In the past four years only 5 HBCU prospects have been drafted

When I started NFL Draft Diamonds it was to help small school football players. I was actually hired by Optimum Scouting and Eric Galko who is now the Director of Scouting for the East/West Shrine Game.

When I was brought on as an intern, I worked for Eric as their HBCU scout. I remember helping many HBCU legends get a shot in the NFL, by telling their stories and really promoting their work.

Unfortunately, over the past few years the HBCU prospects are not getting their names called the way they should. For the second time in four years, no prospects from a Historically Black College or University heard their name called during the NFL draft.

This is not the first time it happened though. Back in 2021, there was not a player selected either. In 2022, four players were selected and in 2023 only one player was selected. So in the past four years only five players were drafted.

Following the 2021 NFL Draft, Deion Sanders who was the head coach at Jackson State at the time went nuts saying it had to change.

“I witnessed a multitude of kids that we played against that were more than qualified to be drafted. My prayers are that This won’t EVER happen again.” 

The NFL worked hard to do many initiatives specifically for the HBCU prospects. The NFL backed the HBCU Legacy Bowl (2021) sponsored by the Black College Hall of Fame for draft-eligible prospects and the NFL-backed HBCU Combine (2022). 

Since that has happened only five players have been selected in the NFL Draft.

This is discouraging for HBCU football programs. The transfer portal is not helping either. The best players in the HBCU programs are leaving and going to another school. FAMU star Anthony Dunn just entered the portal and Devonta Davis a star from JSU entered as well.

Are the players starting to realize it is harder to make it to the NFL from HBCU programs? How much longer can this go on? I think the NCAA should allow the HBCU programs to integrate into the FCS programs. Give them more funding and break the teams up.

Look at Tennessee State. They are an FCS program in a division outside of the MEAC or SWAC, and they can compete for the playoffs. I think all the HBCU programs should be playing top talent instead of playing only other HBCU programs.

This is the only way to get the better recruits and turn heads, because the level of competition is what is killing the HBCU programs.

If FAMU could play North Dakota State and had a tougher schedule, it would be a lot better for their programs. They could rake in more money, and get better resources. Just food for thought…..