It's been an exciting All-Star cycle, with dozens of prospects climbing the rankings of teams' draft boards while new prospects look to stake their own claim among the selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. To close us out, Gems heads to New Orleans where the HBCU Legacy Bowl, presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame takes place. In only its second year, the HBCU Legacy Bowl is an opportunity for the star players of America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities to compete in an All-Star format with NFL talent evaluators on the sidelines. This game gives these talented young men a chance to get exposure to major competition and coaching that they may not get to see on a regular basis during their respective regular seasons.

This bowl game goes beyond just football though, as over 1,500 non-student-athletes from HBCUs in addition to the coaches and players attended a job and internship fair that even included the NFL and its teams looking to hire young professionals right out of college into the workforce. Coaches and players attended seminars to prepare them for life in the professional leagues as well as life after it; equipping young men and women for success and hopefully influencing future generations as well.

This year should be of special note for Green Bay fans, as Elijah Pitts was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame during halftime. Pitts was an alumnus of Philander Smith in Arkansas and went on to be drafted in the 13th Round of the 1961 NFL Draft. He would go on to play 10 years for the Packers; backing up Paul Hornung while being a special teams captain for Vince Lombardi. Pitts would go on to be a member of all five of Vince Lombardi's championship teams, even scoring two touchdowns in Super Bowl I. 

While it was a low-scoring affair as Team Robinson triumphed over Team Gaither 10-3, this game was almost never without action. Players from both teams were hungry to make a play on every down. The action was never really dull. With all the hard work put on the field that day in New Orleans, Gems found a few stones that appeared to shine more than most. Here are your Jewels of the HBCU Legacy Bowl.

Jalen Fowler, QB - North Carolina A&T

Fowler was far and away the best Quarterback in New Orleans, and he did it with a relentless pass rush consistently in his face. Fowler went 12 of 13 for 111 yards. Fowler has some dual-threat appeal but I love that he's not afraid to stand in there and make the throw. He pretty much had to extend the play with his legs every time but he still had his eyes downfield looking to make the throw, and every time but once he made that throw, while under constant pressure nonetheless. With adequate size at 6'3, 230lbs I'm not saying Fowler will perform the same in the pros, but it's certainly a good starting point.

Is Fowler a fit for the Packers?

Fowler has a decent projection for the pro game with some decent investment from his eventual team. The poise in the pocket and the mobility are certainly there. The main thing like many college quarterbacks is getting used to getting under center, although it was favorable to see him handle RPO concepts when lined up in the gun. Fowler's arm on tape looks sufficient and good deep ball accuracy goes along with it but I'd like to see more of how he does in the middle of the field. Another plus is that his accuracy doesn't seem to drop too much(if at all) when throwing on the run. Based on the tape, I don't see any glaring weaknesses that say he couldn't run a pro-style offense; any limitations would be from more of a mental standpoint than a physical one. Can Jalen Fowler run the Packers' offense? With some additional development, I don't see why not.

Value?

The Big South Conference has been known to send some stellar players to the NFL (Rashad Jennings, Miles Austin, Janoris Jenkins) so I'm sure Fowler's name has made its paces through NFL scouting circles, but how much I'm not sure. Fowler has some upside and I expect him to be on an NFL practice squad if he doesn't hear his name called. I'm placing a 7th Round Grade on him.

Tyler King, RB - Edward Waters

Edward Waters University has come a long way in such a short time and athletes like Tyler King are the reason. King haD a couple good runs during the game but it was his work on passing downs that really caught some eyes in New Orleans. King proved a reliable check-down option and a dangerous weapon in the spring game. King also got the opportunity to return some kicks and looked pretty good as well too. It's plausible King could find his way to an NFL roster by either what he can do for an offense or what he can do on special teams. If he can put a little bit more weight on his 6'0 frame without sacrificing the explosiveness he displayed at the HBCU Combine, he might find himself a sneaky selection on Day 3.

Is King a fit for the Packers?

