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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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South Carolina State defensive back Decobie Durant (14) celebrates after breaking up a pass in the end zone intended for Alabama State wide receiver Michael Jefferson (19) in second-half action at Hornet Stadium in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, April 3, 2021.
South Carolina State defensive back Decobie Durant (14) celebrates after breaking up a pass in the end zone intended for Alabama State wide receiver Michael Jefferson (19) in second-half action at Hornet Stadium in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, April 3, 2021. /

2. Decobie Durant, CB, South Carolina State (Drafted by Rams)

Football is one of the few industries where being called a dog is a compliment. When the South Carolina State Bulldogs upset the Jackson State Tigers in the Celebration Bowl last season, Tigers’ head coach Deion Sanders called cornerback Decobie Durant a dog.

Durant is no stray by any means, rather, the reigning MEAC Defensive Player of the Year is an absolute alpha. There are few players at any level who play the amount of confidence that Durant plays with. That swagger is needed to play corner at the next level.

The South Carolina native came into his own as a junior with the Bulldogs with three interceptions and 12 pass breakups, while being named All-MEAC second team. The MEAC did not have a 2020 season but the South Carolina State played four non-conference games and Durant had four picks.

If you need a snapshot of how Durant plays, put on the Celebration Bowl tape where Durant draped Jackson State’s best receiver and their game against Clemson where he had two interceptions.

Durant’s game is similar to Aaron Glenn and Eric Davis. Neither corner was especially big but played big. It didn’t matter who was on the other side of those guys; they were doggedly aggressive and that is how Durant plays.

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