Kansas City Chiefs’ Joshua Williams and Bryan Cook recently discussed their NFL journeys originating from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in a conversation with journalist William C. Rhoden on Andscape. Their reflections on this path come in the wake of the Chiefs’ 21-14 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt, Germany last Sunday.
These two Chiefs players, Joshua Williams and Bryan Cook, took distinct routes to reach the NFL. Williams, who excelled as a defensive back in the CIAA while attending Fayetteville State University, was the first HBCU player chosen in the 2022 draft. The Chiefs selected him in the 4th round as the 135th pick.
On the other hand, Cook spent two years at Howard in 2017 and 2018 before transferring to Cincinnati. His exceptional performance with the Bearcats ultimately led to his selection as the 62nd pick in the second round of the 2022 draft. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the Chiefs’ victory in Frankfurt, converting a fumble recovery into a 59-yard scoop and score touchdown, which contributed to their 21-0 lead after a successful PAT.
During their conversation with Rhoden, Cook elaborated on his decision to transfer from Howard, explaining, “I was searching for the best fit for me. Cincinnati extended an opportunity to be on a bigger stage and return closer to my family. However, I still hold Howard deep in my heart, and I met some of the closest people in my life there. There are no hard feelings. At the time, I needed to identify the best opportunity for my growth and development.”
Cook’s transition to Cincinnati was not without its challenges, as he shared with Rhoden, “At Howard, I felt comfortable. At Cincinnati, I experienced a culture shock, a complete change in environment. I went from being a prominent figure to coming off the bench, and my entire identity shifted. I had to redefine my goals and face numerous challenges. It was a process of rebuilding my identity.”
Meanwhile, Williams, who contemplated transferring at one point, ultimately chose to remain at Fayetteville State. He revealed, “There was certainly a time when I considered transferring to gain more visibility and perform on a bigger stage. However, I decided to stay the course and stick with the same program. I was already getting the attention I needed to have a shot at the league. I didn’t want to jeopardize the progress I had made in reaching the next level, so I opted to stay and stay loyal to the program.
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