Assistant general manager Jeff Ireland and his scouting departing have a penchant for locating small-school draft prospects who become excellent contributors for the New Orleans Saints.
Over the years, while covering the HBCU scene, I noticed two 2023 NFL Draft prospects from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) that would be excellent linebackers for head coach Dennis Allen, defensive coordinator Joe Woods, and the New Orleans defense.
HBCU LINEBACKERS FOR SAINTS
Aubrey Miller Jr. - Jackson State
Miller is an outstanding linebacker from Jackson State. In 2021, he was one half of the highly productive tandem with teammate linebacker James Houston IV. Last season, the Lions selected Houston in the 6th round and he surprised the league with his eight sacks in seven-game appearances.
Aubrey Miller Jr. was the Jackson State defensive leader who helped the Tigers become the overall No. 1-ranked defense in the FCS for 2023. He's an intimidating and menacing figure at linebacker. The NFL Draft Bible says Miller is "an explosive thumper, bringing intent and passion to every tackle."
The linebacker is fearless in mixing it up amid the action and always has a sense for the ball. Demario Davis may consider hanging up his cleats in New Orleans in a few seasons. Miller could be a perfect choice to come in and supplant Davis with his similar style of play.
During the 2022 season, former head coach Deion Sanders told HBCU Legends about Miller:
"Aubrey is one of the guys that we hang our hats on in the middle of the defense; making calls, getting to the ball, flying around, and really setting the tone and the tempo. Not just on game day, but in practice as well. He's matured a lot. He's grown a lot. Still, you're going see some foolish penalties here and there. We could deal with that, we're not going to condone that, but we can deal with that. But the guy plays his heart out. He goes about his job really professionally and hard. He's going out there doing what we think he should be doing."
Miller's Profile
- 2022 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year
- 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl
- 2022 - Career-high 19 tackles versus Texas Southern; I was there in Houston; he was all over the field!
- 2022 - 106 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 forced fumbles
- 2021 - Led SWAC with 109 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Miller posted 7+ tackles in a game nine times, including three 10+ tackle games.
- 6-2, and 225 pounds
- Hometown: Memphis, TN
Projection: 4th to 6th round
- Pos: LB
- Ht: 5115
- Wt: 229
- Hand: 900
- Arm: 3048
- Wing: 7500
- 40: 4.96
- Hometown: Memphis, TN
- High School: Whitehaven
LB Claudin Cherelus - Alcorn State
I've watched him change the momentum of two SWAC games with his relentless pursuit of quarterbacks and running backs. His Pro Day stats may not "Wow" many, but his tape speaks volumes. Cherelus is a sideline-to-sideline type of linebacker with an uncanny ability to diagnose plays pre-snap. He also played in the HBCU Legacy Bowl (2 tackles) and participated at the HBCU Combine in New Orleans where the Saints had a first-hand look at the linebacker.
He will need to bulk up a bit in the NFL. His body of work and playing style is similar to Kwon Alexander. If you want a quick and decisive linebacker, Claudin Cherelus is the guy. NFL Draft Bible ranks him at No. 29 with the outside linebacking prospects in the upcoming draft. HBCU Legends ranks Cherelus in the Top-10 HBCU 2023 NFL Draft Prospects.
Cherelus' Profile
"6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker from Golden Gate, Florida, played middle linebacker for the Braves across his time in Lorman after transferring in from Massachusetts. Cherelus concluded the 2022 season ranked eighth in the SWAC for tackles for loss, despite missing a pair of games with an injury. Additionally, he was 10th overall in the league for total tackles.
The Golden Gate High alum registered 67 tackles across the 2022 season, including a team-leading 13.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He went on to add a team second-most six quarterback sacks for a loss of 39 yards to the opposition. He tallied double-figure tackles in games against Prairie View (15) and No. 5 Jackson State (12), respectfully."
Projection: 6th-7th Round, or Undrafted Free-Agent Rookie
- Ht: 6010
- Wt: 226
- Hand: 968
- Arm: 3178
- Wing: 7718
- 40: 4.7
- Hometown: Golden Gate, NV
- High School: Golden Gate
- Eligibility: 2023
Both players began at Division I schools before tranfering to have highly productive collegiate careers at HBCU football programs.
New Orleans would have time to groom either of these talented young players. Miller could be a late Day-2 draft choice, and Cherelus would be available on Day 3 or undrafted. Nevertheless, either player would be terrific Saints draft steals for two talented, hungry, and tenacious linebackers.
Saints Draft
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