2025 NFL draft: Ranking top 10 HBCU senior prospects - ESPN

The 2024 college football season is finally upon us, and HBCU play begins with the annual Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff. Saturday's game pits Florida A&M against Norfolk State in Atlanta at 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN App).

Over the past decade, the NFL has made a lot of effort to provide more exposure for teams at historically Black colleges and universities and showcase their players across the nation. The HBCU Legacy Bowl and Reese's Senior Bowl HBCU combine have become significant events on the pre-draft calendar for all NFL teams. Zero HBCU players were selected in the 2024 NFL draft, though, with the last HBCU draftee being Isaiah Bolden, whom the New England Patriots selected from Jackson State in 2023.

Over the past few months, I've spoken to numerous coaches, scouts and evaluators around the country and matched their observations to my summer notes to compile this list. Here are my top 10 draft-eligible HBCU prospects, including players from both the FCS and Division II ranks. (This list doesn't include recent transfers who didn't play at an HBCU school last season).

HT: 6-foot-6 | WT: 305 pounds

In recent years, SWAC schools have produced successful NFL offensive tackles such as Terron Armstead (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) and Tytus Howard (Alabama State). Vinson is aiming to be next in that pipeline of blockers.

Vinson is a tall, agile tackle prospect with easy movement skills. Evaluators have been complimentary of him, as he received a mixture of sixth- and seventh-round grades from scouts I have spoken to. Vinson's strong performance last season against Vanderbilt was frequently mentioned, and all eyes will be on him when Alabama A&M opens the season against Auburn.

«He was 350 pounds when he first came here, but