With each year, the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl gets bigger and better. Saturday’s game at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans was the most impressive one in the five years since its inception. The 100-plus 2026 NFL Draft prospects in attendance competed all week long and the coaching staffs did outstanding work. The event drew representatives from across the league for a week of practices leading up the game. I had an opportunity to witness it all in person leading up to our broadcast of the game on NFL Network and NFL+.
Team Gaither topped Team Robinson, 27-23, on Saturday, with Winston-Salem State RB JaQuan Kelly — the game’s Offensive MVP — and South Carolina State edge rusher Michael Lunz II — the Defensive MVP — each making big plays. Before we turn our attention to this week’s NFL Scouting Combine, I’m highlighting seven prospects (listed in alphabetical order) who helped themselves — either during the season, during the week of practice, in the game or all three — along with five other players who are deserving of an honorable mention.
If history is any indication, at least one player from this list — and potentially more — will make an impact in the NFL. A year ago in this space, I heaped well-deserved praise on Morgan State DT Elijah Williams, who went on to play in seven games for the Vikings in 2025. Three years ago at the Legacy Bowl, I highlighted then-Florida A&M WR Xavier Smith — who took home game MVP honors — and Fort Valley State RB Emanuel Wilson. Of course, Smith has gone on to become a receiver/kick returner for the Rams, while Wilson has rushed for nearly 1,000 yards over the past two seasons as the backup to Josh Jacobs in Green Bay.
As for this year’s game, there were plenty of talented prospects who played well, but in this piece, I’m focusing on guys who consistently performed at a level that should have the attention of NFL scouts.
