NFL Draft 2024 prospects to watch in Saturday’s HBCU Legacy Bowl

The 2024 HBCU Legacy Bowl will kick off at 4 p.m. ET Saturday in New Orleans on the NFL Community. The third annual installment of the all-star sport additionally included a mix earlier within the week, the place gamers from HBCU (Traditionally Black Schools and Universities) conferences had been in a position to showcase their abilities in entrance of professional scouts.

Prospects had been break up into two teams: Crew Gaither (named in honor of former Florida A&M head coach Jake Gaither) and Crew Robinson (named after former Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson). Prairie View A&M head coach Bubba McDowell is main Crew Robinson, whereas Virginia Union’s Alvin Parker and Howard’s Larry Scott have Crew Gaither.

Right here’s a take a look at just a few of probably the most intriguing professional prospects — for the NFL and different leagues — on this yr’s HBCU Legacy Bowl:

Davius Richard, QB, North Carolina Central

A four-year starter for the Eagles, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Richard (who posted a 4.6-second 40 time this week) threw for practically 9,000 yards and rushed for greater than 2,000 at NC Central (73 passing touchdowns, 44 dashing). An explosive, twitchy runner within the open area, Richard runs with energy and imaginative and prescient.

As a passer, Richard drastically improved his throwing accuracy all through his profession, and although they’re hardly good, his mechanics have been on a gradual incline for a bit. When clear within the pocket, Richard has the arm expertise to make all the required throws. His solutions versus strain depart so much to be desired, however there may be loads of expertise in his sport — and fairly a little bit of expertise.

Loobert Denelus, DT, Benedict Faculty

An edge rusher at Benedict Faculty, Denelus is 5-11, 286 — however don’t let the peak restriction idiot you. He can rush the quarterback. He did so time and again as a complete ache for SIAC opponents the final two seasons, taking part in at 255 kilos. He’s bulked up and plans to maneuver inside extra completely on the subsequent degree.

In a mixed 24 video games over the past two seasons, Denelus had 24 sacks and 39 tackles for loss (together with 5 pressured fumbles and 4 recoveries). A really disruptive participant who’s oddly formed for his place, Denelus is likely to be maxed out bodily, however he’s a really succesful cross rusher with sufficient wiggle and velocity to offer individuals issues in the proper state of affairs.

Jeremy Moussa, QB, Florida A&M

A former three-star recruit who started his profession at Vanderbilt earlier than transferring to FAMU, Moussa (6-2, 220) performs tall within the pocket and likes to throw downfield. He completed at higher than 9 air yards per try in each seasons as Rattlers starter, and practically 19 % of his completions went for 20 or extra yards.

There are accuracy issues. Moussa confirmed respectable accuracy throughout his first yr with Florida A&M in 2022, however that dipped some final season. His numbers in opposition to strain, nonetheless, did enhance a bit. In contrast to Richard, Moussa just isn’t a runner. He’s a pocket passer who has the body and arm expertise, however he must reel within the accuracy points.

On Friday evening, Richard and Moussa had been named Black Faculty Soccer Co-Gamers of the Yr by the Black Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame.

Jarveon Howard, RB, Alcorn State

A rocked-up, explosive downhill runner, Howard spent three years at Syracuse earlier than a breakout season (1,239 yards, 12 TDs) at Alcorn State in 2022. Howard ran a 4.52 40 (1.57 10-yard break up) on the HBCU mix whereas handing over some spectacular soar numbers (36 1/2-inch vertical; 10-foot, 8-inch broad soar). A very good between-the-tackles runner, Howard makes use of his burst and strong imaginative and prescient to get what’s blocked for him, after which some.

A runner and not using a ton of carries on his physique, Howard (5-9, 215) had a dip in dashing manufacturing as a senior however did add 30 catches to his resume. He’s an attention-grabbing prospect as a first-down again, however his toughness and enchancment as a receiver may make him a third-down candidate for somebody.

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LaDarius Owens, RB, Texas Southern

After placing up strong numbers as a backup the earlier two seasons, Owens had a breakout season as a fifth-year participant. In 2023, the 5-8, 185-pounder rushed for 1,357 yards and 11 touchdowns with 3.44 yards after contact per carry. A really succesful between-the-tackles runner regardless of his small stature, Owens averaged higher than 6 yards per carry versus eight-man bins final season.

He’s a tricky runner with respectable velocity (4.56 40) and good imaginative and prescient, although he’s not overly explosive and dimension might be a priority.

