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
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
The post Several HBCU alumni land 2025 NFL roster spots appeared first on ClutchPoints.
