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) /

4 of 11

WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 30: Detail photo of Nike footballs. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

8. Justin Cates, DE, North Carolina A&T (CFL)

Cates is one of two players who signed to play in the Canadian Football League. Though Canada is a unique path to the NFL, it is a path that has been traveled before. Doug Flutie, Warren Moon, Cameron Wake, and Jeff Garcia are all players who found great success up north before the NFL.

Cates had his season canceled due to the pandemic, which severely hurt his draft chances. In addition to not playing in the fall, the NFL also canceled the HBCU combine because of COVID-19. As a result, Cates was not invited to the combine in Birmingham.

While at A&T, Cates was an All-MEAC second-team selection in 2019. Cates had 25 total tackles, six tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks and one pass defended. Before becoming an All-MEAC defensive player, Cates began his career at North Carolina A&T as a guard.

After converting to defensive tackle, Cates was stellar for the best defense in HBCU football. Finally, as a member of the Edmonton Football Team, Cates can begin his trek toward the NFL or CFL glory.

Sometimes the road we take is not straight to our destination, but we are all the better for traveling the road all the same.

Home/HBCU Football