Three Black QBs Make History in 2023 NFL Draft with Top Five Selections
2023 NFL Draft witnesses historic moment as three black quarterbacks, Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson, get drafted within the top five picks, signifying progress towards greater diversity and inclusion in the league. We discuss it here!
Former Ohio State Quarterback C.J. Stroud winds up to throw a pass at practice
Credit: Oho State Dept. of Athletics
By: Joshua Martin
The 2023 NFL Draft witnessed a groundbreaking moment in the history for the culture as three black quarterbacks, Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson, were drafted within the first five picks. This is a significant achievement for the black community, especially given the challenges that African American quarterbacks have faced in the past.
THE moment. pic.twitter.com/MrOwKr52eT
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 28, 2023
Ultimately, the Carolina Panthers selected Bryce Young with the number 1 overall pick. Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, is a talented quarterback who possesses excellent leadership skills, agility, and a strong arm. His exceptional performance in college football, coupled with his incredible work ethic, made him a prime candidate for the top pick.
C.J. Stroud, who played for Ohio State, was drafted as the second overall pick by the Houston Texans. Stroud is a skilled quarterback who is known for his accuracy and ability to read defenses. He had an outstanding college career, and his selection in the top five picks is a testament to his talent and hard work.
Lastly, Anthony Richardson, who played for the University of Florida, was drafted as the fourth overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts. Richardson is a dual-threat quarterback who is known for his speed and agility. His incredible performance in college football, coupled with his impressive physical attributes, made him an attractive prospect for the Colts. The selection of these three black quarterbacks in the top five picks is a significant achievement for the NFL and a sign of progress towards greater diversity and inclusion in the league.
More from the 2023 NFL Draft
The Texans were eager to acquire top level prospects on both sides of the ball. After making a deal with the Arizona Cardinals to move up to pick 3, Houston acquired who many feel was the top overall prospect in this year's class, edge rusher from the University of Alabama Will Anderson Jr. A monster of an athlete with quick hands and an extremely high motor.
Rounding out the top 5 was the Seattle Seahawks selecting Devon Witherspoon, defensive back from the university of Illinois. With the attitude and athletic profile scouts gush over, Witherspoon has a chance to become a high impact player immediately.
The middle of the draft saw teams focusing on interior lineman and defensive difference makers. The Philadelphia Eagles continue to knock this drafting thing out of the park with their selection of Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia at pick 9. A disruptive force in the interior who fell due to off the field concerns.
All for this moment@breadmanjalen | #NFLDraft | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/g6YVlxGDgH
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 28, 2023
“Grinding all my life for this moment.”
After 19 consecutive picks to begin the draft without a wide receiver, four in a row came off the board to start the 20s.
The bottom of the draft usually spots pretty good teams who simply are looking to add depth or crazy value. With no topflight prospect still on the board at 26, The Cowboys selected Mazi Smith, DT, University of Michigan much to the delight of Dallas’s All Pro edge rusher Micah Parson.
Micah Parsons got his wish, he texted Cowboys DC Dan Quinn earlier in the day that he wanted Mazi Smith
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 28, 2023
(Video: @BleacherReport) pic.twitter.com/LUCjQsCwMt
To round out the first round, the two participants in last season’s Super Bowl added to their defense with Nolan Smith, OLB, Georgia and Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas State respectively at 30 and 31.
KEY NOTES from the Draft
The running back position saw a slight resurgence with 2 players chosen within the top 12 picks. (Pick 8 - Atlanta Falcons Bijan Robinson,Texas; Pick 12 - Detroit Lions, Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama)
The selection of Gibbs at pick 12 was probably the most surprising selection on Day 1. With Gibbs even being surprised by the pick.
"I feel great," Gibbs said. "I didn't know I would get picked as high as I did because running backs don't get picked as high in this new age and new era of the NFL draft, but it was pretty shocking to me.” - Jahmyr Gibbs, ESPN
Alabama also sets a NFL Draft record with 15 consecutive seasons with a draft pick in the first round. This is also the third time in the last four years a Alabama QB was taken in the first round.
Congratulations to all of the young men drafted on opening day. It's an honor to be a first round pick and potentially life altering for them and their families for generations. Now that their draft fates are sealed, it's time for these guys to live up to the hype!! We’ll be watching!!
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XFL Star P.J. Walker Journeys Back Into The NFL For A Second Chance
Former XFL quarterback P.J. Walker found himself back on an NFL roster with the Carolina Panthers after lighting up the XFL this past season. Will this be a breakout opportunity for the rising QB? We discuss it here!
P.J. Walker with the Houston Renegades
Troy Taormina - USA Today Sports
Former XFL quarterback P.J. Walker found himself back on an NFL roster as he signed a 2-year, 1.57 million contract with the Carolina Panthers. This news came about only a day after it was announced that Carolina had released their franchise quarterback, Cam Newton.
