HBCU Stars Shine! 12 Players Make NFL 53-Man Roster Against All Odds
Discover which HBCU players made the 2025 NFL 53-man rosters after preseason cuts, including Markquese Bell and Shedeur Sanders.
HBCU Stars Shine! 12 Players Make NFL 53-Man Roster Against All Odds
The NFL has reached a crucial milestone as teams were required to make cuts to finalize their 53-man rosters. On August 26, 2025, the pressure was on, with a mix of excitement and disappointment rippling through the football community. Among the affected were numerous players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), making this an interesting narrative as the roster landscape transformed.
According to HBCU Sports, several standout players secured their places on rosters, showcasing the talent coming from these institutions. Notably, Shedeur Sanders, the quarterback from Jackson State, is now with the Cleveland Browns. He is joined by his teammate Travis Hunter, who will play for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Another Jackson State alumni, James Houston, has made it onto the Dallas Cowboys‘ roster.
HBCU Talent on Display
This year has proven to be pivotal for HBCU players despite the fact that none were drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. As of late August, a total of 22 HBCU players have successfully snagged a spot on NFL teams‘ 53-man rosters, according to HBCU Gameday. There are stories of resilience here, with Markquese Bell from Florida A&M being named HBCU NFL Player of the Year, confirming the caliber of athletes that these institutions can produce.
Other notable players included on the rosters are Bryan Cook from Howard with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Xavier Smith from Florida A&M now with the Los Angeles Rams. Such representation highlights a growing trend where talent from HBCUs commands attention on larger stages.
List of Players on Active Roster
The numbers reveal strong representation from multiple HBCUs across the league. Here are some prominent names and their respective teams:
| Player | College | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Shedeur Sanders | Jackson State | Cleveland Browns |
| Travis Hunter | Jackson State | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Markquese Bell | Florida A&M | Dallas Cowboys |
| Xavier Smith | Florida A&M | Los Angeles Rams |
| Cobie Durant | South Carolina State | Los Angeles Rams |
Unfortunately, it wasn’t all good news. Players were also released as teams worked to meet their roster requirements. The Fansided reported that several HBCU talents faced the tough reality of cuts, including Isaiah Bolden from Jackson State with the New England Patriots and Kisean Johnson from Alabama State with the Cleveland Browns.
As the dust settles on this year’s roster cuts, one thing is clear: the talent from HBCUs is deserving of notice, and their presence in the NFL continues to grow. With 22 players now on active rosters, fans will be watching closely as the season unfolds, eager to see how these athletes will represent their schools and communities. The journey isn’t over; if history tells us anything, it’s that there’s much more to come for these resilient players.