HBCU Football: Top 5 prospects for the 2022 NFL Draft

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MOBILE, ALABAMA – JANUARY 29: Will Adams of Virginia State runs a 40-yard dash during the 2022 NFL HBCU Combine at the University of South Alabama Jaguar Training Center on January 29, 2022, in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

4. Will Adams, DB, Virginia State

Unfortunately, Will Adams did not play in the Legacy Bowl because of injury. However, Adams turned many heads at the HBCU Combine. NFL.com writer Cameron Wolfe wrote that the Virginia State standout had the best showing at the combine.

Adams measured well, standing 6-foot-1 and 186 pounds, ideal height and weight for an NFL defensive back. Adams then posted a 10-foot-3 broad jump, 40.5-inch vertical leap, 4.57 40-yard dash, and 21 reps on the bench press.

Former NFL defensive back Antonio Rodgers-Cromartie raved about Adams’ defensive back drills. There as a resource for players during the combine process, Rodgers Cromartie used the word “smooth” to describe Adams.

“That man has some juice. He’s explosive,” Rodgers-Cromartie said. “That was smooth. Exactly how you want to see, a DB get out of breaks.” Adams’ head coach, Reggie Barlow, vouched for Adams, saying that he was a player to watch out for during this process.

Jim Nagy, who runs the show at the combine, was impressed by Adams and his performance. “He stole the show,” Nagy said. “He’s looked good at every drill and in the workouts. Every scout is talking about him.”

Adams put on the type of performance that moves players up, draft boards. Not only will Adams get drafted, but he could also get drafted early like Drayton Florence was in 2003.

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