With Keisean Nixon a free agent, King would be an immediate fixture on special teams, being able to field both kickoffs and punts. I'd like a little bit more heft for every down back duty but King certainly figures as a change of pace back who you try to work outside and see how many guys he can run right by. At 6'0, it might not even be a bad idea to trot him out into the slot on occasion if you're short on depth, he can definitely handle it. With RB often one of the easier transitions to the NFL, King can find a home in the Packers' backfield.

Value?

Without speed and quickness, better than good value with catching passes out of the backfield, and the ability to be a returner, King has a solid 6th Round Grade. With an additional year or two in an NFL weight training program, he could get the extra bulk to be an every-down back. But even if he doesn't Tyler King can be an NFL returner for years to come.

Xavier Smith, WR - Florida A&M

The Rattlers' WR stole the show at the HBCU Combine, with some NFL talent evaluators mentioning they wished he had gotten an invite to Indianapolis. Once it came time to put the pads on, he proved that he wasn't just a workout warrior. Smith had a good kick return and then proceeded to catch balls at all levels of the field, including getting behind the defense for the game's only touchdown(final stat line 6-85-1). Spending 4 years down in Tallahassee, Smith racked up over 3,500 yards receiving and 29 touchdowns (Smith both threw for and ran for 2 others). Smith earned First Team All-SWAC this year with 87 catches for 1,021 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Is Smith a fit for the Packers?

When a guy runs 4.38, you find a way to get him the ball. Smith was the fastest guy on the field and when he gets to top speed it's likely a house call. If he can get the ball in the NFL, it could likely be the same. We had a taste of what Smith might be able to do in the season opener when FAMU faced off against UNC when Smith posted a 10-78-0 stat line, so I believe the transition to the NFL isn't as hard as it might seem, especially when FAMU has been on the rise as of late. Smith will find a way onto somebody's roster if nothing more than a returner, while they refine his release package so that he can produce mightily from the slot. Even at 5'10, I wouldn't mind giving Smith a chance on the perimeter, especially against a defense that primarily runs zone, if the safety doesn't account, it's probably a TD or a chunk play due to either Smith coming down with it or a pass interference call. With Aaron Rodgers' deadly hard count, it's not hard to imagine him taking the free play and just chucking it to Smith and seeing what unfolds. From Day 1 Xavier Smith will be one of the fastest receivers in the NFL, there's not an offense coaches won't try to fit him in.

Value?

The tape is not hard to follow, and with official Combine scores already in, a number of teams are already in love with Smith. With production against FBS teams (UNC, USF, Troy, UCF), the translation is definitely there. Xavier Smith should hear his name called in the 5th Round.

Jayden Thomas, WR - Benedict

Thomas made up the other half of Team Robinson's aerial attack and kept the defense of Team Gaither honest. A last-minute call-up to the game, Jayden made the best of his opportunity with 2 contested catches, including one for a 33-yard gain. Jayden had a solid week in practice, showing he had a decent release package and the ability to battle with corners on the boundary. He's got ideal size at 6'2, 200lbs to line up on the outside in the pros. I;d like to see a little bit more wiggle to his game but as it sits he's got a good set of tangibles and tools to work with from the get-go.

Is Thomas a fit for the Packers?

Based on his ability to win against man coverage, I like Thomas as an "X" receiver in the NFL. He seems to have adequate strength to defeat the jam and I've seen some tape of a somewhat varied route tree at the middle and deepest levels of the field. If he can take that aggression he uses on contested catches and applies it to stalk blocking, that could be of some real value in Green Bay's offense. Thomas does have some special teams experience, although minimal, it it something worth of note.

Value?

I want to see more tape, but I could only find so much. If I was Thomas' agent, I'd find a way to a Pro Day in South Carolina, whether it's down the street to the Gamecocks or a few hours down the road to Clemson, and see if he can get in front of more scouts. I think Thomas is draftable but without more tape, I'd say 7th Round for now.

Myles Wright, LS/TE - Morgan State

Myles Wright was probably the most intriguing story during the Legacy Bowl, as he came there to be a Long Snapper. Then, and I don't know how this occurred....somehow he found himself running routes(I'm going to attribute this to some NFL scout whispering in his ear). But when he ran routes in practice, he looked good! Then he got in the game....and he looked good there too! Myles Wright found himself in the right place at the right time, as Jalen Fowler was running for his life back there with the offensive line constantly being pushed around, and Wright would swoop in to save the day with his soft hands. I believe all but one of his catches resulted in a first down. I'm surprised Team Gaither didn't try to feature him in the second half because he definitely made his mark out there on the field.

