2023 HBCU Combine Scouting Notes & Observations (Offense)

The 2023 HBCU Combine kicked off the HBCU Legacy Bowl week in Metairie, Louisiana, with NFL Draft prospects showing out with 31 of 32 NFL team in attendance for the Combine event, aired on NFL Network.

Today, over 70 players took to the field to showcase themselves in the second annual HBCU Combine. Here are my notes from the days festivities on offense.

The star of the day – WR Xavier Smith, Florida A&M

Florida A&M receiver Xavier Smith had himself a day, dispelling many concerns about his height and lack of size. Smith measured in at 5091 and 178 pounds, and ran a 4.42 forty-yard dash (unofficial) and showed his explosiveness with a 9-8 broad jump. Overall, he looked smooth through breaks and cuts.

Xavier Smith is out here cooking. Some scouts had him at 4.38 and 4.39. https://t.co/iRzBVzCCNY
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) February 20, 2023

Smith interviewed with me last week – becoming one of my guys! His positivity shines through his personality, and it’s one of the things that’s going to get him on a roster – not counting his talent.

We’ve got a quarterback to watch!

I have a guy that I need to go back and take a look at now, one that I had definitely heard positive things about but when I saw him throwing, he caught my attention.

Bowie State quarterback Dion Golatt Jr had the best mechanics of the quarterbacks on the field, threw with a good release, and was placing the ball better than any of the quarterbacks as they threw around. Golatt was near perfect with his throws, showing command and poise through every throw. My eyes are on Golatt through the rest of the process.

Other notes

WR Jacory Rankin (Mississippi Valley State) – Popped in his 5-10-5. Received an ovation from both reps.
QB Larry Harrington (Langston) – Struggles to throw outs and place the ball in front of receivers. Deep ball accuracy, even against air, struggled.
QB Jalen Fowler (North Carolina A&T) – A very condensed release that looks awkward but helps him get through his release faster. His plant is skinny.
TE Kemari Averett (Bethune Cookman) – Had an atrocious deep ball drop. Looked a step slow.
OL Darian Bryant (Virginia Union) – Just not lateral quick enough. He is way too wide with his plant.
OL Drake Centers (Texas Southern) – Can move decently well.
OL Robert Lacy (Tennessee State) – Can move and has a bit of straight-line speed. Way too heavy and needs to lose some weight. Won’t be laterally quick enough.
RB Emmanuel Wilson (Fort Valley State) – Very smooth, silky runner.
OL Brian Williams (Southern) – Very wide in his drop. He doesn’t look like his leverage would be very good.

Catch the HBCU Legacy Bowl on NFL Network on Thursday, February 23rd, 2020 at 4:00 PM ET.