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.
Curtis Allen, RB, Virginia Union
Allen didn't play in Saturday's game because of a hamstring injury, but his tape from last season can do all the talking for him. He was the 2025 Black College Football Player of the Year, a hard-earned honor after he rushed for a Division II-best 2,386 yards and 30 touchdowns in 12 games. Clearly, his production is off the charts, and he has the size to play the position at the next level (listed at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds). It will be very interesting to see his timed speed this spring. If he runs well, it will be no surprise if he's drafted.
Walker Harris, QB, North Carolina Central
The 2025 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Harris releases the ball with some juice. He can make all the throws, as he showed last season while racking up a school-record 3,214 yards and 24 TDs. He stood out in practice during the week and helped his team to a victory on Saturday.
Erick Hunter, LB, Morgan State
Hunter looked like a sideline-to-sideline playmaker all week in practice. He has the necessary athletic ability and provided plenty of production in 2025, leading the MEAC with 102 tackles, including 14 for loss and two sacks. He looked the part in pass coverage, as well. I believe Hunter and Curtis Allen are the top HBCU prospects in this year's draft.
Quincy Ivory, Edge, Jackson State
I liked what I saw from Ivory, who projects as a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level. He's a former quarterback who began his college career at Mississippi Valley State before moving on to East Los Angeles Community College and then spending two seasons at Florida. He found a home at Jackson State in 2025, earning Southwestern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors. His six sacks might not jump off the page, but keep in mind that JSU was dropping him into coverage a lot. Make no mistake, he can create pressure off the edge.
Michael Lunz II, Edge, South Carolina State
Lunz was an absolute terror in Saturday's game, recording 1.5 sacks and wreaking havoc on several more plays. A transfer from Tulane, Lunz ranked fifth in the FCS with 19 tackles for loss last season, including a team-high 9.5 sacks. His lack of size might be an issue for him at the next level (listed at 6-3, 245 pounds), but it was no problem at all for him in the all-star event.
Bruno Onwuazor, OT, Virginia State
Onwuazor is still new to the sport. He played basketball in high school and didn't start playing football until he walked on at Maryland in 2021. He transferred to Virginia State a year later and earned back-to-back first-team All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association nods in the last two seasons. Now, Onwuazor is going to need to add strength to give himself a chance at the next level, but he has the measurables and athletic traits offensive line coaches covet at his position.
Deandre Proctor, WR, Johnson C. Smith
Teams in need of strong, fast and physical receivers should be taking another look at Proctor, who made a leaping touchdown catch in Saturday's game. The HBCU All-American uses his size and physicality to box out defensive backs. His style of play reminds me of another receiver in this year's draft class, Notre Dame's Malachi Fields. Proctor is listed at 6-3, 210 pounds, but he seemed even bigger when I watched him during the week.
HONORABLE MENTION: Ckelby Givens, Edge, Southern; JaQuan Kelly, RB, Winston-Salem State; Cameron Smith, OL, Alabama State; James Stewart, Edge, Tennessee State; Jelani Vassell, DB, North Carolina Central.
