Eight HBCU players had their names called.
The United States Football League (USFL) inaugural draft consisted of twelve rounds during the first of two days. Eight HBCU players had their names called.
MALIK HAMNER (JACKSON STATE)
Malik Hamner was the first HBCU player selected in the inaugural USFL draft. Hamner was selected with the fifth pick in the fourth round by the New Jersey Generals. The defensive end spent four seasons with Jackson State University Tigers that ended in 2018. Hamner spent time in the NFL and CFL.
NIGEL CHAVIS (NORFOLK STATE)
Nigel Chavis was selected by the New Orleans Breakers with the ninth pick in the fourth round of the USFL draft. The linebacker spent five seasons with the Spartans between 2015 and 2019. Chavis was invited to compete in the 2021 NFL HBCU combine.
CHIDI OKEKE (TENNESSEE STATE)
Chidi Okeke was selected by the Pittsburgh Maulers with the first pick in the fifth round. The offensive tackle began his collegiate career at LSU as a freshman in 2015. He transferred to Tennessee State University in 2017 as a redshirt sophomore. He played his final collegiate season with TSU in 2018. Okeke spent time in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
CALVIN ASHLEY (FLORIDA A&M)
Calvin Ashley was selected by the New Jersey Generals with the third pick in the sixth round. The offensive tackle was a five star prospect coming out of high school in 2017. He began his collegiate career at Auburn University. Ashley only played one season with the FAMU Rattlers in 2020. The tackle was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent after the 2021 NFL draft. He then later temporarily retired from football after being waived by the Buccaneers last Fall.
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