Ranking HBCU prospects for the NFL draft: 15 names to

7:00 AM ET Jordan ReidESPN It’s a big week for HBCU prospects who could get

picked in the 2023 NFL draft. On Monday, 47 players took part in the second annual HBCU integrate, where scouts and critics from all 32 NFL teams enjoyed exercises at the New Orleans Saints’practice center. The Black College Football Hall of Popularity and NFL teamed up to host the event, which included on-field testing and drills that follow a similar format to the annual scouting combine in Indianapolis. And this Saturday, 98 players are expected to participate in the HBCU Tradition Bowl( 4 p.m. ET, NFL Network )at Tulane University.Four HBCU players were drafted in last year’s NFL draft, tied for the most in 10 years.

Detroit Lions defensive end James Houston finished his rookie year with 8 sacks, and Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams played an essential part in the team’s Super Bowl title run. The number of HBCU alums could get chosen– or make a roster as an undrafted totally free representative( UDFA)– this year? Who created buzz at the combine exercises? Here is an upgraded look at 15 of the leading HBCU potential customers for the 2023 draft, consisting of nine who remain in New Orleans this week.Note: Legacy Bowl and/or HBCU integrate participants are marked with an asterisk.< img src="https://a.espncdn.com/i/infographics/20170710_nfl_fpr/charts/_end_rule.png"

width =”100% “/ > HT: 6-foot-3|WT: 226 pounds|Class: Senior Forecasted draft range: Mid-to-late Day 3 An extremely efficient pass-rusher, Land had his best season in 2021. He ended up with 19.5 sacks and earned the Dollar Buchanan Award as the FCS Defensive Gamer of the Year

. Land is lanky however has burst, bend and a fast first step out of the beginning blocks, which was regularly excessive for FCS offensive takes on to deal with. He completed last season with 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks over 9 games.We saw him play mostly standup outside linebacker at the Senior citizen Bowl, and that is likely his position at the next level. Dropping into protection will be a modification for him, but he’ll primarily be a designated pass-rusher early in his career while he continues to put on weight. For groups seeking instant assistance on obvious passing downs, Land could be an added increase. HT: 6-foot|WT: 229 pounds|Class: Senior Predicted draft variety: Mid-to-late Day 3 After transferring

from Missouri searching for a broadened role, Miller found the perfect landing spot at Jackson State, where he has been the heart

and soul of the Tigers. He was mainly the Mike linebacker, but Miller’s flexibility was on display screen throughout his career. And he consistently showcased a capability to check out, detect and attack downhill, showing he can being a three-down player who can also hold up in coverage. Miller was named the SWAC Defensive Gamer of the Year last season after 117 deals with, 12 tackles for loss, two sacks and five forced fumbles.I’ve heard a lot of favorable feedback about Miller’s game from scouts, and numerous are amazed that he didn’t get an invite to the NFL integrate in Indianapolis. Regardless, he might be an instant-impact player on special teams in the pros while he continues to develop as a linebacker.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated 3. Mark Evans II, OL, Arkansas-Pine Bluff HT: 6-foot-2|WT: 293 pounds|Class: Senior Projected draft range: Mid-to-late Day 3

Evans played his whole career at left deal with, and he showed lots of physicality and balance while continuing to enhance in lots of locations. Due to his lack of length, scouts are forecasting Evans to play center at the next level, and the 293-pounder was strictly on the
interior throughout the week of practices at the East-West Shrine Bowl. His game translates finest to NFL teams that utilize outside zone plans, where he can utilize his fast feet and savviness to win with his hands and angles. Terron Armstead (2013)was the last player to be drafted from the Arkansas-Pine Bluff program, however Evans has a great chance to get badgered Day 3. 4. Shaquan Davis, WR, South Carolina State HT: 6-foot-4|WT: 217 pounds|Class: Senior Forecasted draft range: Mid-to-late Day 3 Davis originates from among the best NFL pipelines among HBCU schools. South Carolina State has produced Darius Leonard, Javon Hargrave and Cobie Durant– and Davis seems next in line. He was one of the most efficient pass-catchers in the FCS ranks

last season, tape-recording 45 catches for 934 backyards and 11 goals. He also balanced a minimum of 20 yards per catch in 3 of his 4 seasons, showing he can win downfield by

utilizing his big frame or pick up pieces of lawns after the catch. Davis still requires to improve his route tree and body control in the underneath areas, however he revealed progress during the week of practices at the East-West Shrine Video Game. HT: 6-foot-2|WT: 205 pounds|Class: Senior Predicted draft variety: Late Day 3 A dynamic vertical asset for Hampton, Bonds consistently acquires separation behind the 3rd level of the defense and completed his college career with 34 getting goals. He has the type of speed that forces protective backs to rapidly pull away and stress, but he can also snap his paths

off and then produce lawns after the catch on underneath patterns. His trusted hands were on full display screen at the East-West Shrine Video game practices, including when he came down with a nice one-handed grab during the 2nd day. Groups that lose out on some earlier-round speed choices could take a close look at Bonds on Day 3. HT: 6-foot-2|WT: 186 pounds|Class: Senior Projected draft range: Late Day 3 The highest-ranked player taking part in the occasions today, Isaac is a lanky corner who has actually revealed peeks of ball production (two interceptions over his Hornets profession ). I saw him up close at the NFLPA Collegiate

