Y’all ready for Super Bowl Sunday?! We sure are!
And given that it’s Black History Month, of course we’re going to first wish our good brother Usher the best of luck on his anticipated 15-minute half-time performance.
We also want to highlight the HBCU alum star players and coaches who will be featured in this weekend’s matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.
Here is this year’s Super Bowl HBCU Alum Lineup
1. Joshua Williams, Cornerback for Kansas City Chiefs | From Fayetteville State University
In 2022, Williams became the first NFL draftee from Fayetteville State University since 1976. As an FSU Bronco, he primarily played nickel cornerback as a freshman. He later moved to outside corner before his sophomore year and wrapped the season with 32 tackles, one tackle for loss, 11 passes defended, and two interceptions.
In his senior year, Williams had 31 tackles with nine passes defended and three interceptions, one of which he returned 32 yards for a touchdown, and was named first-team in the All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Williams also played in the 2022 Senior Bowl and participated in the 2022 NFL Combine.
2. Bryan Cook, Football Safety for Kansas City Chiefs (Injury Reserve) | From Howard University
Cook began his collegiate football career with Howard Bison. He played in over 20 games as cornerback for two seasons with Howard and had 93 tackles, five tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries, with 17 passes defended and five interceptions.
After his sophomore season, Cook entered the NCAA transfer portal and transferred to continue his collegiate career at University of Cincinnati, where he transitioned from cornerback to safety.
Cook is currently on injury reserve from an ankle injury during Week 13 of the Chiefs 2023 season.
3. Javon Hargrave, Defensive Tackle for San Francisco 49ers | South Carolina State University
Hargrave attended South Carolina State University in 2011 where he redshirted as a true freshman. As a redshirt freshman in 2012, he finished with 45 tackles and 4.5 tackles for a loss. The following season, he collected 12.5 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks.
In 2014, he tied an Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) record after finishing with a total of 6 sacks against Bethune-Cookman. He finished third among the FCS with 16 sacks as a junior in 2014 and was named a First-team in the All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
Hargrave finished his last season with South Carolina State with 45 solo tackles, 59 total tackles, 22 tackles for losses, 13.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. For the second consecutive season he was named a First-team All-MEAC.
4. Steve Wilks, Defensive Coordinator for San Francisco 49ers | From Savannah State University & Johnson C. Smith University
Wilks began his football coaching career in 1995 as defensive coordinator for Johnson C. Smith University. He served with Golden Bulls until 1996.
The following year, Wilks joined Savannah State University in the same role until 1998. He was later promoted to Head football coach for one season, compiling a record of 5-6.
After serving in various roles such as defensive coordinator, defensive backs coach, and assistant head coach across multiple NFL teams, Wilks joined the San Francisco 49ers in March 2023.
5. Terry Bradden Jr., Assistant Defensive Line Coach for Kansas City Chiefs | From Howard University & Tuskegee University (Player), & Bethune-Cookman University (Coach Assistant)
Bradden began his collegiate football career as a quarterback. He spent his first two years as a Howard University Bison from 2009-2011, before transferring to Tuskegee University, where he graduated.
Prior to joining the chiefs in 2017, Bradden served with the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats as a Quarterback Graduate Assistant. In 2017 when the NFL invited B-CU’s staff to help out with the Pro Bowl in Orlando, Bradden met Emmitt Thomas, a Hall of Fame cornerback and then the Chiefs’ defensive back coach.
Six years and one Super Bowl championship later, Bradden is now the assistant defensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Wishing the best of luck to everyone Black. Happy Super Bowl!
