Although there was only one HBCU football player selected in the 2025 NFL draft, several HBCU alumni have secured final roster spots on various teams around the league. As the 2025 regular season gears up to start, several former HBCU football players, such as Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, and Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt, had standout games in the NFL preseason and were favorites to make the main roster of their respective teams.
Meanwhile, all eyes were on Carson Vinson, the sole HBCU player drafted this year, to get the nod to protect Lamar Jackson as an offensive lineman and make the 53-man roster. There were also plenty of undrafted free agents who were expected to make an impact and secure a roster spot on their respective teams.
Below is a list of players who secured a 53-man roster spot on a team in the NFL. We will also showcase the players who are still continuing to fight for the NFL dream, as they were cut and didn't make the 53-man roster.
Former HBCU stars who made a 53-man roster
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Player Name Position College NFL Team
Shedeur Sanders QB Jackson State Cleveland Browns
Travis Hunter WR/CB Jackson State Jacksonville Jaguars
James Houston DE Jackson State Dallas Cowboys
Markquese Bell S Florida A&M Dallas Cowboys
Xavier Smith WR Florida A&M Los Angeles Rams
Cobie Durant CB South Carolina State Los Angeles Rams
Bryan Cook DB Howard Kansas City Chiefs
Joshua Williams CB Fayetteville State Kansas City Chiefs
KhaDarel Hodge WR Prairie View A&M Atlanta Falcons
Javon Hargrave DL South Carolina State Minnesota Vikings
Elijah Williams DL Morgan State Minnesota Vikings
Emanuel Wilson RB Johnson C. Smith/Fort Valley State Green Bay Packers
Claudin Cherelus LB Alcorn State Carolina Panthers
Grover Stewart DL Albany State Indianapolis Colts
Jacory Croskey-Merritt RB Alabama State Washington Commanders
Brandon Codrington DB North Carolina Central Buffalo Bills
Bhayshul Tuten RB North Carolina A&T Jacksonville Jaguars
Tytus Howard OL Alabama State Houston Texans
Carson Vinson OL Alabama A&M Baltimore Ravens
Corey Bullock OL North Carolina Central Baltimore Ravens
Kion Smith OL Fayetteville State Miami Dolphins
Jamie Gillan P Arkansas-Pine Bluff New York Giants
Trent Scott OL Grambling State Washington Commanders
Torricelli Simpkins III OL North Carolina Central New Orleans Saints
Former HBCU stars who were released
Player Name Position College NFL Team
Jarveon Howard RB Alcorn State Buffalo Bills
Quinton Bell LB Prairie View A&M Miami Dolphins
Isaiah Bolden CB Jackson State New England Patriots
Kisean Johnson WR Alabama State Cleveland Browns
Jason Ivey OT North Carolina A&T Cleveland Browns
Keenan Isaac CB Alabama State Cleveland Browns
Mikey Victor DB Alabama State Pittsburgh Steelers
Joaquin Davis WR North Carolina Central Denver Broncos
Andrew Farmer LB Lane Denver Broncos
Ian Wheeler RB Howard Chicago Bears
Ja’Tyre Carter G Southern Carolina Panthers
Shilo Sanders S Jackson State Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Blair WR Alcorn State Atlanta Falcons
Isaiah Land LB Florida A&M Indianapolis Colts
Antonio Hamilton Sr. CB South Carolina State Washington Commanders
Robert McDaniel S Jackson State Washington Commanders
Bobby Price CB Norfolk State Washington Commanders
Terrell Jennings RB Florida A&M New England Patriots
Ricky Lee OL North Carolina Central/North Carolina A&T Jacksonville Jaguars
a]:text-link [&_>a]:underline">Randall Barnes is ClutchPoints' Head of HBCU (Historically Black College or University) content and the founder of HBCU Pulse, a multimedia outlet with the mission to tell the authentic stories of HBCU Life via traditional, digital and social media outlets.