HBCU Players in NFL Camps

As the first full week of May signals the beginning of mini-camps around the National Football League, there are several HBCU athletes who were either picked in April’s NFL Draft, signed on with teams as Un-drafted Free Agents or got invites to team mini-camps. Here is the full list, along with brief into about each player, along with the chance that you could see these players representing your alma mater on Sundays this fall.

Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, cornerback, Tennessee State University. Drafted 16th overall in the first round by the Arizona Cardinals.

Notes: The cousin of San Diego Chargers star cornerback Antonio Cromartie, Dominique (First Team All Ohio Valley Conference in 2007) has as much skill and ability as his more famous (for now) relative. Tall and rangy at 6′1 1/2, 184 pounds, Rogers-Cromartie’s speed and quickness will benefit the Cardinals’ defense as the franchise looks to shed its decades-long label as losers.

Kendall Langford, defensive end, Hampton University. Drafted with the 66th pick overall (third round) by the Miami Dolphins.

Notes: One of the more dominant defenders in the MEAC over his four years at Hampton, Langford (6′6, 295 lbs.) is as nasty and as confident as any D-lineman you could have ever seen playing I-AA football. It was hard to run or pass on the Pirates as Langford, a three-time all-MEAC First Team selection, compiled 236 tackles and 23.5 sacks in his career and led the nation’s best I-AA scoring defense (14 ppg) in 2005. Look for Langford to have a big impact as the Bill Parcells era begins in 2008.

William Hayes, defensive end, Winston Salem State University. Drafted with the 103rd pick in the fourth round by the Tennessee Titans.

The man Rams faithful have affectionately dubbed “Big Play” will take that big play ability to Music City to help an aging Titans defensive front (the team recently re-signed long time Titan and former Eagle Jevon Kearse). At 6′2 and 260 pounds, Hayes doesn’t fit the mold of an NFL DE size-wise, but his quickness will make up for it, as he was the defensive leader of a Rams team that won five games in its first season competing in Division I-AA.

Jaymar Johnson, wide receiver, Jackson State University. Drafted with 193rd pick in the sixth round by the Minnesota Vikings.

The lone offensive skill player from any black college chosen in the draft, Johnson will be vying for a roster spot on a team that is sure to have opportunities for receivers, as defenses will no doubt key on all-world running back Adrian Peterson. Johnson (6′0, 176 pounds) caught 36 passes for 613 and scored seven touchdowns for the SWAC champion Tigers.

Alex Hall, defensive end, St. Augustine’s College. Drafted with the 231st pick in the seventh round by the Cleveland Browns.

Notes: Hall, the first player drafted from St. Augustine’s since the school restarted its football program in 2002, will look to crack a Browns roster whose 3-4 defensive scheme might give the 6′6, 250-pound DE a chance to be a key contributer to a team that missed the playoffs by virtue of a tiebreaker with Tennessee last season. Hall comes to Lake Erie as the Falcons all-time leader in sacks (25) and tackles for loss (54).

Notable Undrafted Free Agents.

Shaheer McBride, wide receiver, Delaware State University. Signed by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Notes: With the size (6′2, 205 lbs.) and the stats (DSU’s all-time leading receiver), McBride will be looking to crack the roster of a team that Donovan McNabb says is hungry for playmakers. Time will tell if McBride can help the Birds in 2008.

Marcus Dixon, defensive end, Hampton University. Signed by the Dallas Cowboys.

Notes: Anyone who is familiar with Marcus Dixon’s story should wish him the best, but his immense size (6′5, 275) and talent should give him a shot on a not-so-deep Cowboys defensive line come training camp.

James Lee, offensive tackle, South Carolina State University. Signed by the Cleveland Browns.

Notes: Joe Thomas? Check. Hank Fraley at Center? Check. Maybe the best OT in the MEAC? Check. Lee will more than likely make a Browns roster searching for consistency along the O-line to open holes for Jamal Lewis and protect current starting QB Derek Anderson.

Clyde Edwards, wide receiver, Grambling State University. Signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Notes: The Tigers’ all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards, Edwards joins a Jaguar team that looks to take the next step in David Garrard’s first full season as a starter. Having capable weapons like Edwards on the outside should help their chances.

Bobbie Williams, safety, Bethune-Cookman University. Signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Notes: Another success story in the defensive backfield under legendary coach Alvin “Shine” Wyatt, Williams will join fellow Wildcat Alum Rashean Mathis on a stingy Jags defense that ranked in the top half of the NFL in total defense (giving up 313.8 yards per game).

We will update the progress of these players as well as all HBCU NFL hopefuls during the course of the NFL calendar year.