With each year, the HBCU Legacy Bowl gets better. Saturday's game at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans was the best one yet in the four years since its inception. The 100-plus 2025 NFL Draft prospects in attendance worked hard all week long and the coaching staffs did an excellent job. It was a well-run event, which drew representatives from all 32 teams for a week of competitive practices leading up the game. I had an opportunity to witness it all in person leading up to our broadcast of the game on NFL Network and NFL+.
Team Robinson defeated Team Gaither, 17-14, on Saturday, with QBs Daniel Richardson (Florida A&M) -- the game's Offensive MVP -- Myles Crawley (Grambling State) and Draylen Ellis (Tennessee State) each showing flashes. But before we turn our attention to the NFL Scouting Combine, I'm highlighting seven prospects (listed in alphabetical order) who helped themselves -- either during the week of practice, in the game or both -- along with eight other players who are deserving of an honorable mention. There were plenty of talented prospects who played well, but in this piece, I'm focusing on guys who consistently performed at a level that should have the attention of NFL scouts.
NOTES:
- Tune in for live coverage of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine beginning Feb. 27 on NFL Network and NFL+.
- All measurements and HBCU Combine results are via the official website of the New Orleans Saints.
James Burgess Jr., CB, Alabama State
At 6-foot-2 3/4 with 30 1/4-inch arms, Burgess has good length and won the 2024 Aeneas Williams Award as the top HBCU DB in the nation. He's at his best when he's in press coverage. He can play in off coverage, but from what I saw, he liked to set up in the receiver's face and make him work on every play. He was doing a nice job in coverage every time I looked up. We have seen cornerbacks make a successful transition from HBCUs to the pros, including the Rams' Cobie Durant (South Carolina State) and Chiefs' Joshua Williams (Fayetteville State) in recent years. Burgess might have a chance to be next in line.
Jada Byers, RB, Virginia Union
Byers' production screams off the page. He racked up 2,276 all-purpose yards in 2024, leading Division II, and ran for 27 touchdowns on his way to winning the Deacon Jones Trophy (top HBCU player). I realize his size (5-6 1/4, 190 pounds) and timed speed (4.84-second 40-yard dash) are not ideal, but he runs with determination and passion. Also, he offers some make-you-miss in the open field. We saw that on a third-and-long in Saturday's game, when he caught a checkdown and took it for a first down. He can sift through the muck to pick up tough yards, and he's quicker than fast.
Joaquin Davis, WR, North Carolina Central
Davis had an excellent HBCU Combine earlier in the week, running a 4.44-second 40-yard dash and posting a vertical of 40 1/2 inches. He's more of a straight-line receiver right now, but he caught a pass on a curl route and turned it upfield in the game, showing he's not just a go-up-and-get-it guy downfield. I like his combination of length, size (6-4 1/8, 192 pounds) and speed. What NFL teams might like even more is how he approached playing special teams all week long. He showed a strong grasp of that phase in practice and made a nice open-field tackle on a punt return in the game. Those things can get him noticed in a camp if he gets an opportunity.
Robert McDaniel, DB, Jackson State
McDaniel has played multiple spots in the secondary, but I believe he fits best as a nickel safety. That said, in Jackson State's Celebration Bowl win over South Carolina State last season, his team needed him to play outside and he performed well on a big stage. I like his athleticism and size (6-2, 3/8, 213) pounds, and I know I'm not alone. His name was mentioned by coaches and scouts all week.
Irv Mulligan, RB, Jackson State
Another running back? That's right, Mulligan might have caught even more eyes than Byers. He's the bigger (5-9 3/8, 198) and faster (4.58 40-yard dash) of the two backs. He has a great first step, which makes it feel like he is quite a bit faster than his timed speed. He forces a lot of missed tackles, either by eluding defenders or running through them. He helped lead Jackson State to its Celebration Bowl victory over South Carolina State, rushing for two TDs in the game. I think he can catch the ball out of the backfield, too, even though he didn't have to do much of it in college.
Jeremiah Pruitte, TE, Florida A&M
A transfer from Colorado State, Pruitte was in a three-TE rotation at FAMU, so his production won't stand out. As a move tight end, though, he could be a mismatch in the slot. He's nifty running routes and has good size (6-4 3/4, 233). He looked strong finishing off a second-and-long catch for a first down on Saturday.
Elijah Williams, DT, Morgan State
Williams came into the week highly touted and left showing he was worthy of the hype. He was the best player in attendance all week long, in my humble opinion. He even backed it up with a sack in the game on Saturday, but his spot was solidified before we ever kicked off. If you like production, Williams had plenty of it at Morgan State, posting 30-plus sacks and 50-plus tackles for loss in his four seasons. The knock on him will be size (6-2, 294, 32 1/4-inch arms, 8 7/8-inch hands). I get it, but I've heard my colleagues Bucky Brooks and Daniel Jeremiah, of the Move the Sticks Podcast, say many times over the years that sack production has a good chance of translating to the NFL. This guy has it. Williams would not be the first defensive lineman to face those types of questions and answer them resoundingly when given an opportunity at the next level. I'll be interested to see what impact he can make if he gets a chance to go to work every day in an NFL camp.
HONORABLE MENTION: Isaac Anderson, DT, Virginia Union; Kendall Bohler, CB, Florida A&M; Kenny Gallop Jr., S, Howard; Travis Martin, S, Langston; Ahmad Nelson, LB, Tennessee State; CJ Pressley Jr., DT, Prairie View A&M; Fred Stokes Jr., DE, Prairie View A&M (did not play on Saturday, but looked the part earlier in the week); Treqwan Thomas, DE, Alabama State (four sacks in Saturday's game, earning Defensive MVP honors).
