SC State Bulldogs alumnus Cobie Durant named 2025 Black College Football Pro Player of the Year
Durant is the third player from SC State to receive the award since it was established in 2018. Darius “Shaq” Leonard was the co-recipient in 2019, and Javon Hargarve was the recipient in 2020.
Durant, a standout defensive back for the Los Angeles Rams, earned the honor for his professional performance and his representation of HBCU excellence on and off the field.
He is the third player from SC State to receive the award since it was established in 2018. Darius “Shaq” Leonard was the co-recipient in 2019, and Javon Hargarve was the recipient in 2020.
He accepted the award at Saturday’s Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, becoming the eighth player to earn this annual honor presented to a top professional football player who attended a historically Black college or university (HBCU).
“I want to thank the NFLPA for selecting me for this award,” Durant said in a NFLPA news release. "It’s an honor to be recognized and honored among the Hall of Fame Inductees for the Black College Football Hall of Fame. One day I hope to share the stage with those who have paved the way for me to play in the National Football League.”
The three-year pro is coming off his best season since being selected by the Rams in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Durant recorded a career-high 40 tackles and registered one interception, one sack and one forced fumble as a starter in the Los Angeles secondary. In the Rams’ playoff win against Minnesota, he became the third player in franchise history to record a sack and an interception in the same game. Durant, who earned MEAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2021 while at South Carolina State, has quickly proved he belongs at the highest level, making him a rising star and proud representative of HBCU talent in the NFL.
For being recognized as this year’s Black College Pro Football Player of the Year, Durant received a custom jacket from NFLPA licensing partner Pro Standard. He was also honored alongside the 16th annual Black College Football Hall of Fame class, which featured Henry Dyer, Rashean Mathis, Jacquay Nunnally, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Jay “Sky” Walker and Coach Fred “Pop” Long.
Since the award’s 2018 inception, the NFLPA has recognized one active NFL player who serves as a positive influence in his community, has ties to his HBCU alma mater, exhibits good character and has performed at a high level during the most recent NFL season.
Past winners of the NFLPA Black College Football Pro Player of the Year*:
- 2024: Markquese Bell (Dallas Cowboys)
- 2023: Tytus Howard (Houston Texans)
- 2022: Grover Stewart (Indianapolis Colts)
- 2021: Terron Armstead (New Orleans Saints)
- 2020: Javon Hargrave (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- 2019: Darius Leonard (Indianapolis Colts) and Tarik Cohen (Chicago Bears)
- 2018: Antoine Bethea (Arizona Cardinals)
*Denotes player’s team at the time he was honored.
About the NFL Players Association: The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) is the union for professional football players in the NFL and headquartered in Washington, D.C. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of protecting the health, safety and financial future of its more than 2,000 player members, who are the backbone of North America's most popular and highest revenue-generating sport. Through a wide offering of programs, resources and engagement opportunities, the NFLPA provides world-class service to players throughout their career lifecycle and builds solidarity to advocate on their behalf in the areas of healthcare, revenue, compensation and working conditions. The current CBA will govern the sport through the 2030 season. Learn more at nflpa.com.