HBCU Football: Standout players from the HBCU Legacy Bowl

Here are some standouts from Team Gaither:

Geremy Hickbottom (MVP), Tennessee State (QB): Hickbottom, a Grambling State transfer, showed tremendous poise in the pocket as well as the ability to throw on the run. The Alabama native showed variety on his throws and had the best deep ball of any quarterback in this game.

Marquis McClain, Southern University (WR): McClain showed the best ability any receiver can in a game like this one; he knows how to get open. McClain caught the ball deep, short and intermediate. It did not matter who was throwing; the former Jaguar got open and saw the football a lot.

Jah-Maine Martin, North Carolina A&T (RB): After a disappointing 2021 season, Martin needed this game to re-establish himself as one of the best running backs in FCS. If anyone forgot, he reminded you Saturday. Martin showed great power and veracity through the hole. Martin also showed good ability to catch the football out of the backfield.

Antonio Golden, Fort Valley State (DE): Golden is a player who might not have gotten seen by NFL scouts had it not been for this game. The former Wildcat showed a significant first step off of the snap. He was one of the culprits making it hard for Team Robinson quarterbacks to have time to throw.

Juwan Carter, Norfolk State (QB): Carter got the scoring started for Team Gaither. The former Spartan showed great athleticism with his legs and solid accuracy and anticipation with his arm. Carter did not play a lot but made the most of the opportunity in the game.

De’Shaan Dixon, Norfolk State (DL): Dixon could have easily won defensive MVP instead of Antwan Collier (Florida A&M). Dixon seemed to be in the backfield every snap he was on the field. Scouts have to like his effectiveness at either the three or five-technique in this game.

Steven Witt, Chowan University (QB): Witt had an interesting path to this game. Chowan is not an HBCU but plays football in an HBCU conference, which is how he got the invite. That and throwing 31 touchdowns. Witt showed great elusiveness and threw the football outside the pocket. The former Hawk also showed he could be a plus in the running game.

Honorable Mention:

Will Adams, Virginia State defensive back: Unfortunately, Adams did not play due to injury. However, Adams is believed to be a player on many teams’ radars. Adams was impressive during the HBCU combine running a 4.57 40-yard dash, a 10-3 broad jump, and 21 reps on the bench press. Hopefully, those numbers get him an NFL Combine invite.