The 2026 NFL Draft ended without a player who finished his college career at an HBCU being selected. That reality added more frustration to an ongoing conversation around visibility, scouting access, and how HBCU talent gets evaluated at the pro level. But the weekend did not end the dream for several players across Black college football.
Jackson State became one of the schools that still saw movement after the draft. According to HBCU Gameday, Williams, Dupree, and Ivory each earned a path into an NFL building. The opportunities are different. Dupree signed as a free agent, while Williams and Ivory landed rookie minicamp invites. Still, all three now get a chance to compete in front of professional coaches and decision-makers.
That is the first step. For undrafted players and minicamp invitees, the margin is small. Every rep matters. Special teams value matters. Position flexibility matters. So does showing that the production from college can translate into an NFL environment.
Jeremiah Williams Gets Vikings Rookie Minicamp Invite
Jeremiah Williams gives the Vikings an interior defensive lineman with a strong HBCU résumé. He was one of Jackson State’s key defenders during the program’s recent run, and his production helped make him one of the Tigers’ most respected players up front.
Williams had a decorated 2024 season. He earned FCS Football Central All-American honors, Phil Steele All-SWAC recognition, and Defensive MVP honors in the Cricket Celebration Bowl. That season included 58 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and four quarterback hurries.
He followed that with another productive year in 2025. Williams finished with 35 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two sacks in 10 games. He also earned All-American recognition from the BOXTOROW voters, with Jackson State athletics noting that he joined Quincy Ivory among the Tigers honored after the season.
For Minnesota, Williams will need to show power, leverage, and consistency in a short window. Interior defensive linemen who enter the league this way often have to win with effort, pad level, and the ability to handle double teams. Williams has already shown that he can produce in big HBCU games. Now he gets to prove it against NFL hopefuls.
Ja’Naylon Dupree Signs With Cleveland Browns
Ja’Naylon Dupree may have the clearest path of the three because he signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Browns. That does not guarantee a roster spot, but it gives him a stronger entry point than a simple tryout invitation.
Dupree gives Cleveland a receiver with speed, scoring ability, and special teams potential. In 2024, he caught 21 passes for 356 yards and five touchdowns. In 2025, he raised his production with 31 receptions for 509 yards and six touchdowns. He also added 54 rushing yards and another score, giving him seven total touchdowns on the season.
That versatility will be important. Undrafted receivers rarely make teams on receiving talent alone. They often need to cover kicks, return kicks, block with effort, learn multiple receiver spots, and make plays when the ball comes their way in preseason action.
Dupree has already shown that he can stretch the field. He was Jackson State’s second-leading receiver in 2025, and his production helped the Tigers average more than 32 points per game. If he can turn that big-play ability into reliable camp reps, Cleveland will have a reason to keep watching.
Quincy Ivory Brings Edge Production To Tampa Bay
Quincy Ivory may be the most decorated name of the group from the 2025 season. The edge rusher became one of the best defensive players in the SWAC and one of the most disruptive defenders in HBCU football.
Ivory finished the 2025 regular season with a team-high 64 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, an interception, five quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries, according to Jackson State athletics. He was also named a Buck Buchanan Award finalist, putting him in the conversation with the top defensive players in FCS football.
His full 2025 line was even stronger by the end of the season. Ivory finished with 71 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception, six quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles. That production earned him a Tampa Bay rookie minicamp invite.
Ivory’s path has been anything but simple. He spent time at Mississippi Valley State as a quarterback, played junior college football at East Los Angeles College, moved on to Florida, and then landed at Jackson State. That background makes him an interesting evaluation. He has athletic traits, pass-rush production, and experience adjusting to new roles.
For Tampa Bay, he will need to show he can win off the edge, play with discipline, and contribute on special teams. For Ivory, the minicamp invite is a chance to turn a great HBCU season into a longer NFL look.
Why These Opportunities Matter For HBCU Football
The Jackson State NFL opportunities come during a difficult moment for HBCU draft representation. Several HBCU players signed or received rookie minicamp invites after the draft, but no player who finished at an HBCU was selected. That continues a trend that has concerned fans, coaches, and former players.
Still, the post-draft market remains important. A player does not need to be drafted to build a career. Many NFL players have entered the league through undrafted free agency or tryout routes. The path is harder, but it is real.
For HBCUs, every camp invite and signing matters. It helps recruiting. It shows current players that scouts are still watching. It gives coaches proof that development is happening. It also keeps the broader Jackson State University brand connected to the pro conversation.
Jackson State has become one of the most visible HBCU football programs in the country. The Tigers’ recent success, national attention, and player development have raised expectations. Williams, Dupree, and Ivory now give the program three more chances to show that its players can compete beyond the SWAC.
A Pro Pipeline Still In Motion
Jackson State finished 9-3 in 2025 and averaged 32.8 points per game, according to official team statistics. The Tigers had impact players on both sides of the ball, and three of them now have NFL opportunities.
That does not erase the disappointment of draft weekend. HBCU fans want to see players selected. They want to see names announced on national television. They want the same recognition that other programs receive when their top talent moves to the league.
But these next steps still matter. Williams, Dupree, and Ivory now get access to NFL coaches, facilities, playbooks, and competition. What they do with that access will decide the next chapter.
For Jackson State, the message is clear. The Tigers did not have a draft pick, but their pro pipeline is still active. Three players now have a shot. In the NFL, sometimes that is all a player needs.
