On Saturday, February 21st, the fifth annual Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl delivered its most competitive and highest-scoring matchup to date at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. Team Gaither edged Team Robinson 27–23 in a thrilling four-quarter contest that featured a combined 50 points and 619 total yards. The nationally televised postseason showcase aired on the NFL Network, providing a national platform for the top NFL draft-eligible student-athletes from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Founded by Super Bowl MVP quarterback Doug Williams and former NFL quarterback and executive James Harris, the Legacy Bowl was created to increase professional exposure for HBCU football players. In addition to the game itself, the week includes practices,
measurements, interviews, and networking opportunities with NFL scouts and personnel, making it one of the premier postseason events for HBCU prospects.
Alcorn State University was strongly represented in this year’s event, sending four student-athletes to participate. Reggie Davis (Running Back), TraMel Brown (Offensive Line), and Stemarion Edwards (Linebacker) suited up for Team Robinson, which featured players from
the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). JaCorian Sewell (Running Back) represented Team Gaither, which was comprised of standouts from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).
The contest opened with both teams trading touchdowns and settled into a 13–13 tie at halftime. Offense was on full display throughout the afternoon, as 15 passing plays went for 15 or more yards and nine rushing plays gained at least 10 yards. However, it was Team Gaither’s defense that ultimately shifted momentum in the second half.
North Carolina A&T cornerback Aaron Harris delivered a pivotal play in the third quarter, jumping a route and returning an interception to the one-yard line to set up a go-ahead score. Later, key defensive stands in the final minutes, including a fourth-down stop and a strip sack in the closing seconds, sealed the 27–23 victory. Team Gaither swept the game’s top honors. JaQuan Kelly of Winston-Salem State earned
Offensive MVP after rushing for 76 yards and two touchdowns, including the eventual game-winning score. Defensively, Michael Lunz II of South Carolina State was named Defensive MVP after recording 1.5 sacks and consistently disrupting the backfield throughout
the afternoon.
The 2026 Legacy Bowl edition further emphasized the depth of talent across HBCU football.
