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HBCU Football: 4 players who will make an impact in the NFL in 2022

By Dante Pryor

Feb 5, 2022; Mobile, AL, USA; American squad wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. of Tennessee (1) and National Squad cornerback Joshua Williams of Fayetteville State (30) in the first half during the Senior bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2022; Mobile, AL, USA; American squad wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. of Tennessee (1) and National Squad cornerback Joshua Williams of Fayetteville State (30) in the first half during the Senior bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 16, 2021; Frisco, Texas, USA; Sam Houston State Bearkats wide receiver Jequez Ezzard (12) returns a kick for a touchdown that is called back as South Dakota State Jackrabbits punter Ben Dinkel (49) attempts to make the tackle during the second quarter during the Division I FCS Championship football game at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2021; Frisco, Texas, USA; Sam Houston State Bearkats wide receiver Jequez Ezzard (12) returns a kick for a touchdown that is called back as South Dakota State Jackrabbits punter Ben Dinkel (49) attempts to make the tackle during the second quarter during the Division I FCS Championship football game at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Jequez Ezzard, WR, Howard/Sam Houston State (UDFA — Commanders)

Wide receiver and return specialist Jequez Ezzard finished his career with Sam Houston State, but most of his career was spent in our nation’s capital for the Howard Bison. Ezzard was electric during his career at Howard. The Georgia native averaged 19.1 yards per catch in 2017 and an incredible 26.6 yards per catch in 2018.

Ezzard transferred to Sam Houston State after an injury cost him all of 2019. He did not waste any time making an impact in the spring of 2020 averaging 22.7 yards per catch for the Bearkats. The numbers Ezzard produced made it hard to believe no one drafted him. However, he is in a great situation in Washington.

Ezzard instantly becomes an impact player on special teams. He might not crack the receiver rotation early, but Ezzard’s big-play ability will be hard to keep him off the field. With Terry McLaurin as a valid number one receiver and Jahan Dotson coming in as a No. 2, Ezzard can go in and play the slot and force teams to respect his speed and home run ability in the open field.

Expect Ezzard to pay dividends early for the Commanders.

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