Extra Offseason Honors for LaDarius Owens (@deeowens2121)@boxtorow All-American@The__Bluebloods All-American@philsteele042 FCS All-American All-Function pic.twitter.com/w4yqn01y7K

— Texas Southern College (TSU) Athletics (@TXSOTigers) December 14, 2023

Matthew Foster, OT, Virginia State

The 2022 CIAA Offensive Lineman of the Yr, Foster (6-7, 315) performs with an enormous body and nice size. He had some dominant stretches at Virginia State, as his dimension was an issue for almost everybody he encountered. Virginia State teammate Willie Drew performed on the Senior Bowl this yr, which led to him incomes a mix invite, and there was buzz final summer time Foster may’ve been on the listing to take an analogous path.

He was most likely higher in 2022 than 2023, although, however nonetheless wound up a CIAA second-team performer this previous season. You’d prefer to see extra energy, as Foster was gentle popping out of highschool. There’s nonetheless loads of motive to be intrigued.

Tairiq Stewart, OT, North Carolina A&T

Stewart began out as a junior faculty participant earlier than matriculating to North Carolina A&T. He has the kind of bulk and energy mandatory to carry up and be aggressive within the run sport on the subsequent degree. The 6-6, 300-pounder performs with good size and leverage. He’s fast sufficient to get into the second degree and have an effect, although he will be inconsistent at occasions. A proper sort out in faculty, Stewart has the dimensions to maybe be an inside-outside candidate up entrance.

A 3-star prospect out of highschool with affords from Maryland and Tennessee, the Ohio native additionally had a short cease at West Virginia, however opted out in the course of the 2020 season that was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jeblonski Inexperienced Jr., DL, South Carolina State

A little bit of an undersized inside sort out, Inexperienced (6-2, 285) was a highschool linebacker and working again who confirmed energy and strong velocity. The largest factor that’s translated after what’s been a roughly 50-pound weight achieve throughout his faculty profession has been that foot velocity.

Inexperienced is gentle on his toes — so whereas three-tech or nostril in a fair entrance seems to be his greatest match, he did line up vast and play some heavy edge in faculty. He’s a man who was working within the 4.6s at round 230 kilos in highschool. A very good athlete at his dimension, Inexperienced had 70 pressures in 4 years with the Bulldogs.

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Isaiah Main, LB, Florida A&M

The 2023 SWAC Defensive Participant of the Yr, Main completed the season with 100 tackles (11.5 for a loss) and two interceptions (together with a 41-yard decide six). A protracted and rangy participant with good motion abilities in protection, Main exhibits good burst but additionally tends to get misplaced within the field or caught on a guard.

Listed at 6-1, 230, it appears like there might be extra energy to Main’s sport. On the identical time, he’s a extremely attention-grabbing protection participant as a linebacker who did loads of work out in house for the Rattlers.

DEFENSIVE M-V-P‼️

Congratulations to Florida A&M’s (@famufb), Isaiah Main for being named the 2023 Cricket Celebration Bowl Defensive MVP@GM #SWACFB | #BuildingChampionsForLife pic.twitter.com/SGJ3ApuHJA

— Southwestern Athletic Convention (@theswac) December 17, 2023

Eric Smith, CB, Florida A&M

A small nook, Smith (5-8, 167) is blessed with electrical velocity and severe burst. He posted a 4.34 40-yard sprint, 36-inch vertical leap and a 10-foot, 6-inch broad soar on the HBCU mix. He’s sooner than fast and never very huge, however he’s an explosive athlete nonetheless.

Smith additionally had his greatest season in protection final season, posting three picks and 11 cross breakups.

Cedric Anderson, DB, Grambling State

Anderson is gigantic, to start with. He measured in at 6-3, 192 with a wingspan of 82 1/8 inches. Moreover, Anderson posted a vertical soar of 34 inches and a broad soar of 10 toes, 9 inches. A Northwestern State switch, Anderson picked off two passes and broke up 5 extra final yr for Grambling. He added 23 tackles and a TFL in what was his greatest yr as a university participant.

Anderson is extra of a projection than a completed product. He doesn’t fairly have the velocity to carry up exterior at nook, however he’s most likely quick sufficient to offer security a attempt. He’s a fantastic athlete at that dimension and presumably one to observe.

(Photograph of Davius Richard: Jevone Moore / Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs)