The NFL's Illusion Of Drafting HBCU Football Players Rises Again In 2023
HOUSTON — The NFL's illusion of drafting HBCU football players in 2023 was a travesty on many levels — but it's also a sobering reality check.
We commend Isaiah Bolden, a defensive back from Jackson State University, for being the only HBCU football player selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, it is disappointing that he did not have more HBCU peers to celebrate with on Sunday afternoon. The NFL's response to the success of the 2022 HBCU draftees was horrible. The NFL general managers and scouting executives failed to build on last season's success stories of Joshua Williams (Fayetteville State), Decobie Durant (South Carolina State), Ja'Tyre Carter (Southern), and James Houston IV (Jackson State). Those players' contributions should have been a positive reason for the NFL to take an interest in the 2023 HBCU players, especially after years of neglect.
2023 NFL Draft Disappointment?
The 2023 NFL Draft results were a disappointment. HBCU coaches, experts, fans, and players expressed frustration, disappointment, and despair. Doug Williams told HBCU Legends that he was "stunned" and "angered," Deion Sanders said he was "ashamed," and longtime Houston broadcaster Ralph Cooper labeled it as a "travesty." Was the latest setback a testament against HBCUs or validation that the NFL does not value HBCU football talent?
The NFL failed to recognize the last drafted HBCU players' contributions during the 2022-23 season. Joshua Williams of Kansas City and Decobie Durant of Los Angeles, both chosen in the fourth round, went on to play important roles in their respective teams. Williams had a pivotal interception in the AFC playoff, helping the Chiefs secure their spot in Super Bowl LVII. He has now a Super Bowl champion. Also, Decobie Durant won the Los Angeles Rams "Rookie of the Year Award" after recording three interceptions, one sack, and a pick-six during his rookie season.
Chicago drafted Ja'Tyre Carter, who played in three games last season. Perhaps the most impactful and inspiring HBCU-drafted player was linebacker James Houston IV. The Detroit Lions linebacker set several NFL rookie records after his mid-season practice squad elevation and sacking Josh Allen three times on Thanksgiving. Houston ended the 2022-23 season with eight sacks in 7 games - the most by any NFL rookie in the game's history.
Hope for Future Drafts?
Going into this year's draft process, many were hopeful that NFL executives and scouts would relish drafting HBCU players. Wrong again. After sending scouts to cover HBCU events like the HBCU Legacy Bowl, HBCU Combine, and NFL Pro Days at HBCUs, actually drafting those players was outside the plans. Regardless of the efforts from HBCU coaches, PR departments, agents, broadcasters, and media professionals, only selecting Jackson State's Isaiah Bolden felt like the proverbial "slap in the face" from the NFL.
Commissioner Roger Goodell and executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent have committed the NFL to assist HBCU football programs and events with dedicated time, resources, and media coverage over the past two seasons. Despite their efforts and good intentions, the draft decision-makers were not complicit and kept to their old draft views and attitudes toward HBCU athletes.
Who's Fighting for HBCU Players in the War Rooms?
I agree with Doug Williams on this point. The NFL draft rooms will not change until an HBCU advocate within the 32 teams' scouting departments "pound the tables and fight for the kids to be drafted."
As long as the NFL can withhold a significant financial commitment and invite HBCU players to the teams as undrafted free agents, clubs will always win in the end. Why? Cutting a rookie free agent has fewer financial entanglements for an NFL team. According to reporter Aaron Wilson, this season's exception to the rule is South Carolina State's wide receiver Shaq Davis, who is reportedly earning $216K from the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent.
Amid this year's controversial draft, HBCU players and fans must not get utterly jaded by the NFL. The resistance to draft players will only continue if there's a lack of success from HBCU athletes. Like the previous season, I don't believe this will be the case. Whether it's HBCU or FCS, the NFL must recognize players who help to win games and ultimately add to the revenue of a ball club. If not, the NFL's HBCU-led intentions will only serve as an illusion.