TSU is the ONLY HBCU to have Football Players Drafted!!!

Tennessee State University, known as The Big Blue to its fans, won its 12th Black College Football National Championship in the 2013 season. They can now celebrate for another reason – the school was the only HBCU to have its athletes selected in this year’s NFL Draft.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers chose four-year starting guard Kadeem Edwards in the fifth round as the 143rd player picked overall. The St. Louis Rams chose center Demetrius Rhaney in the seventh round, the 250th player taken.

“This is huge for the university,’’ Tennessee State coach Rod Reed said. “It’s not often that an HBCU gets this kind of notoriety. I can’t remember the last time an HBCU had two players drafted – not only an HBCU but an FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) school. This is a great day for Black college football and around Tennessee State.’’

Two other Big Blue mainstays, tight end A. C. Leonard and free safety David Van Dyke, signed free agent deals within hours of the draft end on Saturday.

Edwards, 6-4, 313 pounds, and Rhaney, 6-2, 301 pounds, anchored the offensive line for Tennessee State as the Big Blue advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs for the first time since 1999.

Edwards was a 2013 All-American and the Tigers’ Offensive MVP. In addition to being named All-OVC for the third consecutive year.

Edwards played in the Senior Bowl All-Star Game in January and more than held his own against athletes from more high profile schools. His draft stock rose when he impressed scouts and personnel executives at the NFL Draft Combine in February.

He ran a 5.25-second 40-yard dash and did 26 reps at 225 pounds in the bench press. His 34 ? inch arms were the longest at the combine and make him well-suited for pass blocking.

“He’s a great run blocker,’’ Reed said. “But he’s also a good all-round lineman.’’

Edwards excelled in the classroom as well as on the football field. He graduated cum laude in December with a degree in Health and Human Performance after struggling initially to become academically eligible. He was a part-time student and held down a job his first year at Tennessee State.