Football Draft: The Price of the Dual-Label
New research and player accounts reveal how racial stereotypes continue to shape the evaluation of Black quarterbacks in the NFL.
By Giulia Donovan ·
More than 85 percent of high school quarterbacks labeled as pro-style were white between 2001 and 2020. This statistic comes from a study published in Communication & Sport by researchers at the University of South Florida and Florida Atlantic University. The analysis covered more than 3,400 recruits. The data shows that Black quarterbacks were the majority of those labeled as dual threats.
The terminology carries weight beyond simple description. Former Army West Point quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr. says the label created specific pressures during his career. Hopkins led the Black Knights to an 11-2 record in 2018. He became the first player in Army history to throw and rush for more than 1,000 yards in a single season. Despite this achievement, he felt compelled to prove he could operate as a traditional pocket passer.
Hopkins attributes this feeling to generations of stereotypes. He notes that Black quarterbacks are often assumed to lack leadership or intelligence. "They deduce it down to relying on your athletic ability or being able to go out there and just make plays versus actually making the play happen," Hopkins said. This distinction separates physical execution from mental command of the offense.
A 2010 study by researchers at Ball State University and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh supports this view. The team analyzed more than 4,700 descriptions of NFL quarterback prospects over a decade. Black quarterbacks were frequently described through their physical abilities and doubts about their mental game. White quarterbacks were more often described as mentally prepared and less likely to make mental mistakes.
These perceptions influence player movement. A 2013 study by Kennesaw State University and the College of Mount Saint Joseph found that Black high school quarterbacks were more likely to be moved to another position when they reached college. Hopkins, who stood 5-foot-9, felt this pressure while recruiting in the ACC. He said he held back his athletic ability to fit a specific mold.
The 2025 NFL Draft brought these narratives into sharp focus. Shedeur Sanders entered the process as a top prospect and the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. He was projected as a lottery pick. Instead, he was selected in the fifth round as the 144th pick by the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland had been linked to Sanders throughout the draft.
Critics pointed to Sanders' character and personality. NFL media analyst Bucky Brooks tweeted that Black quarterbacks are routinely labeled as lazy or lacking work ethic, while others are lauded for their IQ. This followed comments by Dan Orlovsky about Justin Fields. Orlovsky questioned Fields' desire to be a great quarterback. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day called the questions reckless. Orlovsky later apologized to Fields.
