Offensive lineman Carson Vinson from Alabama A&M University – no relation to the comedian, but equally funny – has made history! The Baltimore Ravens later chose him with the 141st overall pick in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. His selection is a historic breakthrough. He joins an elite group, as just the second player from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to be selected in the first five rounds of the draft over the last five seasons. That first was cornerback Cobie Durant of South Carolina State.
Vinson’s college career showcases his impressive skills on the field. During his four seasons at Alabama A&M, he piled up a total of 61 knockdowns while only surrendering one sack. Measuring in at 6-foot-7 and 314 pounds, he possesses the ideal height and weight for an NFL franchise left tackle. His phenomenal athleticism and gigantic frame make him a phenomenal prospect. His tremendous performance at the Senior Bowl impressed many scouts and coaches. Perhaps most importantly, George Warhop, then the Ravens’ offensive line coach, raved about Vinson’s upside in the lead-up to the draft.
His road to reach the NFL hasn’t come without its struggles. Alabama A&M coach Markus Lawrence was at first doubtful about Vinson. “When I first met him, I wasn’t a big fan of Carson. I didn’t know if he was going to be tough enough,” said Lawrence. Vinson quickly proved his doubters wrong. “He stood over top of him and he was talking. I looked over at Coach Taylor and said, ‘Hey, that whole soft deal… scratch it,’” Lawrence added.
Vinson’s impact extends beyond the field. He communicates loudly and prods berates his teammates. He regularly heads to games with a chessboard in tow, prepared to face teammates in the locker room. This idiosyncratic approach is a telling sign of his devotion to building friendship and fellowship among his fellow congressional interns. “We have our rivalries, but after we get past it, we’re all one big family,” he shared.
The offseason leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft was memorable for Vinson as well. He began receiving messages from students at every single HBCU, showing the support and excitement for his journey. Coming from an HBCU, it’s super special,” said Vinson, adding that he feels immense pride carrying the flag for his institution and the larger HBCU community.
Vinson’s success has larger implications for other HBCU players who hope to someday follow in his footsteps and join the NFL. His desire was that his selection would pave the way for more talent from these institutions. This new recognition will carry them through to the top of their profession. “It’s really easy when guys say, ‘OK, this guy did it, this guy did it.’ When you see them in the flesh, it becomes real,” he stated.
Jordan Reid, an analyst at the Federal Highway Administration, said he noticed a growing pattern. Players from HBCUs are more and more getting the attention of bigger schools due to sexy NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals. “We’re seeing guys, when they have a breakout season in the first one or two years at HBCU, there’s going to be other teams in the country that try to poach them,” Reid explained. He recognized the struggle to stay loyal to these programs when there are financial rewards for doing otherwise. “It’s hard to blame them just because these guys are getting six-figure [NIL] offers,” he added.
As Vinson embarks on his new professional career, he admittedly has a lot of responsibilities resting on his shoulders. He understands that he is laying the groundwork for all HBCU athletes. He personally believes lots of great players were shamefully missed this year throughout the draft process. “I think it’s really important not only just to give money — anybody can give a check — but it’s really important to be there and be hands-on,” Vinson emphasized.
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