HBCU Football Stars Turn Tryouts Into NFL Contracts

Two HBCU football stars inked contracts with NFL teams after rookie minicamp tryouts this past weekend.

All they needed was an opportunity. Will Adams and Felix Harper seized their opportunities over the past weekend. 

Adams and Harper copy

The former HBCU stars were invited to rookie minicamps for tryouts. Harper's lone invite was from the Cleveland Browns. Adams had multiple offers, including the Dolphins and Commanders. Eventually, Adams chose Washington.

On Sunday, Harper signed his contract offer from the Browns, and Will Adams parlayed his options into a fantastic deal.  

The terms of Harper's signing hasn't been officially released.

Adams' undrafted rookie deal is a three-year, $2.5 million contract. Ironically, it's with the same team in which Doug Williams is employed and gave him another chance to resurrect his career into a Super Bowl MVP and ring, Washington.

Adams had a great HBCU Combine workout in Mobile, AL, ahead of the Reese's Senior Bowl. The CIAA reported that Adams, "The former Trojan posted a 4.57 in the 40-yard dash, 10-foot-3 broad jump, 40.5-inch vertical leap, and 21 reps in the bench press. His vertical would have tied for the fourth-highest of all players at the NFL Combine and the second-highest among defensive backs."

Both players participated in the inaugural HBCU Legacy Bowl founded by Doug Williams and James "Shack" Harris. NFL executives, coaches, and scouts met and spoke with over 90 players at the week-long event.

HBCU players with solid outings at rookie minicamps:

  1. Aqeel Glass (Bucs/AAMU), 
  2. Markquese Bell (Cowboys/FAMU), 
  3. WR Dee Anderson (Saints/AAMU), 
  4. DB CJ Holmes (Saints/JSU), 
  5. TE Kyland Richey (Saints/JSU), 
  6. WR Bralon Robinson (Bucs/Alcorn), 
  7. DB Cory Rahman (Dolphins/TSU), 
  8. WR Keith Corbin (Bills/JSU), 
  9. WR Ron Hunt (Panthers/NCA&T), 
  10. DB Zafir Kelly (Packers/SCSU), 
  11. RB Jah-Maine Martin (Colts/NCA&T)

HBCU Legends will provide updates on any player(s) signed by NFL teams.

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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: