From Ed 'Too Tall' Jones to Shedeur Shaders: Mapping HBCU players in the NFL

The NFL is set to host its 2026 Historically Black Colleges and Universities Showcase starting March 28 in Ashburn, Virginia. While the event is the first under that name, it mimics the previously-held HBCU Combine, which was initially held in 2022 . HBCU players have a long history in the NFL, dating back to 1949 when Grambling’s Paul “Tank” Younger took the field for the Los Angeles Rams.

Since then, 52 HBCUs have been represented in the league, per Pro Football Reference . No school has sent more players to the league than Tennessee State, which edges out Grambling 121 to 120. Famous former Tennessee State players include Richard Dent, a Hall of Famer and four-time Pro Bowl defensive end, and Ed “Too Tall” Jones.

Grambling alums, meanwhile, include Hall of Fame defensive back Willie Brown and Hall of Fame wide receiver Charlie Joiner. Both schools will have two players on hand in Ashburn — defensive end James Stewart finished his college career with Tennessee State after stints with Memphis and Middle Tennessee while defensive lineman Bryce Cage spent the past two seasons with Grambling. Can't see our graphics?

Click here to reload the page . Besides those two programs, which have a combined 31 HBCU national titles, other prolific schools include Jackson State (104 players), Florida A&M (83), and Southern (82). In terms of standouts, 35 HBCU alumni from 17 different schools have made the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State), Michael Strahan (Texas Southern), and Walter Payton (Jackson State).