HBCU Football: Top 10 undrafted NFL free agent signees in 2021

By Dante Pryor | May 13, 2021

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 5: Defensive back Bryan Mills #22 of the North Carolina Central Eagles makes a tackle on wide receiver Marcus Williams #80 of the Florida A&M Rattlers after a catch during the game at Bragg Memorial Stadium Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Rattlers defeated the Eagles 28-21. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

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For the first time since 2009, there were no players from HBCUs selected in the NFL Draft. From canceling the fall season to not having an NFL combine, there was a confluence of issues that hurt players from small schools this season.

Since FCS-level schools were negatively affected by the draft, HBCUs were disproportionately affected by all of these issues. However, that does not mean that these young men no longer have an NFL future.

In some instances, signing as either an undrafted free agent or a priority free agent is better than being drafted in later rounds.

There is still signing bonus money available, and — if a player has multiple offers — there is the opportunity to find a situation with the greatest probability of success. Many players have had great careers which were not drafted.

Players like Priest Holmes, Rod Smith, and James Harrison all went undrafted and had successful careers. In addition, Jerome Mathis and Eric Weems are examples of players from HBCUs who were undrafted and had success in the league.

The players on this list have already signed many moments after the draft, which means they were high on a team’s list and will have a good chance of making a roster, but they will also have an opportunity to play.

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