Three of the most highly decorated and highly rated black college players, two on offense and one on defense, went off the boards last week as the NFL held its annual 7-round draft of college players.
South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard, North Carolina A&T offensive lineman Brandon Parker and Virginia State running back Trenton Cannon were selected in that order on Friday and Saturday when the league went through rounds two through seven.
The three selections continue a trend that has not seen HBCU products reach double-digits in the draft since 2000.
South Carolina State 2nd Round – 4th pick 36th overall
Leonard, the hard-hitting and heat-seeking tackler that racked up 237 tackles (124 in 2016, 113 in 2017) over the last two seasons while winning back-to-back MEAC defensive player of the year awards, went to the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth pick of the second round, 36th overall.
He is projected to be a weak-side linebacker who can play all three downs in the Colts’ new 4-3 scheme under new head coach Frank Reich. Leonard has the skills to not just make tackles but rush the passer and cover tight ends.
“The athlete, the speed, that’s what we want at linebacker,” said second-year Colts General Manager Chris Ballard. “We want guys who can play in space and close to the football. You have to do that with speed.”
Leonard (6-2, 234) impressed at the Senior Bowl leading all tacklers with 14 stops while showcasing versatility and speed in coverage.
He becomes the 15th player in MEAC history picked in the second round and the highest drafted MEAC player since defensive end and fellow Bulldog Anthony Cook was drafted third overall in the second round of the 1995 draft.
The last MEAC player picked in the second round was Hampton linebacker Justin Durantin 2007. Leonard is also the first South Carolina State Bulldog drafted since defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (Pittsburgh) and tight end Temarrick Hemingway (Los Angeles Rams) were pickedin 2016 and becomes the fourth second-round pick in school history (Anthony Cook, Barney Chavous and John Gilliam).
He also became the school’s all-time leading tackler this past season and is considered one of the most decorated defensive players to wear the uniform, earning multiple All-America honors.
Parker (6-8, 305), a three-time MEAC offensive lineman of the year while manning the left tackle position for the Aggies, was taken by the Oakland Raiders with the first pick of the third round, 65th overall.
Parker, like Leonard, rose up the draft boards after holding his own at the combine and at the Senior Bowl while impressing in his Pro Day workout at A&T. A very interested Oakland General Manager Reggie McKenzie was on hand at Parker’s Pro Day. The Raiders picked 6-8, 309-pound UCLA offensive tackle Kolton Miller in the first round.
“Brandon Parker is another tackle, almost 6-foot-8,” said new Raiders head coach Jon Gruden. “He’s a great kid and really impressed us. His movement skills at the combine and certainly in the Senior Bowl has a huge upside.
“We feel like Kolton Miller and Parker have great mentors in [Breno] Giacomini and [Donald] Penn. So they have a tremendous opportunity.” Gruden went on to discuss Parker’s play against the best at the collegiate level, noting how Parker carried himself.
“We saw Brandon Parker at the Senior Bowl. It didn’t bother him one bit. He didn’t care who he blocked. He played right tackle, left tackle in the All-Star Classic.
“Parker is the second straight Aggie to hear his name called on draft day as running back Tarik Cohen (Chicago) was picked in the fourth round last season. He becomes the highest N. C. A&T State player picked since linebacker Mike Hamilton’sthird round selection in 1997 and the first time since the 1996 and 1997 drafts that the Aggies have had draft picks in consecutive seasons. He also becomes the first MEAC offensive lineman drafted since South Carolina State’s Johnny Culbreath in 2011 and 19th MEAC player who was picked in the third round.
Cannon made a late rise up the draft board after a head-turning performance at the Pro Day at the University of Richmond.
With a bevy of scouts on hand to work out UR quarterback Kyle Lauletta, the Hampton, Virginia speedster blazed a 4.39 time in the 40-yard dash and otherwise stole the show. Cannon was plucked by the New York Jets with the 30th pick in the sixth round, 204th overall. Lauletta went to the New York Giants in the fourth round.
Jets head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan are hoping Cannon develops into a quality running back, but he might help fill the need at returner as a rookie. The return game has recently been a problem area for the Jets so it would be a big help if the sixth round pick could fill it.
Cannon was one of the most exciting and prolific rushers in NCAA Div. II football last year en route to earning the CIAA offensive player of the year award and leading his team to the CIAA championship and playoff berth. Cannon led NCAA Div. II football and all black college performers in all-purpose yards (2,686 yards, 244.1 ypg.). He also led all black college rushers and was third in Div. II with 1,638 rushing yards (148.1 ypg.), a per game average that was fourth in Div. II. His 7.3 yards per carry average was second in Div. II and best in the black college ranks. He was also first in Div. II and among black colleges in kickoff returns averaging 33.7 yards per return with two touchdowns. His 22 touchdowns overall were second among black college players and fourth in Div. II.
Others
Several others who had relatively high draft grades signed undrafted free agent contracts.
Southern defensive back Danny Johnson and Grambling State running back Martez Carter were signed by top personnel man Doug Williams ofWashington. Grambling defensive back Montrel Meander and Texas Southern wide receiver Darvin Kidsy signed with Cleveland.
SWAC rushing leader De’Lance Turnerand South Carolina State offensive tackle Justin Evans inked with the Baltimore Ravens. Grambling offensive lineman Trent Scott (Los Angeles Chargers), Hampton defensive tackle Owen Obasuyi (Arizona), Bethune-Cookman wide receiver Jawill Davis (NY Giants) and N. C. Central LB Reggie Hunter (Jacksonville) also were undrafted free agent signings.
The Tennessee State duo of wide receiver Patrick Smith (Detroit Lions or NY Jets) and defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko are among 10 other HBCU players that have received camp invites and will have tryouts with NFL teams.