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Of the first 244 names called in the 2023 NFL draft, none were from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
With the 28th pick of the seventh and final round, the New England Patriots drafted Isaiah Bolden, a cornerback from Jackson State University.
Since 2000, HBCU players have not been picked at all in nine drafts. There were no players taken in the 2021 draft.
Isaiah Land, an outside linebacker from Florida A&M, was the top-ranked HBCU prospect this year, according to ESPN.
As the seventh round rolled along, Florida A&M head coach Willie Simmons wrote on Twitter: “Truly a head scratcher at this point!!!”
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At Jackson State, Bolden – 6-foot-2 and 203 pounds – recorded 30 tackles with seven pass breakups in 2022 while being coached by Deion Sanders.
All 32 teams sent representatives to this year’s HBCU combine. Omar Khan of the Pittsburgh Steelers was the lone general manager in attendance. The 47 participants also played in the HBCU Legacy Bowl on Feb. 25.
The four HBCU players chosen in 2022 were:
- Fayetteville State CB Joshua Williams (fourth round, No. 135 overall, Kansas City Chiefs)
- South Carolina State CB Cobie Durant (fourth round, No. 142 overall, Los Angeles Rams)
- Jackson State LB James Houston (sixth round, No. 217 overall, Detroit Lions)
- Southern G Ja’Tyre Carter (seventh round, No. 226 overall, Chicago Bears)
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