DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University junior quarterback Davius Richard and junior defensive back Brandon Codrington have been selected to ESPN's top 50 NFL draft-eligible HBCU prospects list, as chosen by ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Jordan Reid.

A native of Belle Glade, Florida, Richard is a Preseason All-MEAC First Team honoree who claimed All-MEAC Second Team recognition in 2021. He ranked second in the MEAC with 2,496 yards of total offense, an average of 226.9 total yards per contest, and threw for 2,133 yards to become just the second quarterback in NCCU history to register more than 2,000 passing yards in consecutive seasons. He completed 58.0% of his passes (177-for-305) and accounted for 23 total touchdowns (15 passing, 8 rushing). 

After his first two seasons (2019, 2021) at NCCU, Richard ranks eighth on NCCU's all-time career passing list with 4,153 passing yards, and seventh in career total offense with 4,761 total yards.

"Richard is the only quarterback on this list and enters a critical junior season that could catapult him into the top tier of FCS signal callers," Reid said in his breakdown of the NCCU quarterback. "The poised pocket-passer can win with both his arm (15 passing touchdowns) and his legs (eight rushing touchdowns). From his freshman to sophomore season, his completion percentage jumped from 52% to 58%, and his TD-INT ratio improved from 12-to-9 to 15-to-6."

During the 2021 campaign, Codrington (Raleigh, N.C.) received All-MEAC First Team recognition as the third-leading punt returner in NCAA Division I-FCS with a MEAC-best 15.0-yard punt return average. He also ranked second in the league with a 22.5-yard kickoff return average, and finished third on the team with four pass break-ups and seventh on the squad with 43 tackles (31 solo), while adding two blocked kicks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

The versatile Eagle was named to 2021 Phil Steele FCS All-MEAC Teams at four different positions, receiving First Team merit as a punt returner, Third Team as a kickoff returner and all-purpose player, and Fourth Team as a defensive back.

"Codrington is a reliable outside corner with intriguing physical traits and plenty of speed to burn," said Reid. "And he broke out last year as a return specialist, averaging 22.5 yards per kickoff return and 15 yards per punt -- third in the FCS."

Reid is a former quarterback (2010-13) and assistant coach at NCCU. 

For a complete list of Reid's top 50 draft-eligible HBCU prospects, visit ESPN.com (https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2023/story/_/id/34420510/nfl-draft-2023-jordan-reid-hbcu-preseason-top-50-prospect-rankings-including-isaiah-land-shaquan-davis-davius-richard).

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