(This story was updated with new information)
Several members of Jackson State football 's graduating class hope to continue their football careers professionally.
The first step for five of those players is participating in the HBCU Legacy Bowl at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans on Feb. 21 (3 p.m. CT, NFL Network).
Quarterback JaCobian Morgan, running back Donerio Davenport , offensive lineman D'Andre Townes-Blue, defensive lineman Quincy Ivory and linebacker Reid Pulliam will team up one final time on Team Robinson to try to raise their profile as NFL prospects.
Ivory is the Tigers' most prominent prospect. He was named SWAC Newcomer and Defensive Player of the Year . He was fourth in the conference with six sacks and 14 tackles for loss. His 71 total tackles ranked him second among JSU players. He also forced two fumbles, made one interception and recovered on fumble.
Pulliam was a first-team All-SWAC selection. He led the team with 74 tackles, ranking 15th in the SWAC. He also added 10 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He broke up two passes and forced and recovered a fumble.
Morgan was selected for the HBCU Legacy Bowl despite missing five games because of a foot injury. He threw for 1,187 yards and 11 touchdowns with two interceptions while completing 60.1% of his passes. He also rushed for 293 yards and three touchdowns on 42 attempts.
Davenport rushed for the second-most yards for JSU in 2025. He totaled 663 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns on 102 carries. His 6.5 yards per carry led the team's running back group. He also caught nine passes for 54 yards.
Townes-Blue started 10 games this season at left guard. He is a two-time first-team All-SWAC selection.
Jackson State 's Sonic Boom of the South marching band will play the halftime show.
The HBCU Legacy Bowl is an all-star showcase for the top draft-eligible HBCU players. It is similar to the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl. It gives HBCU football players a chance to be evaluated by NFL scouts before the NFL Draft April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
The HBCU Legacy Bowl is presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame , and it was first played in 2022. Broadcasters for this year's game on NFL network are Steve Wyche, Bucky Brooks, Charles Davis and Sherree Burruss.
Team Robinson, named after former Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson, will be coached by Prairie View A&M 's Tremaine Jackson and former Albany State coach Quinn Gray, who was hired by Florida A&M this offseason.
Team Gaither, named after former FAMU coach Jake Gaither, will be coached by South Carolina State's Chennis Berry and Johnson C. Smith's Maurice Flowers.
Each coach won their respective conference championship in one of the four HBCU football conferences in Divisions I and II.
Players from the SWAC and SIAC will play for team Robinson, and players from the MEAC and CIAA will play for Team Gaither.
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X @tiareid65 .
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: 5 Jackson State football players chosen for HBCU Legacy Bowl
