Two South Carolina State standouts, who led the Bulldogs to a 35-7 win over Arkansas – Pine Bluff in the 2015 MEAC/SWAC Challenge, were selected in the 2016 National Football League Draft.
All-American defensive lineman and 2015 MEAC/SWAC Challenge Most Valuable Player Javon Hargrave was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round, #89 overall. The 6-1, 309 pound Salisbury, NC native was the first player selected from an (HBCU) Historically Black College in this year’s draft, and was pegged by many pre-NFL draft websites as one of the top defensive lineman in the country in FCS/ I-AA. In the 2015 Challenge, Hargrave posted 7 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. For more, see South Carolina State’s official release.
All-American tight end Temarrick Hemingway was selected by the Los Angeles Rams, formerly of St. Louis, in the sixth round, #177 overall. The 6-foot-5, 244-pound Loris, S.C. native was the third player drafted from an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) in the 2016 draft. Hemingway was named to the All-MEAC team twice during his career and earned SBN All-American honors in 2015. In the 2015 Challenge, he logged 2 catches for 33 yards. For more, see South Carolina State’s official release.
Hargrave and Hemingway join seven previous alumni of the event who were selected in the NFL Draft:
2006
Tarvaris Jackson (Alabama State)
2007
Justin Durant (Hampton)
Michael Coe (Alabama State)
2008
Kendall Langford (Hampton)
2010
Phillip Adams (South Carolina State)
2011
Johnny Culbreath (South Carolina State)
Curtis Holcomb (Florida A&M)
