Fayetteville State is putting HBCU football on the NFL map this preseason, with two Broncos alumni generating legitimate roster buzz — one carving out a growing defensive role, the other surviving a roster cut to stick with a Super Bowl contender.
Joshua Williams, Titans CB
Joshua Williams is quietly becoming one of the more interesting stories out of Tennessee's training camp. The Titans cornerback is drawing attention under first-year head coach Robert Saleh, with reports indicating he's trending toward a meaningful contributor role in Saleh's defense — not just a depth piece.
For a Titans secondary that is being rebuilt under new leadership, Williams' trajectory matters. Saleh built his reputation on aggressive, scheme-heavy defenses, and a corner who can win on the outside is a premium asset in that system. Williams, an undrafted product out of Fayetteville State, has already defied the odds simply by holding an NFL roster spot — now he's pushing for something more.
How much playing time he ultimately sees will depend on how camp shakes out, but the signal from Nashville is clear: Williams is in the conversation, not on the fringe of it.
Nick Zakelj, 49ers OL
The news out of San Francisco was a double-edged sword for Fayetteville State. The 49ers made a roster move this week that brought offensive lineman Nick Zakelj back into the fold — but it came at the expense of fellow Broncos alum Kion Smith, who was released to clear the roster spot.
Zakelj's return to San Francisco signals the organization still sees him as a viable piece of their offensive line depth. The 49ers' O-line has been one of the most scrutinized units in football given the health concerns surrounding key starters, making every roster decision along the front five consequential. Zakelj earning a return over the offseason speaks to the impression he's made on the coaching staff.
For Smith, the cut is a setback, but the preseason is still active and roster movement will continue through final cuts. His path back isn't closed.
The broader story here is what these two alumni represent: Fayetteville State, a Division II HBCU in North Carolina, currently has players competing for real roles — not practice squad afterthoughts — in the NFL. Williams is ascending in Tennessee. Zakelj is back in the building with one of the league's most sophisticated franchises. That's a program punching well above its classification, and this week's preseason news only reinforces it.
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