Which 2025 NFL Draft prospects stand out in this year's HBCU Legacy Bowl class?

New York Times

22-02-2025

There were 22 players representing 15 different HBCU schools on NFL rosters when training camp closed last season. However, none of those players heard their name called at the 2024 NFL Draft. Could the 2025 HBCU NFL Draft class break through?
The HBCU's annual NFL Draft combine took place earlier this week in New Orleans, showcasing some of the league's top talent for the fourth straight year. Here's a look at some of the top performers from this year's event, which concludes with Saturday's HBCU Legacy Bowl (4 p.m. ET, NFL Network):
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The 6-foot-4, 192-pound Davis had a combined 67 catches for 921 yards and 10 touchdowns over the last two seasons, and he was arguably the best athlete at this year's HBCU combine. Davis turned in a 4.44-second 40-yard dash with an impressive 1.49-second 10-yard split. He also notched a 40 1/2-inch vertical.
An explosive, long athlete who can make plays in the air, Davis added more than 25 pounds of muscle during his time at NC Central.
North Carolina Central WR Joaquin Davis followed up his strong HBCU Combine showing with a solid first practice for the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl. Davis will play for Team Gaither (MEAC, CIAA) Saturday, 4 ET, on NFL Network. pic.twitter.com/JusiJxT23j
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) February 18, 2025
After rushing for nearly 700 yards in eight games last season, Mulligan (5-9, 198) delivered a 1,245-yard, 13-touchdown senior season for Jackson State. Mulligan's most impressive metric at the combine was the 1.51 10-split he had during his 4.58-second 40-yard dash.
An explosive athlete with immediate burst, Mulligan forced 58 missed tackles last year for the Tigers — and a total of 140 during his college career. Mulligan also played 19 games games over parts of three years at Wofford, rushing for 1,318 yards prior to transferring to Jackson State.
🪓🪵 Irv Mulligan 🔥 #GuardTheeYard #TheeILove pic.twitter.com/VlYjhXPnqP
— Jackson State Football (@gojsutigersfb) October 22, 2024
Despite his less-than-desirable height for the position, Bohler (5-11, 193) ran a 4.53 with a 1.54 10-split and a 38-inch vertical (10-5 broad jump), showing off plenty of explosion to go with his solid length (75-inch wingspan).
A competitive, well-rounded athlete who isn't afraid to hit, Bohler forced 13 incomplete passes in 2023. A two-time All-SWAC performer, Bohler was also on Bruce Feldman's 'Freaks List' back in August. He had a top squat of 560 pounds entering the season.
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A Central Michigan transfer, the 6-5, 255-pound Stokes measured in with 33-inch arms (80.5-inch wingspan) and ran a 4.76 40 with a 1.60 10-yard split — that split number borders on elite for an edge. He added a 33 1/2-inch vertical and broad jump of 10 foot, 4 inches.
Stokes had 3 1/2 sacks and 13 tackles for loss this past season at Prairie View A&M, his only year as a full-time contributor in college. He spent time with Central Michigan before transferring to Prairie View.
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Just 6-4, 287 Ivey nonetheless measured in with 35 5/8-inch arms, a near-86-inch wingspan and 10 1/2-inch hands — some of the most impressive measurements at the event.
Ivey obviously is too thin to play up front in the NFL right away, but he moves well (5.16 40 with a 1.70 10-split) and put up 19 reps of 225 pounds on the bench.
Mansfield (6-1, 281), but he ran a 4.94 40 (1.70 10-split) with a 32 1/2-inch vertical leap and 25 reps on the bench.
Mansfield had 18 pressures up the middle last year for NC Central and was a disruptive force inside throughout his career.
The 6-0, 189-pound Robiou (32-inch arms) recorded a 43-inch vertical jump to go along with a broad jump of 10 feet, 5 inches.
A do-it-all safety last year at Howard, Robiou also worked in the slot. His explosion is hard to ignore.
Other standouts: Tru Thompson, DT, Jackson State; Elijah Williams, DT, Morgan State; Jaden Sutton, RB, Delaware State; Jeremiah Pruitte, TE, Florida A&M Terrance Hollon, LB, Howard; Robert McDaniel, DB, Jackson State
(Top photo of Irv Mulligan: Charles A. Smith / Jackson State University via Getty Images)