Bowl practices, and his size, length and change-of-direction abilities appeared. Isaac tasks best in a zone plan where he can take on his awareness and high-end impulses. However he still requires to sharpen his method and add weight. HT: 5-foot-11|WT: 209 pounds|Class: Senior Projected draft variety: Late Day 3/UDFA An upright and efficient runner, Hagans had a breakout season throughout his final year with the Trojans. He completed 2022 with 1,012 hurrying backyards and six touchdowns before assisting himself throughout the all-star game circuit with standout efficiencies. His running design and vision are evident, and he’s definitive when attacking the first level. But can he become more involved in the death game? Hagans received a lot of exposure to that part of the game at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, and he has potential as a late-round complementary back. NFL scouts were also impressed with Hagans after Monday’s HBCU combine workout.What to know for the 2023 NFL draft Ranks: Kiper|McShay|Positional Mocks: Kiper|McShay|Miller|Reid – Meet top names”| Most polarizing”- QB Hot Board “| First-round grades”- Scouting reports “|

Order “| More ” HT: 5-foot-10|WT: 229 pounds|Class: Senior Predicted draft variety: Late Day 3/UDFA Wilson
was one of the very best rushes in the Division II ranks this previous season. After initially beginning his career at Johnson C. Smith, he then played 2 seasons with Fort Valley State and completed the 2022 season with 1,371 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. And after a standout week of practices at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, Wilson is getting a little bit more buzz amongst NFL groups. He is a hard runner who is tough to take on, and that capability to bounce off and break tackles equates well to the next level. HT: 6-foot-5|WT: 260 pounds|Class: Senior Forecasted draft range: Late Day 3/UDFA Averett started his career at Louisville prior to settling into his own in Daytona Beach, Florida at Bethune-Cookman. He rapidly became the go-to target for the Wildcats’offense and finished his two-year stint with 1,333 receiving backyards and 17 touchdowns. It has been a long road in the collegiate ranks for the big bodied tight end– consider that he caught his first career touchdown from Lamar Jackson during the 2017 season.Averett helped himself throughout an efficient week at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, where he showcased body control and strong hands. He has the makings of a depth choice early in his pro

career, and NFL groups will be captivated by his red-zone upside. HT: 5-foot-10|WT: 176 pounds|Class: Senior Projected draft variety: UDFA Daniels spent 2 seasons in the junior college ranks(2018 and 2019)before moving to Western Illinois. He completed 2022 with 61 catches for 657 lawns and 6 goals, lining up in numerous positionings. Despite the restricted production, he was one of the most significant standouts at the East-West Shrine Bowl. With strong hands and fast feet in his routes, Daniels could be a slot option for teams as a priority undrafted complimentary agent.

HT: 5-foot-10|WT: 170 pounds|Class: Senior Predicted draft variety: UDFA Smith is an explosive three-level risk and has spent most of his time out of the slot. I saw him live against FBS competition during the season-opener at North Carolina, when he captured 10 balls for 78 yards. Throughout his college career, Smith posted 2,893 getting backyards and 25 TDs and supplied worth as a return specialist. Smith might be a popular priority undrafted free agent target for numerous teams.After Monday’s HBCU integrate, one location scout told me,”I believed he easily looked the best of any prospect taking part here, and I had him running in the high 4.3 s in the 40.
” HT: 6-foot-3|WT: 260 pounds|Class: Senior Forecasted draft variety: UDFA Among the more efficient defenders in the Division II ranks, Farmer topped off an impressive two-year run that included 44 takes on for loss and 17.5 sacks. His game centers around effort, heavy hands and craftiness as a pass-rusher, and he has the burst and finishing ability to overwhelm blockers and close on QBs. Farmer will likely begin his career as a designated pass-rusher as he continues to find out how to regularly play the run, but his production will definitely fascinate groups. HT: 6-foot|WT: 185 pounds|Class: Senior
Predicted draft range: UDFA

The top-ranked junior college hire throughout the 2020 recruiting cycle, Warren got in Jackson State with plenty of buzz after signing with the Tigers over Georgia. But after an efficient very first season, he had a hard time to find a function on the group’s defense. He wound up completing his college profession with 51 tackles, six pass deflections and an interception over 28 profession games.Warren’s motion skills as a man-to-man corner are noticeable, and he has suddenness and foot quickness to match wide receivers. Scouts captivated by Warren’s prospective, wonder if there’s another level of his game that can still be unlocked.Top stories of the week from Get unique access to more than 3,000 premium short articles a year from leading authors. – New 2024 NBA mock draft “- Best suitable for top 50 NFL complimentary agents “- A lot of interesting player on MLB teams”More ESPN+ content” HT: 6-foot-3|WT: 240 pounds|Class: Senior Predicted draft variety: UDFA Pryor completed his college profession with 77

career takes on for loss and 32 sacks. He plays several positions along the protective line but is finest predicted to be a base protective end in a 4-3 defense at the next level. His weight has changed over the past few years, and scouts wish to see his

number support as he goes into an NFL strength and conditioning program. But his ability to produce pressure has stayed constant during his time in the CIAA, and his effort has actually caught the eye of many scouts. HT: 5-foot-11 |
WT: 190 pounds|Class: Senior Predicted draft variety: UDFA After playing

alongside Joshua Williams in 2021, Barnes-Brown continued to bring one
of the much better secondaries in the Division II ranks in 2022, assisting the Broncos win their first conference title given that 2009. He has actually displayed top-level ball production, publishing 12 interceptions in 39 career games. Barnes-Brown is active and competitive at the line of scrimmage, and he likewise has some adaptability. He might provide unique groups value in the NFL.