Top NFL Draft 2024 Prospects for Saturday’s HBCU Legacy Bowl
This Saturday, the highly anticipated 2024 HBCU Legacy Bowl will take place in New Orleans, airing on the NFL Network at 4 p.m. ET. The HBCU Legacy Bowl, now in its third year, is an all-star game that showcases the talents of players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Prior to the game, these prospects had the opportunity to participate in a combine where they could impress pro scouts with their skills.
Split into two teams, Team Gaither and Team Robinson, the HBCU prospects are led by head coaches Bubba McDowell, Alvin Parker, and Larry Scott. With a talented pool of players, let’s take a look at some of the most intriguing prospects who will be showcasing their skills in this year’s HBCU Legacy Bowl.
Davius Richard, QB, North Carolina Central
One standout prospect is Davius Richard, a quarterback from North Carolina Central. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 225 pounds, Richard showcased his impressive speed with a 4.6-second 40-yard dash during the combine. Throughout his four years at NC Central, Richard accumulated nearly 9,000 passing yards and over 2,000 rushing yards. As a passer, Richard has steadily improved his accuracy and mechanics. Although he faces challenges when pressured, Richard’s talent and experience make him a promising prospect.
Loobert Denelus, DT, Benedict College
Another player to watch is Loobert Denelus, a defensive tackle from Benedict College. Despite being 5-foot-11 and 286 pounds, Denelus has proven to be a disruptive force on the field. Over the past two seasons, he recorded an impressive 24 sacks and 39 tackles for loss. Denelus plans to move inside permanently at the next level and could be a valuable pass rusher.
Jeremy Moussa, QB, Florida A&M
Jeremy Moussa, a quarterback from Florida A&M, is also worth keeping an eye on. With a height of 6-foot-2 and weighing 220 pounds, Moussa excels at throwing downfield and finished with over 9 air yards per attempt in both seasons as the Rattlers’ starter. However, there are concerns about his accuracy, which dipped during his last season. As a pocket passer, Moussa possesses the necessary frame and arm talent but needs to address his accuracy issues.
Jarveon Howard, RB, Alcorn State
Jarveon Howard, a running back from Alcorn State, is a powerful downhill runner. After spending three years at Syracuse, Howard had a breakout season at Alcorn State in 2022, recording 1,239 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Howard’s burst and solid vision allow him to excel between the tackles. Additionally, his improvement as a receiver makes him a potential third-down candidate.
LaDarius Owens, RB, Texas Southern
LaDarius Owens, a running back from Texas Southern, had a breakout season in 2023. Rushing for 1,357 yards and 11 touchdowns, Owens displayed his toughness and capability as a between-the-tackles runner. Despite his small stature at 5-foot-8 and 185 pounds, Owens averaged over 6 yards per carry against eight-man boxes. However, his lack of explosiveness and size may raise concerns.
Matthew Foster, OT, Virginia State
Matthew Foster, an offensive tackle from Virginia State, possesses an imposing frame at 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds. Foster’s dominant stretches at Virginia State showcased his size advantage over opponents. Although he was better in 2022 than in 2023, Foster’s potential is evident. More power is desired, but Foster remains an intriguing prospect.
Tairiq Stewart, OT, North Carolina A&T
Tairiq Stewart, an offensive tackle, began his collegiate career as a junior college player before transferring to North Carolina A&T. With a bulked-up frame of 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, Stewart exhibits the necessary power and size to excel in the run game. While his consistency may be a concern, Stewart’s ability to impact the game in the second level makes him an interesting prospect.
Jeblonski Green Jr., DL, South Carolina State
Jeblonski Green Jr., a defensive lineman from South Carolina State, possesses great foot speed despite his undersized 6-foot-2, 285-pound frame. Known for his athleticism, Green recorded an impressive 70 pressures in four years with the Bulldogs. His versatility to play at different positions on the line makes him a player to watch.
Isaiah Major, LB, Florida A&M
Isaiah Major, a linebacker from Florida A&M, was named the 2023 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. With 100 tackles and two interceptions last season, Major showcases his range and movement skills in coverage. However, there is room for improvement in terms of power. Major’s coverage abilities make him an intriguing linebacker prospect.
Eric Smith, CB, Florida A&M
Eric Smith, a cornerback from Florida A&M, may be small in stature at 5-foot-8 and 167 pounds but possesses incredible speed and burst. Smith’s performance in coverage improved significantly last season, with three interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
Cedric Anderson, DB, Grambling State
Cedric Anderson, a defensive back from Grambling State, stands out with his gigantic size at 6-foot-3 and 192 pounds. Anderson’s length and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect despite being more of a projection than a finished product. His ability to play safety could be an asset at the next level.
As the HBCU Legacy Bowl approaches, these prospects have the opportunity to showcase their skills and potentially make a name for themselves in the NFL and other leagues. With their unique talents and diverse backgrounds, these players demonstrate the depth and talent present in HBCU football programs.