NEW ORLEANS -- "Opportunity" is the buzzword among players, coaches and organizers at the third annual HBCU Legacy Bowl practices, leading up to Saturday's all-star showcase game (4 p.m. ET on NFL Network and NFL+) that will feature the top 100 draft-eligible prospects from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Curiosity, though, might be an even more appropriate word after Monday's HBCU Combine and two days of practices in helmets and shoulder pads.
NFL scouts -- there were roughly 70 present on Monday, when 45 participants went through typical combine drills -- are curious if any of these players can help their respective rosters. Reps from all 32 teams have attended practices, as well.
Players have asked what it takes to get to the next level -- and stay there. Coaches of these teams are seeing if they can put enough things in place in a short amount of time to properly showcase these young men when the 2024 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl kicks off at Tulane University's Yulman Stadium.
So far, there are a handful of players with years of experience and tape -- and a few days of good practice showings -- to positively address some of the curiosity that's hanging over this week. Let's take a look at some of the standouts.
Eric Smith, CB, Florida A&M: Smith ran consecutive sub-4.4 40s at the combine and has shown to be sticky in coverage. He's 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, so not the biggest cover man, but he comes from a loaded Rattlers roster that won the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the Celebration Bowl. Speed and attitude can't be coached.
Loobert Denelus, DT, Benedict College: The back-to-back Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year has been dominant and disruptive, literally ruining
Read on nfl.com