HBCU Football Stars Shine: NFL's Initial 53-Man Rosters Reflect Diverse Talent

The initial NFL rosters had former HBCU football stars listed ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Kyle T. Mosley | Aug 28, 2024

Aug 24, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kyle Allen (4) is sacked by Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) in the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports / Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

HOUSTON - Tuesday's first round of cuts in the National Football League had nineteen HBCU football players landing on the initial 53-man roster of National Football League teams. Veterans reportedly earned roster spots, while several players were signed to practice squads or will begin the season on a club's injured reserve list.

Last season, 31 HBCU football players suited up for Week 1 action in the NFL. Rosters will undergo various changes before the season officially begins when Kansas City defends its Super Bowl title by hosting the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 5.

Here's the information on players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who are currently on NFL active rosters:

*HBCU Legends partners at Stats Perform provided the data.

Oct 1, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Terron Armstead (72) reacts to the crowd before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports / Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Terron Armstead

• Position: Tackle (T)

• Team: Miami Dolphins

• College: Arkansas-Pine Bluff

• Drafted: New Orleans Saints

• Games Played in 2023 Season: 10

• Postseason Games Played in 2023 Season: 1

Sep 10, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (9) and safety Markquese Bell (14) celebrates after the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Markquese Bell

• Position: Safety (S)

• Team: Dallas Cowboys

• College: Florida A&M

• Games Played in 2023 Season: 17

Nov 2, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Miami Dolphins linebacker Quinton Bell (56) during practice at the PSD Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Quinton Bell

• Position: Linebacker (LB)

• Team: Miami Dolphins

• College: Prairie View A&M

• Games Played in 2023 Season: 1

Jun 10, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden (29) speaks to the media after minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports / Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Isaiah Bolden

• Position: Cornerback (CB)

• Team: New England Patriots

• College: Jackson State

• Drafted in 2023

Aug 24, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Carolina Panthers linebacker Claudin Cherelus (53) after the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports / Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Claudin Cherelus

• Position: Linebacker (LB)

• Team: Carolina Panthers

• College: Alcorn State

• Games Played in 2023 Season: 6

• Postseason Games Played in 2023 Season: 1

Aug 17, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New York Jets cornerback Brandon Codrington (43) during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Codrington

• Position: Cornerback (CB)

• Team: Buffalo Bills

• College: North Carolina Central

Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams cornerback Cobie Durant (14) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cobie Durant

• Position: Cornerback (CB)

• Team: Los Angeles Rams

• College: South Carolina State

• Games Played in 2023 Season: 16

• Postseason Games Played in 2023 Season: 1

Jul 24, 2024; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan (6) looks on during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Jamie Gillan

• Position: Punter (P)

• Team: New York Giants

• College: Arkansas-Pine Bluff

• Games Played in 2023 Season: 17

• Postseason Games Played in 2023 Season: 2

Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Antonio Hamilton Sr. (33) celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (not pictured) during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Hamilton Sr.

• Position: Cornerback (CB)

• Team: Atlanta Falcons

• College: South Carolina State

• Games Played in 2023 Season: 14

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (98) celebrates a fumble recovery against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Javon Hargrave

• Position: Defensive Tackle (DT)

• Team: San Francisco 49ers

• College: South Carolina State

• Games Played in 2023 Season: 16

• Postseason Games Played in 2023 Season: 3

Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (12) during warmups against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

KhaDarel Hodge

• Position: Wide Receiver (WR)

• Team: Atlanta Falcons

• College: Prairie View A&M

• Games Played in 2023 Season: 17

Aug 25, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) scrambles as Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) defends in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

James Houston IV

• Position: Linebacker (LB)

• Team: Detroit Lions

• College: Jackson State

• Games Played in 2023 Season: 2

• Postseason Games Played in 2023 Season: 1

Nov 26, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans offensive tackle Tytus Howard (71) walks off the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Tytus Howard

• Position: Guard (G)

• Team: Houston Texans

• College: Alabama State

• Games Played in 2023 Season: 7

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Isaiah Land (55) warms up at Lucas Oil Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, before Tampa Bay Bucs at the Colts. / Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Isaiah Land

• Position: Defensive End (DE)

• Team: Indianapolis Colts

• College: Florida A&M

• Games Played in 2023 Season: 7

• Postseason Games Played in 2023 Season: 1

Carolina Panthers NFL tackle Trent Scott / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Trent Scott

• Position: Tackle (T)

• Team: Washington Commanders

• College: Grambling State

• Games Played in 2023 Season: 10

Dec 24, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart (90) walks the sideline during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Scheer-USA TODAY Sports / Bob Scheer-USA TODAY Sports

Grover Stewart

• Position: Defensive Tackle (DT)

