Isaiah Land, Aubrey Miller Jr. Sign NFL Contracts

The top-two HBCU linebacker prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft signed UDFA contracts after rookie minicamps.

Kyle T. Mosley | May 22, 2023

HOUSTON — HBCU linebackers Isaiah Land and Aubrey Miller Jr. signed NFL contracts after completing rookie minicamps. Both were rated the top-two HBCU defensive prospects at the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl before the 2023 NFL Draft in April.

Isaiah Land signed a 3-year, 2.7M contract with $100K fully guaranteed with the Dallas Cowboys, averaging $900,000 annually. The linebacker received a base salary of $750,000 with a $1,666 prorated bonus, including a $90,000 guaranteed salary in 2023. The 2021 Buck Buchanan Award winner will earn base salaries of $915K in 2024 and $1,030M in 2025, including the $1,666 yearly prorated bonuses.

Aubrey Miller Jr and Isaiah Land at the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl practice; Credit: HBCU Premier Sports

Land was first-team All-SWAC in 2021 and 2022. In 2021, he recorded 19 sacks to win the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-American honors from AFCA, AP, Athlon, Stats Perform, HERO Sports, and BOXTOROW.

Aubrey Miller Jr. inked a 3-year, $2.705M contract with $110K fully guaranteed with the Miami Dolphins, averaging $901,667 annually. In 2023, the 2022 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year will earn a base salary of $750K with a $3,333 prorated bonus, including $100K guaranteed. Miller's deal escalates to 915K in 2024 and $1.03M in 2035, including the $3,333 yearly prorated bonuses.

Last season with Jackson State, Miller was tied for 9th in the FCS with a total of 112 tackles, averaging 8.6 tackles per game. In a 2023 NFL Draft interview with HBCU Legends, Aubrey says his game is greatly influenced by Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, who he modeled his playing style. "Ray Lewis being able to control the volume of a team," Miller noted. "Being able to bring the energy. Not only off the field but on the field. I mean, this guy who was laying everybody out, who's still able to make the plays, who seemed like he was still able to control the plays, that's the type of guy kind of brainwashed into me."

Published May 22, 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: