With his historic college football career behind him, former North Carolina Central quarterback Davius Richard showed up at the 2024 NFL HBCU Combine focused on improving his NFL Draft stock.
Richard took several big steps forward on Monday at the third annual NFL HBCU Combine. Richard ran a 4.5 time in the 40-yard dash, showing his speed as a potential dual threat at the next level. That’s an eye-catching number for a quarterback, especially one that is 6’3 and 220 plus pounds.
Anyone who saw Richard play at NCCU knows he can use his legs. He rushed for better than 2,000 yards and finished with 44 rushing touchdowns – good for third all-time in MEAC history amongst all players.
“To me, the most important part was coming out on the field throwing the ball around,” Richard told NFL Network following the NFL HBCU Draft Combine. “I think the most important thing the scouts want to see is fluency in my throwing motion and things of that nature. Ball placement. Touch and I feel like I did a good job at showcasing that today.”
Richard grew as a passer in his time at the Durham, NC HBCU. He threw for just under 9,000 yards and 73 touchdowns, breaking several school record held by legendary quarterback Earl “Air” Harvey that had stood for over 35 years.
“They all know I can move around pretty well, so right now I’m trying to emphasize the passing aspect of my game. So throughout the week of practice, just putting good days forth each day. Stacking days, showing I can put the ball wherever on the field – with some touch. One ball, two ball, three ball. I can go through my reads, make the correct reads – even if that’s checking it down to a running back. Just showing them what an NFL quarterback looks like and that I can look like that.”
Davius Richard definitely looked the part at the NFL HBCU Combine. He’s hoping to become the first HBCU quarterback to be picked in the NFL Draft since Alabama State’s Tavarius Jackson was selected back in 2006.