• Team: Indianapolis Colts

• College: Albany State (GA)

• Games Played in 2023 Season: 11

• Postseason Games Played in 2023 Season: 1

Aug 10, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA;Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) kneels before a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Joshua Williams

• Position: Cornerback (CB)

• Team: Kansas City Chiefs

• College: Fayetteville State

• Games Played in 2023 Season: 16

• Postseason Games Played in 2023 Season: 4

Aug 24, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) celebrates after earning a first down during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports / Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Emanuel Wilson

• Position: Running Back (RB)

• Team: Green Bay Packers

• College: Fort Valley State

• Games Played in 2023 Season: 7

• Postseason Games Played in 2023 Season: 2

Aug 15, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots guard Nick Leverett (51) walks onto he field before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports / Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Leverett

• Position: Guard/Center (OL)

• Team: New England Patriots

• College: North Carolina Central

• Games Played in 2023 Season: 3

• Postseason Games Played in 2023 Season: 2

NFL ROSTERS IN FLUX, HBCU PLAYERS WILL HAVE CHANCES

One thing fans must realize about the NFL, just because a player may have been a part of the initial cuts does not mean they will be out of the league this season. Jackson State and SWAC star linebacker James Houston IV is a prime example. Houston missed the Detroit Lions first cuts and general manager Brad Holmes immediately placed him on the team's practice squad.

After several weeks of development and player attrition due to injury, Houston had an impressive Thanksgiving Day debut. He harassed and sacked Bills quarterback Josh Allen twice and recovered a fumble on special teams.

In the 2023-24 season, twenty-seven former HBCU football stars played at least one game in the National Football League:

Andrew Farmer II: TM - Chargers, Games - 8, College Name - Lane
Antonio Hamilton Sr.: TM - Cardinals, Games - 14, College Name - South Carolina State
Bobby Price: TM - Cardinals, Games - 6, College Name - Norfolk State
Brandon Parker: TM - Raiders, Games - 5, College Name - North Carolina A&T
Chris Blair: TM - Falcons, Games - 1, College Name - Alcorn State
Claudin Cherelus: TM - Panthers, Games - 6, College Name - Liberty
Cobie Durant: TM - Rams, Games - 16, College Name - South Carolina State
Danny Johnson: TM - Commanders, Games - 13, College Name - Southern
Emanuel Wilson: TM - Packers, Games - 7, College Name - Fort Valley State
Grover Stewart: TM - Colts, Games - 11, College Name - Albany State
Isaiah Land: TM - Colts, Games - 7, College Name - Florida A&M
Ja'Tyre Carter: TM - Bears, Games - 10, College Name - Grambling State
James Houston: TM - Lions, Games - 2, College Name - Jackson State
Jamie Gillan: TM - Giants, Games - 17, College Name - Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Javon Hargrave: TM - 49ers, Games - 16, College Name - South Carolina State
Joshua Pryor: TM - Commanders, Games - 7, College Name - Bowie State
Joshua Williams: TM - Chiefs, Games - 16, College Name - Fayetteville State
Keenan Isaac: TM - Buccaneers, Games - 2, College Name - Alabama State
KhaDarel Hodge: TM - Falcons, Games - 17, College Name - Prairie View A&M
Kion Smith: TM - Dolphins, Games - 9, College Name - Fayetteville State
Markquese Bell: TM - Cowboys, Games - 17, College Name - Florida A&M
Quinton Bell: TM - Dolphins, Games - 1, College Name - Prairie View A&M
Ricky Lee: TM - Panthers, Games - 6, College Name - North Carolina A&T
Shaquille Leonard: TM - Colts/Eagles, Games - 14, College Name - South Carolina State
Terron Armstead: TM - Dolphins, Games - 10, College Name - Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Trent Scott: TM - Commanders, Games - 10, College Name - Grambling State
Tytus Howard: TM - Texans, Games - 7, College Name - Alabama State
Nick Leverett: TM - Buccaneers, Games - 3, College Name - North Carolina Central

More importantly, the contribution of the HBCU football players in the NFL postseason had Joshua Williams of the Kansas City Chiefs repeating as a Super Bowl champion. DT Javon Hargrave (San Francisco, 3) and RB Emanuel Wilson (Green Bay, 2) were the only players to join Williams with multiple playoff games in 2023-24. T Terron Armstead (Miami), CB Cobie Durant (Los Angeles), LB James Houston IV (Detroit), and LB Markquese Bell (Dallas) each had one game appearance in last year's postseason.

HBCU Legends will have a report on the players added to NFL practice squads before the new season kicks off.

HBCU LEGENDS PODCAST

Published Aug 28, 2024|Modified Aug 28, 2024

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: