Sports
Staying True: Ravens’ Carson Vinson Becomes NFL’s Lone HBCU Draft Pick in 2025 Without Transferring
By Jamison Hensley / ESPN | July 26, 2025
When Alabama A&M offensive line coach Markus Lawrence heard a knock at his office door, his heart often sank. Carson Vinson—6’7″, 314 pounds and loaded with raw talent—could have easily told him he was entering the transfer portal like so many other promising players from smaller programs chasing bigger opportunities.
But Vinson stayed.
And now, after four seasons at Alabama A&M, he stands alone as the only HBCU player selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, taken in the 5th round by the Baltimore Ravens. Rather than chasing NIL deals or Power Five spotlight, Vinson chose loyalty, commitment, and the road less traveled.
“He could have left us and chased the money,” said Lawrence, now coaching at South Carolina State. “Instead, he chased commitment and loyalty.”
Despite being the only HBCU draftee, Vinson takes no pride in that statistic. He believes more HBCU talent deserved recognition and wants to use his success to inspire others to stay true to their path—even if that path doesn’t lead to a bigger-name program.
Vinson earned his shot by dominating at the Senior Bowl, including a highlight moment in a one-on-one drill against Bengals first-rounder Shemar Stewart. At the NFL Combine, he ranked among the top 15 offensive linemen in the 40-yard dash (5.2), broad jump (9’3″), and three-cone drill (7.51).
Throughout the draft process, Vinson received messages from HBCU coaches, players, and fans across the country. The support reminded him that while HBCUs may be rivals on the field, the community is united in mission.
“We have our rivalries, but after we get past it, we’re all one big family,” Vinson said.
Vinson joins Cobie Durant (South Carolina State, 2022) as only the second HBCU player taken in the first five rounds over the past five years. ESPN’s Jordan Reid sees the transfer portal and NIL deals as ongoing barriers for players who stay at HBCUs to get noticed.
“It’s hard to blame them,” Reid said. “But it makes what Vinson did even more special.”
From Two-Star to Standout
Arriving in Huntsville, Alabama, in 2020 as a two-star recruit, Vinson didn’t initially impress Coach Lawrence.
“I didn’t think he was going to be tough enough,” Lawrence admitted. But during Vinson’s first practice, he demolished the starting defensive end in one rep. “I looked at Coach [Duane] Taylor and said, ‘Scratch that whole soft deal.’”
From there, Vinson emerged not only as a physical force but as a cerebral presence, famously carrying a chessboard to games and remaining undefeated against teammates.
“He’s our biggest, meanest, strongest guy — and he’s playing chess in the locker room,” Lawrence laughed.
Vinson’s breakout moment came in a 2023 matchup against Vanderbilt, proving he could handle FBS competition. Despite late recruiting interest from North Carolina, Vinson turned them down.
“They didn’t want me out of high school. I had a chip on my shoulder,” Vinson said. “I said, ‘I’m going to do it from the school that wanted me first.’”
The Ravens Take Notice
By the time he visited Baltimore, Vinson had already earned a reputation as a physical beast. But his handshake sealed it for GM Eric DeCosta.
“He almost broke my hand,” DeCosta joked. “When he left, I just said, ‘I’m good.’”
Baltimore’s offensive line coach George Warhop became one of Vinson’s biggest advocates, pushing hard for the team to draft him after watching him battle in Senior Bowl practices.
“He wasn’t perfect, but he competed,” Warhop said. “And there aren’t many guys built like him.”
Selected with the 141st overall pick, Vinson received the call from DeCosta and then a straight-shooting message from Warhop:
“Don’t let me down. I’m going to work the dog crap out of you.”
And Warhop has made good on that promise, delivering intense coaching and no-nonsense feedback from rookie minicamp forward.
“He just kind of looks at me and says, ‘Yes sir,’ and goes on and does what he’s supposed to do,” Warhop said. “We’re trying to get him up to speed fast—by any means necessary.”
Building Legacy, Not Just a Career
With Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten locking down the tackle spots, Vinson won’t need to play immediately. But the Ravens have a history of developing Day 3 linemen into starters, and Vinson could be next in line.
If and when his moment comes, Vinson plans to pay it forward. Inspired by Alabama A&M legends Robert Mathis and John Stallworth, he knows firsthand the value of representation.
