2023 NFL Draft Preview: Scouts eyeing the Big Bend for new talent

As NFL Teams prepare to add young talent to their rosters via this week’s 2023 Draft, some scouts are turning their attention to the Big Bend region.

FAMU’s Head Coach Willie Simmons says this will place the capital city on the map for years to come.

“Being a product of this area, I say as often as I can that Tallahassee is a much better city when both programs are doing extremely well,” said Simmons. “I think that bows well for the city as a whole so I’m always excited about being able to represent the capital city through this game of football.”

All-Americans Xavier Smith and Isiah Land led the FAMU Rattlers to a 9-2 season last year. Smith racked up over a thousand yards, 87 catches, and 11 touchdowns. He would go on to be invited to the HBCU Legacy Bowl, where he was named the Offensive MVP.

Land shared similar success. The fellow Rattler became the school’s first ever Buchanan Award recipient, cementing his name as the nation’s best FCS defensive player last season.

Earlier this week, Smith told NFL Network Analysts he looks forward to continuing his legacy.

“For me I think this is just the beginning and I feel like it’s a lot to this story,” said Smith. “I just want to continue to add on and not really focus on where I’m at now, but continue to look ahead.”

Meanwhile the FSU Seminoles have a long history of sending players to the NFL. This year the Noles look to surpass 300 all-time pro draft selections. Top prospects like Jammie Robinson, Dillan Gibbons and Robert Cooper showcased their talents at FSU’s Pro Day last month.

Robinson spoke at a press conference afterward where he told reporters it’s all about having fun.

“At the end of the day God gave me this gift to be able to go out there and pursue my dreams,” said Robinson. “I always put my faith in him and just being able to love the game of football. It makes it way much easier for me. It not like a job to me, Its really my life.”

Robinson racked up 99 tackles, an interception, and one sack. He led his team to its first bowl victory in five years.

The first round of the Draft will take place on Thursday and will conclude on Saturday.