New York Jets Sign HBCU Graduate, Brandon Codrington

No HBCU athletes were picked in this year’s NFL Draft. Yet, after attending a rookie minicamp, one has earned his way to a contract with the New York Jets.

The Jets announced that, along with other players, they have signed former North Carolina Central defensive back/kick returner Brandon Codrington to a contract. The future rookie posted the good news to his X account after a successful minicamp with the NFL team.

All GLORY TO GOD ! https://t.co/CnUL3JcL3r

— Brandon Codrington (@Bsteel80) May 6, 2024

The current Jets player played his 4-year collegiate career at North Carolina Central where he started 41 games. He had 93 tackles, 10 pass defenses, and 2 tackles for loss while snagging All-MEAC Third Team honors as a return specialist in 2022 when he averaged 6.8 yards per punt return and 19.3 yards per kicking return. He earned that honor a year after being named to the Phil Steeler FCS All-MEAC teams as a returner and defensive back. Last year, he returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown vs. Winston-Salem State.

HBCU Gameday reported that Codrington returned three punts for touchdowns in his final three seasons before signing his NFL contract with the Jets. As a freshman in 2019, he ranked third in the MEAC with a punt return average of 7.8 yards and 18.8 yards per kickoff return. In 2021, as the third-leading punt returner in NCAA Division I-FCS, he gained All-MEAC First Team honors with a MEAC-best 15.0-yard punt return average.

HBCU Buzz reported that at least 21 undrafted HBCU players were invited by multiple teams with mini-camp invites or as undrafted free agents this summer. The athletes invited as undrafted free agents can negotiate and sign with any team interested in them. Players invited to mini-camps are given the opportunity to participate with the teams, and it also provides team personnel a chance to assess the players attending.

New York Jets Sign HBCU Graduate, Brandon Codrington