> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.bcspin.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Rookies, vets splash in NFL preseason debuts - URL: https://www.bcspin.net/rookies-vets-splash-in-nfl-preseason-debuts/ - Published: 2026-08-17T18:58:51.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-17T19:21:18.000Z - Author: Carl Lut Williams A slew of rookies and veterans had auspicious debuts as the 2026 NFL preseason kicked off with a full schedule last week (see [**BCSP NFL ProFile**](https://www.bcspin.net/bcsp-nfl-profile-week-of-august-11-17-2026/)**)**. Thirty-five of the 47 black college players on NFL rosters saw action as teams sat established veterans and allowed some of the newcomers to show off their talents. Among the rookies with noteworthy efforts were **J’Mari Taylor, Jacob Roberts**, **Erick Hunter** and **Karon Prunty**. Also, UFL championship game MVP **Ian Wheeler** out of **Howard** had another impressive debut. **TAYLOR FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS** Taylor, a Charlotte N.C. native who spent three years in the **Mid Eastern Athletic Conference** (MEAC) at **North Carolina Central** before finishing his college career at Virginia of the ACC, is one four black college players on the Jacksonville Jaguars squad. The Jags gave him a good look and workout Saturday as he attempts to earn a spot in their talented backfield that already includes former **North Carolina A&T** product **Bhayshul Tuten**. Tuten also finished his career in the ACC at Virginia Tech. Taylor (5-9, 204) carried 22 times for 78 yards (3.5 yards per carry) with a long run of 14 yards and [scored on a 2-yard fourth-quarter run](https://www.nfl.com/videos/j-mari-taylor-spins-into-end-zone-for-td?ref=bcspin.net) in Jacksonville’s 24-20 win over New Orleans Saturday. Such production is nothing new for Taylor. As a junior at NCCU in 2024, he led the **MEAC** in rushing, racking up 1,146 yards, averaging a robust 5.8 yards per carry and scoring a league-best 15 rushing touchdowns for the 8-3 Eagles. After transferring to UVA for his final collegiate season in 2025, he rushed 222 times for 1,062 yards (4.8 ypc.) and 14 touchdowns for the 11-3 Cavaliers, earning first-team All-ACC honors. That kind of production gets you noticed. It certainly did for Tuten. The Paulsboro, N.J. native rushed for 1,363 yards and 13 TDs as a sophomore at A&T followed by 863-yard, 10-TD and 1,159-yard, 15-TD seasons at Va. Tech that also earned him all-ACC (second team) status. Despite their paths being similar, Tuten was taken in the 2025 NFL Draft’s fourth round while Taylor was undrafted in 2026. Taylor [outlined his outlook as did Jacksonville head coach Liam Coen in a story on the Jaguars website.](https://www.jaguars.com/news/rookie-rb-looking-to-prove-himself-i-ve-always-been-an-underdog?ref=bcspin.net) **NC A&T TO NFL PIPELINE** Jacob Roberts and Karon Prunty are two other former N. C. A&T defensive standouts, both who finished their careers at Wake Forest, who showcased their talents this weekend. Roberts (6-1, 233), playing at inside linebacker for Minnesota, [picked off a fourth-quarter pass over the middle from New York Giants quarterback Brandon Allen](https://www.vikings.com/video/jacob-roberts-interception-giants-quarterback-brandon-allen?ref=bcspin.net) in the Viking’ 13-10 win Saturday. The Charlotte N. C. native added three tackles, two solos while playing 18 defensive snaps. Though he is listed as an NFL rookie, Roberts spent the 2024 season playing part-time in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders after going undrafted in the NFL. During his time at A&T, Roberts had a team-best 84 tackles in the 2021 season, 72 total stops in 2022\. After transferring to Wake Forest, he posted 83 tackles (40 solo, 43 assists) with six sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass break-up. Unlike Roberts, Prunty (6-1, 192) was drafted by New England in the fifth round of this year’s draft after standout seasons at three collegiate stops. On Thursday, he started at cornerback in the Patriots 13-13 tie with Indianapolis finishing with three tackles on defense, one solo, and a team-best two solo tackles on special teams. Portsmouth, Va. native, Prunty was a freshman all-American defensive back at Kansas in 2020 before spending two years at A&T (2022 and 2023) earning all-Big South and all-CAA honors. He was at Wake Forest last season where he reccorded 23 tackles, eight pass break-ups and an interception. **HUNTER, THE HUNTER** Former **Morgan State** standout linebacker **Erick Hunter** (6-2, 224) displayed his vaunted hunting skills in his debut Saturday for Detroit. The undrafted rookie, who hails from Capital Heights, Md., had four solo tackles in a 16-14 loss to Cincinnati Thursday. