How many HBCU players are in the NFL?

For the past 150 years, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) have been essential to Black Americans' access to education and athletics. Most of these institutions were started in the Southeast in the 1800s and early 1900s to train African Americans following the Civil War. Some began as institutions for instruction, while others have produced big NFL stars.

Thirty-three players on 17 NFL franchises this season have ties to HBCU football schools. Seven South Carolina State Bulldogs members, champions of HBCU football in 2021, are listed on NFL squads in the 2022-23 season.

The Colonial Athletic Association has three players, the Southwestern Athletic Conference has thirteen, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association has two, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has two, the Ohio Valley Conference has one, and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference has fourteen.

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is the most well-represented HBCU conference. Daylen Baldwin, a wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns, is a member of both the MEAC and SWAC because of his affiliation with Morgan State University and Jackson State University.

Here is a breakdown of players from HBCU by school:

Florida A&M University

Keenan Forbes - OG - Seattle Seahawks

Markquese Bell - S - Dallas Cowboys

North Carolina Central University

Nick Leverett - Center - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ryan McDaniel - WR - Houston Texans

Southern University

Danny Johnson - S - Washington Commanders

Ja'Tyre Carter - OL - Chicago Bears

University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Terron Armstead - OT - Miami Dolphins

Fayetteville State University

Kion Smith - OT - Miami Dolphins

Joshua Williams - CB - Kansas City Chiefs

South Carolina State University

Javon Hargrave - DT - Philadelphia Eagles

Cobie Durant - CB - Los Angeles Rams

Darius 'Shaq' Leonard - LB - Indianapolis Colts

Joe Thomas - LB - Chicago Bears

Alex Taylor - T - Cleveland Browns

Roderick Perry - DT - Cleveland Browns

Antonio Hamilton - CB - Arizona Cardinals

North Carolina A&T University

Mac McCain - CB - Philadelphia Eagles

Brandon Parker - OT - Las Vegas Raiders

Darryl Johnson - DE - Carolina Panthers

Alcorn State University

Qwynterrio Cole - S - Las Vegas Raiders

Alabama State University

Tytus Howard - OL - Houston Texans

Grambling State University

Chester Rogers - WR - Houston Texans

Norfolk State University

De'Shaan Dixon - DE - Jacksonville Jaguars

Bobby Price - DB - Detroit Lions

Albany State University

Grover Stewart - DT - Indianapolis Colts

Jackson State University

James 'The Problem' Houston IV - LB - Detroit Lions

Daylen Baldwin - WR - Cleveland Browns

Prairie View A&M University

Storey Jackson - LB - Dallas Cowboys

Quinton Bell - OLB - Atlanta Falcons

KhaDarel Hodge - WR - Atlanta Falcons

Tennessee State University

Lachavious Simmons - OL - Chicago Bears

Fort Valley State University

Shemar Bridges - WR - Baltimore Ravens

Morgan State University

Josh Miles - OL - Arizona Cardinals