Bowie State’s Calil Wilkins Makes History at the HBCU Legacy Bowl

Running Back Scores the All Star Game’s First Touchdown

 

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, dlthompson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311

(BOWIE, Md.) – When Calil Wilkins transferred to Bowie State in 2019 from West Virginia State to complete his degree in communications and become a member of the football team, playing running back in a nationally televised all-star game was the last thing on his mind. When Wilkins was named to the All Star squad that enviable opportunity became reality and was amplified as he scored the first touchdown in the Inaugural HBCU Legacy Bowl last Saturday in New Orleans.

The Oxon Hill, Maryland native and Potomac High School alum made history in the college football all - star game created to showcase the best senior athletes from HBCUs for National Football League scouts and people around the nation who have not had the opportunity to see the players compete on the gridiron. Wilkins said that catching a pass and running into the end zone to score the touchdown will remain with him forever in addition to the former NFL stars he met in the week leading up to the game.

“I was honored and humbled to be around all of those men who are legends in the NFL and with the guys who were Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) household names,” said Wilkins.  “Everyone was genuinely concerned about players on both teams and were always ready to give us advice including Coach Wilson and his staff.”

Those NFL greats included James Harris (Grambling State), Mel Blount (Southern University), Nate Newton (Florida A&M), and Doug Williams (Grambling State) who had a prominent role in creating the All Star game for HBCU players. Last year in the 2021 NFL draft, not one player was selected from an HBCU.  This year hopefully that will change as Wilkins has his eyes set on an opportunity to play at the next level.

“The entire week was productive and I tried to prepare as much as possible,” said Wilkins.  “I spoke to sports analyst Charles Davis who gave me some great tips. I also had conversations with scouts from the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders who said they wanted to see me catch the football coming out of the backfield, and that is exactly how I scored the HBCU Legacy Bowl’s first TD,” he said.

Wilkins’ numbers at Bowie State more than justified him being selected to the All – Star squad. He helped lead the Bulldogs to CIAA football championships in 2019 and 2021. This past season he ran for 1,322 yards and scored 9 touchdowns while being named First Team All – CIAA, most valuable player during the 2021 championship game, and the Division II All America team.

“I’m blessed and fortunate to have come to Bowie State and played for Coach Wilson,” said Wilkins.  Coach Wilson really helped me understand the technical aspects of the football while at Bowie and the offensive line ….I just love those guys,” he said.

Players from the CIAA and the Mid - Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) made up Team Gaither, named after Florida A&M’s legendary football coach Jake Gaither.  he coaches for team Gaither were Damon Wilson from Bowie State and Oliver “Buddy” Pough from South Carolina State.  Athletes from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) played for Team Robinson, named for Grambling State’s Eddie Robinson, and were coached by Gabe Giardina of Albany State and Willie Simmons from Florida A&M. 

Wilkins, like many other HBCU players, are hoping to hear their names called when the NFL conducts its annual draft from April 28 – 30 in Paradise, Nevada.

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