HBCU Players Sign NFL Rookie Mini-Camp Contracts | May 5

HBCU football stars were signed for NFL rookie mini-camp action for this weekend on May 5, 2023.

Kyle T. Mosley | May 6, 2023

HBCU Players Sign NFL Rookie Mini-Camp Contracts | May 5 /

Making one of the NFL squads started this weekend for HBCU football stars who signed undrafted free-agent contracts to participate in NFL rookie mini-camps for this weekend. According to the May 5 reported official NFL transactions, the New Jets and Indianapolis Colts signed two HBCU players.

Claudin Cherelus, 24, is an outstanding defensive player from Alcorn State, showed up to the New York Jets rookie mini-camp on May 5 wearing the No. 41 jersey. The 6-2 and 230-pound player can cover opposing offenses with remarkable speed and is known for his hard hits. Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters, "There's always one or two guys that end up making their way on the 90-man roster" for summer training camp.

“We both already felt the Jets would be the best place for me to be,” Cherelus said. “They showed interest in me the whole way and I wanted to be there just as much.” Dan Deluca, Naples Daily News

Darius Hagans, a talented running back from Virginia State, recently signed an undrafted free-agent deal with the Indianapolis Colts. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 207 pounds, Hagans has been participating in rookie mini-camp wearing the No. 39 jersey. He has been practicing receiving handoffs and passes from quarterback Anthony Richardson, the fourth-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Jackson State defensive back Isaiah Bolden was the only HBCU player selected in the 2023 NFL Draft over the weekend. To date, we recorded twenty-one HBCU football stars signed undrafted free-agent contracts to tryout at rookie mini-camps starting this weekend for several clubs.

The rest of the NFL teams will open rookie mini-camps and tryouts next weekend. In addition to the recent draft-eligible college players attempting to make 90-man NFL training camp rosters, HBCU players from the XFL, CFL, and USFL players will attend.

Published May 6, 2023

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: