Home Local Sports ‘My dream is coming true:’ Hunt accepts invitation to HBCU Legacy Bowl

‘My dream is coming true:’ Hunt accepts invitation to HBCU Legacy Bowl

Devon Hunt, pictured here during a game for Shaw University, will play in the HBCU Legacy Bowl in New Orleans in February.
Contributed photo by Shaw Athletics/Donald Watkins.

 

RALEIGH — Devon Hunt will get the opportunity to showcase his football talents on national television in February.

This week, the former Richmond Senior High School standout and current Shaw University star linebacker accepted an invitation to play in the HBCU Legacy Bowl in New Orleans.

Presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame, the HBCU Legacy Bowl is “a postseason all-star game showcasing the best NFL draft-eligible football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” according to its website.

To be played on Feb. 19, 2022, at Yulman Stadium on the campus of Tulane University, the HBCU Legacy Bowl will be broadcast on the NFL Network. 

The website also states, “More than a football game, the week-long celebration of Black culture and history will provide invaluable exposure and opportunity for HBCU football players.”

Ever since his playing days at Raider Stadium, Hunt, who graduated from Richmond in 2016, has had his eyes set on competing at the highest level — and the HBCU Legacy Bowl is another step closer to achieving that dream.

“When I saw what it was, I thought ‘wow, this is a pretty big deal,” Hunt said. “It’s also shocking because a lot of people say they’re going to go for the dream of playing in the NFL, and now my dream is coming true.

“Not many people even get this opportunity,” he added. “It’s a lot to take in, but I’m really proud of myself and proud of everyone who has pushed me.”

The HBCU Legacy Bowl has released just five total players for February’s game at the time of publication, and Hunt is currently the only Division II player on the roster, and the only defensive player. 

Jah-Maine Martin, a running back from North Carolina A&T, will also represent North Carolina.

“It feels good knowing that I’m on the roster with guys who are big-time players from bigger schools,” Hunt explained. “I can’t wait to showcase my talents and prove what I can do against other guys who are chasing the dream.”

Hunt added that it’s “very exciting” to play in an HBCU postseason all-star game because “a lot of great athletes come from HBCUs and are often looked down on a little bit because we’re not from top schools.”

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During his junior season in 2019, Hunt became the Bears’ all-time leading tackler in an early-season game against Mars Hill University. He still sits atop the list with 334 career tackles (previous record was 277), and has added 39.5 career tackles for loss.

To date, his junior campaign was his most successful, which included being named the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s Defensive Player of the Year and a spot on the First Team All-CIAA roster.

At the start of the 2019 season, a torn labrum in his left shoulder medically redshirted Hunt after three games.  That, coupled with the loss of the 2020 season because of the global pandemic, allowed him to focus on starting his master’s degree in education.

Through four games this fall as a graduate student, Hunt leads the Bears with 37 tackles (9.3 per game), 20 tackles more than any of his teammates. He’s added two tackles for lost yardage and has two pass breakups. 

“Every day I keep working to get better and better,” Hunt explained. “I can’t stop now, and my shoulder is feeling good.

“Getting a chance to play in the HBCU Legacy Bowl is going to elevate my chances of making it to the NFL,” he continued. “I’ll be playing with the best of the best in HBCU football, and I hope it will help scouts know that I can play pretty good against higher competition.”

With the game still five months away, Hunt said he wants to continue recording double-digit tackles in games and boost his interception total. During the HBCU Legacy Bowl, Hunt said he wants to be the game’s leading tackler and “stand out over everyone.”

Prior to the pandemic, scouts from the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders showed interest in Hunt. He also had a workout with the Seattle Seahawks.

Ahead of Shaw’s camp this season, Hunt said the Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers came out to watch him. During Shaw’s game against Central State University (Ohio) two weeks ago, the Los Angeles Rams had a scout in attendance watching him.

Hunt and the Bears will play their next game Saturday at Virginia Union University, and he said he’s “ready for the (HBCU Legacy Bowl) game now.”



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Kyle Pillar is a 22-time North Carolina Press Association award-winning sports editor with The Richmond Observer. Follow the sports department on X @ROSports_ for the best in-depth coverage of Richmond County sports.