Cowboys' Will McClay Disputes 'Ashamed' Deion Sanders' HBCU NFL Draft Accusation

"Deion's doing a great job of promoting HBCUs and promoting Colorado and all those things,'' Cowboys exec Will McClay told us regarding the HBCU NFL Draft issue. "And so that's part of what the deal is - he wants to see players drafted.''

FRISCO - In the end, college coach Deion Sanders is doing his job by wanting the best for prospects moving to the NFL ... and pro personnel boss Will McClay is doing his job by wanting the same.

But in between the two men with ties to the Dallas Cowboys, there is a bit of a gap.

Over the weekend, Colorado head coach Sanders - the former Cowboys superstar and Hall of Famer - expressed displeasure with one aspect of the 2023 NFL Draft, saying he was "ashamed" that only one HBCU player was selected in this draft. That would be defensive back Isaiah Bolden of Jackson State, where Deion coached before making the jump this year to Boulder.

Sanders cast a negative light on the 31 other teams that passed on HBCU players - a group that of course includes the Cowboys.

Bolden, who was drafted by the Patriots in Round 7, for the record agrees with his old coach, saying, "Only time I’ll speak on this, I agree 1000% with (Sanders') statement. (I'm) beyond thankful for the opportunity to be selected by the Patriots, let's get to work."

On our Tuesday conference call, Will McClay, the Cowboys vice president of player personnel, was asked about "Coach Prime's'' position and offered his own thoughts on it.

"Deion's doing a great job of promoting HBCUs and promoting Colorado and all those things,'' McClay told us. "And so that's part of what the deal is - he wants to see players drafted. We want to draft good football players and good football players come from everywhere.''

McClay, offering logic, noted, "There's not a conspiracy against drafting HBCU players. We're looking for players that can come from anywhere. I think that we've had the opportunities in the NFL in having things to highlight the HBCU schools. 

But, McClay noted, there is a bottom line that goes beyond wanting an opportunity for players from smaller schools.

I think,'' McClay said, "the players have to have draftable grades.''

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