On Friday, June 16, Robert Mitchell, an offensive lineman from North Carolina Central (NCCU), and Keyron Kinsler Jr., a defensive back from Alcorn State, achieved significant milestones in their football careers and for HBCU schools by being selected in the XFL Rookie Draft, per HBCU Gameday.

Robert Mitchell, hailing from Millsboro, Delaware, was chosen by the Vegas Vipors for the upcoming season. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 305 pounds, Mitchell was a standout performer for the North Carolina Central Eagles football team. He was named the 2022 MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year, thanks to his dominant play on the field. Mitchell's exceptional blocking skills earned him a remarkable 90.2% grade. Throughout the season, he allowed only eight pressures and delivered 69 pancake blocks, establishing himself as a top player in the trenches.

In 2022, Robert Mitchell and North Carolina Central secured the MEAC championship and the HBCU national championship by defeating Jackson State in the Cricket Celebration Bowl. The Eagles concluded the season with a stellar 10-2 record, earning them a No. 17 ranking in the FCS Coaches Poll and the HBCU national championship title.

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Keyron Kinsler, a defensive back, was one of the ten rookies selected by the Orlando Guardians. Before his college career, His standout performance on the football field led to him being recognized as First-Team All-County as a senior and Second-Team All-County as a junior. During his senior year, Kinsler tallied 115 tackles, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles, earning him Honorable Mention All-State honors. Making an impact in his freshman year at Alcorn State football, Kinsler displayed his skills by appearing in all 12 games and recording 35 tackles, including 23 solo tackles.

In the 2019 season, as a sophomore, Kinsler continued to excel as a key player for the Braves' defense. He accumulated 53 tackles, ranking fifth on the team, along with 4.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions. Kinsler's highlight performance came against Savannah State when he registered a career-high 10 tackles.

It's a big step for these two promising rookies to represent HBCU schools in the growing XFL, especially from the North Carolina Central and Alcorn State football programs. They are sure to have promising futures ahead of them.