HBCU players drafted in the NFL history are Shannon Sharpe, Jerry Rice, Richard Dent, Terron Armstead, Isaiah Bolden, Javon Hargrave and more.
Historically, players from these colleges have been drafted into the NFL. Between 1950 and 1959, 45 players from HBCUs were selected, and between 1960 and 1966, 166 players were drafted across the competing AFL and NFL.
In the 2022 NFL Draft, four HBCU players were drafted, which was the most in a decade. Among them were James Houston from Jackson State and Joshua Williams from Fayetteville State, selected by the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively.
However, in the 2023 NFL Draft, only one HBCU player was selected, which led to the fan’s reaction to the lack of HBCU players in the 2023 NFL Draft. Many have even taken their dissatisfaction to social media after the draft results.
How Many HBCU Players Were Drafted in 2023?
Just one HBCU player was drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. Isaiah Bolden from Jackson State was picked as 245th overall in the 7th round.
Similarly, Bolden made history as the first football player from a historically black college or university (HBCU) to be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, beating out teammate LB Aubrey Miller Jr. and FAMU’s DE Isaiah Land.
At the Jackson State Pro Day, where many scouts were present, he displayed his impressive speed as a defensive back and kick returner by running a 4.33.
Bolden had a successful week at the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and will join the New England Patriots, who had the second-ranked defense in the 2022-23 season.
Although Bolden was the first HBCU player drafted in the 2023 NFL, other HBCU prospects participated and could make an impact in the NFL.
Former Jackson State coach Deion Sanders expressed his disappointment with the NFL after only one HBCU player was drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. He tweeted his shame towards 31 NFL teams and congratulated Bolden while calling out the league for not selecting more HBCU players.
Sadly, no HBCU players have been selected in nine drafts since 2000, including the 2021 draft. ESPN ranked Isaiah Land, an outside linebacker from Florida A&M, as the top HBCU prospect for the 2023 draft.
ESPN identified 15 top HBCU prospects for the 2023 NFL draft who unfortunately didn’t make it to NFL Draft:
- LB Isaiah Land (Florida A&M)
- DE Jason Dumas (Southern)
- WR Xavier Smith (Florida A&M)
- WR Shaquan Davis (South Carolina State)
- QB Dion Golatt Jr. (Bowie State)
- RB Darius Hagans (Virginia State)
- RB Emanuel Wilson (Fort Valley State)
- LB Keonte Hampton (Jackson State)
- LB Aubrey Miller Jr. (Jackson State)
- OL Mark Evans II (Arkansas-Pine Bluff)
- DB Kenderick Marbles (Alabama A&M)
- DB D’Jordan Strong (Jackson State)
- DB Jalon Thigpen (Alabama A&M)
- DL Jalen Steward (Bethune-Cookman)
- DL Jalen Thomas (Southern)
HBCU Players In NFL Active Right Now
Active HBCU players in the NFL right now are:
- Joshua Williams
- Decobie Durant
- James Houston
- Ja’Tyre Carter
- Brandon Parker
- Montrel Meander
- Jamie Gillan
- Tytus Howard
- Darius Leonard
- Grover Stewart
- Chester Rogers
- Javon Hargrave
- Lachavious Simmons
- Tarik Cohen
- Darryl Johnson
- Trent Scott
- Trenton Cannon
- Terron Armstead
In 2020, 26 HBCU football players made it to NFL rosters, including practice squads. However, only 19 of them were on active rosters. In the 2021-22 NFL regular season, 18 HBCU players were able to secure roster spots.
Some notable HBCU alums currently playing in the NFL include Terron Armstead (Pine-Bluff) and Darius Leonard (South Carolina State).
As per HBCU Gameday, there are 31 HBCU players on NFL rosters for the 2022-23 NFL season, which includes players like linebacker Joe Thomas, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, and defensive back Antonio Hamilton.
The article also mentions James Houston, a former Jackson State linebacker taken in the sixth round by Detroit, as one of the HBCU alums playing in the NFL.
In 2019, there were a record number of 32 active players in the NFL who graduated from HBCUs. Following the 2021 NFL Draft, the HBCUs with the most draft picks were Grambling State (121), Tennessee State (117), Jackson State (101), Southern University (78), and Florida A&M (69).
HBCU NFL Hall Of Famers List
HBCU NFL hall of famers list consists of:
- Jackie Ray Slater
- Shannon Sharpe
- Michael Anthony Strahan
- Richard Dent
- Arthur Lee Shell Jr. (Art Shell)
- Willie Lanier
- Mel Blount
- Jerry Rice
- Waltor Payton
- Leroy Kelly
- Ken Houston
- Emmitt Thomas
HBCUs have produced several NFL Hall of Famers, with almost 10% of Pro Football Hall of Fame players hailing from HBCUs.
Some of the HBCU players in the NFL have made a significant impact during their long careers, and with their powerful performances, they have been listed in the NFL Hall of Famers.
For example, Richard Dent, a graduate of an HBCU, was a key player on the 1985 Bears team that won the Super Bowl, and he went on to procure four Pro Bowl selections and retire with the third-most career sacks in NFL history.
Art Shell, another HBCU alumnus from Maryland State, was a dominant force for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, earning eight Pro Bowl selections in his 14-year career. In 1989, he became the first African-American head coach in the NFL since the 1920s.
Mel Blount, a big cornerback in an era with a lenient definition of pass interference, played an essential role in the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty: winning four Super Bowls in six years. He was named the DPOY in 1975 and went to five Pro Bowls.
Finally, Jerry Rice from Mississippi Valley State is viewed as one of the best receivers in NFL history, having led the league in receiving yards and touchdowns six times each.