Arrowhead Pride
NFL draft preparation season is officially in full swing.
On Monday, the Kansas City Chiefs were one (of 32) teams at the HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Combine held at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana.
Similar to the Chiefs and the University of Kansas Sports Medicine and Performance Center, the New Orleans Saints have team offices, indoor and outdoor practice fields and training areas at that facility.
Chiefs national reporter Steve Wyche served as NFL Network’s on-site correspondent on the ground on Monday.
Wyche highlighted five player performances:
• Jacksonville State running back Irv Mulligan Jr.: The SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) player of the year ran a 4.55 40-yard dash and showcased his ability to be a dual-threat running back, catching the football well.
• North Carolina Central wide receiver Joaquin Davis: Despite standing at 6 feet 4 and 190 pounds, Davis ran an eye-popping 4.44 40-yard dash and boasted a 40-inch vertical jump.
• Virginia Union running back Jada Byers: His 40-yard dash fell below expectations — but like Mulligan, he caught the ball well in various drills.
• Florida A&M defensive back Kendall Bohler: He ran a 4.5 40-yard dash while displaying good footwork and burst.
• Jackson State defensive back Robert McDaniel: The event’s highest-rated prospect, McDaniel had a 4.55 40-yard dash at 6 feet 2 and 213 pounds — and Wyche specficially mentioned him passing the eye test.
The HBCU Combine leads into the HBCU Legacy Bowl, which is set for this Saturday, February 22, at 3 p.m. Arrowhead Time. It will be broadcast on NFL Network.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his 15 and the Mahomies Foundation have partnered with the Legacy Bowl since 2021.
“Those guys have talent to make it to the NFL,” Mahomes told The Herald during Super Bowl week. “I want to give them the same opportunities that I received coming out. Being able to sponsor that event and showcase their talent is a little step that I can do in order to get some additional players in the league.”
Kansas City’s most recent HBCU selection was cornerback Joshua Williams, who was chosen out of Fayetteville State in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
