On Saturday, Mobile, AL hosted the 2022 HBCU Combine. The event is being held in conjunction with the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
The goal of the HBCU Combine is to help facilitate the number of HBCU players drafted and/or signed as undrafted free agents. In 2021, zero players were selected from HBCUs during the draft, and less than ten signed as a UFA. Participants in the HBCU Combine will do every drill that is carried out at the NFL Scouting Combine, as well as, on-field workouts. The drills were held at the University of South Alabama covered facility.
38 prospects participated in the 2022 HBCU Combine.
2022 HBCU COMBINE PARTICIPANTS
TE, Dee Anderson, Alabama A&M
RB, Ezra Gray, Alabama State
DS, Juwan Taylor, Alcorn State
OLB, Solomon Wise, Alcorn State
QB, Felix Harper, Alcorn State
WR, Josh Wilkes, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
OLB, Untareo Johnson, Bethune-Cookman
OT, Jamal Savage, Bethune-Cookman
WR, Trey Gross, Delaware State
WR, Kwannah Kollie, Delaware State
DE, Keyshawn James, Fayetteville State
DS, Elvin De La Rosa, Fayetteville State
DS, Antwan Collier, Florida A&M
OG, Keenan Forbes, Florida A&M
WR, Shemar Bridges, Fort Valley State
DT, James Fagan, Hampton
QB, Jett Duffey, Hampton
WR, Keith Corbin, Jackson State
RB, Kingston Davis, Miles
OLB, Jerry Garner, Mississippi Valley State
OLB, Chris Myers, Norfolk State
QB, Juwan Carter, Norfolk State
RB, Jah-Maine Martin, North Carolina A&T
WR, Korey Banks, North Carolina A&T
WR, Ron Hunt, North Carolina A&T
QB, Jawon Pass, Prairie View A&M
DC, Zafir Kelly, South Carolina State
ILB, Chad Gilchrist, South Carolina State
WR, Will Vereen, South Carolina State
QB, Ladarius Skelton, Southern
WR, Marquis McClain, Southern
DS, Cory Rahman, Tennessee State
OT, Cam Durley, Tennessee State
RB, Jeff Proctor, Texas Southern
WR, Jonathan Giles, Texas Southern
DS, Will Adams, Virginia State
OLB, Javon Frazier, Virginia State
OT, Zachary Wilcox, Virginia State
STANDOUT PERFORMERS AND OTHER NOTES
The day started in the weight room with the bench press. Miles College RB Kingston Davis put up 24 reps of 225. The former Michigan and UAB back looked incredible. Davis also looked fluid in the change of direction drills. I wouldn’t be shocked if he found himself in a camp.
WR Jonathan Giles of Texas Southern put up a solid 17 reps on the bench. Giles was a part of the 2014 recruiting class in high school. In 2016, while playing with Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech, Giles caught 69 balls for 1158 yards and 13 touchdowns. After a short stint at LSU, Giles resurfaced at Texas Southern but hasn’t been able to replicate his success from 2016.
Southern WR Marquis McClain was the top overall performer today from what I saw. McClain only caught three passes during his time at Auburn. His production improved the last two seasons at Southern. McClain has a great frame at 6’3″ 210-pounds. He put up impressive numbers in the broad (10’2″) and vertical jumps. McClain should make his way into a camp as a special teams ace with a chance to stick on a 53.
North Carolina A&T RB Jah-Maine Martin only ran position drills today. Martin was my highest-rated prospect coming into today. Alabama A&M TE Dee Anderson was also a limited participant. Ron Hunt (WR/North Carolina A&T) and Keith Corbin (WR/Jackson State) did not participate in any drills that I could see.
And then there is Virginia State CB Will Adams who almost assuredly got more attention:
Plenty of great performances from today’s inaugural HBCU Combine. Virginia State CB Will Adams has every NFL team doing more homework. That’s exactly what this event was all about. ???
HT: 6012
WT: 186
Arm: 3218
VJ: 40.5
BJ: 10’3
40: 4.57
SS: 4.14
3-cone: 6.88
BP: 21 reps pic.twitter.com/vFfmNSW32G— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) January 30, 2022