Former North Carolina Central basketball standout Jibri Blount, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Mel Blount and 2019-20 Mid Eastern Athletic Conference player of the year in basketball, has signed a free agent contract as a tight end with the Miami Dolphins of the NFL.
The Pittsburgh native averaged 15.2 points and 7.1 rebounds in two years at NCCU after spending two years at Kent State. He was named 2019-20 MEAC Player of the Year after leading the Eagles to the league’s tournament title and NCAA playoff berth. He averaged 19.2 points, second in the MEAC, and 9.5 rebounds, third in the league, and led the league in minutes played (36.8) in his final season. He was listed at 6-7, 230 pounds in his senior season.
His bloodlines include his father, a 6-3, 220-pound cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers out of Southern University, who had a storied 14-year career (1970- 83) in the NFL and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. The Dolphins previously signed Jibri’s older brother Akil, a linebacker out of Florida A&M, in 2016. Miami cut Akil who also tried out for the Steelers.
Jibri received well wishes for his transition from his former basketball coach.
“My heart is smiling. One of the most incredible people I’ve ever coached. Football is in his DNA so it’s no surprise. Go be GREAT Champ. Love u boss! #WeAreNCCU,” NCCU coach LeVelle Moton posted on Twitter after the signing.
Blount reportedly signed a three-year deal for $2,435,000 with a $20,000 guaranteed signing bonus. The salary of any undrafted free agent is based on that player making the team.
NCCU defensive back Bryan Mills reportedly signed a similar deal with the Seattle Seahawks. The contracts of Florida A&M offensive tackle Calvin Ashley, who inked a deal with Tampa Bay, Fayetteville State offensive tackle Kion Smith, who signed with Atlanta, and North Carolina A&T defensive back Mac McCain, who signed with Denver, are reportedly for the same amount though their guarantee was not reported. Of the six HBCU undrafted free agents, Grambling State offensive lineman David Moore, who was signed by the Carolina Panthers, reportedly had the largest guarantee at $125,000.