Super Bowl hero, Jacoby Jones, Lane College is one of six HBCU Classics on the Ravens roster

 

Yet, an interesting paradox exists; players selected in the 8^th round will troll for minimum wage for years before receiving equitable pay.  Those lost wages will rarely be recouped despite an “undrafted free agent” raising his stock; while high pick after high pick fizzles out.  An inverse financial relationship exists between the player selected too high and the “overachieving” undrafted free agent’s value, highlighting an imperfect talent evaluation process, which is costly to HBCU Classics.

However, with over 800 NCAA football teams playing each football weekend, NFL scouts cannot attend or review all games or draft eligible players.  In 2012, the NFL instituted regional scouting combines, in addition to the annual NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, and campus Pro Days, allowing many more players to showcase their skill set.  In order to maintain performance-pay equilibrium, it is incumbent to cast a wider net.  Even then, it is still very difficult to forecast “future” player performance, due to the inherent “intangibles” that separate great players from the good.

So, after 3 days, 7 rounds, and over 200 player selections, why is the “8^th round” or undrafted free agency such a big deal?       

Well, as of April 2013, there were at least 50 HBCU Classics on NFL rosters, including practice squads, with over 90% entering the league as “undrafted free agents”.  Moreover, 10% of the Pro Football Hall of Fame are HBCU Classics and most were taken in the 8^th round.

NFL Career Sack Leader, Michael Strahan, New York Giants, Texas Southern Tigers is an HBCU Classic.

Coincidentally, the 2012 NFL Champion Baltimore Ravens have the most HBCU Classics currently on their roster, including Super Bowl hero, Jacoby Jones – apparently, General Manager, Ozzie Newsome knows something.