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Former HBCU standout quickly rising up boards following impressive showing at 2025 Reese’s Senior and Scouting Combine

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ryan Roberts | Last updated Mar 8, 2025 4:31 PM ET

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) have had a proud tradition of producing a lot of NFL talent. You can’t write the history of the NFL without players like Walter Payton, Jerry Rice, Deacon Jones, Aeneas Williams, Michael Strahan, Shannon Sharpe, Mel Blount, John Stallworth, Art Shell, Jackie Slater, Richard Dent, Steve McNair, and Doug Williams. The list goes on and on.

In the 2025 NFL Draft class, we will once again get some talent coming from the HBCU ranks. The player that stands the best chance of getting drafted, and earliest, is former Alabama A&M offensive tackle Carson Vinson. He is fresh off of invites to the Reese’s Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine.

Coming from an HBCU program means a lot to Vinson. The 6-7, 314-pound blindside protector shared his blessings with the media at the Combine. He clearly understands the proud history, and how fortune he is to be in this position.

Former Alabama A&M OT Carson Vinson on continuing the HBCU legacy ⁦@AtoZSportsNFL⁩ pic.twitter.com/LPTxzY0ZNU
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) March 1, 2025

“I just thank God through it all,” Vinson explained. “There is a rich history of a lot of HBCU talent in the NFL. Going through the steps to try and get there is a blessing in itself. When those guys talk to me, I just soak up information and take as much information as I can, and do the best that I can.”

Vinson continued to go even more in depth on his experience down in Mobile. Having played his college football in the state of Alabama, it was a very proud moment. Once again, he’s extremely grateful for that opportunity.

Former Alabama A&M OT Carson Vinson on his experience competing at the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl ⁦@AtoZSportsNFL⁩ pic.twitter.com/lDul3vi4Um
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) March 1, 2025

“It was a blessing,” said Vinson. “It was a blessing to put my talents on that stage. That’s what a lot of scouts and media people wanted to see me competing on that level. Having a strong showing is my standard. That’s what I knew I was going to go down there and do. I really feel like I was a voice for a lot of guys who feel like they also should have been there because they should have. It’s a blessing for me to be here.”

Vinson is being projected currently as a mid to late round draft pick once April comes around. NFL teams value his combination of length and athleticism, as well as the upside he possesses. Vinson will have a chance to hopefully join that list of proud HBU success stories in the NFL.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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