The 2024 HBCU Legacy Bowl will kick off at 4 p.m. ET Saturday in New Orleans on the NFL Network. The third annual installment of the all-star game also included a combine earlier in the week, where players from HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) conferences were able to showcase their skills in front of pro scouts.
Prospects were split into two groups: Team Gaither (named in honor of former Florida A&M head coach Jake Gaither) and Team Robinson (named after former Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson). Prairie View A&M head coach Bubba McDowell is leading Team Robinson, while Virginia Union’s Alvin Parker and Howard’s Larry Scott have Team Gaither.
Here’s a look at a few of the most intriguing pro prospects — for the NFL and other leagues — in this year’s HBCU Legacy Bowl:
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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 nearly 9,000 yards and rushed for more than 2,000 at NC Central (73 passing touchdowns, 44 rushing). An explosive, twitchy runner in the open field, Richard runs with power and vision.
As a passer, Richard drastically improved his throwing accuracy throughout his career, and though they’re hardly perfect, his mechanics have been on a steady incline for a bit. When clean in the pocket, Richard has the arm talent to make all the necessary throws. His answers versus pressure leave a lot to be desired, but there is a lot of talent in his game — and quite a bit of experience.
Loobert Denelus, DT, Benedict College
An edge rusher at Benedict College, Denelus is 5-11, 286 — but do not let the height restriction fool you. He can rush the quarterback. He did so over and over again as a total pain for SIAC opponents the last two seasons, playing at 255 pounds. He’s bulked up and plans to move inside more permanently at the next level.
In a combined 24 games over the last two seasons, Denelus had 24 sacks and 39 tackles for loss (along with five forced fumbles and four recoveries). A very disruptive player who is oddly shaped for his position, Denelus might be maxed out physically, but he’s a very capable pass rusher with enough wiggle and speed to give people problems in the right situation.
Jeremy Moussa, QB, Florida A&M
A former three-star recruit who began his career at Vanderbilt before transferring to FAMU, Moussa (6-2, 220) plays tall in the pocket and loves to throw downfield. He finished at better than 9 air yards per attempt in both seasons as Rattlers starter, and nearly 19 percent of his completions went for 20 or more yards.
There are accuracy concerns. Moussa showed decent accuracy during his first year with Florida A&M in 2022, but that dipped some last season. His numbers against pressure, however, did improve a bit. Unlike Richard, Moussa is not a runner. He’s a pocket passer who has the frame and arm talent, but he needs to reel in the accuracy issues.
On Friday night, Richard and Moussa were named Black College Football Co-Players of the Year by the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
Jarveon Howard, RB, Alcorn State
A rocked-up, explosive downhill runner, Howard spent three years at Syracuse before a breakout season (1,239 yards, 12 TDs) at Alcorn State in 2022. Howard ran a 4.52 40 (1.57 10-yard split) at the HBCU combine while turning in some impressive jump numbers (36 1/2-inch vertical; 10-foot, 8-inch broad jump). A good between-the-tackles runner, Howard uses his burst and solid vision to get what’s blocked for him, and then some.
A runner without a ton of carries on his body, Howard (5-9, 215) had a dip in rushing production as a senior but did add 30 catches to his resume. He’s an interesting prospect as a first-down back, but his toughness and improvement as a receiver could make him a third-down candidate for someone.
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LaDarius Owens, RB, Texas Southern
After putting up solid numbers as a backup the previous two seasons, Owens had a breakout season as a fifth-year player. In 2023, the 5-8, 185-pounder rushed for 1,357 yards and 11 touchdowns with 3.44 yards after contact per carry. A very capable between-the-tackles runner despite his small stature, Owens averaged better than 6 yards per carry versus eight-man boxes last season.
He is a tough runner with decent speed (4.56 40) and good vision, though he’s not overly explosive and size will be a concern.
More Offseason Honors for LaDarius Owens (@deeowens2121)@boxtorow All-American@The__Bluebloods All-American@philsteele042 FCS All-American All-Purpose pic.twitter.com/w4yqn01y7K
— Texas Southern University (TSU) Athletics (@TXSOTigers) December 14, 2023
Matthew Foster, OT, Virginia State
The 2022 CIAA Offensive Lineman of the Year, Foster (6-7, 315) plays with a huge frame and great length. He had some dominant stretches at Virginia State, as his size was a problem for just about everyone he encountered. Virginia State teammate Willie Drew played at the Senior Bowl this year, which led to him earning a combine invite, and there was buzz last summer Foster might’ve been on the list to take a similar path.
He was probably better in 2022 than 2023, though, but still wound up a CIAA second-team performer this past season. You’d like to see more power, as Foster was light coming out of high school. There’s still plenty of reason to be intrigued.
Tairiq Stewart, OT, North Carolina A&T
Stewart started out as a junior college player before matriculating to North Carolina A&T. He has the type of bulk and power necessary to hold up and be competitive in the run game at the next level. The 6-6, 300-pounder plays with good length and leverage. He’s quick enough to get into the second level and have an impact, though he can be inconsistent at times. A right tackle in college, Stewart has the size to perhaps be an inside-outside candidate up front.
A three-star prospect out of high school with offers from Maryland and Tennessee, the Ohio native also had a brief stop at West Virginia, but opted out during the 2020 season that was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jeblonski Green Jr., DL, South Carolina State
A bit of an undersized interior tackle, Green (6-2, 285) was a high school linebacker and running back who showed power and solid speed. The biggest thing that’s translated after what’s been a roughly 50-pound weight gain during his college career has been that foot speed.
Green is light on his feet — so while three-tech or nose in an even front appears to be his best fit, he did line up wide and play some heavy edge in college. He’s a guy who was running in the 4.6s at around 230 pounds in high school. A good athlete at his size, Green had 70 pressures in four years with the Bulldogs.
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Isaiah Major, LB, Florida A&M
The 2023 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, Major finished the season with 100 tackles (11.5 for a loss) and two interceptions (including a 41-yard pick six). A long and rangy player with good movement skills in coverage, Major shows good burst but also tends to get lost in the box or stuck on a guard.
Listed at 6-1, 230, it feels like there could be more power to Major’s game. At the same time, he’s a really interesting coverage player as a linebacker who did a lot of work out in space for the Rattlers.
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Congratulations to Florida A&M’s (@famufb), Isaiah Major for being named the 2023 Cricket Celebration Bowl Defensive MVP@GM #SWACFB | #BuildingChampionsForLife pic.twitter.com/SGJ3ApuHJA
— Southwestern Athletic Conference (@theswac) December 17, 2023
Eric Smith, CB, Florida A&M
A small corner, Smith (5-8, 167) is blessed with electric speed and serious burst. He posted a 4.34 40-yard dash, 36-inch vertical leap and a 10-foot, 6-inch broad jump at the HBCU combine. He’s faster than quick and not very big, but he’s an explosive athlete nonetheless.
Smith also had his best season in coverage last season, posting three picks and 11 pass breakups.
Cedric Anderson, DB, Grambling State
Anderson is gigantic, first of all. He measured in at 6-3, 192 with a wingspan of 82 1/8 inches. Additionally, Anderson posted a vertical jump of 34 inches and a broad jump of 10 feet, 9 inches. A Northwestern State transfer, Anderson picked off two passes and broke up five more last year for Grambling. He added 23 tackles and a TFL in what was his best year as a college player.
Anderson is more of a projection than a finished product. He doesn’t quite have the speed to hold up outside at corner, but he’s probably fast enough to give safety a try. He’s a great athlete at that size and possibly one to watch.
(Photo of Davius Richard: Jevone Moore / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