Is Wright a fit for the Packers?

At first, I was going to snub Wright on this list, because I wasn't sure if he had the length for the Packers, he'd be the second-shortest TE on the roster at 6'3, 245lbs. Josiah Deguara is slightly smaller at 6'2, 238 lbs, but in my opinion, Deguara is just a glorified Fullback. But with Wright's additional length and weight, he might be able to provide some real push on the offensive line. As a Long Snapper he's got some plusses there as he's used to be along the line, and then the fact that he was a Long Snapper means he could potentially take up two roster spots which frees up a roster for a position elsewhere. We only have two TEs to stereotype in the Brian Gutekunst era, Deguara and Jace Sternberger, but both were used in different ways....could Wright be a hybrid of both? It's possible, so I'll describe Wright as an adequate fit in the Packers' offense.

Value?

Wright could find himself on a roster as a LS, TE, or both depending on what scouts make of his performance during the game. Since he was a LS for his college career, I'm going to say Wright is a priority UDFA that some coaching staff can stash and possibly unearth a real find if they can further develop his skills as a future "Y" Tight End.

Brandon Gaddy, DL - Alabama State

Gaddy provided consistent pressure during the game for Team Gaither, I have him logging 4+ pressures during the Legacy Bowl. Gaddy was 3-star recruit initially out of high school and originally committed to Tennessee with offers from Florida, Alabama, and Clemson before de-committing and signing with Maryland. After a couple of years he would go on to transfer to Alabama State where he would anchor the defensive line, registering 52 tackles his Senior year. Gaddy impressed the scouts doing somersaults and backflips with a 6'3, 290lbs frame, a testament to his athleticism and explosiveness. Gaddy flashed some outstanding short-area quickness and burst off the snap, creating problems for offensive linemen who were either slow to get into their blocks or tardy on their pulls. 

Is Gaddy a fit for the Packers?

With the athleticism, I'm projecting Gaddy as a 3-technique with the ability to play 4i. Gaddy was a force in the SWAC, but he'll face larger offensive linemen with athleticism similar to what he possesses. So it's a question of whether he'll succeed against a higher-caliber player. The Packers should continue to swing the proverbial bat at finding guys who can collapse the pocket from the edge, and not just from the outside linebacker position either. Gaddy provides a fit on the Packers' defensive line if he can acclimate to the NFL level of play.

Value?

I like the production, the testing was pretty good too. Gaddy could be a nice stash who could be a great reserve and spot starter for an NFL team someday. I could see him coming off the board in the 7th Round.

Joshua Pryor, EDGE - Bowie State

For those who've played this game, have you ever lined up across someone and said to yourself, "why try"? That person you hate to see was Joshua Pryor down in New Orleans. Pryor on the first drive of the game pretty much blew up the entire right side of the offensive line almost singlehandedly. It was beautiful, like those Youtube videos where the guy has 10,000 dominoes all lined up and you watch them seamlessly fall down. Pryor did a "hulk", and then he did a "smash", and the ball carrier went down in the backfield when the defense closed in. Pryor had an outstanding combine and didn't have to show much in the game to prove he was the real deal as he racked up 2 sacks and 2 tackles for loss in the first half and contributed to several other plays where the defense of Team Gaither stalled the offense of Team Robinson.

Is Pryor a fit for the Packers?

Do the Packers need edge rushers? Yes! One good thing about Pryor is you can pretty much put him where you want him. His senior season he played at 6'5, 255lbs, but 2 years ago he played closer to 280lbs. So we know his frame can take on more weight and play along the line. I probably wouldn't want him at 280lbs, but if I could get him to 265lbs with the same explosion, I'd let him rotate into the OLB group and let him make plays against the run and the pass. From a personal scouting perspective, I don't really believe in drafting "specialists" in an odd front, and Pryor is a universal fit against the run and pass as he can convert speed to power, and he's got a decent swim move as well. If we can get a better club/chop, spin, or maybe the legendary hump move of Reggie White fame, he'd be a complete edge rusher.

