Pittman’s Pocket: HBCU Players Make Waves in NFL Prospect Pool

Since 2023, players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been eligible to go pro and attend prestigious All-Star football events. At Draft Diamonds, we’ve been pushing for a blueprint to showcase this emerging talent, and the response from NFL scouts has been overwhelmingly positive. This initiative adds a wealth of talent to the evaluation pool, giving General Managers and Head Scouts even more prospects to watch closely.

Here are just a few HBCU players who are turning heads as prospects:

• Lynn Pettway, Defensive Back (Alabama A&M)
  5’9″, 170 lbs. – Known for his exceptional ball skills, Pettway is a playmaker in the secondary.
• Quaveon Davis, Offensive Tackle (Jackson State)
  6’7″, 340 lbs. – Davis’s massive frame and powerful playstyle make him a force in the trenches.
• Isaiah Spencer, Wide Receiver (Jackson State)
  6’3″, 210 lbs. – A big, athletic receiver who can dominate in the air, Spencer’s size and hands make him a prime target.
• Geoffery McKelton, Defensive Back (Alcorn State)
  6’1″, 192 lbs. – McKelton brings size and physicality to the defensive backfield, excelling at both coverage and run support.

While these names are making an impact now, the 2026 Draft Class also looks promising with more HBCU talent ready to enter the mix. Players like Joshua Iseah (NC A&T), Joanes Fortilien (JSU), Edan James (Howard), D’Andre Townes Blue (Jackson State), and Eric Hunter (Morgan State)—who was a top prospect before an injury sidelined him this past season—are all names to watch out for as they continue to develop.

Draft Diamonds is proud to be part of this movement, ensuring HBCU players have the opportunity to be evaluated alongside their peers from major programs, further enriching the talent pool for NFL teams.