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.
Former HBCU basketball standout Xavier Mills is continuing to expand his presence in Hollywood, landing another notable role that further elevates his growing acting career.
Mills, a former player at Winston-Salem State University, appears in the new Amazon/MGM thriller Is God Is, sharing the screen with Emmy-winning actor Sterling K. Brown. In the film, Mills plays Brown’s son, marking one of his most high-profile roles to date.
The project adds another major credit to a résumé that is quickly gaining momentum across film and television. Adapted from Aleshea Harris’ award-winning stage play, Is God Is centers on a dark, revenge-driven narrative rooted in family trauma and emotional intensity, featuring a cast that also includes Vivica A. Fox and Erika Alexander.
For Mills, the opportunity represents more than just another acting job—it is another step in a transition from athlete to working actor on major productions.
The Greenville, North Carolina native has been steadily building his profile in the entertainment industry. Many audiences first became familiar with him through his role as football player Nishan Leonard in Hulu’s Chad Powers, with Mills also set to return for the show’s upcoming second season.
His athletic background remains a defining part of his on-screen identity. Mills has spoken about how his experience as a college athlete helps him bring authenticity to sports-related roles, emphasizing discipline, preparation, and mindset.
He has also appeared alongside Wanda Sykes in Undercard and is expected to feature in Netflix’s upcoming project Fight for 84, further broadening his portfolio across genres.
Working on Is God Is also gave Mills the chance to learn from seasoned performers like Sterling K. Brown, whom he has credited with teaching him the importance of preparation, presence, and composure on set.
As his career continues to evolve, Mills represents a growing wave of former HBCU athletes finding new lanes in entertainment while carrying their athletic discipline into creative spaces.
For Mills, the mission remains centered on growth, faith, and longevity—both on screen and beyond it.
Credit: Story originally reported by Steven J. Gaither, HBCU Gameday (via Kansas City Star / McClatchy distribution) | Updated May 25, 2026
New details have emerged regarding the death of former Virginia Union football standout William Davis, whose passing at the age of 22 shocked the HBCU football community earlier this month.
According to a report from TMZ, Davis died from gunshot wounds to the chest. Initial reports following his death did not disclose a cause, though authorities indicated the incident was being investigated as a possible suicide. Officials have stated that the investigation remains ongoing.
Davis built an impressive collegiate career during his time at Virginia Union University, where he developed into one of the program’s most impactful defensive playmakers. From 2022 through 2024, he appeared in 19 games and recorded 50 total tackles, including 37 solo stops. His defensive production also included 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, five interceptions, five pass breakups, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Beyond his contributions on the field, Davis was recognized for his commitment to academics and leadership. Before entering the transfer portal, he earned a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurial management while helping establish a winning culture within the Panthers football program.
Following his success at Virginia Union, Davis continued his football journey at West Virginia Mountaineers football, where he appeared in one game before later joining the Sam Houston Bearkats football program.
The news has prompted an outpouring of condolences from former teammates, coaches, classmates, and fans throughout the HBCU sports community. Many have remembered Davis not only for his athletic ability but also for the impact he made on those around him during his collegiate career.
HBCU Original extends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends, teammates, and loved ones of William Davis during this difficult time.
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or thoughts of self-harm, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 for immediate support.
The HBCU athletics community is mourning the loss of Livingstone College student-athlete Kendall Cook, who passed away at the age of 19.
Cook, a member of the Livingstone College women’s volleyball program, was remembered by teammates, coaches, classmates, and supporters across multiple communities that were touched by her life and athletic journey. The freshman student-athlete began her collegiate career at Clark Atlanta University before transferring to Livingstone College, where she competed as an outside hitter and middle blocker.
A 2025 graduate of Frankfort High School, Cook earned recognition for her accomplishments both on and off the court. School officials in Frankfort confirmed her passing this week, though no cause of death has been publicly released.
“Kendall was a beautiful, talented soul,” Frankfort Independent Schools Superintendent Sheri Satterly said in a statement. “She was a joy to know and be around,” whether in the classroom or during athletic competition.
The news has generated an outpouring of support throughout the HBCU sports landscape, where student-athletes often form lasting bonds that extend far beyond competition. Friends, classmates, and fellow athletes have shared tributes celebrating Cook’s kindness, competitive spirit, and positive impact on those around her.
Frankfort Independent Schools announced that grief counseling and mental health resources would be made available to students and members of Cook’s graduating class as the community processes the loss.
In addition to volleyball, Cook was also active in softball during her athletic career, demonstrating the versatility and dedication that defined her time as a student-athlete. Those who knew her described a young woman whose energy and character left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered.
For Livingstone College and the broader HBCU community, Cook’s passing serves as a heartbreaking reminder that the individuals representing institutions on the field, court, and track are far more than athletes. They are daughters, friends, classmates, teammates, and future leaders whose lives impact countless others.
HBCU Original extends its deepest condolences to Kendall Cook’s family, friends, teammates, coaches, the Livingstone College and Clark Atlanta University communities, and all those grieving this tremendous loss.
The SWAC delivered one of the biggest championship storylines of the season as Jackson State and Florida A&M claimed the 2026 outdoor track & field titles.
Jackson State shocked the conference by capturing the men’s championship, powered by explosive sprint performances and clutch relay execution. The Tigers built momentum throughout the meet and held off late pushes to secure a historic breakthrough title.
On the women’s side, Florida A&M continued its championship tradition, controlling the meet with consistent scoring across sprints, hurdles, and field events. The Rattlers’ depth once again proved decisive as they stayed ahead of a competitive field to claim another SWAC crown.
Two different stories — one breakthrough, one dynasty — defined the SWAC season.
The SIAC championships belonged to Morehouse and Tuskegee as both programs delivered complete team performances to claim the 2026 outdoor track & field titles.
On the men’s side, Morehouse controlled the meet from start to finish, scoring consistently across sprints, distance, and field events to build separation early. The Maroon Tigers maintained their advantage through the final events, sealing another conference championship built on depth and execution.
On the women’s side, Tuskegee continued its dominance with a back-to-back SIAC championship performance. The Golden Tigers delivered strong scoring across sprints, relays, and field events, holding off the field once again to repeat as conference champions.
Together, Morehouse and Tuskegee set the standard in SIAC track & field heading into postseason competition.
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