The journey to the NFL from an HBCU is not an easy one. With not a single HBCU football player drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and just a few over the last several years, the journey is not for those not dedicated to the task. This year, 22 players were on the 53-man rosters of NFL teams at the final cut date of August 28th. Several other HBCU players were added to practice rosters and are on the injured reserve lists of teams. Here is the listing of all of the players listed on NFL rosters as of the 53-man roster final preseason cut date:
Former Florida A&M safety Markquese Bell was voted the HBCU NFL Player of the Year by the Black College Hall of Fame for his hybrid play as a safety and linebacker
| Player | HBCU | NFL Team | Roster Status |
| Terron Armstead | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Miami Dolphins | Active Roster |
| Quinton Bell | Prairie View A&M | Miami Dolphins | Active Roster |
| Isaiah Bolden | Jackson State | New England Patriots | Active Roster |
| Claudin Cherelus | Alcorn State | Carolina Panthers | Active Roster |
| Brandon Codrington | North Carolina Central | Buffalo Bills | Active Roster |
| Cobie Durant | South Carolina State | Los Angeles Rams | Active Roster |
| Javon Hargrave | South Carolina State | San Francisco 49ers | Active Roster |
| De’Shann Dixon | Norfolk State | Jacksonville Jaguars | Reserve |
| Antonio Hamilton | South Carolina State | Atlanta Falcons | Active Roster |
| James Houston | Jackson State | Detroit Lions | Active Roster |
| Khadarel Hodge | Prairie View A&M | Atlanta Falcons | Active Roster |
| Tytus Howard | Alabama State | Houston Texans | Active Roster |
| Isaiah Land | Florida A&M | Indianapolis Colts | Active Roster |
| Nick Leverett | North Carolina Central | New York Giants | Active Roster |
| Trent Scott | Grambling State | Washington Commanders | Active Roster |
| Kion Smith | Fort Valley State | Miami Dolphins | Reserve |
| Grover Stewart | Albany State | Indianapolis Colts | Active Roster |
| Ian Wheeler | Howard University | Chicago Bears | Reserve |
| Joshua Williams | Fayetteville State | Kansas City Chiefs | Active Roster |
| Emmanuel Wilson | Fort Valley State | Green Bay Packers | Active Roster |
| Markquese Bell | Florida A&M | Dallas Cowboys | Active Roster |
| Jamie Gillan | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | New York Giants | Active Roster |
By the Numbers:
HBCUs with players in the NFL (on active rosters):
South Carolina State (3)
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2)
Florida A&M (2)
Fayetteville State (2)
Prairie View A&M (2)
Jackson State (2)
North Carolina Central (2)
Alabama State (1)
Albany State (1)
Alcorn State (1)
Fort Valley State (1)
Grambling State (1)
Howard (1)
Norfolk State (1)
HBCU Football Players in the NFL by Conference:
SWAC (9)
MEAC (2)
CIAA (2)
SIAC (2)
NFL Teams with Multiple HBCU Players:
Miami Dolphins (3)
Colts (2)
Falcons (2)
Patriots (2)