“Seeing guys like Mathis in person makes the dream real,” Vinson said. “It’s not just about giving money — it’s about showing up.”
And that’s exactly what Carson Vinson plans to do — show up, stand tall, and lead the next generation of HBCU talent to believe that staying loyal can still lead to greatness.
DAYTON, Ohio — Prairie View A&M University secured a historic milestone Wednesday night, earning its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory with a 67–55 win over Lehigh University in the First Four.
Dontae Horne led the charge with a game-high 25 points, while Cory Wells added 19 to pace the Panthers (19–17). Lance Williams chipped in 10 points, helping Prairie View A&M control the game and pull away in the second half.
Making just their third appearance in March Madness, the Panthers delivered a composed performance on the big stage, limiting Lehigh’s offensive rhythm and capitalizing on key scoring runs.
Lehigh (18–17) struggled to find consistency, particularly from leading scorer Nasir Whitlock. After being held scoreless for more than 26 minutes, Whitlock finished with just five points on 2-of-15 shooting—well below his usual production. Hank Alvey provided a bright spot for the Mountain Hawks with 23 points.
With the win, Prairie View A&M advances as a No. 16 seed in the South Region and will take on defending national champion University of Florida in Tampa, Florida.
The victory marks a breakthrough moment for the Panthers, adding their name to the growing list of HBCU programs making noise on college basketball’s biggest stage.
DAYTON, Ohio — Howard University made program history Tuesday night, capturing its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory with a thrilling 86–83 win over University of Maryland, Baltimore County in the First Four.
Bryce Harris delivered a standout performance with 19 points and 14 rebounds, sealing the win with a clutch turnaround jumper with just 13 seconds remaining. His late-game heroics helped the Bison hold off a determined comeback by UMBC.
Ose Okojie led Howard with a career-high 23 points, powering the Bison (24–10) to a long-awaited breakthrough after entering March Madness winless in four previous appearances.
“We’ve accomplished a lot, but getting that first NCAA Tournament win means everything,” said head coach Kenneth Blakeney.
UMBC (24–9) made things interesting down the stretch. A three-pointer from DJ Armstrong Jr. cut the deficit to two with under a minute left. After Harris extended the lead, Jah’Likah King answered with a layup to keep it a one-possession game. But Howard held firm—Isaiah Brown split a pair of free throws, and Armstrong’s last-second three-point attempt missed, securing the historic win.
The Bison controlled much of the game, leading for nearly the entire contest and building a 13-point advantage in the first half. Okojie set the tone early with 16 first-half points, helping Howard take a 49–41 lead into halftime.
UMBC, known for its historic upset over Virginia in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, was looking to recreate March magic but fell just short despite strong performances from King (19 points), Armstrong (17), and Caden Diggs (15).
Cedric Taylor III added 16 points for Howard, excelling at the free-throw line before fouling out late in the game.
The Bison now advance as a No. 16 seed in the Midwest Region and will face powerhouse University of Michigan in the next round in Buffalo, New York.
With history already made, Howard now turns its attention to its next challenge on college basketball’s biggest stage.
The Fayetteville State University men’s basketball team saw its postseason run come to an end with a 96–83 loss to California University of Pennsylvania in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Quarterfinal.
The game, played at the Highmark Events Center, marked the conclusion of a strong season for the Broncos, who finished 23–7 overall.
🔥 Strong First Half Effort
Fayetteville State controlled much of the first half, showcasing balanced scoring and energy on both ends of the floor.
Big plays from multiple contributors helped the Broncos build momentum, including key shots from the perimeter and strong interior presence. A late three-pointer gave FSU a 45–42 lead, and they entered halftime narrowly ahead 45–44 after a last-second response from California (PA).
⚡ Second Half Shift
The game turned quickly after halftime.
Following an early basket to extend their lead, Fayetteville State was met with a decisive run from California (PA), fueled by transition scoring and perimeter shooting. The Vulcans surged ahead and stretched the lead to double digits, eventually pushing it to 72–54 midway through the second half.
Despite multiple comeback attempts, the Broncos were unable to regain control.
