Why isn't the NFL taking more chances on talent in the HBCU?
I was talking on the phone with one of my good friends that's a big contributor to the HBCU scene and has her very own podcast and I asked her "What ever happened to HBCU talent being drafted in the first round?". It's a topic I think that people are scared to touch but if they think about the talent that was drafted in the 70's and 80's, then you have to wonder what happened.
The HBCU has produced hall of fame 1st round talent such as "Sweetness" Walter Payton,"GOAT" WR Jerry Rice and even QB Steve "Air" McNair, so why did NFL teams stop taking chances on players from HBCU schools for the big bucks? Don't get me wrong players are still on NFL rosters today but teams are not spending 1st picks on players from the SWAC or MEAC.
Let's take a look back at The 1975 NFL draft is one of the most memorable drafts for black colleges that comes to mind as 3 players were taken in the top 8, the only time that has ever happened, they were from Jackson State and Grambling university. Walter Payton would be the only one to make the hall of fame but yet and still it was a significant time in black sports history.
Minority athletes with the most sought after talent are looking at which division I school will get them the fastest route to the NFL, instead of building up the heritage of their at a HBCU college and building a lasting legacy.
Thirty two players made the opening day rosters for NFL teams in 2016 and some of the well known alumni are still raking in big bucks, however out of the 15 HBCU's represented, the median salary is down 15 percent from last season. This is mainly because of draft position and pay scale for positions that the players are playing.
HBCU players earned a combined $56.4 million in 2016 , a 10% increase from last season. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a Tennessee State alum is the highest paid HBCU player in the league at $8 million dollars.
There is still talent in HBCU schools and there are other ways to get scouts and the NFL to believe in them once again as top tier talent in the league. I know that division one schools are more financially stable but lets try to get more of our own to build up these schools and make them an athletic powerhouse once again.