HBCU Legends

Doug Williams 'Stunned' The NFL Drafted One HBCU Player

The founder of the HBCU Legacy Bowl and a past Super Bowl MVP expressed shock that the NFL only drafted one football player from an HBCU.

Kyle T. Mosley

Doug Williams 'Stunned' The NFL Drafted One HBCU Player
Doug Williams 'Stunned' The NFL Drafted One HBCU Player /

HOUSTON - Doug Williams thought that on Friday, about six or seven HBCU players had a real chance of being drafted. In 2023, the fortune of HBCU talent has taken an ugly turn. The founder of the HBCU Legacy Bowl and a former Super Bowl MVP expressed shock that only one football player from an HBCU was drafted by the NFL in 2023. "I'm stunned," Doug Williams told HBCU Legends. "There has to be a lack of representation in the draft rooms for this to happen. Do we have anyone fighting for these young men?"   

Williams has a point. He and James "Shack" Harris have hosted over 200 HBCU athletes at two HBCU Legacy Bowls the past two seasons for NFL scouts and executives to meet, interview, and work out. This past season, the NFL transferred the HBCU Combine to New Orleans on the Monday before the HBCU Legacy Bowl. Understanding why the New England Patriots would be the only team to select a player from a historically black college is challenging. Jackson State's cornerback Isaiah Bolden was selected as the 245th overall pick in the 7th round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

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CB Isaiah Bolden; Credit: JSU AthleticsMar 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida A&M defensive lineman Isaiah Land (DL37) participates in drills during the NFL combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsUAPB OL Mark Evans II at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
Isaiah Land at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
CB Isaiah Bolden; Credit: JSU AthleticsMar 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida A&M defensive lineman Isaiah Land (DL37) participates in drills during the NFL combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsUAPB OL Mark Evans II at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
OL Mark Evans II at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
CB Isaiah Bolden; Credit: JSU AthleticsMar 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida A&M defensive lineman Isaiah Land (DL37) participates in drills during the NFL combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsUAPB OL Mark Evans II at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine

Williams remarked, "The young men did what they had to do at the HBCU Combine and Bowl game. I was angry earlier. It's shocking."

After the draft, seven HBCU players received undrafted free agent contracts.  The New Orleans Saints signed two players, offensive lineman Mark Evans II (UAPB) and wide receiver Shaq Davis (South Carolina State).  Two of the top HBCU draft prospects, FAMU's LB Isaiah Land signed with the Cowboys, and Jackson State's LB Aubrey Miller Jr. reached a deal with the Miami Dolphins.  The 2022 CIAA Defensive Player of the Year, Joshua Pryor, will sign with the Washington Commanders.

Mark Evans II said that he was "excited" for the challenge to earn a spot on the New Orleans Saints squad.

Published
Kyle T. Mosley
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:

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