Sports Odds & Ends
Several HBCU players should be strongly considered among the 262 selections in this weekend’s NFL Draft. Last year no Black college player was taken in the three-day, seven-round draft.
“I think the NFL used COVID as an excuse not to even take a look at some of the potential [HBCU] prospects,” said HBCU Legends Managing Editor Kyle Mosley. “I think they should have had at least 10 or 12 [HBCU players drafted]. You look at some of the talent in the pool. It’s more of a glaring issue.”
Mosley (KM) and veteran sports journalist Donald Hunt (DH) shared their collective thoughts on the top Black college prospects for this year’s NFL Draft, which begins Thursday.
Aqeel Glass, QB, 6-5, 225—Jackson State
DH – “Aqeel Glass is a big-time quarterback. He’s one of the best QBs in the draft. If Aqeel is selected, he would be the first HBCU quarterback drafted since Tarvaris Jackson [in 2008 by Minnesota in the second round]. Both Aqeel and Tarvaris played in the SWAC.”
James Houston, LB, 6-1, 225—Jackson State
DH – “He can tackle and get to the quarterback.”
Ja’Tyre Carter, OL, 6-3, 311—Southern University
KM – “He’s got great feet. He ran a 5.0 140-yard dash.”
DH – “… has the talent to be a real good pulling guard with his speed and blocking skills.”
Decobie Durant, CB, 5-11, 180—South Carolina State
DH – “… a shutdown corner.” Mosley said Durant was very impressive at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Markquese Bell, safety, 6-3, 205—Florida A&M
Joshua Williams, CB, 6-3, 197—Fayetteville State
Will Adams, CB, 6-1, 186—Virginia State
DH – “Decobie, Markquese, Joshua and Will are really good defensive players. There are some real talented HBCU prospects who could get drafted and play on Sundays.”
The Minnesota Vikings pick 12th in the draft. Draft experts say a defensive lineman, cornerback and tight end are tops on the team’s needs. Said Mosley, “You take any of the prospects, they will fit on the Vikings roster.”
Will NFL teams finally look at HBCU players seriously, or is this another one-off? Black college teams are starting to get more national television exposure, which might force NFL clubs to do more than lip service when it comes to drafting Black college players. That talent is not just at the Power Five schools, surmised Mosley.
“The SWAC is going to be everywhere,” said Mosley. “I think we’re still a couple of years away from having actual big-time matchups [with bigger schools] where it’s gonna be very competitive.”