ETTRICK, VA – Two Virginia State football student-athletes will participate in the 2023 HBCU Legacy Bowl game on Saturday, Feb. 25 on the campus of Tulane University. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. (ET) from Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, LA.

Among the Trojans are Linebacker Zion Johnson and Running back Darius Hagans.

Darius Hagans, a first team All-CIAA Running Back, was second in the CIAA in carries (189), rushing yards (1,012) and rushing yards per contest (101.2). He ranks sixth in average yards per rush (5.4) and fourth in rushing touchdowns (6). Hagans scored the rushing longest touchdown in the CIAA after his 86-yard touchdown against Bluefield State. He had four games he rushed for over 100 yards. He rushed for 261 yards on 21 carries capped with a touchdown against Bluefield State.

Zion Johnson, a first team All-CIAA Linebacker, led the team with 74 total tackles which also allowed him to tie for ninth in the conference while ranking fourth with 41 assisted tackles. He ties for second in the conference with three forced fumbles this season. Johnson had two games where he accounted for 10 or more total tackles.  

TEAM GAITHER, named after legendary Florida A&M University football coach Jake Gaither, is made up of the CIAA and MEAC players and are led by co-head coaches Richard Hayes, Jr. of Fayetteville State and Trei Oliver of North Carolina Central.  As for TEAM ROBINSON, named after legendary Grambling State University football coach Eddie Robinson, is made up of the SIAC and SWAC players and are led by co-head coaches Chennis Berry of Benedict and Eric Dooley of Southern.

About the HBCU Legacy Bowl
The HBCU Legacy Bowl, presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame, is a postseason all-star game highlighting the best NFL draft-eligible football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It will be broadcast live on NFL Network. More than a football game, the weeklong celebration of Black culture and history will provide invaluable exposure for HBCU students.

About the Black College Football Hall of Fame
The Black College Football Hall of Fame was established in October 2009 to honor the greatest football players and coaches from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Its trustees are football legends Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams. The Black College Football Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Shack Harris & Doug Williams Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization. The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) has a permanent home at the Pro Football Hall of Fame to tell the story of HBCUs.