Although Walker made it to the NFL back in 2017, this upcoming 2020 season could be the first time that we actually get to watch him play in-game. Walker managed to get picked up as an undrafted free agent by the Colts shortly after the draft, but was eventually waived later that Fall and signed to the practice squad. Unfortunately he was the case of uncertainty, causing him to be on and off the practice squad for the next two years. Indianapolis eventually released Walker for good September 2, 2019.
Although things didn't quite work out for Walker during his time in the big league, he caught a less than surprising break as the newly formed XFL drafted him for the 2020 season. He was assigned to the Houston Roughnecks and led his team to an undefeated 5-0 season, which was cut short due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
P.J. Walker Scores For The Houston Renegades
Troy Taormina - USA Today Sports
Walker managed to become the big talk of the league, and deservingly so the frontrunner as the MVP favorite. He was named the XFL’s first ever Star of the Week with a four touchdown win, led the league in passing touchdowns with 15, and led the league in passing yards with 1,338 over only a 5 game span.
The XFL’s legitimacy was well solidified in its opening season, and even seen as a solid gateway league into the NFL. Although Walker was the first to be called upon, many others have found their names being called to the big league. Even with the season being cut short due to the coronavirus outbreak, five weeks were all that some players needed to stand out as potential NFL talent. To this date 14 XFL players have been signed by NFL teams.
Now, while Walker has recently gained some professional experience under his belt, his time back into the NFL will be far from a smooth welcoming. He’ll be battling for the starting quarterback role as Carolina also signed Teddy Bridgewater to a 3-year, $63 million deal. The former pro bowler hasn’t had the smoothest journey through the league but showed promising potential in being Carolina’s savior as he replaced Drew Brees, who suffered from a right thumb injury in week two. Bridgewater threw for 1,384 yards and 9 touchdowns, all of while collecting five straight game wins for the New Orleans Saints.
P.J. Walker gets Coaching from Matt Rhule at Temple
One advantage that Walker may have over Bridgewater is his connection to Carolina’s new head coach, Matt Rhule. Walker accepted an athletic scholarship to Temple University and played under coach Matt Rhule from 2013-2016. Walker started as a backup to Connor Reilly, but eventually earned the starting role. Throughout his collegiate career he collected multiple accolades, including the 2016 AAC Conference Championship Game Most Outstanding Player Award, CFPA National Player of the Year watch list, and Davey O’Brien Award watch list. Walker also holds most of the university’s records, such as all-time leader in wins by a starting quarterback, passing yards, passing touchdowns, completions, attempts, total yards, and total touchdowns. To cap it off, he led the owls to their first conference title in 49 years in 2016, and their first ever back to back bowl game appearance in school history in 2015 and 2016.
Walker would be filling in for some very big shoes as a starter for Carolina after they parted ways with their franchise quarterback Cam Newton. The former MVP took the Panthers to their first playoff win in nine years, first back to back division title in the NFC South, three consecutive playoff appearances, and led his team to only their 2nd Super Bowl with a 15-1 regular season record. He was nicknamed as “Superman”, and rightfully so, as he was not only the franchise hero, but a hero the city of Charlotte and the fans as well.
While P.J. Walker is not Superman, who's to say he can’t be Carolina’s knight in shining armor to save them from this bad dream?
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"They Gave Up On Me" - Cam Newton Prepares For Redemption
Cam Newton faces a defining moment in his career as he searches for redemption after being released from the Carolina Panthers.
Grant Halverson/Getty Images
By: Omar Cook
Cam Newton has led the Carolina Panthers at the quarterback position for the past 9 seasons, but the Panthers have decided to go in a new direction and release the veteran QB. The Panthers have only one winning season in the past 4 years and have added Teddy Bridgewater and XFL star P.J. Walker to the QB room as they search for a new leader. So what’s next for the 30 year old quarterback?
Adversity hits us all but this is a major turning point in Cam Newton’s career and will be a defining moment for him in how he handles this adversity. The team that is favored to land Newton is the Washington Redskins but of course there will be plenty of options for him to land as teams can always use a veteran at QB.
Odds for what team Cam Newton will be on for Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season (BetOnline):
— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) March 26, 2020
Redskins +200
Broncos/Patriots +300
Dolphins +400
Chargers +500
Jaguars +900
Raiders +1600
Steelers +2800
Bengals +4000
Newton took to instagram to post a video of his working saying “All I know is work…they gave up on me.”
Cam Newton played in just 2 games last season after suffering a season ending foot injury and getting off to an 0-2 start. It’s an unfortunate situation for Newton but it could also be a story of true redemption. Newton is talented to say the least but moving past the injuries and adjusting to a new team will be a challenge.
Newton has thrown for 29,041 career yards 182 touchdowns and 108 interceptions with an 86.1 passer rating. His career regular season record is 68-55-1 and 3-4 in the playoffs. Newton has a plethora of experience but ultimately has failed to take the Panthers to the next level as an organization.
The former #1 pick is no stranger to hard work and I would fully expect that if he stays healthy, a highly motivated Cam Newton will have a redemption season. Stay tuned for where Newton will land this off season.
Meet Joshua Martin, Senior Video Editor for 247 Live Culture!
Email: Joshua@247LCTV.com