Value?

Pryor was pretty special in the SWAC, and I believe he definitely has the tools to find success at the next level, it's really just a question of how far he can climb. I sense a 6th Round Grade for Pryor as good edge rushers are hard to find, and most teams believe you can never have too many. 

Camron Peterson, EDGE - Southern

If there was someone on defense who I can credit Team Robinson with the win opposite Xavier Smith on offense, it would be Camron Peterson. The 6'5, 270lb defensive lineman was a stat sheet stuffer during the Legacy Bowl, registering 6 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup. I mean the guy just literally did it all and affected every part of the game. If the ball was within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage Peterson was in on the action, if not making the tackle on his own. When Jaylen Fowler was rolling out trying to extend the play, Peterson was a steady reminder that he didn't have as much time as he thought he did. Peterson was even the reason some running backs for Team Gaither went from having positive yards to negative on the stat sheet. 

Is Peterson a fit for the Packers?

Like Pryor before him, I'm going to project Peterson as an OLB/DE(5-Tech) at the next level. He's already got the measureables you want for the pros, and if I can put maybe another 5 lbs of muscle on him for increased dominance I'd be good with that too. The Packers need edge rushers, and while I do expect a premium pick in the Draft to go toward one, I do expect some Day 3 shots as well. Peterson is ready-made to get after the QB early on as he develops additional tools to stop the run, as I think he's probably a few steps behind in that department as he looks to move up to the NFL.

Value?

Peterson should be another strong candidate to compete for reserve snaps in an edge rusher rotation sooner rather than later. I do believe there's still some untapped potential if NFL coaches can dig into it. Peterson should expect to hear his name called in the 6th Round.

Jai Nunn-Liddell, CB - Kentucky State

I have to give credit to the scouts who brought guys like Nunn-Liddell to the Legacy Bowl, there's no way I would have found him on my own. But he screams NFL CB when you see the little bit of tape available. Jai originally committed to Troy, before transferring to Bowling Green and then Kentucky State. A former wide receiver, Nunn-Liddell reminds me of Richard Sherman in that he understands exactly what the WR is trying to do, and with that IQ, he can position himself to make the play. Nunn-Liddell provided sticky coverage all game despite giving up a few catches but he made them earn them all the way to the ground. At 6'3, 200lbs Jai has the length that NFL coaches yearn for, and he makes excellent use of his body. Nunn-Liddell was looking to punish any ballcarrier in his path, and made some solid hits on the ball on defense and on special teams. 

Is Nunn-Liddell a fit for the Packers?

While not a seemingly "must-have" like with the WR position, the Packers do like to have a little bit of length at the CB position with ball skills to boot. Jai Nunn-Liddell certainly checks those boxes as a former WR who's 6'3. Nunn-Liddell is able to challenge any WR on the field and he showed good hips during the game to be able to turn with WRs breaking on the routes with the IQ to not fall for double moves. Jai will get in a guy's face too and redirect them at the line of scrimmage in a press-man alignment. While we may have some issues with the current calls on the Packers' defensive scheme, Nunn-Liddell is a perfect fit in all they hope to be.

Value?

There's very little on Nunn-Liddell for his career, so he's probably a niche in the scouting circles. It is my hope he gets a Training Camp invite somewhere, but I can't say with any certainty that he'll hear his name called Day 3. Despite this, Jai Nunn-Liddell has earned the right to an opportunity on an NFL team as an UDFA.

The Nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities have contributed over 1,000 athletes to the NFL's ranks, with 34 making it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. These players look to continue that tradition and pave the way for their programs to be looked at as eventual surefire pipelines to the NFL. The HBCU Legacy Bowl pays homage to those pioneers who started that tradition while promoting an atmosphere of fellowship, brotherhood, achievement, and academic excellence that goes beyond the gridiron. Regardless of their exploits on the field, for the participants as well as those who contributed to the production of this hallowed game, to this column, you are all Gems.

#GPG