NFL Cuts Tracker: Team-By-Team HBCU Football Players Who Made The 53-Man Rosters

Who were the HBCU football players who made the first cut and landed on NFL rosters for 2025?

Kyle T. Mosley | Aug 26, 2025

HBCU Football Players Who Made The 53-Man Roster / IMAGN

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

Today, all 32 teams submitted their annual roster cuts to the National Football League headquarters for final review and approval.

Several prominent former HBCU football players and a few rookies were able to land on teams' initial 53-man rosters after proving themselves during summer training camp and preseason games.

We are tracking where the former HBCU football players are landing in the National Football League:

Aug 16, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Darius Harris (47) and Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Carson Vinson (71) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

53-MAN ROSTER ADDITIONS (HBCU PLAYERS UNDER 3 YEARS)

Baltimore Ravens: Carson Vinson, OL - Alabama A&M
Buffalo Bills: Brandon Codrington, DB/Specialist - North Carolina Central
Carolina Panthers: Claudin Cherelus, LB - Alcorn State
Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders, QB - Jackson State/Colorado
Dallas Cowboys: James 'The Problem' Houston IV, DE - Jackson State
Dallas Cowboys: Markquese Bell, DB - Florida A&M
Grover Steward, DL - Albany State: Emmanuel D. Wilson, RB - Fort Valley State
Jacksonville Jaguars: Bhayshul Tuten, RB - North Carolina A&T
Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, DB/WR - Jackson State/Colorado
Cobie Durant, DB - South Carolina State
Los Angeles Rams: Xavier Smith, WR - Florida A&M
Minnesota Vikings: Elijah Williams, DL - Morgan State
New Orleans Saints: Elijah Williams, DL - Morgan State
New York Giants: Jamie Gillan, P - UAPB
Washington Commanders: Jacory 'Bill' Croskey-Merritt, RB - Alabama State/Arizona

Dec 15, 2024; Houston Texans offensive tackle Tytus Howard (71) runs onto the field before the game against the Miami Dolphins at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

VETERANS (HBCU PLAYERS OVER 3 YEARS)

Atlanta Falcons: Khadarel Hodge, WR - Prairie View A&M
Baltimore Ravens: Corey Bullock, OL - North Carolina Central
Houston Texans: Alabama State Hornets
Indianapolis Colts: Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs: Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs: Reports indicate that the CFL and a couple of NFL teams are interested in Shilo Sanders
Miami Dolphins: Kion Smith, OL - Fayetteville State
Miami Dolphins: Quinton Bell, LB - Prairie View A&M
Minnesota Vikings: Javon Hargrave, DL - South Carolina State
Washington Commanders: Bobby Wagner, LB - Howard (Master's)
Washington Commanders: Trent Scott, OL - Grambling State (Master's)

Washington Commanders safety Robert McDaniel (47) nearly intercepts a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Isaiah Williams (18) in the third quarter of the NFL Preseason Week 2 game between the Washington Commanders and the Cincinnati Bengals at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. The Bengals won the game, 31-17. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

NOTABLE HBCU PLAYERS WAIVED (PROJECTED FOR PRACTICE SQUAD ADDITIONS)

Arizona Cardinals: Nick Leverett, OL - North Carolina Central
Atlanta Falcons: Chris Blair, WR - Alcorn State
Chicago Bears: Ian Wheeler, RB - Howard
Indianapolis Colts: Isaiah Land, DE - Florida A&M
New England: Isaiah Bolden, DB/Specialist - Jackson State
Washington Commanders: Robert McDaniel, DB - Jackson State (Per Source)
Washington Commanders: Antonio Hamilton Sr., DB - South Carolina State
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shilo Sanders, DB - Jackson State/Colorado

Aug 16, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith (19) carries the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

RUMORS ANREPORTS

Robert McDaniel, a former star defensive back at Jackson State, has been informed by the Washington Commanders that they want him to return to their practice squad, per a source.

Reports indicate that the CFL and a couple of NFL teams are interested in Shilo Sanders.

After successful preseasons, Chris Blair, Ian Wheeler, and Isaiah Land will return to their clubs' practice squads.

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PublishedAug 26, 2025

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates!Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts.Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube.Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt).My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL).I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com.Follow me: