HBCU Football Players Added To NFL Practice Squads

Who were the HBCU football players who landed on practice squads for 2025?

Robert McDaniel At Commanders Rookie Minicamp | Credit: Washington Commanders

Here are Wednesday's practice squad additions involving HBCU football alums, per the NFL.

S Robert McDaniel, Washington Commanders | ESPN

HBCU PLAYERS ADDED TO NFL PRACTICE SQUADS

• Nick Leverett (Arizona Cardinals) – Offensive Lineman, North Carolina Central
• Chris Blair (Atlanta Falcons) – Wide Receiver, Alcorn State
• Brandon Parker (Atlanta Falcons) – Tackle, North Carolina A&T (Veteran)
• Ricky Lee (Jacksonville Jaguars) – Tackle, North Carolina A&T
• Bell, Quinton (Miami Dolphins) – Linebacker, Prairie View A&M (Veteran)
• Smith, Aaron (New York Jets) – Linebacker, South Carolina State
• Terrell Jennings (New England Patriots) - Running Back, Florida A&M
• Antonio Hamilton Sr. (Washington Commanders) – Defensive Back, South Carolina State (Veteran)
• Robert McDaniel (Washington Commanders) – Defensive Back, Jackson State

No word on DE Isaiah Land (FAMU) and RB Ian Wheeler (Howard).

Aug 22, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Chris Blair (19) catches a pass as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Justin Barron (55) defends during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

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NFL Cuts Tracker: Team-By-Team HBCU Football Players Who Made The 53-Man Rosters

Today, all 32 teams submitted their annual roster cuts to the National Football League headquarters for final review and approval.

Several prominent former HBCU football players and a few rookies were able to land on teams' initial 53-man rosters after proving themselves during summer training camp and preseason games.

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We are tracking where the former HBCU football players are landing in the National Football League:

Aug 16, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Darius Harris (47) and Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Carson Vinson (71) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

53-MAN ROSTER ADDITIONS (HBCU PLAYERS UNDER 3 YEARS)

• Baltimore Ravens: Carson Vinson, OL - Alabama A&M
• Buffalo Bills: Brandon Codrington, DB/Specialist - North Carolina Central
• Carolina Panthers: Claudin Cherelus, LB - Alcorn State
• Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders, QB - Jackson State/Colorado
• Dallas Cowboys: James 'The Problem' Houston IV, DE - Jackson State
• Dallas Cowboys: Markquese Bell, DB - Florida A&M
• Green Bay Packers: Emmanuel D. Wilson, RB - Fort Valley State
• Jacksonville Jaguars: Bhayshul Tuten, RB - North Carolina A&T
• Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, DB/WR - Jackson State/Colorado
• Cobie Durant, DB - South Carolina State
• Los Angeles Rams: Xavier Smith, WR - Florida A&M
• Minnesota Vikings: Elijah Williams, DL - Morgan State
• New Orleans Saints: Torricelli Simpkins III, OL - North Carolina Central/South Carolina
• New York Giants: Jamie Gillan, P - UAPB
• Washington Commanders: Jacory 'Bill' Croskey-Merritt, RB - Alabama State/Arizona

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Dec 15, 2024; Houston Texans offensive tackle Tytus Howard (71) runs onto the field before the game against the Miami Dolphins at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

VETERANS (HBCU PLAYERS OVER 3 YEARS)

• Atlanta Falcons: Khadarel Hodge, WR - Prairie View A&M
• Baltimore Ravens: Corey Bullock, OL - North Carolina Central
• Houston Texans: Tytus Howard, OL - Alabama State
• Indianapolis Colts: Grover Steward, DL - Albany State
• Kansas City Chiefs: Bryan Cook, S - Howard
• Kansas City Chiefs: Joshua Williams, DB - Fayetteville State
• Miami Dolphins: Kion Smith, OL - Fayetteville State
• Minnesota Vikings: Javon Hargrave, DL - South Carolina State
• Washington Commanders: Bobby Wagner, LB - Howard (Master's)
• Washington Commanders: Trent Scott, OL - Grambling State (Master's)

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Washington Commanders safety Robert McDaniel (47) nearly intercepts a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Isaiah Williams (18) in the third quarter of the NFL Preseason Week 2 game between the Washington Commanders and the Cincinnati Bengals at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. The Bengals won the game, 31-17. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

NOTABLE HBCU PLAYERS WAIVED (PROJECTED FOR PRACTICE SQUAD ADDITIONS)

• Arizona Cardinals: Nick Leverett, OL - North Carolina Central
• Atlanta Falcons: Chris Blair, WR - Alcorn State
• Chicago Bears: Ian Wheeler, RB - Howard  
• Indianapolis Colts: Isaiah Land, DE - Florida A&M
• New England: Isaiah Bolden, DB/Specialist - Jackson State
• Washington Commanders: Robert McDaniel, DB - Jackson State (Per Source)
• Washington Commanders: Antonio Hamilton Sr., DB - South Carolina State
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shilo Sanders, DB - Jackson State/Colorado

Aug 16, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith (19) carries the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

RUMORS ANREPORTS

Robert McDaniel, a former star defensive back at Jackson State, has been informed by the Washington Commanders that they want him to return to their practice squad, per a source.

Reports indicate that the CFL and a couple of NFL teams are interested in Shilo Sanders.

After successful preseasons, Chris Blair, Ian Wheeler, and Isaiah Land will return to their clubs' practice squads.

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