South Carolina HBCU Sports This Week

**4 BLACK STUDENTS FROM HBCUS HAVE BEEN DRAFTED TO PLAY IN THE NFL**

The first HBCU player selected in the 2022 NFL Draft was Fayetteville State cornerback Joshua Williams. Kansas City Chiefs selected Williams, who stands 6-foot-3, with the 135th pick overall in the 4th round.

Secondly, South Carolina State cornerback Decobie Durant, who was awarded MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the 142nd pick overall in the 4th round.

Thirdly, Jackson State outside linebacker James Houston IV, who was earned Newcomer of the Year, was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 217th pick overall in the 6th round.

Finally, Southern offensive lineman Ja’Tyre Carter, who has shown great blocking skills, was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 226th pick overall in the 7th round.

Meanwhile, former NFL star Deion Sanders, who is now Jackson State football coach, expressed his happiness with the recent draft.

“Let’s go, NFL. HBCUs! Everybody that has anything to do with an HBCU, you should be shouting right now and dancing. As a matter of fact, hit the organ right now,” he said in an Instagram video he posted.

**Lake Named To SIAC All-Tournament Softball Team**

ALBANY, Ga. – Benedict freshman second baseman T'Yannah Lake was named to the SIAC All-Tournament Softball Team.
Lake went 5-for-12 (.417) at the plate for the Lady Tigers in the tournament with four RBIs and three runs scored. She went 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs in the opening game against Kentucky State. She went 2-for-4 with an RBI against Albany State.

**David Wright III Tabbed Top-20 HBCU QB Entering The 2022 Season**

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Rising Sophomore David Wright III has been named the eighth best HBCU quarterback in the nation entering the 2022 season, as announced by the College Football Network Monday evening.

Wright III, a product of Tampa, Fla., enjoyed a stellar freshman campaign as he threw for 2,591 yards and 24 touchdowns, while rushing for 370 yards.

Led by Wright III, Allen's offense ranked first in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and 28th in Division II last season.

Wright III's 2021 campaign was highlighted by his performance against Central State as the star quarterback threw for 455 yards and four touchdowns in a 46-34 victory over the Marauders.

Coming in at number eight, Wright III was the highest ranked Division II quarterback of the 20 quarterbacks that made the list.

Allen will open it's 2022 slate on Sept. 3 when the Yellow Jackets travel to face in-state foe Newberry.