For the third time in the 2026 NFL Draft, a player with HBCU ties has been selected, this time by the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Former Arkansas-Pine Bluff cornerback Andre Fuller was selected in the seventh round (236th overall) of the draft by the Seattle Seahawks.
He joins Karon Prunty (North Carolina A&T) and Kevin Coleman Jr. (Jackson State) on the list of players that previously played for an HBCU to be taken in this year’s draft.
Fuller joined UAPB as a freshman during the 2021 spring season, playing a supporting role in the team’s run to the SWAC championship game. He recorded nine tackles and three pass breakups, including four tackles in the title game against Alabama A&M.
When the fall season came around, Fuller saw his role increase, leading to a breakout campaign that played him amongst the top defensive backs in the SWAC.
The Golden Lions’ defender led the conference with 17 passes defended, including three interceptions and four pass breakups. He added 29 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, and a sack.
Following the then-freshman’s dominant production, he entered the transfer portal, finding a new home at the University of Toledo.
In his four seasons at Toledo (missed the 2023 season due to injury), Fuller produced 78 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and 16 pass breakups.
This past year, he was named to the first team for the Mid-American Conference (MAC), tying for third in the conference with 12 passes defended.
Fuller becomes the first player who previously played for Arkansas-Pine Bluff to be drafted to the NFL since Terron Armstead in 2013.
