HBCU star earns Baltimore Ravens Pro Day invite
Elijah Williams isn't just chasing an NFL dream—he's chasing history. The Morgan State defensive lineman, fresh off a record-breaking college career, has been invited to participate in the Baltimore Ravens' NFL Local Pro Day, setting the stage for one of the most important workouts of his life.
Williams leaves Morgan State as the program's all-time leader in sacks (31) and tackles for loss (52)—numbers that underscore his relentless presence on the defensive front. In 2024, he was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and became a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the best defensive player in FCS football. His accolades also include being named a Stats Perform and AFCA All-American, solidifying his status as one of the most decorated defenders in HBCU football.
Advertisement
The NFL Local Pro Day offers regional players the chance to showcase their skills in front of NFL coaches and scouts. For Williams, that means competing in the very city where he built his college legacy. Unlike the national combine, these workouts are more intimate—allowing overlooked talent a closer shot at making a roster. Williams' invite from the Ravens is part of a growing tradition; the franchise has long shown respect for HBCU programs, hosting events like the HBCU career combine and actively scouting talent from schools like Bowie State and Morgan State.
Related: Charlie Ward emerges as top candidate for FAMU basketball head coach opening
Williams' journey reflects more than personal ambition—it represents a broader movement. As the 2025 NFL Draft nears, he's one of the top HBCU prospects in the class. His presence at the Ravens' facility is a reminder that elite talent exists across all levels of college football. And for every young athlete at an HBCU dreaming of the NFL, Williams' grind is proof that the path is real.
Related: Stephen A. Smith: 'I have no choice' but to consider presidential bid
As fans of HBCU football, it's time to rally around Elijah Williams. His story deserves attention, and his shot at the league deserves support. Follow his journey, spread the word, and let NFL teams know: the next great defensive disruptor may be coming straight out of Morgan State.
Related: Morgan Price makes history as a repeat champion
Related: Reality star sparks buzz by dating Morgan State hooper
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Check out this mic'd up footage of new Broncos UDFA CB Joshua Pickett
The Denver Broncos just wrapped up organized team activities, with minicamp on deck next. The rookies were able to meet their veteran counterparts and showcase their skills before training camp begins. One of those new rookies is undrafted free agent defensive back Joshua Pickett. Pickett was a four-year player at Duke University from 2021-24. In 50 games played, Pickett recorded 101 tackles (66 solo, 35 assisted), five tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, 16 pass deflections and one forced fumble. Pickett had his best season in 2024, where he had 38 combined tackles (26 solo, 12 assisted), four tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble and seven pass deflections. Advertisement In one of the toughest divisions in college football, Pickett was a stalwart pass defender, and he'll aim to win a spot in Denver's secondary this summer. In the 2024 season, Pickett was mic'd up for a practice at Duke. Check out the hilarious two-minute video of Pickett below: Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans. This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Check out mic'd up footage of CB Joshua Pickett
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
This NFL coach and QB combination could be the most dangerous in 2025
This NFL coach and QB combination could be the most dangerous in 2025 Show Caption Hide Caption DeMarcus Ware believes Evan Engram will help Bo Nix's growth in NFL Former Broncos linebacker Evan Engram believes veteran TE Evan Engram will help Bo Nix's growth in the NFL. Sports Seriously Editor's note: This story is a part of a series by USA TODAY Sports called Project: June. We will publish at least one NFL-themed story every day throughout the month because fans know the league truly never sleeps. Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton is on the phone. His voice is slightly hoarse from a cold but the story he told comes through loud and clear. It was about quarterback Bo Nix. It went like this. They knew that Nix was a good athlete. They saw it when Nix was at Oregon. But they didn't realize how explosive he was until Nix started actually practicing and playing in the NFL. "One thing about the QB that came even as a little surprise for us," Payton told USA TODAY Sports, "was seeing some of these off-schedule throws from him, and it kind of stunned us at how good he was at that. It's because he's so fast. I don't think people get how athletic and how fast he is." Off-schedule or off-platform throws are when the quarterback makes a pass while not in a balanced or standard throwing position. Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes excels at these. Nix is getting really good at them. In fact, he's getting good at it all. He's a big reason why the Broncos' Super Bowl window is officially open now. You read that correctly. Payton is asked for a bottom-line evaluation of Nix. "I'm seeing a player who I think will continue to make big strides," said Payton. Nix last season was off to a good start. He set Broncos rookie records for passing touchdowns (29), completions (376) and passing yards (3,775). He was also the first rookie quarterback in league history to record multiple games with at least 300 passing yards, four passing scores and a passer rating of at least 140. What Payton has found in Nix is most likely another quarterback star. Payton has had this before. (More on that in a moment.) This season we could see this duo become the most dangerous coach-quarterback combo in football. It's also why that Super Bowl window is opening now. Notice, I didn't say the best coach-quarterback combo (though that could happen as well). I said the most dangerous. If anyone can unseat the current best combo right now in Andy Reid and Mahomes, with three straight Super Bowl appearances, it would be this one. Yes, the combo of Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts just beat Kansas City in the Super Bowl, but Reid-Mahomes is still the gold standard. Payton and Nix, however, just entered the chat. The Broncos were a stunning 10-7 last year in part because Nix shocked everyone. But there's a reason he did. This is what Payton does. Give him a good quarterback, he makes him really good. Give him a great quarterback, he helps make him a certain Hall of Famer. See: Brees, Drew. Brees finished his career as the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards and completions when he retired in 2021. Tom Brady would later pass him. (Brady would later pass errybody.) Brees made 13 Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl, where he was also named Super Bowl MVP. Brees once remembered how this historic pairing began. "It goes back to when he first sat me down before I ever signed with the Saints, and he started drawing up plays on the board that was a combination of his West Coast offensive background and philosophy, and the things that I did well with the San Diego Chargers," Brees said. "I remember looking at him saying, 'Oh, you guys run these concepts as well?' And he said, 'No, but I know that you ran these and you ran them very well, and we're going to build this offense around you and your strengths.' "Right away, I realized that that was such a unique approach and maybe so much different than what I expected, especially from a first-time head coach, coming into a really tough situation with high expectations." That is classic Payton. I'll always believe that Payton is the best play caller in the history of the sport. One of the best play designers. One of the best at getting his players to understand his concepts, and adapting his concepts to the player. I know this because I've seen it up and close and personal. Watched him do it. Brees will skip into the Hall of Fame and some day Payton will follow him. Now, I'm seeing the same thing in Denver. It goes beyond the obvious that Nix and Brees are similar specimens. It's Payton again morphing the offense around what Nix does best. Payton is also criminally underrated in building a good culture. He's creating Saints West. Not the Saints you see now. Or the almost comically bad Saints teams from the 1970s. It's the one that was once solid and even feared. Payton is helping his own cause by putting pieces all around Nix. The Broncos had a successful offseason signing key free agents in safety Talanoa Hufanga, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, and tight end Evan Engram. The latter will be that "joker" weapon for the Broncos who maneuvers around the formation creating mismatches. 'That is a cool thing to just embrace,' Engram said. 'Sean talks about it a lot. It was a big part of the pitch coming here. ... I definitely see that it is something that has to be earned with the way I work and the way that I learn the offense to gain the trust of Sean, Bo, and the rest of the coaches and players. I think we have a bunch of 'Jokers' on this team, honestly, that can have a great role on this offense. It is definitely something that I like to embrace, but it is also something that I am going to earn, too.' And there's a piece of data you should know. The Broncos had 134 games missed due to injuries in 2022. That number fell to 35 in 2023 and 33 last season. It shows Payton is figuring out more than just the QB situation. So, this is just your warning. Will the Broncos win the Super Bowl this year? Maybe not. Or, heck, maybe so. What's certain is the Super Bowl window for this team is officially open. Thanks primarily to Payton and Nix.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Ryan Blaney Breaks Silence on Cadillac F1 Rumor With Just One Word
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A post on X from a parody account wrongly claimed that the Cadillac F1 team has reached out to NASCAR's Team Penske to have driver Ryan Blaney test their Formula One car. It also stated that Blaney would be eligible to receive a Super Licence to race in F1 if he finished 2nd this year. Blaney has responded with just a single three-letter word. Cadillac's F1 team has been gearing up for its premier class debut next year as the sport's eleventh team. The car is being developed in full swing to ensure it is competitive from the first year. Set to be the second American team on the grid, Cadillac joins at a crucial time as F1 enters a new era of regulations in 2026, where cars will be powered by an equal ratio of electric power to internal combustion through sustainable fuels. This is being done to comply with the sport's goal of being carbon neutral by 2030. Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Cardell Cabinetry Ford, poses with the winner sticker on his car in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on June 01,... Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Cardell Cabinetry Ford, poses with the winner sticker on his car in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on June 01, 2025 in Lebanon, Tennessee. MoreHowever, the big question Cadillac gets asked every time is about its driver lineup. While no name has been announced yet, Blaney being linked to the new F1 team for testing would certainly attract attention. Cadillac F1 team principal Graeme Lowdon confirmed in March that car components were being tested extensively and stressed that there was more work to be done. Newsweek Sports reported: "In terms of timeline for production, we're happy with where that stands. "We've been using a lot of time up to now doing a lot of testing and validation of individual components, things like testing of noses, squeeze testing of chassis elements and the like. "There's an awful lot of work that has gone on in the background. There's still a lot of work to do. "We're in a significantly better position now that we're now a fully-fledged F1 team. We will have access to all the data and information that all the other teams have." He added: "Now we can really push to come up with the most competitive car that we can. The team is already very sizeable, we're very comfortable about the position we're in, in terms of being ready to go racing in 2026." Blaney, however, has rejected the report of him testing for Cadillac. Commenting on the post on X, he said simply, "Nah." While many would have loved to witness a NASCAR-F1 crossover, it won't be happening this time.
