HBCU Football Draft Picks: Oklahoma
Statewide Picks
Between 1954 and 1999, there were 14 professional football draft picks that came out of Oklahoma’s HBCUs. All of the picks came from Langston University.
Langston University
Langston University was founded in 1897, with the original name of Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University. It is the only HBCU in Oklahoma and is currently located in Langston, a town in Logan County.
The First
Maurice Basset was the first professional football draft pick from the university, taken by the Cleveland Browns in the 1954 NFL Draft.
The 1960s
There were two professional football picks from Langston during the 1960s.
Don Smith was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1962 NFL Draft and Gene Howard was picked by the New Orleans Saints in the 1968 NFL Draft.
The 1970s
The 70s was the most prolific draft decade for Langston University. Between 1970 and 1975 seven players were picked by professional teams.
The 1980s
Two Langston University football players were drafted in the 1980s.
Ricky Williams was picked by the New England Patriots in the 1983 NFL.
Juan Johnson was picked by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1985 NFL Draft.
The 1990s
The last two football players drafted from Langston University went in the 90s.
Matthew Hatchette was selected in the 1997 NFL Draft and Noel Scarlett was selected in the 1999 Draft. Both players were taken by the Minnesota Vikings.
