3 prospects Colts fans should watch at HBCU Combine

The Indianapolis Colts may be a landing spot for some of the prospects at the HBCU combine.

NFL history is filled with many great talents from HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). From legends like Walter Payton and Jerry Rice to current players like Terron Armstead and Tarik Cohen, numerous professional stars played collegiately at HBCUs.

Unfortunately, with the rise of the Power Five Conferences partiality, many HBCU players started getting overlooked. For years, they didn’t get the level of exposure that their talent may have merited.

There’s currently a massive movement taking place to change that. Part of that movement is the HBCU Combine. Hosted by the NFL and Reese’s Senior Bowl, the HBCU Combine will take place January 28-30, in Mobile, Alabama.

The combine has an invited list of players from HBCUs and the format will mirror the official NFL combine. Players will receive mentoring, interview with franchises, and do on-field tests.

There are some prospects who could be a good fit for the Indianapolis Colts. Indy currently has two players from HBCUs on its roster, Grover Stewart, and Darius Leonard, one of the league’s best current examples of the talent that can be found at HBCUs.

The activities won’t be as televised as the March combine, but NFL Network will have cameras on-site, televising portions of the events over the weekend.

Here are 3 prospects the Colts should keep an eye on.

Colts should watch DL Keyshawn James at HBCU Combine

Indianapolis has had success drafting two other HBCU defenders in Leonard and Stewart, and Keyshawn James could be another name that Indy targets.

James is a 6-foot-3, 280-pound defensive lineman from Fayetteville State that has worked on the edge and as an interior defensive lineman.

In his four years at Fayetteville State, James played in 40 games and recorded 228 tackles, 60.5 tackles for loss, 29.5 sacks, and 11 forced fumbles.

Earning several accolades, James demonstrated an explosive first step with speed and power to consistently be disruptive in opposing teams’ backfields.

If James can translate these skills to the next level he would be great for Indianapolis. The Colts have been searching for playmaking defensive lineman for years and general manager, Chris Ballard, stated that is something that needs to be addressed this offseason.