Major Excitement Around HBCU Football Programs, Former Standouts Turned Coaches
Football, within the realm of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU), is experiencing a wave of excitement, and the start of spring training has set the stage for a thrilling 2025 season. “We’re excited about the upcoming season and the opportunity for our student-athletes to be on big stages to demonstrate the competitive excellence that we know they’re capable of,” said Howard University head coach Larry Scott when announcing the upcoming season. NFL legend Deion Sanders sparked a movement to elevate HBCU football programs in 2020 when he became the head coach of Jackson State University in 2020, and now, continuing his coaching journey at the University of Colorado.
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Sanders’ groundbreaking path has earned admiration from NFL greats and college football legends alike, as they join him in reshaping the history of college football.
“Deion Sanders is doing what every former Black NFL star who coaches should do…Go to an HBCU…get top national recruits…build a program and level the playing field…change HBCU football forever,” one social media user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
From program revamps to standout HBCU alums stepping into prominent roles, and players having the opportunity to gain valuable support and embark on new forms of player development, the buzz in the air is becoming undeniable.
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With programs reaching new heights and competition intensifying, the upcoming season could mark the beginning of a new era of growth for HBCU stature, especially within the NFL draft.
“Every HBCU player that gets drafted or signed to play in any professional football league is progress,” Gerald Huggins, director of football operations and video coordinator at Morgan State University, wrote on X in 2023.
