Former Massillon Tiger football star Chris Anthony excited to compete at HBCU Legacy Bowl

NEW ORLEANS — The second annual HBCU Legacy Bowl week is underway.

This year, Massillon is represented by Chris Anthony, former Tiger lineman who played at Morgan State,

He is one of 100 HBCU players scheduled to play in the Legacy Bowl on Saturday at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.

“I’m just excited to be taking part in an all-star game that has some of the best athletes in the country," Anthony said to the Canton Repository. "In the Legacy Bowl, I had teammates who had played in it in the past that had tremendous experiences from it, and the coaching staff as well that has taken part in years past. I’ve gotten a little bit of knowledge about what to expect. I've never been to New Orleans as well either, so that’s going to be fun just to take that in. I like to travel whenever I can. I’m just excited about the overall experience of it all.”

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Anthony started his career at Eastern Kentucky in 2017. After graduating from EKU, he used the remaining two years of eligibility and transferred to Morgan State.  He started 11 games in his final season, helping the Bears rush for 147.2 yards a game. Anthony made Phil Steele’s second-team All-MEAC. Anthony projects to play guard at the next level and is open to playing anywhere in the interior line, including center.

“I know NFL teams are looking for versatility, and in the past, I had some snapping experience at center,” Anthony said. “I think I’m probably too small at tackle at the next level, but with all the knowledge I gained interior-wise, I would say that’s my best fit.”

Four more players to watch in the HBCU Legacy Bowl

Malik Johnson, Central State

Cornerback, 6-foot-2, 190 pounds

Johnson also has Stark County ties. The Georgia native started his career at Malone University in 2018 before transferring to Central State, where he played the remaining three years as a Marauder. In his career at Central State, Johnson played in 25 games, registering 72 tackles, two interceptions, 14 pass deflections and two forced fumbles. No stranger to televised games, Johnson collected five tackles during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic against Winston-Salem State in Canton last year.

Xavier Smith, Florida A&M

Wide Receiver, 5-10, 170

Smith started out as a walk-on at FAMU and left as an All-American. Smith has been a 1,000-yard receiver in two of the last three seasons. He made a name for himself during the 2019 season when he finished with 77 catches, 1,159 yards and 11 touchdowns. In 2022, he led the Rattlers with 1,021 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning him FCS third-team All-American and first-team All-SWAC.

Kemari Averett, Bethune Cookman

Tight end, 6-6, 250

This year’s draft class is loaded with tight ends, and Averett might be a guy under the radar. The University of Louisville transfer broke out during the 2021 season, with 888 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. In his two years at Bethune Cookman, Averett finished with 91 catches, 1,333 yards and 17 TDs. Prior to the Legacy Bowl, Averett participated in the NFLPA Bowl on Jan. 28.

Andrew Farmer II, Lane College

Defensive end, 6-4, 260

A sack master in NCAA Division II, Farmer made 11.5 sacks in 10 games in 2021, which was the third most in HBCUs and fourth most in Division II. He also had 19 tackles for loss, which was third most in the nation, and earned All-SIAC honors. After registering six sacks in his final year at Lane, Farmer showcased to NFL scouts during the Hula Bowl and has spoken to at least eight NFL teams.

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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Massillon grad Chris Anthony to compete in HBCU Legacy Bowl