HBCU Legends

How Can The NFL, UFL, And CFL Justify Failing To Sign The Former SWAC Offensive And Defensive Players Of The Year?

What are the reasons behind professional teams not signing the former SWAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, yet?

Kyle T. Mosley

Credit:© Mickey Welsh / Advertiser & Jackson State Athletics

How can professional football leagues justify not having Aqeel Glass and Aubrey Miller Jr. on a club's roster? HBCU fans could easily digest this if each were a borderline player with little upside. Let's be honest; this is an egregious error by the NFL, UFL, and CFL.

The UFL starts its spring football this weekend and Arena, CFL, European, and NFL teams are signing offseason talent — but no league has yet to sign these two HBCU legends.

Aqeel Glass
Alabama A& M quarterback Aqeel Glass (4) throws against Alabama State University at Legion Field / Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

AQEEL GLASS

Glass was an unsigned free agent who spent a short time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a quarterback room with future Pro Football Hall of Famer Tom Brady as their starter.  

The two-time Black College Football Player of the Year latched on with the New Orleans Breakers of the now-defunct USFL, but the team signed veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson as its starting signal-caller, leaving Glass as a reserve for the entire season. 

The UFL and NFL recycle quarterbacks year after year; indeed, there's a place for Glass in someone's system.

Aqeel Glass' Resume

  • 6-5, 215 pounds
  • 12,136 passing yards and 109 passing touchdowns
  • 2× Deacon Jones Trophy (2020, 2021)
  • 2× SWAC Offensive Player of the Year (2020, 2021)
  • 2× First-team All-SWAC (2020, 2021)
  • 2× Second-team All-SWAC (2018, 2019)
  • 2021 BOXTOROW National Player of the Year
  • 2021 Phil Steele SWAC Offensive Player of the Year
Aubrey Miller Jr
JSU linebacker Aubrey Miller Jr. (45) goes after Southern running back Karl Ligon (19) in Jackson / Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA

AUBREY MILLER JR

Aubrey Miller Jr.'s professional status is another enigma. The 2022 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year is keeping in shape through the offseason but is still without a team.  

Jackson State's defensive leader had an outstanding week at the Reeses Senior Bowl, leaving NFL teams intrigued by his talent and relentless pursuit to the football.  

However, the concern about his size was puzzling since professional teams highly seek the "hybrid" defensive safety/linebacker/edge rusher type of player. Also, if you want a "DAWG" on defense, few players are as tenacious and hard-hitting as Aubrey Miller II.

Several times, the Miami Dolphins coaches and the media praised him.    

Nonetheless, Miller didn't survive the final 53-man roster cut. More importantly, the organization did not offer him to sign on its practice squad.

It's difficult to assess why Miller hasn't had an opportunity to connect with a professional team — even as a special teams player. Miller's play is similar to that of former New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers linebacker Sam Mills. The Pro Football Hall of Famer was considered small in stature but had a huge heart and struck fear into the hearts of offensive coordinators.  

Eventually, after being cut by several NFL teams, playing in the USFL, Mills won the hearts of Saints coaches and fans while leading the greatest linebacking corps in NFL history — The Dome Patrol (Rickey Jackson, Pat Swilling, Vaughan Johnson, and Sam Mills). Many believe Miller has Mills' abilities and possibly better.

Aubrey Miller Jr.'s Resume

  • 6-2, 225 pounds
  • SWAC Defensive Player of the Year
  • BOXTOROW National Defensive Player of the Year
  • BOXTOROW HBCU All-American
  • Associated Press FCS All-American
  • Stats Perform FCS All-American

Grambling State's legendary head coach, Eddie Robinson, said it better than anyone else - all they "need is an opportunity." Will Aqeel Glass and Aubrey Miller II ever get another chance to become professionals?

We shall see.

Published
Kyle T. Mosley

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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