⭐ Standout Performances
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Ezekiel Cannedy led the Broncos with 20 points
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Larry Howell recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds
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Terrell Williams added a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds
Additional contributions came from:
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Darius Boben (8 points)
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Kenneth Brayboy (8 points, late dunks)
📊 Game Notes
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Final Score: California (PA) 96, Fayetteville State 83
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Halftime: FSU led 45–44
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Shooting: 35.3% from the field, 30% from three
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Bench Points: 34
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Second-Chance Points: 23
🏁 Season Reflection
Despite the loss, Fayetteville State’s season stands as a major success. The Broncos captured a conference title and carried momentum into the NCAA Tournament, highlighting their depth, toughness, and ability to compete at a high level.
With key contributors stepping up on the national stage, the program continues to build toward deeper postseason runs in the future.
The Winston-Salem State University women’s basketball team saw its remarkable postseason run come to a crushing end Monday night, dropping a 65–64 thriller to Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Championship.
Inside the Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex, the Lady Rams battled from start to finish in a game defined by momentum swings, clutch shots, and late-game drama.
Winston-Salem State finishes the season with an impressive 28–4 record, capping off one of the program’s strongest campaigns.
🔥 Back-and-Forth Battle
The Rams showed early resilience, overcoming an early deficit with a strong closing run in the first quarter to take a narrow lead. They carried that momentum into the second, building a double-digit advantage before IUP responded late in the half.
After leading 32–27 at halftime, Winston-Salem State continued to fight through a tightly contested third quarter, holding a 50–47 edge heading into the final period.
💔 Final Seconds Decide It
In the fourth quarter, the Rams appeared in control late, extending their lead to 64–60 with just 36 seconds remaining.
But IUP responded when it mattered most.
A clutch three-pointer in the final seconds gave the Crimson Hawks a 65–64 lead, completing a late comeback. Winston-Salem State had one final opportunity, but a last-second shot attempt missed, sealing the heartbreaking loss.
⭐ Key Performers
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Ah’Kiyah Pye led the Rams with 16 points and strong all-around play
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Makayla Waleed added key scoring off the bench
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Alana Biosse contributed 11 points, including critical three-pointers
As a team, the Rams shot over 40% from the field, forced 19 turnovers, and showed defensive intensity with 13 steals.
📊 Game Snapshot
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Final Score: IUP 65, WSSU 64
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Lead changes: 13
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Ties: 10
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A true championship-level battle from start to finish
🏁 Season Reflection
Despite the loss, Winston-Salem State’s run to the regional championship highlighted the program’s growth, resilience, and championship potential.
One possession short of advancing, the Lady Rams proved they belong among the nation’s elite in Division II women’s basketball.
NORFOLK, Va. — Howard University claimed the 2026 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Women’s Basketball Tournament title Saturday with a 53–46 win over Norfolk State at The Scope, completing a sweep of the league’s tournament crowns after the Howard men also won the MEAC championship.
The Bison, who last earned a MEAC title and NCAA automatic bid in 2022, were led by MEAC Player of the Year and Tournament MVP Zennia Thomas, who posted 15 points and eight rebounds. Nile Miller added 12 points and a game-high 13 boards, while Ariella Henigan, the league’s Rookie of the Year, chipped in 11 points. Howard improved to 26–7 on the season.
Norfolk State, aiming for a fourth consecutive MEAC tournament title and NCAA berth, finished its campaign at 18–13. Jasha Hinton led the Spartans with 11 points, five rebounds, and five assists, and Anjanae Richardson added 10 points.
After trailing 16–9 after the first quarter, Norfolk State rallied to tie the game 27–27 at halftime. Howard responded in the second half with key baskets from Zoe Stewart and a 9–2 run that gave the Bison a 42–33 advantage after three quarters. Norfolk State closed the gap to 47–43 in the final period, but Howard’s Miller scored inside to extend the lead, and the Bison finished strong with four of the game’s final seven points to secure the 53–46 win.
Head coach Ty Grace praised the Spartans’ program and credited his team’s preparation and execution. Miller, the lone senior at the postgame press conference, reflected on finally capturing a MEAC title after four seasons of trying.
2026 MEAC Women’s Basketball All-Tournament Team
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Zennia Thomas, Howard (Tournament Outstanding Player)
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Ariella Henigan, Howard
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Jasha Clinton, Norfolk State
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Anjanae Richardson, Norfolk State
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Kaliya Perry, UMES
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