By D. Orlando Ledbetter
No players who finished their college football careers were taken in the 2026 NFL draft, which was held last Thursday through Saturday in Pittsburgh.
Three players who previously played at HBCUs and entered the transfer portal were selected in the draft.
Wide receiver Kevin Coleman (Jackson State), cornerback Andre Fuller (Arkansas Pine Bluff) and defensive tackle Karon Prunty (N.C. A&T) were selected in the draft.
The Dolphins selected Coleman, who finished at Missouri.
Prunty, who played at Kansas before transferring to N.C. A&T finished at Wake Forest, was selected by the Patriots in the fifth round (171st overall. He was an All-ACC back last season.
Fuller, who transferred to Toledo, was selected by Seattle in the seventh round (236th overall).
Running backs J’Mari Taylor (NCCU/Virginia) and Virginia Union’ Curtis Allen quickly received opportunities. Taylor signed an undrafted rookie free agent deal with the Jaguars, while Allen was invited to the rookie minicamps of the Seahawks and the Falcons.
Allen became the first player from an HBCU to win the Harlon Hill Trophy for the nation’s top Division II running back.
Allen was slowed during the Legacy Bowl week by a hamstring injury.
Allen rushed for 2,386 yards, the fifth-most in Division II history and the most by a DII running back in seven years. He also led Division II with 30 rushing touchdowns. He ran for at least 100 yards in every game this season. He recorded four 200-yard games, highlighted by 369, and five touchdowns, against Bluefield State.
Allen became the first running back to win the Harlon Hill Trophy since Bloomsburg’s Franklin Quiteh won in 2013. Additionally, he was the first player from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association honored with the Hill Trophy.
Only Alabama A&M offensive tackle Carson Vinson was drafted in the 2025 NFL draft. He was selected by the Ravens in the fifth-round (151st overall).
In 2024, no players from the HBCUs were drafted.
Morgan State linebacker Erick Hunter, who was considered the top HBCU prospect in the draft, signed a three-year contract with the Detroit Lions.
Cornerback Jaylon Shelton (Prairie View A&M) received a rookie minicamp invite from the Atlanta Falcons.
Jackson State has three players who will have NFL opportunities.
Defensive tackle Jeremiah Williams was invited to the Vikings rookie minicamp. Edge rusher Quincy Ivory was invited to the Bucs’ rookie minicamp.
Wide receiver Ja’Naylon Dupree signed with the Cleveland Browns.
South Carolina State quarterback Billy Atkins (Ravens), South Carolina State defensive back Jarod Washington (Chiefs), Livingstone/Virginia defensive back Jordan Robinson (Bucs) and Livingstone/Western Kentucky wide receiver Matthew Henry (Titans) all received rookie minicamp invites.
While no players who finished at HBCUs were drafted, one player from the International Pathways Program was selected by the Eagles.
Uar Bernard, of Nigeria, was taken with the 251 pick in the seventh round. He’s 6-foot-4 and 306 pounds and is considered a project because he’s never played organized football.
Former NFL star Osi Umenyiora has been working with the Internal Pathways Programs to help the NFL find players.
The program was established in 2017 to provide elite athletes from around the world the opportunity to earn a spot on an NFL roster. The program has led to the signing of more than 40 players and now a draftee.
RECENT HBCU NFL DRAFT HISTORY
2026 — 0 HBCU players picked.
2025 — 1 HBCU player picked (Alabama A&M OT Carson Vinson, Ravens, 5th round 141 overall)
2024 — 0 HBCU players picked.
2023 — 1 HBCU player picked (Jackson State CB Isaiah Bolden, Patriots, 7th round, 245th)
2022 — 4 HBCU players picked — Joshua Williams (Fayetteville State, Chiefs, 4th round, 135th overall)), Decobie Durant (South Carolina State, Rams, 4th round, 142), James Houston (Jackson State, Lions, 6th round, 217), and Ja’Tyre Carter (Southern, Bears, 7th round, 226).