HBCU Combine Notes

The Historically Black Colleges & University combine was held at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event, in collaboration with the NFL and the HBCU Legacy Bowl, showcases the skills and players who have declared for the upcoming NFL Draft. 

The combine consists of 47 players from HBCU universities and last year, the NFL had representatives from 31 of the 32 teams on hand. Since 2021, there have been 5 players selected in the NFL draft after performing in the combine: 

• 2022- DB- Joshua Williams- Fayetteville State- Round 4- Kansas City Chiefs
• 2022- DB- Decobie Durant- South Carolina State- Round 4- Los Angeles Rams
• 2022- LB- James Houston IV- Jackson State- Round 6- Detroit Lions
• 2022- OT- Ja’Tyre Carter- Southern University- Round 7- Chicago Bears
• 2023- DB- Isaiah Bolden- Jackson State- Round 7- New England Patriots

With this year’s combine now in the rear view, Draft Nation has prepared a short list of players who stood out at the drills and practices:

WR- R.J. Mobley, Winston Salem State

Mobley is a 6’3” 210 wide receiver who ran a 4.42 during the combine. He is a physical receiver and many NFL scouts wanted to see his skills and speed up close. His plus size and physicality as a pro prospect along with his straight line speed may land him in the mid-late rounds, even in a deep wide receiver class.

QB- Davius Richard, North Carolina Central

Richard improved his NFL stock by running a 4.52 during the combine. However, that wasn’t what caught the eyes of the scouts. The 6’3” 220 lb. quarterback threw the ball well and was able to make all the throws fluidly and accurately. In his career, he threw for just under 9,000 yards and ran for over 2,000. If he doesn't get drafted, he should be signed as an undrafted free agent.

Safety- John Huggins, Jackson State

Huggins was a guy that most scouts wanted to see. At 6’1” and 211 lbs., he opened some eyes in the defensive back drills with his change of direction and the smoothness. His 40 time was 4.45 and he finished top 3 in all of the speed and agility tests for defensive players. Draft Nation predicts he will come off the board later in the draft and and make an NFL roster in the fall.

DT- Loobert Denelus, Benedict College

An edge rusher at 5’11” and 286 lbs.? Don’t let his height fool you. Denelus can rush the quarterback. He has bulked up from 255 to 286 and plans to move inside at the NFL level. In his last 24 games, he had 24 sacks and 39 tackles for loss. He also forced 5 fumbles and recovered 4 more. Denelus moves like a player 30 lbs. lighter and has enough power and wiggle to be a problem for pass protectors. He may not get drafted but should be on an NFL team's training camp roster.

RB- Jarveon Howard, Alcorn State

Howard spent 3 seasons at Syracuse before transferring to Alcorn State. He has a compact build at 5’9” and 215 lbs. and runs downhill and excels between the tackles. He ran a 4.52 in the 40 and turned in some impressive numbers in the vertical and broad jump. He has a chance to be a late round pick for a team looking to stash some running back depth.