pass breakups. He’s a ball hawk outside, but his recovery speed and fluidity offer him full range on the back end.
Xavier Smith won’t win many contested battles, but he doesn’t have to. He beats DBs with slippery route running and generates yards after the catch. His quickness and start/stop ability make him deadly in the open field. Smith suffered from drops last season, so nipping that issue in the bud will improve his stock.
A Texas State transfer, Jah’Marae Sheread is a threat as a punt returner (19.9 average in 2021) and out of the slot. His 5’7″ frame caps his ceiling on offense, but Sheread’s shiftiness and speed lead to easy separation and yards. Oh, and he is a weapon on special teams, returning nine kicks for 222 yards and 18 punts for 358 and a score.
Fresh off a dominant 19-TFL and 11.5-sack campaign, the SIAC named Andrew Farmer the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. He is a proportioned 6’3″ and 250 pounds with effective length and excellent speed.
On the field-goal unit (bonus points for special-teams experience), Farmer nearly tracked down a DB from across the field who scored on a blocked kick. He has the range to flow sideline to sideline, as well as the get-off to quickly penetrate the pocket.
Keenan Isaac’s physical traits (6’3″, 190) will draw interest, but he also has the tape to back it up. He is willing and able to support against the run, and his hips are fluid in coverage. Isaac’s length smothers WRs, and he displayed his patience against Auburn last season.
Tampa Bay Buccanneers CB Carlton Davis III’s younger brother, Irshaad Davis makes plays all over the field. He’s seen 400+ snaps in the box and at deep safety over his career, even 100+ from the slot. In 2021, Davis registered six tackles for loss, two sacks, three INTs, four PBUs, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. That versatility and production, paired with his football IQ and movement skills, will make Davis a sought-after commodity.
Sporting a 6’5″ frame, Malachi Wideman naturally provides a large catch radius for his QB to hit. After a slow start to the 2021 campaign, he came into his own in the final seven games. Wideman generated 506 yards and 11 TDs over that span. And that was with Keith Corbin, Warren Newman, and Josh Lanier on the depth chart.
With all three gone, Wideman should be Shedeur Sanders’ No. 1 target in 2022. Expect the two to produce video-game numbers in celebration of NCAA Football returning in 2023.
A former Cincinnati Bearcats RB, J.J. Davis led the FCS in yards per carry (7.2) last season. Additionally, he displayed an ability to force missed tackles, gain yards after contact, and rattle off chunk plays with ease. Replicating his MEAC-leading 887-yard and 10-touchdown 2021 campaign will be difficult, but Davis is one of the most talented backs in the nation.
Standing 6’4″ and 260 pounds, Darrian Brokenburr is an easy projection as a 4-3 defensive end. He shocks opponents with powerful hands, setting the edge and pushing the pocket all the same. Although he can play off contact well and is relentless in pursuit, Brokenburr needs to expand his pass-rush arsenal.
In 16 games at North Carolina A&T, Jermaine McDaniel Jr. has racked up 16.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. His red-hot motor might be genetic, as he’s the great-nephew of former Baltimore Ravens fullback Vonta Leach. However, with the 2020 campaign canceled due to COVID-19 and injuries limiting him to five games last season, McDaniel needs a big year. Showcasing an advanced pass-rush toolbox will also go a long way toward his NFL aspirations.
At 6’2″ and nearly 300 pounds, Isaiah Williams has lined up all over the defensive line. In 16 games with the Hornets from 2020-2021, he has generated 16.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He projects to the interior, but his experience on the edge only adds to his allure. Although not overly explosive, Williams’ motor runs hot, and he is equally effective as a pass rusher and run defender, often requiring double-teams.
Five interceptions and eight pass breakups will not only earn you first-team All-SWAC honors but also looks from NFL scouts. While Omari Hill-Robinson possesses a slender frame, he’s sticky in coverage, maintaining proper leverage. Hill-Robinson stays low in his stance and is an easy mover, but he must stay disciplined. He occasionally loses sight of his WR while eyeing the QB or defensive backfield.
