HBCU Legacy Bowl 2023

Read Time:2 Minute, 8 Second

The 2nd HBCU Legacy Bowl proved to be a classic event, with the NFL scouts and decision-makers in attendance to evaluate draft-eligible players. Several performances in the game may have NFL teams reassessing their draft boards and including a few participants for further analysis. Defensive play was notable throughout the week-long all-star game.

Team Robinson defeated Team Gaither 10-3, with 25,900 cheering fans in attendance on Saturday, Feb. 25 in New Orleans, LA.

Jayden Thomas, WR (Benedict) – Thomas first played at Notre Dame before finishing his collegiate career with Team Robinson head coach Chennis Berry at Benedict. He completed the day with four receptions and 67 receiving yards (33 longest). His NFL draft stock soared on Saturday due to a strong performance in front of NFL scouts. Larry Harrington, QB (Langston) – Head coach Quinton Morgan trained the senior quarterback well and he connected on 9-of-15 passes for 103 passing yards and one touchdown. Joshua Pryor, DE/Edge (Bowie State) – Pryor’s draft stock went up on Saturday after he recorded 2 sacks and 3 TFLs against Team Gaither. Jason Dumas, DL (Southern/Prairie View A&M) – The 5-11 and 270-pound defensive lineman won his one-on-one battles with speed and power to record 3 sacks and 3 TFLs of Team Gaither quarterbacks en route to earning the 2023 HBCU Legacy Bowl Defensive MVP Award. If he converts to a fullback in the pros, many defenders will be making business decisions before taking him on.

Nelson Jordan II, DL (Alabama State/Team Robinson) – He was disruptive and harassed the QBs most of the afternoon with his Team Robinson defensive teammates. The Bama State Hornet stands at 6-3 and 250 pounds. He notched 2.5 sacks and 5 tackles on the afternoon. Many forget that Mr. Jordan II led the SWAC with ten sacks in 2022. His size and nose for the quarterback will have teams like the New Orleans Saints studying him for the NFL Draft. Cam Peterson, DL (Southern) – At one point I thought Peterson was going to get the handoff from the Team Gaither quarterback; he was that fast in the backfield creating 1.5 sacks and 6 tackles while Jermaine McDaniel, DL (NC A&T)- McDaniel caught many’s attention with an outstanding performance for Team Gaither where he pressured the QB several times.

Four HBCU players were drafted in last year’s NFL draft, tied for the most in ten years. It’s games like this that can get these players the exposure they deserve.