2022 HBCU Combine Guide

The 2022 HBCU Combine will take place this weekend on the University of South Alabama's campus.

The 2022 HBCU Combine at the 2022 Reese's Senior Bowl will started last night with players meeting with NFL team representatives.  Participants will convene onsite at the University of South Alabama Training Center for the activities.

2022 HBCU COMBINE

HBCU Combine Days and Activities

The Senior Bowl's executive director, Jim Nagy, reported that the HBCU Combine started on Friday with players meeting NFL representatives.  

Inaugural HBCU Combine workouts are today but perhaps the most beneficial part of the two-day event happened last night. For these players, connecting with all 32 teams during formal interviews is critical. Let me explain from an NFL scout’s perspective. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/qnguHZaPPn

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) January 29, 2022

Day 1 (Friday, Jan. 28): 

• Players arrive
• Administration (Registration/Measurables/Medicals/Drug Testing)
• Evening Program
• Welcome Meeting
• Mentoring
• Club Interviews

Day 2 (Saturday, Jan. 29): 

• On-Field Workouts
• Club Interviews/Departures

Day 3 (Sunday, Jan. 30)

•  Departures

Location
Mobile, AL

• On-Field Day: University of South Alabama Training Center

Goals and Objectives

• Goal for 2022 HBCU Combine:
• Increase the amount of HBCU players drafted and signed as UDFAs (2021: 0 drafted, less than 10 signed as UDFAs)
• Elevate the perception of HBCU athletes and the HBCU Combine; hosting the event in partnership with Senior Bowl provides additional credibility
• Build relationship between NFL and incoming players (mentorship with current NFL players and Legends)
• Engage cross-functional working group to build plan/content/engagement to elevate HBCU Combine and generate partnerships
  • Maximize publicity of Combine on broadcast/social media utilizing NFL Network talent, Legends, current players and influencers in the HBCU space
  • Incorporate unique programming or event
  • Collaborate with Sponsorship to explore partnership interest
• Provide experience opportunities for football personnel (athletic training, video...). Similar initiatives during other tentpole events
  

Success Factors

• Number of NFL clubs attending Combine
• Number of players drafted/signed as UDFAs based on previous years
• Career path for interns

The Importance of the HBCU Combine

Glass; Credit: USA Today Sports

The 32 NFL franchises do not have a stellar record of drafting HBCU players.  Last season, no draft-eligible HBCU players were selected in the 2021 NFL Draft. Some teams pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason, but film was available on players upon request(s).

Besides the Colts LB Darius Leonard (South Carolina State),  Saints LT Terron Armstead (Arkansas-Pine Bluff), and Eagles DL Javon Hargrave (South Carolina State), the league does not have many prominent starters and Pro Bowlers from HBCUs, unlike decades ago.

It's not because there's a lack of talent; however, it's a lack of exposure, focus, and familiarity of players inside NFL scouting departments. 

NFL Network's Scott Pioli and Cameron Wolfe spoke about the importance of the HBCU Combine on Friday's broadcast.  The direct communication, advice, and exposure most of the HBCU players will receive is unprecedented.    Names like Aqeel Glass, Ezra Gray, Keyshawn James, Keenan Forbes, and Keenan Forbes are a few names the analysts are keeping an eye on at the event.

The #NFL is hours away from first ever #HBCUCombine - I'm looking forward to watching big guys perform & get on the #NFLDraft radar. Shared with @CameronWolfe my intrigue with a @FAMU_FB O-lineman & an edge rusher that had 61 career TFL & 30 sacks! @forbes_keenan @_KeyshawnJames pic.twitter.com/vjnhckCrGH

— Scott Pioli (@scottpioli51) January 29, 2022

HBCU Combine Players Invited

1. Dee Anderson, TE Alabama A&M

2. Aqeel Glass, QB Alabama A&M

3. Ezra Gray, RB Alabama State

4. Felix Harper, QB Alcorn State

5. Juwan Taylor, DS Alcorn State

6. Solomon Wise, OLB Alcorn State

7. Josh Wilkes, WR UAPB

8. KeShawn Williams, RB UAPB

9. Untrue Johnson, OLB Bethune-Cookman

10. Jamal Savage, OT Bethune-Cookman

11. Trey Gross, WR Delaware State

12. Kwannah Kollie, WR Delaware State

13. Elvin De La Rosa, DS Fayetteville State

14. Keyshawn James, DE Fayetteville State

15. Antwan Collier, DS FAMU

16. Keenan Forbes, OG FAMU

17. Shemar Bridges, WR Fort Valley State

18. James Fagan, DT Hampton

19. Jett Duffey, QB Hampton

20. Keith Corbin, WR Jackson State

21. Kingston Davis, RB Miles

22. Jerry Garner, OLB Mississippi Valley

23. Juwan Carter, QB Norfolk State

24. Chris Myers, OLB Norfolk State

25. Korey Banks, WR NC A&T

26. Ron Hunt, WR NC A&T

27. Jah-Maine Martin, RB NC A&T

28. Jawon Pass, QB Prairie View

29. Chad Gilchrist, ILB SC State

30. Zafir Kelly, DC SC State

31. Will Vereen, WR SC State

32. Marquis McClain, WR Southern

33. Ladarius Skelton, QB Southern

34. Cam Durley, OT Tennessee State

35. Cory Rahman, DS Tennessee State

36. Jonathan Giles, WR Texas Southern

37. Jeff Proctor, RB Texas Southern

38. Will Adams, DS Virginia State

39. Javon Frazier, OLB Virginia State

40. Zachary Wilcox, OT Virginia State

Alabama A&M's quarterback Aqeel Glass decided to participate in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl this weekend.  However, he will be at the HBCU Legacy Bowl's combine participating in the New Orleans from Feb. 17-19.

The Reese’s Senior Bowl is widely regarded as the preeminent college football all-star game and the first stage in the NFL Draft process. It is also the only all-star game coached by complete NFL staffs. More than 900 NFL personnel, including key decision-makers from all 32 teams, and over 700 media members from around the country are credentialed year after year. This past year, the game produced 106 total picks, representing 41 percent of the entire NFL draft, including 36 in the first three rounds.

HBCU Football Coverage

• Shedeur Sanders Inks NIL Deal with Gatorade
• Hue Jackson Celebrates With Recruits Family
• Travis Hunter Impersonates Deion Sanders at Polynesian Bowl
• Mark Evans II Receives Willie Roaf Award
• Jerry Rice Partners with Lay's Golden Grounds
• Is Today's NFL Black Head Coach in a 'No-Win' Situation?
• Jerry Rice on Being a Head Coach: 'It's Starting to Cross My Mind'
• FAMU's Markquese Bell Invited to the NFL Combine
• NFL and HBCU Legend Thomas Henderson Interview
• Prairie View Selects Bubba McDowell as Head Coach
• Deion Sanders, Hue Jackson, and HBCU Coaches Can Capitalize on Comments
• Celebration Bowl Attendance Outpaced Several FBS Bowl Games
• HBCU Football's Top Stories of 2021
• HBCU Coaches Are Masters in 'The Art of Flipping Recruits'
• John Madden Coached These HBCU Legends
• Deion Sanders to Rich Eisen: At Jackson State, 'We Recruit Up'