Whatever you need Jacob Roberts to do, he will get it done. Across two seasons (2019 and 2021) as the leader of NC A&T’s defense, Roberts has proven to be a reliable tackler, stout run stuffer (24 tackles for loss), efficient pass rusher (9.5 sacks), and solid coverage defender (three INTs and seven PBUs). Heck, he’s even a standout special-teamer with four blocked punts in 2021. His trigger and instincts at 6’1″ and 235 pounds make him a threat at the second level.
But Roberts isn’t the only Aggie linebacker worthy of recognition. Joseph Stucky has more of a safety body (6’0″, 210) but has no issue putting his body on the line in the box. That’s not even where he spends most of his time, as NC A&T deploys Stucky in the slot. He’s played well there, containing outside runs, wrapping up in the open field, and holding his own in coverage.
John Huggins and Shilo Sanders form arguably the top safety duo returning to the SWAC in 2022. Huggins (6’2″, 205) typically plays in the box, acting as a downhill enforcer. But he isn’t just a strong run defender, as he notched six PBUs last year.
Meanwhile, Sanders (6’0″, 195) is JSU’s deep safety and last line of defense. He snatched four picks in 2021, tying for the most in the conference. His physical playstyle and versatility will endear him to NFL coaches. It also doesn’t hurt to share a last name with one of the greatest cornerbacks of all time.
Listed 6’8″ and 365 pounds, Anim Dankwah is a brick wall at left tackle. That overwhelming size comes with its downsides, especially in pass protection (high pad level and limited mobility). But Dankwah is a mauler on the ground and simply overpowers defenders with translatable strength. If he can show improvements as a pass blocker this season, Dankwah could earn late-round or priority UDFA consideration.
After a couple of years at Snow C.C., Rontay Dunbar took his talents to Lincoln. It’s safe to say he hit the ground running, recording three interceptions and 12 pass breakups in 10 games, demonstrating his ball skills. He consistently stays in phase downfield, moves with his feet first at the line of scrimmage, and owns smooth hips.
Anthony Evelyn is a threat from anywhere on the field. No, seriously. He went 2 of 2 passing for 58 yards, rushed 15 times for 151 yards, hauled in 58 receptions for 777 yards and six touchdowns, returned four punts for 13 yards, and took 30 kickoffs for 683 yards and two scores in 2021.
For those counting, that’s 1,682 all-purpose yards, leading the SIAC. At 5’9″ and 165 pounds, his frame is dangerously light, but his speed and explosiveness keep him out of harm’s way.
Keyron Kinsler Jr. doesn’t get the respect he deserves. He moves freely on the back end and has shown the ability to bait QBs into ill-advised throws. Nicknamed “The Hitman,” Kinsler lays the boom over the middle of the field, even if he is only 5’11” and 185 pounds. His speed isn’t elite but makes up for it with instincts and a rapid downhill trigger.
There aren’t many 6’1″ and 220-pound rushers on the D2 level. And there sure isn’t another that moves as well as Emanuel Wilson. Wilson runs behind his pads and stocky build, breaking arm tackles and pushing piles frequently. He has the hardware as well, garnering 2019 CIAA Offensive Rookie of the Year while at Johnson C. Smith. Then, he averaged 119.3 yards per game and 5.7 per carry at Fort Valley State last season. With two eye-catching campaigns under his belt, all Wilson has to do is stay the course in 2022.
There are two other QBs listed in the honorable mentions, but Davius Richard has the best shot at reaching the pros. He’s a well-built 6’3″ and 215-pound dual-threat that can gash defenses with his legs or burn them with his arm. Standing tall in the pocket comes naturally, and he improved his accuracy from 2019 to 2021.
Richard has the tools to receive NFL attention. And even despite needing to clean up his release, footwork, and weight transfer, his arm talent is easy to see. With refined technique and sped-up mental processing, Richard could make some NFL draft noise.
James Fragoza is a Writer and News Editor at Pro Football Network. You can read his other work here and follow him on Twitter @JamesFragoza.
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