by Donal Ware
boxtorow.com
While the number of HBCU players taken in the NFL Draft has remained level the past couple of years – three players taken last weekend – players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities are being taken in higher rounds as of late.
South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard was selected in the second round – 36th overall – by the Indianapolis Colts. He was the highest selection from an HBCU since his former college teammate Javon Hargrave was selected in the third round, 89th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Many were surprised that Leonard was taken so high. But his four-year productivity says that he is potentially worth the selection. Leonard amassed 394 tackles, making him the leading tackler all-time in South Carolina State history. He also had 53 tackles for loss, 21.5 sacks and six interceptions. Two years ago, Leonard recorded a career-high 19 tackles against Clemson. He also participated in the NFL Combine and was named Defensive MVP of the Senior Bowl after making a game high 14 tackles.
Leonard is amonsgt some of great defensive players that have played at S.C. State, which includes Harry Carson, Deacon Jones, Donnie Shell, Robert Porcher and Hargrave. He is now one of eight Bulldogs players currently in the National Football League which includes Hargrave (Steelers), Joe Thomas (Cowboys), Rafael Bush (Bills), Temarrick Hemingway (Rams), Antonio Hamilton (Raiders), Jalen Simmons (Giants) and Javarius Leamon (Bengals).
Interestingly enough, Thomas and Bush are veterans who have played at high levels in the NFL yet were not drafted. It speaks to a trend that has taken place in the NFL where most HBCU players are not drafted, but make squads and quite a few tend to play at high levels. Last year, four players were drafted; three of those players drafted in the third and fourth rounds. Grambling wide receiver Chad Williams was taken 98th (third round) overall by the Cardinals; North Carolina A&T running back Tarik Cohen was taken 119th overall (fourth round) by the Bears and Albany State defensive tackle Grover Stewart was selected 144th overall (fourth round) by the Colts. It stands to reason that Stewart’s production (23 tackles) as a rookie, led Colts general manager Chris Ballard to not hesitate to take Leonard high just because he played on the FCS level.
Why don’t more organizations think this way? Last season there were 34 former HBCU players on opening day rosters. Of those players, less than half – 16 – were drafted. Current NFL free agent Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is the last former HBCU player that was taken in the first round, when he was selected by the Arizona Cardinals 16th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft.
North Carolina A&T offensive tackle Brandon Parker was taken this year with the first pick in the third round by Raiders new (and former) head coach John Gruden who said, “Brandon Parker is another tackle, almost 6-foot-8. He’s a great kid and really impressed us. His movement skills at the combine and certainly in the Senior Bowl has a huge upside.”
Parker received quite a bit of notice prior to the draft because of his size, agility and because he opened holes for three years for Cohen who was one of the top rookies in the league last year and made the Pro Bowl.
Virginia State running back Trenton Cannon was the other HBCU player selected this year, in the sixth round by the Jets. Jets head coach Todd Bowles knows HBCU quite well, having coached at Morehouse and Grambling.
The three HBCU players selected this year brings the total to 16 drafted since 2011. Ten of those players were selected in rounds 2 – 4. A total of thirteen HBCU players were selected in 2000.
The following is a list of HBCU players that have signed free agent contracts. The list will be updated as we receive information that players have signed:
North Carolina A&T linebacker Jeremy Taylor, Pittsburgh Steelers*
North Carolina A&T wide receiver/return specialist Khris Gardin, Chicago Bears*
Grambling running back Martez Carter, Washington Redskins*
Grambling offensive lineman Trent Scott, Los Angeles Chargers
Grambling safety Montrel Meander, Cleveland Browns
Bethune-Cookman wide receiver Jawill Davis, New York Giants
North Carolina Central linebacker Reggie Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars
South Carolina State offensive lineman Justin Evans, Baltimore Ravens
Southern cornerback Danny Johnson, Washington Redskins
Alcorn State running back De’Lance Turner, Baltimore Ravens Prairie View A&M wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, Los Angeles Rams* Prairie View A&M wide receiver Joshua Simmons, Buffalo Bills
*BOXTOROW All-American