Every year, the East-West Shrine Bowl lists the 1,000 top NFL Draft-eligible prospects to watch at the start of the college football season.
The list includes eight of the top players in HBCU football, including the top defenders in the MEAC and SWAC, respectively.
These eight players were selected for the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 list.
Ashton Grable OL, Florida A&M
Kicking off the list is Florida A&M offensive lineman Ashton Grable, who has been a model of consistency since transferring to the team in 2023. He has made the All-SWAC team in his first two seasons, including a First-Team selection last year.
Eden James RB, Howard
Shifting to the MEAC, Howard running back Eden James is looking to improve on a slight drop-off in 2024. James’ numbers dropped compared to his 2023 campaign, tallying 570 yards from scrimmage (796 in 2023), including three rushing touchdowns. With Jarett Hunter now out of the picture, the senior running back is set up for a bounce-back year.
Noah Miles DE, Howard
Sticking with Howard, the 2024 season was a breakout campaign for defensive end Noah Miles. Miles took full advantage of the additional playing time afforded to him, posting 35 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, and a forced fumble. Miles will be a key figure in the Bison’s pursuit of a second MEAC championship in three seasons.
Joanes Fortilien WR, Jackson State
Joanes Fortilien is the only player on this list who has not made a conference’s official all-conference team (he was selected to the Phil Steele All-SWAC team last year). In 2024, Fortilien led the Tigers with 41 receptions and 11 touchdowns while compiling 627 receiving yards. He played a significant role in Jackson State’s Celebration Bowl victory, notching 43 receiving yards on six receptions and scoring two touchdowns.
.@gojsutigersfb strikes first following an 18 play drive! JaCobian Morgan (@jacobian_morgan) hits Joanes Fortilien (@FortilienJoanes) on the jump ball.
What was better – the catch or the celly??
pic.twitter.com/xi9rr5i7u4
— Cricket Celebration Bowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 14, 2024
Erick Hunter LB, Morgan State
Erick Hunter returns to the football field after missing most of the 2024 season due to injury. In Hunter’s last full season, he recorded 75 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles. With former Bears defensive lineman Elijah Williams gone, the MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year will have the spotlight firmly on him in his collegiate swan song.
Kevon King RB, Norfolk State
Despite being snubbed for the MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year award, big things are expected out of Norfolk State running back Kevon King. Last season, King was selected to his first career All-MEAC team after putting up 944 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. With at least 715 rushing yards, the senior running back will enter the top 5 career rushers in Norfolk State history.
Ckelby Givens DE, Southern
Reigning SWAC Defensive Player of the Year Ckelby Givens comes into the 2025 season looking to build on a dominant 2024 campaign. Givens led the country with 27.5 tackles for loss while finishing sixth in sacks (12.0), leading the Jaguars to a SWAC West division title. The Jaguars’ defender aims to become the first player to win two straight SWAC Defensive Player of the Year awards since 2018.
Bruno Onwuazor OL, Virginia State
Virginia State offensive lineman Bruno Onwuazor rounds out this list as the only HBCU Division II selection. A transfer from the University of Maryland, Onwuazor has been named to the All-CIAA team in the last two seasons.
Last year, he was named the CIAA’s Offensive Lineman of the Year after only allowing one pressure all season on an offense that ranked second in the conference in total offensive yards.
