With the 2022 NFL Draft looming at the end of April, there is a growing interest in HBCU athletes with a prevalent rumor coming out about Texas Southern defensive end Michael Badejo.
According to a report from SB Nation’s Coty Davis, Badejo is receiving interest from at least six NFL teams.
The teams include the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers.
Source: The Carolina Panthers are showing their interest in TSU's defensive end Michael Badejo (.@TheRealBadejo) ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft. Other teams that have shown interest in Badejo: Broncos, Ravens, Seahawks, Texans and 49ers.
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) April 4, 2022
Also read: Texas Southern’s Cynthia Cooper-Dyke announces her retirement
HBCU Legends reported that the Houston native met with his hometown Texans while a separate report indicates that he has been in talks with the Chicago Bears.
The former Tiger put up some impressive Pro Day measurements running a 4.8 40-yard dash, putting up 19 reps on the bench press, recording a 33-inch vertical, and a nine-inch broad jump.
In his three seasons with Texas Southern, after transferring from SMU, Badejo recorded 80 total tackles (41 solo tackles), 13.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He was named to two All-SWAC second teams.
If all these reports are to be believed, it would not be shocking if Michael Badejo was the first HBCU prospect taken in this year’s NFL Draft.