NFL draft week is here, and HBCU football players will find their first professional home, either in the draft itself or after signing free agent deals.
The 2026 NFL Draft will kick off Thursday, April 23, and end on Saturday, April 25, in Pittsburgh. While not many, if any, Black College Football players are projected to be selected, there is one draft-eligible talent who draft experts believe might be taken.
That would be Morgan State All-MEAC defensive star, Erick Hunter, who created buzz during his senior season and at pre-draft workouts in front of pro talent evaluators.
Here’s when and where experts believe Hunter could end up going in the upcoming draft, according to various mock drafts.
College football and NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid, a former North Carolina Central quarterback, has Hunter being taken by the Indianapolis Colts with the 254th pick in the seventh round.
Congrats to our client, Erick Hunter @ErickHunter04 on an exceptional performance at the HBCU Showcase. @MSUBearsFB pic.twitter.com/s2cAxaAEkC
— Rasheeda Liberty (Lady Lib Sports) (@ladylib1922) March 31, 2026
NFL
NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter’s latest mock has Hunter also being selected in the final round by the Minnesota Vikings at pick No. 247.
Pat Lane, in a lengthy seven-round mock draft, features Hunter going to the AFC Champion New England Patriots at pick No. 247.
Here is what Lane said about the Morgan State star:
The NFL is moving to positionless football on the backend, and Hunter is a perfect fit for that. The FBS star also put on a show at the HBCU Showcase, running a 4.48-second 40 time, 4.21-second short shuttle, combined with a 10-foot-10 broad and 37-inch vertical jump. The explosion and coverage skills are real, as he showed it all over his tape at Morgan State. With the changing defenses in the NFL, he could find himself a role in the league someday.
Even though it is unknown whether Hunter or any other HBCU football player will be drafted this week, one thing is abundantly clear: Erick Hunter has earned respect and has proven to be an NFL-ready talent.