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8c/c4/8cc4c3c9-721f-4b2d-9476-edcac70eeddc/content/images/2026/08/HUNTER.png) THE HUNTER: Former Morgan State linebacking standout Erick Hunter (#48) looking to get in on this special teams' play for Detroit. He had four solo tackles in his debut vs. Cincinnati. Hunter is a year removed from leading the MEAC with his seek-and-destroy tactics, piling up 102 stops over 12 games (8.5 per game). He had entered the 2025 season as the league’s preseason defensive player of the year selection despite missing almost the entire 2024 season with an injury. He led the MEAC with 75 tackles for the Bears in 2023 while posting 76 stops in 2022. **WHEELER SHOWS HIS WHEELS, AGAIN** Impressive debuts are nothing new for former **Howard** versatile running back Ian Wheeler. On Saturday vs. Carolina, he led Buffalo with 41 rushing yards on seven carries (5.9 yards per carry) and [scored untouched on a 6-yard fourth-quarter run up the middle](https://www.buffalobills.com/video/ian-wheeler-zips-up-the-middle-untouched-for-6-yard-td-run-bills-vs-panthers-highlights?ref=bcspin.net). The Bills called his number six times and he responded with 32 yards (5.3 ypc.) in the drive that led to his score. The 5-10, 205-pounder out of Houston rushed for 1,154 yards and 14 touchdowns in four years at Howard (2019 to 2023) while platooning as a running back and kick returner, He went undrafted but was signed as a free agent by the Chicago Bears in 2024\. Almost two years ago to the date – on August 10, 2024in his Bears’ debut – he rushed for 43 yards and scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 33-6 win against the Bills A knee injury in the preseason caused him to be placed on injured reserve. After sitting out a year, he came back to Chicago but was one of the last players released in late August 2025\. He made a brief stint on the New Orleans Saints practice squad but was again relesed in early December. In February of this season, he was signed by the Louisville Kings of the United Football League (UFL). After beginning the season as a reserve running back, Wheeler showed his stuff in Week 5, rushing for 62 yards and a UFL single-game record of four rushing touchdowns. He had a season-high 99 yards on 14 carries (7.0 ypc.) in Week 10\. In the UFL semifinal vs. St. Louis, he rushed for 89 yards on seven carries (12.6 ypc.) including a 51-yard go-ahead TD in the fourth quarter. In the UFL title game, he rushed for 81 yards including a go-ahead 44-yard score to earn the game MVP award and the Kings the UFL title. Wheeler signed a one-year contract with the Bills in June. **VETS GET IN THE ACT** Not to be left out, several black college NFL vets showed their stuff in brief appearances in preseason Week One. Dallas pass rushing specialists **James Houston IV** and **Isaiah Land** both had sacks in the Cowboys’ 17-7 win over defending Super Bowl champ Seattle. Houston, a fifth-year **Jackson State** product, [got his sack](https://www.dallascowboys.com/video/james-houston-corrals-milroe-for-a-4-yard-sack?ref=bcspin.net) on a spin move while playing just 18 defensive snaps. He had three tackles including the sack. Land, in his fourth season out of **Florida A&M**, came in late in the game and [dropped Seahawks QB Jalen Milroe for a 14-yard loss](https://www.nfl.com/videos/isaiah-land-s-14-yard-sack-prevents-seattle-scoring-opportunity?ref=bcspin.net) to halt a scoring opportunity. Land was in for just 16 snaps and had one other tackle. Fourth-year wide receiver/kick returner **Xavier Smith** of the Los Angeles Rams out of **Florida A&M**, started at wide receiver and pulled in all four of his targets for 26 yards. His splash was on special teams as he returned three punts for 52 yards including [a 40-yarder down the left sideline](https://www.therams.com/video/rams-wide-reciever-xavier-smith-red-zone-punt-return-preseason-chiefs?ref=bcspin.net) in the Rams’ 20-12 win over Kansas City. Second-year defensive lineman **Elijah Williams** out of **Morgan State** again showed his pass rushing prowess as he posted [a sack on Giants QB Jameis Winston](https://www.vikings.com/video/elijah-williams-comes-down-with-big-sack?ref=bcspin.net) while playing just 13 snaps. **South Carolina State** vet **Antonio Hamilton Sr.** and former SCSU teammate and now Green Bay Packer defensive tackle **Javon Hargrave** are the most tenured black college players in the league entering their 11th seasons. Hamilton had four tackles, three solos for the Washington Commanders including a solo special teams’ tackle. Hargrave was one of eight vets to sit out this week.