HBCU Football Stars Shut Out In NFL Draft For Second Time In Four Years

The 2024 NFL Draft has concluded and no HBCU player was selected in 257 picks, marking the first time since 2020 that no Black College football player was drafted. However, these top players have signed with teams as undrafted free agents and mini-camp invites. 

Undrafted free agents are players eligible for the NFL Draft but were not selected. They are free to negotiate and sign with any team. On the other hand, mini-camps are designed to familiarize the newly drafted rookies with the NFL playing schemes, and they also allow coaches and team administrators to see their new players in action learning plays from their new team’s playbook.

Here are the players who received an offer and where they will play.

UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS

DB – Jordan Toles, Morgan State – Baltimore Ravens

CB – Willie Drew, Virginia State – Carolina Panthers

RB – Ian Wheeler, Howard – Chicago Bears

RB – Jarveon Howard, Alcorn State – Green Bay Packers

LB – Jeblonski Green, South Carolina State – Indianapolis Colts

CB – Mikey Victor, Alabama State – New England Patriots

WR – Marcus Riley, Florida A&M – New York Jets

OT – Anim Dankwah, Howard – Philadelphia Eagles

EDGE – Sundiata Anderson, Grambling State – Seattle Seahawks

MINI CAMP INVITES

OL – Aidan Hemphill, Texas Southern – Indianapolis Colts

LB – Noah Washington, Morgan State – Minnesota Vikings

OL – Tairiq Stewart, North Carolina A&T – New England Patriots

RB – Terrell Jennings, Florida A&M– New England Patriots

LB – Isaiah Major, Florida A&M – New Orleans Saints

RB – Michael Chris-Ike, Delaware State – New York Jets

EDGE – Patrick Godbolt, South Carolina State – New York Jets

DB – Brandon Codrington, North Carolina Central – New York Jets

WR – Taymon Cooke, North Carolina A&T – New York Jets

QB – Aeneas Dennis, Benedict College – Pittsburg Steelers

QB – Jeremy Moussa, Florida A&M – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

WR – RJ Mobley, Winston-Salem State – Chicago Bears

Various responses were expressed regarding the shortage of Black college players drafted. Some appreciated the autonomy that these players experienced, while others were frustrated with the NFL’s apparent lack of willingness to recognize the value of HBCUs. In the previous year, Deion Sanders, a former coach at Jackson State, stated that NFL teams who failed to draft players like Isaiah Bolden from HBCUs should feel ashamed.

It can be incredibly frustrating to witness events like the HBCU Combine and Legacy Bowl, which have the support of the NFL, not result in more players being drafted. It creates the impression of inclusivity, but when the same teams go on to sign numerous Black college players just hours – or sometimes even minutes – after the draft, it’s understandable why supporters of HBCUs might feel that the process is lacking.

Although we at HBCUs are aware of the value these institutions offer, I am confident that whenever and wherever HBCU players have the chance, they will continue to shine, whether during pro days, on the practice squad, or in the playoffs, when it matters most.

Remember, what matters is not how you get there, but what you do when you arrive!

Let’s wish all these young men the best of luck!