We will now take a look at the secondary, highlighting some of the top defensive backs HBCU football has to offer heading into the 2023 season.
This position has had the most success at producing stars with three of the last five NFL draft selections being defensive backs.
That includes Jackson State cornerback Isaiah Bolden, the only HBCU player in the 2023 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.
This season could provide a look at the players who have the chance to continue the lineage of great defensive backs.
Here are five defensive backs to watch during the 2023 HBCU football season.
Jay Boyd, Shaw
Shaw could soon be back on top, featuring a defensive back unit full of talent led by rising star Jay Boyd.
Transferring to Shaw from Limestone, Boyd had an impressive first season, with the Bears recording 40 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, and three pass breakups.
He was one of two Shaw defensive backs named to the All-CIAA First Team, along with Jaleel Scroggins.
Willie Drew, Virginia State
The Virginia State Trojans had one of the most productive secondary units in Division II football, ranking in the top 20 in forced turnovers.
Willie Drew led the charge for the Trojans finishing third in the CIAA with five interceptions and tied the conference-high with 12 passes defended.
Drew also recorded 40 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery on his way to being named to the All-CIAA First Team.
Esaias Guthrie, Jackson State
Delaware State transfer Esaias Guthrie returns to the football field for the Jackson State Tigers after sitting out the entire 2022 season.
The former Hornet finished his only full season with Delaware State with 32 tackles, four interceptions, and five pass breakups. He was selected to the All-MEAC First Team.
Guthrie comes to a Jackson State team that lost a huge chunk of their championship core to the transfer portal.
As a result, Guthrie will head to Jackson State, seemingly taking over as the top defensive back on the depth chart.
Karon Prunty, North Carolina A&T
North Carolina A&T had one of the top pass defenses in the country ranking just outside the top 10 with 15 total interceptions.
Leading the way for the Aggies was Kansas transfer Karon Prunty who recorded four interceptions in his first full season with the team. This included a two-interception performance against Bryant.
Elsewhere, he also put up 30 tackles (21 solo) and three pass breakups. He was named to the All-Big South First Team.
Omari Hill-Robinson, Bethune-Cookman
Things have not gone Bethune-Cookman’s way since making the move to the SWAC.
One bright spot, however, has been the play of defensive back Omari Hill-Robinson, who will be a top HBCU pro prospect in the 2024 draft-eligible class.
In 2022, Robinson compiled four interceptions, one touchdown, and nine pass breakups, finishing eighth in the SWAC in passes defended.
He was named to the All-SWAC First Team, the only Bethune-Cookman player to be named to receive an all-conference selection.
